Fun Things to do in Cologne Old Town – A Travel Guide

Fun Things to do in Cologne Old Town – A Travel Guide

May 14, 2021 6 By Kerry

Cologne is a vibrant city in western Germany that makes a fantastic city break all year round. Known as Koln in German, the city has a mixture of gothic German architecture, contrasted against modern buildings and structures. Imagine rustic narrow cobbled streets in one direction and spacious open areas bustling with shops, bars and restaurants in another. One thing is for sure, there are many things to do in Cologne old town, (Altstadt) and this Cologne travel guide will help you discover them.


Things to do in Cologne Contents

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Where is Cologne Old Town?

Cologne’s old town is found West of the majestic Rhine river, right in the heart of this central German city. The old town, Altstadt, is the first place you will arrive when travelling to the central train station, Koln Hauptbahnhof. Trains from Cologne Bonn airport are regular and affordable, which is perfect if you’re only visiting for a short trip or travelling on a budget. You can check the schedule and price on the Trainline.



When is best to visit Cologne Old Town?

Cologne, Germany, is best to visit during the warm summer months between June to September. The majestic German Christmas Markets are open from late November to early January, making this another great time to visit. What is more Christmassy than snowy cabin stalls set against the nightscape of a wintery gothic cathedral? Koln is a year-round city break destination, so that you can visit any time.


Where to stay in Cologne Old Town?

There are various places to stay in the old town area. Generally, it is not expensive to visit the Centre of Cologne so you will easily find accommodation within your price range.

I stayed at the art-otel, a fantastic location next to the Big Wheel Cologne & the Chocolate Factory. It is also within walking distance of all the main attractions. I recommend paying a little extra for the superior room. You will get a much larger space with a modern, coloured glass cube window where you can snap quirky and artistic photos with a city backdrop. 

If you pick the right area to stay in, you can walk to most places rather than rely on public transportation. 

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Where to Eat and Drink in Cologne Old Town?

Germany is a cultural and social hub, so many great districts in Koln cater to indoor and outdoor dining and drinking. One of the most popular tourist areas is down the cobbled streets that run parallel to the banks of the rhine river and in front of St Martins Church.

These quaint streets open into a large square with plenty of outdoor bars and cafes. As many choices are available, this square is a popular location to start your night.

If you’re looking to taste the local delicacies, then dishes to try are:

  • Halver Hahn; a rye roll with Dutch cheese, butter, and mustard.
  • Himmel un Ääd (Heaven and earth) – a veggie-friendly mix of apple pieces and mashed potatoes.

If you’re a vegetarian (like me), Germany isn’t the most accessible country to find veggie food. As you can expect, many restaurants are geared towards sausage or steak houses with limited veggie options. Look at the cologne tourism board for some suggestions on vegan-friendly restaurants.


Things to do in cologne - eat out at a local restaurant
Enjoying our vegetarian starters and cocktails at a Thai Restaurant


Fun Things to Do in Cologne

70% of the historic old town is pre-world-war II; the rest has been restored or built since then. This background makes Cologne a city that is rich in culture, and the Koln historic quarter is simply fascinating. Some of the best things to do in Cologne are listed below.

1) Visit the Kolsch Beer Brewhouse.

Things to do in Cologne Old Town - group of people sitting in an outside bar drinking Kolsch
We met some locals who taught us how to drink Kolsch the traditional way

Yes, you’ve guessed it. A trip to Germany isn’t complete without sampling the finest local lager. You can’t help but be tempted by a refreshing cold one when you see advertisements for Kolsch lager everywhere you turn. Being British, I expect lager served in pints or halves. But not in Cologne! Kolsch is brewed locally and traditionally served in a small glass.

Kölsch isn’t just a beer; it’s also the local dialect! Learn more about the history and traditions by taking a tour of the Kolsch Beer Brewhouse. Not only is it one of the cool things to do in Cologne, but you will get several samples of this delicious beer. 



2) Explore the gothic cathedral – Kölner Dom

Kölner Dom, the infamous Cologne Cathedral, is the most iconic landmark in the heart of the historic Old Town and is a registered UNESCO world heritage center. Kölner Dom is a brilliant piece of medieval architecture that you cannot fully appreciate until you see it in person.

Cologne cathedral’s full scale and beauty will hit you as soon as you leave the train station. Gaze at the gothic spiked towers and the intricate detail across the beautiful architectural structure. If you travel in Winter, the Cologne Christmas Markets will light up this area, making even more magical travel photography. This reason alone makes a visit to the Cathedral one of the best things to do in Cologne in December.

Things to do in Cologne Old Town - Kölner Dom, the gothic cathedral

You will need to book in advance to view the inside of the Kölner Dom. If you want the tour in English, it costs 8 euros, and you only have one option, which is at 2:30 pm on Saturday or Sunday. Take a look at the official Kölner Dom website for more information.



3) Learn about the history and culture of Cologne through its museums

Things to do in Cologne Old Town - the shop inside the perfume museum where you can buy cologne
Inside the Perfume museum you can sample the famous ‘Cologne’

If you enjoy learning about history and culture, visiting museums is one of the best things to do in Cologne. The different museums that you can see are:

  1. Museum Ludwig. This museum is also known as the Cologne modern art museum. Sample the permanent art collection or visit special art exhibitions that depict current trends from the beginning of the 20th century.
  2. Roman-Germanic museum. Discover the ancient history and archaeological heritage of Cologne.
  3. Fragrance museum. Learn all about the infamous ‘cologne’ perfume and discover the origins of the famous scent. Make sure you book in advance as only guided tours are available (5 euros).
  4. Wallraf Richartz museum. This museum has spectacular pieces of art from the medieval period to the present day.


4) Take a tour of the whole city of Cologne

If want to squeeze as much into your trip as you can, then I’d recommend a Cologne city tour. This way, you will get to see the major attractions, whilst also learning a lot about the German culture, history and traditions from a local guide.

Things to do in Cologne Old Town - a happy couple stood infront of the green and yellow mini sight seeing train
The Mini Train outside the Cologne Zoo

Best of all, there’s so many options, you can choose the type of tour that best suits you.

  • Have you ever had a rickshaw ride? If not, why not tick that off your bucket list as you explore Cologne? You can choose the location for pick up and drop off and have an exciting journey learning about the city by a rickshaw tour.
  • Enjoy the artistic qualities of urban street art? Then take a 3 hour tour of the hip Belgium quarter and Ehrenfeld districts to admire the street art by bicycle.
  • If you’re travelling with a family, or just want a bit of fun, catch the Wolters Bimmelbahnen mini-trains. There are two different routes available that take you to / from some of the main attractions such as the Cologne Zoo, Lindt Chocolate Factory or the Cathedral.

A city tour is one of the best things to do in Cologne, particularly if you’re short on time. Check out the Go City Pass for a way to get cheaper entrance tickets that are customisable to your itinerary.



5) Visit Cologne’s Melaten cemetery

Some might think of cemeteries as morbid; others will be fascinated by the history and untold stories of those who rest there. This park has beautiful flora and fauna contrasting its Melaten cemeteries’ dark past. Melaten cemetery was formally Koln’s execution site and a leper colony, so there are spooky stories to be told! The park is free for the public, but if you want to understand its history and troubled past, consider a guided tour of Melaten cemetery


6) View the Hohenzollern Bridge by Cable Car

If you’ve taken the Bimmelbahnen mini-train, your ticket will give you a discount for the cable cars close to the Cologne Zoo. Tickets are one way or return and offer great views of the city and the famous Hohenzollern Bridge.

Be warned! At the foot of the cable car, there is a spa with nudist areas that you can see. German culture is typically open and relaxed about nudity, so this is just the norm. If I’d known about the Claudius Therme spa in advance, I might have visited it myself! Not all pools require you to be nude, so if you’re intrigued, consider planning this into your city itinerary.

In this area, there is a lovely park you can stroll around and the Cologne Zoo itself. I’m not a big fan of zoos personally which is why I’m not covering this specifically, but If you enjoy them, then the zoo could be a good choice for family fun in Koln.



7) Take a Lindt Factory Tour in Cologne

Things to do in Cologne Old Town - girl stood next to statues of the lindt bears outside the chocolate museum

The world’s worst secret is that Germany is famous for chocolate. So, it would be a travesty if you visited Cologne without exploring the factory where Lindt chocolate is made! Learn about a chocolatier’s process in producing the chocolate bar we all love. Take a walk through the past and discover the history of chocolate and how Germany became famous for making it. Above all, watch the chocolate being made and taste it hot off the press.



8) Take a ride on the Big Wheel Cologne

While visiting the chocolate factory, take the opportunity to ride the Big Wheel Cologne, which is only a few steps away. The Big wheel illuminates at night, which makes it a stand-out attraction. You can expect brilliant city views from the wheel right next to the Rhine river.


Things to do in Cologne in Summary

In conclusion,there are many fun things to do in Cologne old town. Some of these include walking around the cobbled streets, enjoying a cup of coffee at a kiosk, or taking a wander through the art galleries. It’s definitely worth spending some time in this vibrant and charming city!

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