Cologne
Updated October 19, 2026
Also known as: Köln, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, Kölle, Domstadt
Main Landmarks in Cologne
History
Cologne was founded by the Romans in 38 BC as a settlement of the Ubii tribe on the west bank of the Rhine, and in AD 50 it received city status as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, named after Agrippina, wife of Emperor Claudius, who was born here. It became the capital of the Roman province of Lower Germany, with a governor's palace, temples and a city wall, remains of which can still be seen. In the Middle Ages, Cologne was one of the largest and richest cities in the Holy Roman Empire, an important member of the Hanseatic League and a centre of pilgrimage after the relics of the Three Kings were brought from Milan in 1164. To house them, construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248; it remained unfinished for centuries and was completed only in 1880. The city became a Free Imperial City in 1475, and its university was founded in 1388. In 1794 French troops occupied Cologne, and in 1815 it became part of Prussia. In the Second World War, bombing destroyed about 90% of the old town, but the cathedral survived. After the war, Cologne was rebuilt and became a centre of media, trade fairs and art. Today about 1.1 million people live in the city, Germany's fourth-largest.
Culture
Cologne is known for its relaxed, open-minded and cheerful people, called Kölsche, who are proud of their city, their dialect and their traditions. Life in Cologne revolves around the cathedral, the Rhine, Kölsch beer and Carnival. Carnival, known as the fifth season, officially begins on 11 November at 11:11 and reaches its peak in February, with street celebrations from Weiberfastnacht, when women cut men's ties, to Rosenmontag, Rose Monday, when a huge parade with floats winds through the city and participants throw sweets, called Kamelle, to crowds in costume. Kölsch, a light, top-fermented beer, is served in small cylindrical glasses called Stangen in traditional brewhouses, Brauhäuser, by waiters called Köbes, who are known for their cheeky humour. Cologne has a strong art scene, with the Museum Ludwig, one of Europe's leading modern art museums, and Art Cologne, the world's oldest art fair. The city is a media centre, home to major television broadcasters, and it hosts Gamescom, one of the world's largest video game fairs. Cologne is also known for its tolerance and its large LGBTQ+ community, with one of Europe's biggest Pride celebrations, ColognePride. The Rhine embankment is a favourite place for walks.
Climate
Spring
3–20°C
March to May brings mild 11–20°C days, as Cologne is one of Germany's warmer cities. Beer gardens and Rhine terraces ope…
Summer
13–26°C
June to August is warm, with 22–26°C days, long evenings and occasional heatwaves. Locals relax on the Rhine banks, in b…
Autumn
4–20°C
September to November brings 10–20°C days, golden leaves and the wine harvest in the nearby Ahr and Moselle valleys. Car…
Winter
0–7°C
December to February is cool and damp, with 4–7°C days and rare snow. Christmas markets, such as the market in front of …
Fun Facts
A cathedral that took 632 years
Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but stopped in 1473, leaving the cathedral unfinished for almost 400 yea…
Kölsch has its own rules
Kölsch, a light, top-fermented beer, can only be brewed in and around Cologne, according to the Kölsch Convention of 198…
Thousands of love locks on a bridge
The Hohenzollern Bridge, a railway bridge over the Rhine next to the cathedral, is covered with hundreds of thousands of…
The original eau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne, a light perfume, was created in Cologne in 1709 by the Italian perfumer Johann Maria Farina, who named i…
A chocolate fountain by the Rhine
The Chocolate Museum, opened in 1993 on a peninsula in the Rhine harbour, shows the history of chocolate from the Maya a…
The cathedral holds the Three Kings
Cologne Cathedral houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, a golden reliquary made between about 1190 and 1225, said to con…
Local Cuisine in Cologne
Practical Travel Information
Transport & Accessibility
International Transport
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), about 15 km south-east of the city centre, has flights to destinations across Europe, mainly with low-cost airlines, and it is connected to the central station by S-Bahn and regional trains. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), about 45 minutes away, and Frankfurt Airport, about one hour by ICE, offer more long-haul flights. Köln Hauptbahnhof, next to the cathedral, is one of Germany's busiest stations, with ICE trains to Frankfurt in about 1 hour, Berlin and Munich, and international trains to Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris. Long-distance buses depart from the airport and Köln-Deutz.
Local Transport
Cologne has an extensive public transport network run by KVB, with light rail lines, partly underground, called Stadtbahn, and buses, as well as S-Bahn and regional trains. A single short-distance ticket costs about €2–3.50, and a day ticket about €9–10. The Deutschlandticket is valid. The old town and cathedral area are compact and walkable. Cologne is bike-friendly, with KVB Rad bike-sharing. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available. Rhine boats connect the city with nearby towns in summer. Check timetables in advance, especially on public holidays.
Safety & Health
Personal Safety
Cologne is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets operate in crowded places, such as the central station, the cathedral square, the Christmas markets and Carnival celebrations, so keep valuables secure and bags closed. During Carnival, the streets are crowded and many people drink heavily, so stay with friends, drink responsibly and leave valuables at the hotel. The area around the central station and the Ebertplatz can be unpleasant at night. Be careful of cyclists in bike lanes. Swimming in the Rhine is dangerous because of strong currents. In an emergency, call 110 for police or 112 for ambulance.
Medical Services
Cologne has excellent medical facilities, including the University Hospital of Cologne and many other hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card, while others need travel insurance. For non-urgent medical help outside office hours, call 116117. Pharmacies, marked with a red A, are common, and some are open at night on a rota. Tap water is safe to drink. During Carnival, first aid stations are set up in the old town. Carry your insurance details and any personal medicines.
Budget & Costs
Travel Costs
Cologne is moderately priced. A hostel bed costs about €25–45, a mid-range hotel €100–170 and a luxury hotel from €220 per night, with much higher prices during Carnival and trade fairs. A Kölsch costs about €2.20–2.80, a brewhouse meal €12–20 and dinner at a mid-range restaurant €30–45 per person. A day ticket costs about €9–10, the cathedral tower about €6, the Chocolate Museum about €16–19, the Museum Ludwig €13–15 and a Rhine panoramic cruise €15–20. A mid-range traveller should budget about €110–180 per day.
Budget Tips
Visit Cologne Cathedral for free, and climb the tower for a small fee. Walk around the old town, the Rhine promenade and the Romanesque churches for free. Use the KölnCard for public transport and museum discounts. Eat in brewhouses, where meals are filling and affordable, and enjoy Kölsch in small glasses. Avoid staying during Carnival, major trade fairs and Gamescom if you want lower hotel prices. Visit the Museum Ludwig on the first Thursday evening of the month for reduced entry.
Culture & Traditions
Social Norms
People in Cologne are known for their friendliness, humour and openness, and they easily chat with strangers in brewhouses. Greet people with Hallo or Guten Tag. In brewhouses, share tables with others, and place your beer mat on your glass when you have had enough Kölsch. Do not order Altbier, the beer of rival city Düsseldorf. During Carnival, it is normal to wear costumes and join celebrations with strangers. Do not cross the road on a red light. Tipping of 5–10% is customary in restaurants.
Cultural Activities
Celebrate Carnival, especially Weiberfastnacht and Rose Monday, in February. Drink Kölsch in traditional brewhouses in the old town. Visit the Christmas markets. Attend ColognePride in July. Watch the Kölner Lichter fireworks on the Rhine in summer. Visit the Museum Ludwig and Art Cologne. Attend Gamescom in August. Watch 1. FC Köln play football. Explore the Belgian Quarter's boutiques and cafés. Take a cruise on the Rhine. Visit Farina House, the birthplace of eau de Cologne. Check local listings for free events during your stay.
Unique Experiences in Cologne
Climb 533 steps to the top of Cologne Cathedral's south tower, passing the giant St Peter's Bell, for views over the city and the Rhine from a platform about 100 m high. Tickets cost about €6. Visit early in the morning, when it is quieter, and wear comfortable shoes.
Celebrate Cologne Carnival in February, dressing up in costume, joining street parties on Weiberfastnacht and watching the Rose Monday parade, when floats throw sweets and flowers to crowds shouting Kölle Alaaf. It is free. Book accommodation months in advance. Book ahead in the high season.
Spend an evening in a traditional brewhouse, such as Früh am Dom or Päffgen, drinking Kölsch in small glasses served by a Köbes and eating Rhineland dishes such as Himmel un Ääd. A Kölsch costs about €2.20–2.80. Place your beer mat on your glass when you want to stop.
Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge at sunset, past hundreds of thousands of love locks, to the KölnTriangle viewing platform for the classic view of the illuminated cathedral and the Rhine. The platform costs about €5. Add your own love lock if you are travelling as a couple.
Taste chocolate from the fountain at the Chocolate Museum, watch chocolates being made and learn about the history of cacao, then walk along the Rheinauhafen to see the modern Crane Houses. Tickets cost about €16–19. Book online for weekends, and make your own chocolate bar.
Travel Recommendations for Cologne
Visit Cologne Cathedral early in the morning, when it is quiet and the light through the stained glass windows is beauti…
Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit during Carnival, especially from Weiberfastnacht to Rose Monday,…
Learn the Kölsch rules in brewhouses. Kölsch is served in small glasses, and the waiter will keep bringing new ones unti…
Explore beyond the cathedral area, to the Belgian Quarter, with boutiques, cafés and bars, Ehrenfeld, with street art an…
Take day trips to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany and birthplace of Beethoven, Aachen, with Charlemagne's cathe…