Cologne

1. The Three Kings Shrine

Housed in Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, The Three Kings Shrine is a significant reliquary from the Middle Ages that is centrally displayed high above the altar in the house of worship. Crafted of gold and silver and adorned with precious stones and gems, the shrine is believed to carry the bones of the Three Wise Men. Before the relics of the Magi were given to the Archbishop of Cologne by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, they were situated in Milan and before that Constantinople. It was not until the latter part of the 12th century that work on an actual shrine was begun by famous goldsmith, Nicholas Verdun, who included various scenes from the life of Christ as well as sculptures of apostles and the prophets in his work. Today, the shrine continues to attract pilgrims and other curious visitors to the historic cathedral.

Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany, Phone: +49-221-17-94-05-55

2. Seilbahn

Adventurous travelers can look forward to a bird's eye view when they go for a splendid ride on the Seilbahn, or more commonly known as the Cologne Cable Car. Since its early beginnings 60 years ago, the unique attraction has been delighting locals and visitors with a scenic six-minute gondola ride across the beautiful Rhine river. From high above, passengers get to see the German city in a new way, from the Old Town to the picturesque surroundings. Special trips can be arranged for birthdays and other occasions, and there are special theme nights, such as Cologne Lights, throughout the year. Open from April through October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Riehler Str. 180, 50734 Köln, Germany, Phone: +49-22-15-47-41-83

3. Rheinauhafen

Named after a former commercial port that used to occupy the area, Rheinauhafen is a vibrant commercial district and promenade with a mix of office and residential buildings, restaurants, art galleries, and other points of interest along the Rhine river between the Southern Railway Bridge (Südbrücke) and the Severin Bridge (Severinsbrücke). Striking architecture on the west bank catches the eye, and at the center of it all is the collection of three buildings known as Kranhäuser, which translates to crane towers in German. Other architectural gems include the art’otel cologne, a trapezoid structure with colorful collages by Korean artist SEO, and the former granary known as the Siebengebirge, which has also undergone a transformation. The popular attraction is great for a leisurely stroll or for relaxing with a coffee in one of the cafes.

50678 Köln, Germany

4. Rathaus

Set between the two squares Rathausplatz and Alter Markt in the Innenstadt district is the Rathaus , the historic town hall complex of Cologne. Dating back to the early 14th-century, the building features a design that has evolved several times. Notable features include the exquisite loggia, a fine example of architecture from the Renaissance period, and the gorgeous Gothic tower boasting 100 sculptures as well as the glockenspiel, a collection of 48 bronze bells that sound four times each day. The Hansasaal is the oldest part of the complex, constructed in 1360 and named after the Hanseatic League, who often met in the large hall. At the center, the open Piazzetta reveals a view of the tower, while in the north section is where you will find the Lowenhof or lion courtyard.

Rathausplatz 2, 50667, Köln, Germany, Phone: +49-221-22-10

5. Belgian Quarter

One of the coolest districts in Cologne, the trendy Belgian Quarter, or Belgisches Viertel certainly lives up to the hype with fashionable shops, lively restaurants, and a happening nightlife. At its heart is Brüsseler Platz square, a good place to meet up with friends and people-watch during the warmer months. Travelers in the mood to indulge in retail therapy should head to the main shopping boulevards of Hohe Straße and Schildergasses and have a look at the boutiques selling designer clothes and shoes, or pick up a box of decadent chocolates, or pop into a bar for a Belgian beer. Art lovers will enjoy exploring the latest works at one of the galleries, such as 30works, an inspiring space that presents Pop and Urban Art in new orientations and contexts. The Quarter is also host to several fun events throughout the year including the Passagen Festival in January, which spotlights local designers, and Le Tour Belgique, a cultural weekend featuring everything from theater to art exhibitions, live concerts, DJ sets, talks, and more.

Köln, Germany

6. Mustard Museum

Foodies fascinated by history will enjoy discovering how a classic condiment is made at the Mustard Museum . Set across the street from the Chocolate Museum at the Holzmarkt, this cultural attraction provides a look into the centuries-old mustard-making process with guided tours and free samples. After expanding your mustard knowledge, the gift shop beckons with gourmet products in an assortment of flavors from the classic Historical Mustard made with the 1820 recipe to Garlic Mustard, Sharp Cayenne, Indian Curry Mustard, among others.

Holzmarkt 79-83, 50676 Köln, Germany, Phone: +49-221-20-53-23-40

7. Christmas Markets

The Yuletide spirit is very much alive at festive Christmas Markets all over Cologne. The beloved holiday tradition takes over with glistening lights, vendors selling their wares, fun winter activities, and more at various locations in the city from November 25 through December 23. The biggest of them all is the Christmas Market at the Cologne Cathedral, with the gothic landmark and lovely Christmas tree making a beautiful backdrop for strolling, shopping, musical performances, and other merriment. Nearby, Heinzels Winter Fairytale situated on Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, draws in the ice skaters with its rink, while the Harbour Christmas Market boasts a nautical-inspired theme along the Rhine. At Neumarkt square, the Market of Angels is a sight to behold with twinkling lights in a whimsical, forest-inspired setting. Finally, the Village of Saint Nicholas attracts families with arts, crafts, food, warm drinks, and good cheer.

Various Locations, Köln, Germany

8. The Rhine

As the largest city on the River Rhine, Cologne offers the perfect location to explore one of the most traveled waterways in the world. And, the best way is on a scenic boat tour via one of the three companies that offer guided experiences including KölnDüsseldorfer, KölnTourist, and Colonia. All three offer tickets through the Cologne Tourist Board and the landing docks are located on the left bank around Hohenzollern Bridge. While experiences vary, the sites that people are sure to see are the iconic Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town and the modern Rheinauhafen waterfront complex. Meanwhile, the 65-minute Harbour Tour includes those landmarks as well as the Chocolate Museum, the German Sports and Olympic Museum, as well as the Rodenkirchen, a former fishing village.

9. The Old Town

Quaint and charming, The Old Town of Cologne takes visitors to another time with historical sites, traditional houses, and narrow alleyways that lead to museums, restaurants serving typical German dishes, pubs, and craft markets. Set along the Rhine, the area is home to centuries-old treasures, including the Archaeological Zone and the Old St. Albam Memorial as well as monuments and the famous Cologne elves fountain, Henzelmännachen. Popular points of interest not to miss include the Romano-German Museum and the Museum Ludwig. After a day of exploring, there are many establishments to pop in for a stein of Kölsch beer, schnitzel, and other specialties from the Rhineland, such as Gilden im Zims and Brauerei Zur Malzmühle, a 150-year-old family-run brewery and restaurant.

Köln, Germany

10. 4711 Perfume

Learn about the beginnings of the iconic Original Eau de Cologne on a historic guided tour of the original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4, which was established in 1792 and just a short stroll from the Cologne Cathedral. Taking place every Saturday at 1 p.m. the guided tour takes guests to the Fragrance Museum where they learn about different scents, essential oils, and the production process. For those who prefer to make their own fragrance, there is a 90-minute class taught in German every Thursday afternoon.

4711 Perfume, House of 4711 GmbH, Glockengasse 4, 50667 Köln, Phone: +49-221-27-09-99-11