Quick Summary:

  • Set in the western part of Germany and surrounded by the Rhine river, Cologne, or Köln as the locals like to say, is a captivating place with a rich history, heritage, and a variety of interesting things to do.
  • Whether visiting the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, taking in the panoramic views high above the Seilbahn cable car, or marveling at the architecture on a stroll of the Rheinauhafen, travelers to this city will find the destination captivating.
  • Other notable things to do include discovering the shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife of the Belgian Quarter, or for a more relaxing experience, strolling the picturesque grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Schloss Augustusburg, and the nearby Faulkenlust hunting lodge, both of which are now museums.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. The Three Kings Shrine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Three Kings Shrine | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© The Three Kings Shrine

2. Seilbahn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seilbahn | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© sehbaer_nrw/stock.adobe.com

3. Rheinauhafen

Rheinauhafen | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Tom Voelz/stock.adobe.com

4. Rathaus

Rathaus | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© vvoe/stock.adobe.com

5. Belgian Quarter

Category: Museums & Culture
Belgian Quarter | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© rcfotostock/stock.adobe.com

6. Mustard Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Mustard Museum | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© 5ph/stock.adobe.com

7. Christmas Markets

Category: Shopping
Christmas Markets | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Mikhail Markovskiy/stock.adobe.com

8. The Rhine

The Rhine | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© travelview/stock.adobe.com

9. The Old Town

The Old Town | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Maria Sbytova/stock.adobe.com

10. 4711 Perfume

4711 Perfume | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© 4711 Perfume

11. Farina Fragrance Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Farina Fragrance Museum | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Farina Duftmuseum

12. Museum Ludwig

Category: Museums & Culture
Museum Ludwig | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Museum Ludwig

13. Love Locks

Category: Activities
Love Locks | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Björn Wylezich/stock.adobe.com

14. Flora and Botanical Gardens

Category: Activities
Flora and Botanical Gardens | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Tom Bayer/stock.adobe.com

15. Carnival

Carnival | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© picturetom/stock.adobe.com

16. Stadt Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Stadt Museum | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Stadt Museum

17. Phantasialand

Phantasialand | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Phantasialand

18. Neptunbad

Neptunbad | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Neptunbad

19. Zoological Gardens

Category: Kids & Family
Zoological Gardens | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© SergioET/stock.adobe.com

20. Schloss Augustusburg

Schloss Augustusburg | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com

21. Wallraf-Richartz Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Wallraf-Richartz Museum | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Wallraf-Richartz Museum

22. Peter’s Brauhaus

Peter’s Brauhaus | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Peter’s Brauhaus

23. Die Fette Kuh

Die Fette Kuh | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Die Fette Kuh

24. Le Moissonier

Le Moissonier | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© alipko/stock.adobe.com

25. Da Damiano

Category: Activities
Da Damiano | What to See in Cologne, Germany
© Da Damiano

Plan Your Trip