Index
Museums & historic sites in Cologne
Popular places to visit in Cologne
When to visit Cologne
Cologne has mild weather but considerable rainfall. In fact, there’s rain throughout the year, but the summer months are warmest, with average temperatures reaching a high of around 25 degrees. January, the coldest month, has an average temperature of about 6 degrees.
Places to visit in Cologne
Museums and historic sites in Cologne
Cologne Cathedral
Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, the construction of the mammoth Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), according to UNESCO data, started in 1248 and was completed in 1880. The Gothic-style cathedral has twin spires and is considered among the city’s iconic structures. Visitors can ascend 533 steps into the Cathedral’s bell tower to an observation platform that offers views of the Rhine River. Around six million people visit the Cologne Cathedral each year.
Chocolate Museum (Schkoladenmuseum)
You’ll find the answer to almost all of your chocolate-related questions at the Cologne Chocolate Museum. Featuring nine sections across 4,000 square meters, the Museum depicts the history of chocolate from the Maya and Aztecs to the present day, starting from early cocoa cultivation. In addition, the tools and equipment used during chocolate production are exhibited. The tour concludes at a chocolate fountain!
Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces
The Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces in Brühl have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Built in the early 18th century, the Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces dazzle with their elegant architecture and beautifully designed landscaped gardens. The Palaces were once used as reception halls for official guests of the state.
Kolumba Museum
Opened to visitors in 2007, the Kolumba Museum was built on the site formerly occupied by the Gothic-style St. Kolumba Church. The Museum’s architect, Peter Zumthor, was awarded the 2009 Pritzker Prize for Architecture for the contemporary structure, which includes the ruins of the old church as well as a chapel. The museum on Kolumbastrasse is closed to visitors on Tuesdays.
Popular places to visit in Cologne
Flora and Botanical Garden
The beautiful Flora and Botanical Garden is considered the oldest park in Cologne and draws more than a million visitors each year. Set in the Riehl district in the north of the city, the Garden is home to more than 10,000 plants and covers an area of 11.5 hectares.
Belgian Quarter
Especially popular with tourists, the lively Belgian Quarter is home to numerous restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as boutiques and design shops. Brussels Square is located in this neighborhood.
Phantasialand
Founded in 1967 as a puppet theatre, Phantasialand today is a colorful theme park that attracts nearly two million visitors annually. The entrance fee to Phantasialand, which is 20 kilometers from the Cologne city center, is 47 euros for children and 57 euros for adults.
Rheinauhafen
Rheinauhafen has emerged as a popular area of the city in recent years. Set on the Rhine River, the harborside cultural complex offers cafes, restaurants and workspaces in addition to a range of art galleries.
Shopping in Cologne
The main shopping areas in Cologne include
- Brussels Street, home to numerous design boutiques,
- Hohe Strasse, the city’s former high street, is a pedestrian zone lined with a variety of stores and dining facilities,
- Schildergasse, with mainstream stores such as Zara, Adidas, Primark.
Dining in Cologne
Among Cologne’s many culinary offerings are these three specialties:
- The famous gouda cheese sandwich, halve hahn
- Hilmmel un aad, black pudding, mashed potatoes and applesauce
- Suurbrode, a beloved meat and potato dish served with a spicy brown sauce
Getting around Cologne
Getting to the city from Cologne Bonn Airport
Cologne Bonn Airport is about 17 kilometers from the Cologne city center; about a 15-minute trip via the S13 and S19 trains.
Getting around the city of Cologne
Cologne has an extensive and highly functional public transportation system that includes buses, trams and metros. Tickets and metro cards (including three- or seven-day unlimited ride options) are available at ticket offices and from vending machines.
Useful information about Cologne
Official language: German
Currency: Euro (EUR),
Socket type: F, C
Important Phone Numbers
Area Code: +49
Emergency Assistance: 112
Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Cologne: +49 2233 939 80
