Spend one perfect weekend in Cologne

Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

Large German cities such as Berlin or Munich attract millions of visitors yearly. But when you are not in the mood for crowds, spend a weekend in Cologne instead.

It is rich in history and culture and has more pubs per capita than other cities in Germany. What else could you want from a weekend destination?

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Table of Contents
  1. A Perfect Weekend in Cologne
    1. Where to stay in Cologne
    2. Getting to and around Cologne
    3. Weekend in Cologne – 2 days itinerary and things to do
      1. Day 1 in Cologne  
        1. Cologne Cathedral
          1. Shrine of the Three Wise Men
          2. UNESCO World Heritage
        2. Museum Ludwig
        3. Cologne City Hall
        4. Cologne Old Town
      2. Day 2 of your weekend in Cologne
        1. Chocolate Museum
        2. German Sport & Olympic Museum
        3. Rhine River Walk
        4. Hohenzollern Bridge Love Locks
    4. Only one day in Cologne?
    5. Staying longer in Cologne?
    6. Food and Drink in Cologne
      1. Brauhäus Culture
      2. Kölsch Beer
      3. Local Dishes
      4. ‘Haamche’ or Ham Hock
      5. “Halve Hahn” or Rye Bread with semi-mature Gouda, onions, and mustard
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A Perfect Weekend in Cologne

Where to stay in Cologne

If you’re visiting for the first time and spending only a weekend in Cologne, you’ll want to look for accommodation in the Old Town and close to the Dome.

The CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom is a nice hotel with a great location and delicious breakfast. If you visit during winter, you can see the majestic building from your window and be close to restaurants and the Christmas Market. Check out availability and prices here!

However, if you are looking for a budget stay, you will want to head for Altstadt Süd, which is close to the chocolate museum. The NH Köln Altstadt is a great option, from which you can easily walk to the Old Town. Check availability and prices here!

The third option is to stay close to Central Station. This way, you can get to the hotel and leave your belongings just minutes after arriving in town. You’ll then have plenty of time to wander around town and make the most of your two days in Cologne. Savoy Hotel would be the perfect option for couples looking for pampering in the right location. Check out availability and prices!

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Getting to and around Cologne

FROM THE AIRPORT

If you arrive by plane, you’ll fly into Köln-Bonn Airport. From there, getting to the city center will be relatively easy by train

The train platform is inside the airport terminal, and you can buy tickets directly from the machines by cash or card. For hotels located across from the river, the end destination should be either Köln Hbf (Central Station) or Köln Messe

GETTING AROUND TOWN

Like most in Germany, getting around Cologne is relatively easy, thanks to a great public transportation infrastructure. You can buy tickets from most of the stops. Just be aware that you might need to carry cash with you. 

You can travel by “U-Bahn” (underground), “S-Bahn” (metropolitan trains), or tram. 

Another option when you want to forget about the hassle of buying public transportation tickets is getting the KölnCard

You can order it online here. It grants you free access to public transportation for 24 or 48 hours and offers up to 50% discounts from numerous partners.

Weekend in Cologne – 2 days itinerary and things to do

Day 1 in Cologne

As with most major cities worldwide, Cologne offers many guided tours of its main attractions. While we have enjoyed a walking tour in Marseille and hopped on several open-top buses, the most productive way to explore any city is on foot.

Walking through narrow streets or quieter districts, you’ll inevitably stumble across hidden places and tucked-away stores not listed in guidebooks or tourist maps. Take your time to walk between a city’s main attractions, and you will find little gems and create lasting memories.

Use our suggested itinerary flexibly, and your trip to Cologne will be much more rewarding.

Cologne Cathedral

The first of our recommended attractions is the Cologne Cathedral. The city’s most famous landmark towers above it and is Germany’s most visited attraction, with 20,000 visitors per day.

The cornerstone of this gothic delight was laid on 15 August 1248, and work continued for the next 300 years. Unfortunately, a lack of money and interest left the Cathedral unfinished before it was restarted in 1842.

Almost 650 years after its construction began, the Cologne Cathedral was finally completed in 1880, according to the original medieval plans.

You do not need to be religious to appreciate and marvel at this architectural masterpiece. The Cathedral is as glorious inside as it is out and fully deserves an hour to take in all its splendor.

Shrine of the Three Wise Men

After its construction commenced, Cologne Cathedral became an essential place for pilgrimage in Europe due to the presence of the remains of the Three Wise Men.

These were brought to Cologne in 1164 by Archbishop Rainald von Dassel from the conquered city of Milan.

While some of these relics have been returned to Milan, the Shrine of the Three Wise Men, completed around 1225, remains the most celebrated and significant artifact within the Cathedral.

Find out more on a guided tour about how the Wise Men came to Cologne!

UNESCO World Heritage

Due to its historical significance, Cologne Cathedral was rightly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Museum Ludwig

From dark medieval gems to vibrant and vivid modern art masterpieces.

Museum Ludwig, just meters east of Cologne Cathedral, was founded in 1976 following the donation of 350 works by chocolate magnate Peter Ludwig, estimated to be worth $45 million.

Alongside pop artworks from luminaries such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and George Segal, the museum also displays several hundred works by Pablo Picasso. Therefore, you will not be surprised to learn that this is the most extensive collection of Pop Art outside the USA.

Cologne City Hall

A five-minute walk south of the Cathedral and Museum Ludwig lies the City Hall, another of Cologne’s architectural treasures. Germany’s oldest city hall boasts an astonishing history dating back an incredible 900 years.

Today, the City Hall complex consists of several structures added over successive centuries: the 14th-century town hall, the 15th-century Gothic tower, and most famously, the 16th-century Renaissance-style loggia (external covered corridor) and cloister. More recently, a post-modern atrium has been added.

Cologne Old Town
Two days in Cologne

The next stop on our day 1 itinerary is the old town district, located directly along the Rhine.

Just 300 meters east of the City Hall, this area fronting the river boasts distinctive tall, narrow terraces with colorful facades. This panorama, overlooked by the equally impressive Great St Martin Church, is an iconic shot of Cologne.

With its rustic alleyways, local breweries, small restaurants, and many handicraft stores, this area is as popular with locals as it is with tourists. Thus, the old town is a great place to end your 1st day while enjoying a local Kölsch beer.

Day 2 of your weekend in Cologne

After ending day 1 with one or more of the seemingly never-ending supply of Kölsch, you may well be starting day 2 with a hangover. You’ll love our starting point for these sufferers or those with a sweet tooth.

Chocolate Museum

Located a mile south of Cologne Cathedral in the Rheinau Harbour district, this museum devotes 4,000 m2 to all things chocolate. The nine exhibition areas cover the history of chocolate, its manufacture from cocoa beans, and packaging.

The undoubted centerpiece is the 3-meter-high chocolate fountain, designed especially for the museum. It holds 200kg of liquid chocolate.

German Sport & Olympic Museum

Once you finish at the Chocolate Museum, the next stop must be the German Olympic Museum, which is located just next door.

Housed in an impressive former warehouse, this museum was the unexpected highlight of our trip to Cologne. Starting with the sport of the ancient Greeks, this fascinating museum takes you through individual Olympic Games to the modern day. There are a number of interactive exhibits, as well as a floor dedicated to the history of FC Cologne.

To finish your tour, there is also a charming bistro offering great views of the Rhine.

Rhine River Walk

Our next activity from the Rheinau Harbour district is not a particular attraction or destination. Instead, it is an enjoyable walk along the Rhine heading north back toward the center of Cologne. Depending on the time of year, the river walk is a popular route lined with several food or market stalls.

This route also offers excellent panoramas of the city in front of you, across the majestic Rhine, and toward another of Cologne’s most famous landmarks – the Hohenzollern rail bridge. 

Option: Get the Rhine River cruise full-day pass and join a cruise at any of the 40 departure points!

Hohenzollern Bridge Love Locks
Weekend in Cologne

With over 1,200 trains per day, the Hohenzollern Bridge is Germany’s most heavily used railway bridge. Named after the rulers of Prussia, it was rebuilt after being destroyed at the end of WWII.

This industrial feat makes our suggested itinerary, though, because thousands of ‘love locks’ now adorn the metallic fencing lining the pedestrian walkways.

These individually decorated locks of all sizes have been amassed since 2008, making the Hohenzollern Bridge a modern pilgrimage. Lovers add their bespoke lock to the collection and throw the key into the Rhine below.

Only one day in Cologne?

If you have just one day in Cologne, our suggested itinerary concentrates on the attractions and routes we detailed for day 1.

You should, however, allow sufficient time for a visit to one of the local breweries to sample the Kölsch and local delicacies.

Staying longer in Cologne?

If you are fortunate enough to spend more than two days in Cologne, we suggest you consider a guided bicycle tour or even a boat trip on the Rhine. These tours are a relaxing way to explore the city and learn more about the history of this region.

Alternatively, Cologne and the surrounding area are perfect for football lovers. FC Cologne itself and fellow Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen lie just 15 km or a 20-minute rail journey north of Cologne. The price of the ticket also includes the cost of public transport.

You might also want to visit a castle as a day trip from Cologne, or an enchanting colorful small German village.

Food and Drink in Cologne

In addition to its many physical attractions and tourist destinations, Cologne offers visitors several culinary delights.

Brauhäus Culture

The old town district of Cologne, between the Cathedral and City Hall, is home to several traditional brewery restaurants, or Brauhäus. In the early 1800s, breweries started selling their beer directly to the public from their own courtyards. Over subsequent decades, they added food to their menu and retained their historic charm. These Brauhäus offer a unique and convivial atmosphere.

We visited Brauerei Zur Malzmühle, the second oldest of Cologne’s brauhäus and one of the few that has remained in its exact location throughout its history. Situated in Huemarket, it is a short walk from central Cologne. 

Kölsch Beer

Kölsch is the local Cologne beer brewed using specific and strict methods. Traditionally, it is served in a tall, thin glass or Stange holding approximately 1/3 of a pint. This method of service is one that all visitors will quickly learn.

The barmen or waiters in these Brauhäus, known as Köbes, carry around 12 glasses at a time using a circular tray. Rather than waiting for guests to order, they replace empty glasses. If another glass is not required, the guest should place a coaster on the empty glass.

Local Dishes

The food served in these Brauhäus and other restaurants around Cologne is often hearty fare containing a lot of pork or chicken dishes served with sauerkraut. No matter what you choose, you will leave neither disappointed nor hungry!

Two of our particular favorites are the Haamche and Halve Hahn.

‘Haamche’ or Ham Hock

Brauerei Zur Malzmühle served what can easily be described as the largest ham hock we have ever seen. A T-Rex would struggle to devour this enormous meat delight.

In Cologne, the hock is salted and stewed and often served with lashings of mashed potato and sauerkraut.

“Halve Hahn” or Rye Bread with semi-mature Gouda, onions, and mustard

While ‘Halve Hahn’ is translated as a half chicken, it is a tasty bread, cheese, and onion dish. Although the origins of its name are uncertain, the dish is a staple on menus across Cologne.

If you want to experience all the local delights, book a 3-hour food tour!

Cologne is a modern city, rightly proud of its many historical delights, such as the Cathedral and City Hall. It also possesses a culture and culinary tradition unlike the rest of Germany. Whatever your interests, you will be overwhelmed by two days in this fantastic city.

The Two That Do blog, founded by husband and wife Paul & Nicki Rought aims to share experiences of their worldwide travels. An active couple constantly seeking new experiences and always learning The Two That Do includes city and country guides, Van Life tips, and blogs on their various adventures. Highlights include paragliding over Cape Town, pasta making in Italy, and sand-boarding in Namibia.

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Weekend in Cologne : what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat