City Break in Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

It is one of the most visited attractions in the whole country and therefore a great starting point that you must see. The cathedral is 750 years old. The foundation was already laid in 1248, but it was rebuilt in the 19th century and its shape can still be seen today. During World War II, the city was completely destroyed, making it a miracle, that the cathedral still stands today and is, in fact, the largest in the world. It takes 533 steps to reach the south tower, which you can climb and then breathlessly admire the panoramic view of the city.

Of course, you will not be able to miss the Old Town, which runs parallel to the river. Here you can notice the town house, Great St. Martin Church, as well as the Romano-Germanic Museum, Ludwig Museum, where you will find modern art with a Picasso collection, and the largest pop-art collection outside of the USA. Other things you may find is the House of Fragrances, statues, fountains along with the dwarfs of Cologne. On your way to the cathedral, you will find the bridge of locks, Hohenzollern, where couples immortalize their eternal love with a lock. Today there are over 40,000 locks. The town's favorite is the Kölsh beer, the only drink in the world, which is also a language (Kölsh is the name of the dialect in Cologne). Enjoy it with rye bread and cheese (Halven Hahn) or with mashed potatoes and apples (Himmel un Ääd).

Excited?

There is no need to spend a small fortune for accommodation in Cologne. Hostel Cologne-Riehl is located on the edge of a park near a metro station. Another hostel, which will offer perfect accommodation is Hostel Cologne Parhpoint, located in a former church, in the city center, only 20 minutes from the airport and close to the main train station, which means it is an ideal base from which to explore the city. There is also Hostel Cologne-Deutz. The choice is yours.

Did you know?

• Cologne is home of The Chocolate Museum
• The Cologne beer, Kölsch, is protected by law, meaning only beers brewed in and around Cologne, can carry this name.
• The Cologne Cathedral took 632 years to be built.
• The famous perfume ''Eau de Cologne'' (water from Cologne) is still known all over the world and still produced in Cologne today.

Not enough for you?

Then you might want to continue your road trip through Germany and visit other big cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Marburg, and others. For more advice, what to see in certain parts of Germany, we invite you to read travel tips from our volunteer Alenka, who put together some great suggestions and useful tips and for a hassle-free trip around Germany. There is plenty to choose from, and Central Europe is a great choice for the restless traveller.