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Cologne

Germany travel guide

What to see in Cologne

A giant Gothic cathedral by the Rhine and Christmas markets at its feet.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

Photo: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cologne highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Cologne Cathedral

    Gothic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  2. Hohenzollern Bridge

    Covered in lovers’ padlocks.

  3. Chocolate Museum

    Beside the Rhine.

  4. Old town

    Colourful houses and Kölsch beer halls.

  5. Museum Ludwig

    Modern art.

Day trips from Cologne

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Cologne

Any time of year is good to travel to Cologne: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings

Typical food of Cologne

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Cologne from your kitchen).

Himmel un Ääd
Photo: Anagoria · CC BY 3.0

Himmel un Ääd

“Heaven and earth” in Cologne dialect: mashed potato (the earth) with apple sauce (the heaven), served with fried black pudding and caramelised onion.

  • Serves 4
  • 45 min

Ingredients

  • 1 kg floury potatoes
  • 4 sharp apples
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar and lemon juice
  • 100 ml milk and 50 g butter
  • 4 thick slices of black pudding
  • 2 onions
  • Nutmeg, salt and pepper

How to make it at home

  1. Boil the peeled potatoes and mash them with the hot milk, butter, nutmeg and salt.
  2. Peel and chop the apples and cook them with a little water, the sugar and the lemon into a chunky compote.
  3. Slice the onion into rings and brown it in butter until caramelised.
  4. Fry the black pudding in the same pan.
  5. Serve the mash with the apple alongside or mixed in, with the black pudding and onion on top.

The trick: Sharp apples (a russet type) are best to contrast with the black pudding.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: the Gasthaus. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Germany guide.

Frequently asked questions about Cologne

What to see in Cologne?

Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Chocolate Museum, Old town and Museum Ludwig.

What to see in Cologne in one day?

Don’t miss Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Chocolate Museum, Old town and Museum Ludwig. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Cologne?

Any time of year is good to travel to Cologne: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.

What day trips can you take from Cologne?

Rhine Valley.

What is the typical food of Cologne?

Himmel un Ääd. “Heaven and earth” in Cologne dialect: mashed potato (the earth) with apple sauce (the heaven), served with fried black pudding and caramelised onion.

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More in Germany

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.