Cologne: Activities & Things to do 

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Cologne Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a one-hour panoramic Rhine river sightseeing cruise and soak in the spirit of Cologne. The Rhine river provides access to many of the city’s major attractions, such as Cologne Cathedral. During your cruise, you'll see top sights and learn about Cologne's 2,000-year history. While you explore the beautiful city sights you can enjoy a freshly tapped glass of "Koelsch", a very famous local beer.

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Walking Food Tours in Cologne

The Cologne culinary experience: You can taste 7 different samples in 3 hours by walking through a specific district of Cologne! We recommend e.g. the Ehrenfeld Tour, where you discover this multicultural district as you stroll through the lively streets and alleys of this part of Cologne. Get to know the neighborhood through its people and food as you listen to exciting stories and spoil your taste buds with numerous culinary delicacies.

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Hop On Hop Off Tour

Explore the historical city of Cologne at your leisure with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. With a ticket (which is valid for 24 hours), you can see top Cologne attractions such as Cologne Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Old Town (Altstadt).

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Small-Group Bike Tour 

Here you combine classic sightseeing with a relaxing bike tour of Cologne. You will ride along a scenic route (app. 15 kilometers) that takes you to the city's highlights. Also interesting: a Segway tour!

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Carnival

The "fifth season of the year" as Carnival is called, begins every year on 11. November at 11:11 a.m. The very famous and crazy Carnival days are celebrated with masquerade parties on the streets, public squares, and pubs. Dress up and have an outstanding time together with friends, and strangers :) At this time of year, you'll meet Germans like you never thought you would. Please keep in mind that the Carnival season usually ends in February / March of the following year (depending on when the Easter Break will happen). 

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Chocolate Museum

Cologne has a very popular Chocolate Museum! It offers interactive displays, collections of molds, antique chocolate boxes, free samples from the chocolate fountain, and a working production line where you can watch chocolates being made. If you also like, you can design your own chocolate bar to take it home :)

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Cologne Cable Car

Established in 1957, the Cologne Cable Car is the first European Cable Car to cross a river. Take a ride with the Cable Car to have a stunning view of the old town and Cologne cathedral.

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Cologne Restaurants

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Salon Schmitz - European kitchen

Spread over three historical row houses, the Schmitz empire is your one-stop shop for excellent food and drinks. Greet the day with a lavish breakfast in the retro-hip 1950s and '60s setting of the Salon; order cake, quiche, or a hot dish in the Metzgerei, a historical butcher's shop turned deli. Alternatively, treat yourself with a fine brasserie-style dinner in the art nouveau–style bar.

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Bei Oma Kleinmann - German kitchen

Named for its long-time owner, who was still cooking almost to her last day at the age of 95 in 2009, this perennially booked, graffiti-covered restaurant serves oodles of "Schnitzel" (a typical German dish), made either with pork or veal and paired with homemade sauces and sides. Take a seat at the small wooden tables for a classic Cologne night out.

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Meat and Eat market - Market in Cologne

A combination of a farmer's market and street-food fair, Meet & Eat draws locals of all ages to Rudolfplatz on Thursday evenings. Aside from fresh products, you can pick up homemade pesto, chutney, organic cheeses, and other artisanal products or sit down at a covered table for a vegan sausage or succulent burger.

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Freddy Schilling - Burger

A wholewheat bun provides a solid framework for the moist patties made with beef from happy cows and drizzled with Freddy's homemade 'special' sauce. Pair it with a side of hand-cut fries or "Rosis" (butter-and-rosemary-tossed baby potatoes). The vegan burger is a toothsome meat-free alternative.

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Feynsinn - International kitchen

This well-respected "Zülpicher Viertel" restaurant is an excellent pit stop at any time of the day. Come for extravagant breakfasts, light lunches, and creative cakes or a dinner menu that weaves organic seasonal ingredients into sharp-flavored dishes. Get a table overlooking the park for a meal or just a drink.

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Gilden im Zims - German kitchen

Behind historic walls – more than 550 years old – you find a well-made mix of experienced Cologne history and the best brewery pub kitchen. The walls are decorated by Cologne originals from e.g. the founder of the city Aggripina through Z like fixed-gear bicycle legend Hans Zims. Thus they developed the affix "Heimat Kölscher Helden".