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Cologne Cathedral

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Things to see in Cologne

Tourist information: 

Cologne Tourist Board (Kölntourismus)
Opposite the cathedral entrance, Unter Fettenhennen 19
Tel: (0221) 30400.
www.koeln.de/tourismus

This is the main tourist office in Cologne. There is also an office at the airport, Terminal 2, arrivals level and at the Kölnmesse when trade fairs are on. Rooms can be booked at the main office and at the airport office.

Passes: 

If you intend visiting most of the sites, it may be worth investing in the Köln Welcome Card which gives reduced-price admission to most attractions and excursions as well as free travel on all public transport. The card is available from the tourist office.

Cologne Zoo

Cologne Zoo is one of the best zoos in Europe, with over 4,000 animals representing 500 species, and set alongside beautiful botanical gardens; combine it with a flying visit over the Rhine on the adjacent Seilbahn (cable car open mid-March to early November).

Opening Times: Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Riehler Strasse 173, Cologne, Germany
Telephone: 1805 280 101.
Website: http://www.koelnerzoo.de
Cologne's Romanesque Churches

Cologne boasts 12 wonderfully atmospheric churches, largely unassuming from the outside, which were originally built between the 10th and the mid-13th centuries, then rebuilt and restored after severe war damage. Don't miss Gross St Martin, St Aposteln, St Gereon, St Maria im Kapitol, St Cäcilien (now home to the Schnütgen Museum of Sacred Art) and especially St Ursula with its amazing and macabre Goldene Kammer bone chapel and reliquary room.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address:
Imhoff-Stollwerck-Museum

Set in a stunning building on the Rhine, this entertaining and educational exhibition (all captions in perfect English) studies every possible aspect of the fascinating history of chocolate and features a real working production line culminating in a chocolate fountain.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1800; Sat-Sun 1100-1900.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Rheinauhafen 1A, Cologne, Germany
Telephone: (0221) 931 8880.
Website: http://www.schokoladenmuseum.de/
Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)

Unmissable in every sense, this behemoth is one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the world and holds a number of treasures, including the golden casket holding the remains of the Magi, the ninth-century Gero crucifix, the Stefan Lochner triptych and medieval stained glass windows. Climb the 509 steps to the viewing platform of the 157m-high (515ft) South Tower for the dizzying views and down below look in the Schatzkammer (Treasury Museum).

Opening Times: Daily 0600-2100 (May-Oct); 0600-1930 (Nov-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: Yes
Address: Domkloster, Cologne, Germany
Telephone: (0221) 1794 0200.
Website: http://www.koelner-dom.de
Museum Ludwig

This world-class modern art museum is full of eye-catching pop art icons from the late 20th century, including masterpieces from Andy Warhol (Munroes and Campbell soups), Roy Liechtenstein and René Magritte, plus several hundred lesser works by Pablo Picasso. Dalí's huge La Gare de Perpignan is worth the entrance fee alone.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1800 (until 2200 every first Thurs of the month).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Bischofsgartenstrasse 1, Cologne, Germany
Telephone: (0221) 26165.
Website: http://www.museenkoeln.de/museum-ludwig
Römischer-Germanisches Museum

This museum celebrates Cologne's importance as the capital of Roman Germany and is built around a superbly preserved mosaic floor (the best of its kind in north Europe) comprising over 1 million pieces.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Roncalliplatz 4, Cologne, Germany
Telephone: (0221) 22304.
Website: http://www.museenkoeln.de/roemisch-germanisches-museum
Wallraff-Richartz-Museum

Excellent collection spanning medieval art from 1300 to Impressionism at the end of the 19th century; famous artists from all over Europe include Cranach the Elder, Rubens, Rembrandt, van Dyck, Tintoretto, Renoir, Monet, Manet, van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin and Munch.

Opening Times: Tues-Fri 1000-1800 (Thurs until 2200).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Obenmarspforten (am Kölner Rathaus), Cologne, Germany
Telephone: (0221) 2212 1119.
Website: http://www.wallraf.museum

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