I escaped to Cologne for Christmas and was pleasantly surprised at how many things there were to do. I had always wanted to visit Germany during the festive season, it’s got such a great reputation, and Cologne really didn’t disappoint.

We visited at the end of November so the air was crisp, the sun was shining and the Christmas decorations were twinkling. It was a beautiful weekend spent with family, learning all about the history and soaking up the culture. These 8 activities are what made it so wonderful!

Looking for more European trips? Make sure you read my guides to Dublin and Copenhagen on a budget

8 things to do in Cologne

1. Climb the cathedral

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The glowing heart of Cologne is the gigantic, gothic, almost 800 year old cathedral. The moment I set eyes on it I was wowed. It really does take your breath away. Both the intricate architecture inside and outside are like something from a Grimm fairytale.

When we visited there was a sobering display of images depicting World War 2, which this Cathedral survived. It suffered damage from multiple aerial bombs but incredibly stayed standing unlike the city, which was in ruins. The cathedral holds a lot of importance to the city as a representation of strength in times of terror.

In fact, the cathedral holds such importance it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. And we decided to climb it!

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And let me tell you, the climb is not to be underestimated. There are 2 spires that stand at 157 metres high and to reach the top of them, you will need to tackle 332 steep steps. Clambering through chambers, tight circular towers and steel steps, it is tough on the legs. There is chance to rest in the bell tower two thirds up, which we desperately needed.

But the view from the top is so worth it. Enjoy panoramic scenes across Cologne and the river Rhine. Of course, try to choose a bright day to get the most out of the experience.

To climb, head to the side of the building, next to the rest rooms. Go through the automatic doors and you will find a booth. Pay 3 euros for entry to the stairs. They only take cash.

2. Indulge in the Chocolate Museum

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That’s right, a chocolate museum dedicated to that sweet addictive treat. You’ll learn all about the history of this humble cocoa bean in interactive display, there’s fun memorabilia but my favourite area was the robotics room.

It was a chocolate factory, like, name me Charlie right now! Watching the machines pumping and rotating, as well as robotic arms seamlessly moving chocolate pieces and packaging around is mesmerising. This room also has a 3 metre chocolate fountain, which we went back to four times for free samples.

There’s cafes, shops and a place to design your own chocolate bar at extra cost.

It’s directly in front of the old town, on the harbour. Entry to the museum is around 13 euros.

3. Wander the old town

Cologne is around 2000 years and unfortunately the old town was victim to World War 2. It was left in rubbles so it took a long time to reconstruct. They’ve done an incredible job as it looks very authentic.

Colourful thin houses are squashed together on cobbled streets, making you feel like you’ve taken a trip in a time machine. You’ll find lots of pubs, restaurants, craft markets and cafes so you can soak up the charming atmosphere for as long as possible.

4. Scoot across Cologne bridge

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The Hohenzollern Bridge is 400 metres long with 3 iron arches, which allows trains and people to cross. The bridge played an important part in World War 2 as the German army strategically chose to blow it up to slow down allies from entering the city. It suddenly gives the crossing much more meaning.

Now restored and it is an epic landmark for all tourists. We jumped on one of the many Lime scooters you will find around Cologne, and scooted across the bridge and along the river. It was such a fun way to explore!

Download the lime app. Use it to locate scooters. Scan your app on the QR code to unlock and pay for your ride. You are charged a 1 euro fee then 0.15 euro per minute.

5. Enjoy a river cruise

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The river Rhine is pretty famous as it’s one of the longest rivers in Europe. It starts in Switzerland and casually makes it way through Germany, to the Netherlands and into the North Sea. What an epic journey.

We walked down to the river where there were a few options. Our boat tour was around 90 minutes and included live music and a hot drink on board. It was a nice, slow way to enjoy views of the city.

The trip cost around 18 euros per person and was located just past Cologne Bridge. Departure times vary depending on the season.

6. Get spectacular views from KolnTriangle

I always try to find places to see a city from above, and this one is the best in Cologne. Even though I loved the experience of climbing the Cathedral, the view from KolnTriangle tips it to the top spot because it’s totally 360 and includes the historic Cathedral.

This shiny metal building is 103 metres tall with a direct lift up 29 floors. So it’s already more accessible than the cathedral, just not as endearing. Once at the top, you can take in the panoramic views through transparent glass.

It’s positioned on the other side of the river and is 5 euros each to enter.

7. Explore the Botanical Garden

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If there’s a park or garden in a city, you’ll bet I’m going to visit. This botanical garden is in Riehl, a northern district of Cologne. It’s got over 10,000 types of plants across 11 hectares of land. That’s around 11 football pitches in size.

We had a relaxing stroll through and boy did we need it after a jam packed weekend. There is a tropical greenhouse and palm house to explore as well as the grounds themselves. But the best thing? I’ve never seen so many red squirrels! You rarely see them in the UK as grey squirrels have taken over. It was delightful to see these creatures jumping and climbing around.

You will find Cologne Zoo next to the gardens so you could combine your trip if you wanted!

From Cologne Central Station we took Metro 18 to stop Zoo/Flora. We used a group tram card, which you can read more about here.

8. Take a train to Dusseldorf

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Dusseldorf if only around 30 minutes from Cologne so why not hop over there as well? We ultimately went because Cologne Christmas markets hadn’t quite opened yet, where Dusseldorfs had!

There are multiple markets dotted across the city, all unique in their own way and masterly decorated. We also went ice skating on their rink, which was hilarious. We paid for entry to the rink and then had to pay again for skates. It was cash only.

Honestly, this was the cherry on top of our trip and completed our Christmas escape.

We asked for help at Cologne Central Station for the cheapest ticket prices. It averaged around 15 euros each.

A handy map

So there you have it, that was our crammed packed escape to Cologne where we found so many incredible things to do. Make sure you add Cologne to your ‘must see’ list – you won’t regret it.

Let me know if you’re planning on visiting and if you found this guide helpful!

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