Cologne in 2 Days: The Cathedral, Art and the Rhine

Start at the cathedral beside the main station, with its Gothic nave and the Shrine of the Three Kings. Sightseeing takes place around services. The tower climb is a separate ticket; Museum Ludwig next door is the day’s main longer visit.

Make this the main art visit of the weekend, with modern art, photography and a major Pop Art collection. It is beside the cathedral, so there is no extra journey. The museum normally closes on Monday; use the river walk that day instead.

Walk onto the railway bridge’s pedestrian path for views back to the cathedral. You can save the full crossing for tomorrow’s Deutz waterfront visit; today, return along the river towards the old-town squares.

The Romanesque church rises above the old-town riverfront. Pause at its exterior and the lanes around it before reaching Fischmarkt. This is a short architectural stop after the larger cathedral and museum visits.

The small square of coloured houses beside the Rhine is a good place for a riverside break. Follow the promenade south for a short walk, then turn back into the old town towards Alter Markt.

Finish the first day around the old market square and neighbouring lanes. Traditional beer halls serve Kölsch in small glasses; it is an easy area for dinner after the central sights.

Cross to Deutz for the tower’s rooftop view back across the Rhine towards the cathedral. The viewing platform has a separate admission ticket. Pair it with the riverside steps below for a slower morning on this side of the river.

Make the chocolate museum the main indoor visit of Day 2, covering cacao, production and the working demonstration area. It sits at the northern end of Rheinauhafen, so continue south along the waterfront afterwards.

The medieval city gate marks the entrance to the Südstadt neighbourhood. Walk here after Rheinauhafen for a change from the busiest tourist streets, then explore Severinstraße for an evening meal.

Choose the former secret-police headquarters and memorial for a serious look at Cologne under dictatorship and the persecution of its residents. This is an alternative history visit, best given its own morning rather than treated as a quick stop.

For a family-focused alternative, replace part of Day 2 with the zoo north of the centre. Take public transport from the central sights and pair it with the neighbouring botanical garden, rather than walking the entire distance from the old town.