Things to do in Cologne

Activities, attractions and tours

Hohenzollern Bridge which includes night scenes, a church or cathedral and a bridge
Cologne
Cologne
Cologne
Alter Markt
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most popular experiences in Cologne

Tours & day trips

See all 180 activities
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €24 per adult
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive MusicOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 80 activities
Cologne: Private Rickshaw Tour

Cologne: Private Rickshaw Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €42 per adult
Cologne: Private Rickshaw TourOpens in new tab

Shows & concerts

See all 5 activities
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €24 per adult
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive MusicOpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 4 activities
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €24 per adult
Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive MusicOpens in new tab

Shopping & fashion

See all 3 activities
From Amsterdam: Cologne in Germany Day Tour

From Amsterdam: Cologne in Germany Day Tour

Activity duration is 11 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €169 per adult
From Amsterdam: Cologne in Germany Day TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Cologne

Popular places to visit

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Marvel at the Gothic architecture and the shrine of the three wise men at one of the largest churches in the world.

Cologne Cathedral
LANXESS Arena

LANXESS Arena

Catch an event at LANXESS Arena during your trip to Cologne. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

LANXESS Arena
Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum

Delve into the delectable history of chocolate and sample the confectionary as you find out about the different ways that it is produced around the world.

Chocolate Museum
RheinEnergieStadion

RheinEnergieStadion

Catch an event at RheinEnergieStadion during your trip to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or visit its local chocolate shops.

RheinEnergieStadion
Claudius Therme

Claudius Therme

You can take time to visit Claudius Therme during your travels to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Claudius Therme
Old Market

Old Market

The city’s former marketplace is now a lively spot known for its café culture and carnivals.

Old Market
Hay Market

Hay Market

Learn about the local history of Cologne when you spend time at Hay Market. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or seek out the local tours.

Hay Market
Cologne Zoo featuring zoo animals and dangerous animals

Cologne Zoo

This is one of the country’s oldest zoological gardens, and has the biggest collection of animals in Germany.

Cologne Zoo
Neumarkt

Neumarkt

You can find out about the history of Cologne with a trip to Neumarkt. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

Neumarkt

Areas of Cologne

Kolumba-Diocesan Museum

Old Town Cologne

Cologne Cathedral and Schildergasse are a few top attractions in Old Town Cologne. Hop around the city on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Neumarkt U-Bahn and check out the area's stunning cathedral, stunning river views and popular shops.

Old Town Cologne
Rheinau Harbour

Innenstadt

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Innenstadt. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Old Market, and jump on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Innenstadt
Cologne Cathedral

Altstadt-Nord

4.5/5(293 area reviews)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Nord. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Cologne City Museum, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
Default Image

Deutz

3.5/5(32 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and river views highlight some notable features of Deutz. Make a stop by Cologne Triangle or LANXESS Arena while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Deutzer Freiheit U-Bahn or Deutz Koelnarena U-Bahn to get around town.

Deutz
Hohenzollern Bridge which includes night scenes, a church or cathedral and a bridge

Altstadt-Süd

4.5/5(106 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Süd. You can visit top attractions like Chocolate Museum and Schildergasse, and jump on the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
Default Image

Ehrenfeld

4/5(9 area reviews)

Noted for its bars and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Ehrenfeld. Top attractions like MMC Studios and Neptunbad are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Koernerstrasse U-Bahn or Venloer Strasse Guertel U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Ehrenfeld
Photo "Troisdorf" by aachim3 (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by aachim3 (CC BY)

Troisdorf

Leverkusen featuring a pond and heritage architecture

Leverkusen

Dormagen

Dormagen

Bonn Marketplace featuring night scenes

Bonn

Photo by Christina Frowein

Bergisch Gladbach

Photo "Kerpen" by El Grafo (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by El Grafo (CC BY-SA)

Kerpen

Photo "Pulheim" by Pappnaas666 (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Pappnaas666 (CC BY-SA)

Pulheim

Bergheim

Bergheim

Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne worth visiting?
Known for its nightlife and culture, discovering fun things to do in Cologne is a cinch. Make sure to add Cologne Cathedral to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Cologne?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Cologne Zoo and Aqualand Leisure Pool at Fuhlinger Lake. Then, explore other areas of Cologne for local dining and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cologne?
The top tourist attraction in Cologne is Cologne Cathedral, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cologne?
Three days in Cologne is enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne Zoo and Museum Ludwig are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Düsseldorf.
Is Cologne a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Cologne, including Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.48 kilometres from central Cologne is Innenstadt and Old Town Cologne is 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Cologne with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Cologne with kids.

What to do in Cologne for adults?
LANXESS Arena and MediaPark are just a couple of the things to do in Cologne. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cologne?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Cologne. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Cologne Cathedral is a must for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.