Cologne Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Cologne

i think cologne is a really nice city, great for a weekend away but i would say that a weekend is long enough to take in all the sights. if you plan on climbing the steps of the cathedral then be prepared for a very tireing walk, the steps seem to be never ending and then when you do reach the...more i think cologne is a really nice city, great for a weekend away but i would say that a weekend is long enough to take in all the sights. if you plan on climbing the steps of the cathedral then be prepared for a very tireing walk, the steps seem to be never ending and then when you do reach the top there is not much there!! i would reccomend going to the top of the building adjacent to the youth hostel, it's on the path that you take across the bridge to get into the city, the big white building, the views from there are amazing although if you're going to cologne then you do have to climb the steps of the cathedral, also if you're in cologne on a sunday be sure to take a walk down the river bank on the city side of the river where there is a market that stretches a mile down the riverclose

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by danyal1984 – posted on Mar 24, 2007

4

Cologne is a very beautiful old city. I didn't feel rushed, but I definately think this would have been a better day trip than a weekend trip. Colgone's cathedral is the most stunning part of the city, and the Ludwig Museum is definately worth a visit - there's a great discount...more Cologne is a very beautiful old city. I didn't feel rushed, but I definately think this would have been a better day trip than a weekend trip. Colgone's cathedral is the most stunning part of the city, and the Ludwig Museum is definately worth a visit - there's a great discount for students with positive ID.close

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by cutiebunnyrock – posted on Mar 24, 2007

10

Cologne is beautiful at Christmas time with many traditional Christmas markets to suit all tastes. The dark afternoons are lit by tasteful Christmas lights and the warm comfort of Gluhwein. Other attractions include the impossible to miss Cathedral towering above the HauptBahnhof and the yummy...more Cologne is beautiful at Christmas time with many traditional Christmas markets to suit all tastes. The dark afternoons are lit by tasteful Christmas lights and the warm comfort of Gluhwein. Other attractions include the impossible to miss Cathedral towering above the HauptBahnhof and the yummy chocolate museum on the bank of the river. For relaxing with friends, Cologne is not expensive and offers a great alternative to Paris, Brussels or Berlin.close

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by pockel – posted on Dec 17, 2006

2

It's an easy city to see ina day or 2.. I think I should have come in summer!!! The Kölner Dom is a must! it looks stunning when the light hits it right and the stained glass windows explode with colour! The Lindt chociolate museum is great too... howevertthey don't give away...more It's an easy city to see ina day or 2.. I think I should have come in summer!!! The Kölner Dom is a must! it looks stunning when the light hits it right and the stained glass windows explode with colour! The Lindt chociolate museum is great too... howevertthey don't give away enough free chocolate!! grrrclose

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by madmosh – posted on Dec 2, 2006

11

We came to Cologne to watch Bayer Leverkusen V Tottenham, but we could not get tickets for the match. So we ended up watching it at a bar called Joe Champs (recomended by our hostel receptionist). It was a great atmosphere and the locals were very friendly. The next day we explored the city...more We came to Cologne to watch Bayer Leverkusen V Tottenham, but we could not get tickets for the match. So we ended up watching it at a bar called Joe Champs (recomended by our hostel receptionist). It was a great atmosphere and the locals were very friendly. The next day we explored the city and the cathedral etc and loved it. The Meininger hostel was very friendly and in a great location.close

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by joegonza – posted on Nov 23, 2006

2

It is not the most beautiful city in Germany but certainly one of the most enjoyable one. Da people are friendly and have a sense of joy. Life is never boring in Cologne as U are given a lot of possibilities 2 enjoy da good life. Oh yes! You will enjoy your stay in Cologne :-)) When visiting...more It is not the most beautiful city in Germany but certainly one of the most enjoyable one. Da people are friendly and have a sense of joy. Life is never boring in Cologne as U are given a lot of possibilities 2 enjoy da good life. Oh yes! You will enjoy your stay in Cologne :-)) When visiting Cologne, take da time to discover da city. It's like a big puzzle of historical buildings or parts of buildings in a modern surrounding. Its well worth da visit and furthermore close to other interesting places like Aachen, Dusseldorf or Frankfurt/Main.close

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by mathie3209 – posted on Sep 13, 2006

19

The cathedral (unmissable from most of Cologne) is spectacular anda must see, even if you don't normally like cathedrals.It has huge ceilings and if you are feeling adventurous you can climb the spire. Cologne is also right on the Rhine, so for anyone with a Eurail pass - seriously consider the...more The cathedral (unmissable from most of Cologne) is spectacular anda must see, even if you don't normally like cathedrals.It has huge ceilings and if you are feeling adventurous you can climb the spire. Cologne is also right on the Rhine, so for anyone with a Eurail pass - seriously consider the KD Boat along the Rhine (free with Eurail pass) the best section s probably Koblenz to Mainz but boats leave from Cologne and it is a great day especially if the weather is nice. We had a great time in Cologne, and if you have time to take a walk around the city there is plenty to see. The Rathaus (Town Hall) has some great ruins you can view from above in the courtyard in front, but there is plenty else to see as well.close

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by mumsu – posted on Sep 6, 2006

25

We were there on Sunday and Monday which are terrible days for touristy-stuff: all the museums are closed on Mondays so once we were done with the Cathedral (which is worth going to Cologne for), there wasn't much left to do except roam the old city streets (which were cool, but after a couple of...more We were there on Sunday and Monday which are terrible days for touristy-stuff: all the museums are closed on Mondays so once we were done with the Cathedral (which is worth going to Cologne for), there wasn't much left to do except roam the old city streets (which were cool, but after a couple of hours, you get tired and wish there were more to do).close

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by planes6601 – posted on Aug 20, 2006

6

I found Cologne disappointing. There aren't many old buidings apart from the cathedral, and the new ones aren't very good architecture unlike Germany in general, which normally has excellent modern architecture. There wasn't much to do if you didn't have a lot of money (otherwise shop! and...more I found Cologne disappointing. There aren't many old buidings apart from the cathedral, and the new ones aren't very good architecture unlike Germany in general, which normally has excellent modern architecture. There wasn't much to do if you didn't have a lot of money (otherwise shop! and some interesting looking museums). It is a dirty city too, again especially by german standards, it looked like the bad parts of Liverpool (this from a scouser)! The river wasn't pleasant to sit or walk by either.close

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by Sianmc – posted on Jul 25, 2006

10

Cologne is not Hamburg, Berlin or Munich. It is not a visually striking place as there is a lot of 1970s concrete architecture but there is a lot of fun to be experienced !!! Take a walk along the waterside, both sides! and enjoy the walk over the hohenzollernbridge (acces to the bridge behind...more Cologne is not Hamburg, Berlin or Munich. It is not a visually striking place as there is a lot of 1970s concrete architecture but there is a lot of fun to be experienced !!! Take a walk along the waterside, both sides! and enjoy the walk over the hohenzollernbridge (acces to the bridge behind the majestic Dom).close

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by mathie3209 – posted on Jul 20, 2006

19