Cologne Travelers Recommend

From boat trips to pub crawls, Cologne offers plenty of entertainment. Bike through different neighborhoods, sample craft beer, go museum-hopping, and more. Here’s how to make the most of three days in this German cultural hub on the Rhine River. 

Day 1: Museum visits and dinner cruises

Find your bearings in Cologne with an introductory tour. For maximum flexibility and easy transportation, purchase a hop-on hop-off bus pass that stops at popular attractions such as the Cologne Cathedral and City Hall—or opt for a combo bus/boat package. Alternatively, hit the streets on a group or private walking tour through the historical Old Town. Later, check out some of Cologne’s excellent museums, such as the Farina Fragrance Museum, the Chocolate Museum, and the Odysseum science museum (perfect for kids). In the evening, savor views of the city on a sunset or dinner cruise along the Rhine. 

Day 2: Bike tours and beer crawls

Enjoy the fresh air and cover ground more quickly on the back of a bike. Following a local guide, marvel at landmarks such as the Hohenzollern Bridge while exploring different districts. Themed rides (e.g. a tour of the city’s best Christmas lights) are on offer seasonally. Then, get a taste of German beer culture while learning about Cologne’s history as you stroll among traditional pubs and sample a variety of microbrews. Or, go for a guided pub crawl that includes nightclub entry.

Day 3: Photo tours and day trips

Delve into your creative side with a photography-themed tour. Join a local photographer for tips on topics such as perspective and composition, as you wander around the city center snapping photos. Alternatively, venture beyond Cologne on a day trip—perhaps a sightseeing journey to Königswinter with views of castles, vineyards, and churches along the way. For more flexibility, buy a hop-on hop-off boat pass, getting off wherever you like along the Rhine—towns such as Linz, Koblenz, and Mainz make scenic stops. 

The western German city of Cologne occupies a scenic spot on the banks of the River Rhine. With two days in this dynamic city, you’ll have enough time to hit the highlights, take a scenic river cruise, and taste traditional German beers. Here’s how to get the most out of 48 hours in Cologne. 

Day 1: Boat Cruises and Beer Tours

**Morning:**Get your bearings in Cologne with a ride on the double-decker hop-on hop-off bus, quickly covering top city landmarks including Gothic Cologne Cathedral and city hall. Travelers interested in a sightseeing cruise on the Rhine River may want to investigate tickets that combine the bus with a boat tour. 

**Afternoon:**See Cologne from the deck of a boat with a scenic river cruise. Choose a quick sightseeing cruise within the city, or venture farther afield and admire views of the Rhine River during a journey to a nearby town, taking in castles, vineyards, and churches on the riverbank along the way. 

**Night:**Spend your first evening sampling German craft beers during a night out in Cologne. Choose between history-focused walking tours that visit traditional pubs and pub crawls that include a lively evening of drinking and dancing. Follow your local guide to best experience the atmosphere of Cologne after dark.

Day 2: Cologne by Bike and Museum Time

**Morning:**Devote this morning to exploring Cologne by bike during a guided ride, getting a closer look at landmarks including the Hohenzollern Bridge and the Old Town. Themed bike tours are also available depending on the season, such as tours focused on the city’s Christmas lights.

**Afternoon:**Spend this afternoon exploring the Cologne museum that most interests you. Choose between the Chocolate Museum (bring your sweet tooth), the Farina Fragrance Museum, and, if you’re traveling with the family, the Odysseum science museum for kids. Save time and skip the line by purchasing priority access tickets in advance. 

**Night:**On your final evening in town, take to the Rhine River for a different perspective on  Cologne after dark. Choose between dinner cruises with an included buffet and sunset cruises with à la carte food and drink. Admire views of the illuminated landmarks, including the stunning Gothic Cologne Cathedral, and toast your time in the city. 

Located on the banks of the Rhine River, Cologne is a dynamic German city with a striking Gothic cathedral. With just one day to explore, you can hit the highlights and take a bike tour, river cruise, or pub crawl. Here are a few ways to spend 24 hours in Cologne. 

Morning: Cologne Overview

Begin the day with an introductory tour. Take the double-decker hop-on hop-off bus and see top city landmarks including city hall, the cathedral, and Roncalliplatz, the square where the cathedral stands. A combination ticket also includes a Rhine River sightseeing cruise. To explore the city at a slower pace, opt for a bike tour and follow your guide to the Hohenzollern Bridge, philharmonic hall, and the waterfront district set in the city’s former industrial port. Walking tours include options focused on history and private tours that can be customized according to your individual interests. 

Afternoon: Photography and Chocolate

Discover a new perspective on the landmarks of Cologne with a sightseeing cruise. Choose from several departure times and climb aboard a boat for a scenic trip along the Rhine River. Learn about local history while admiring views of Cologne Cathedral and the colorful Old Town. If you took a cruise in the morning, consider joining a photo-themed tour instead. Explore Cologne on foot and get advice from a photographer on composition and perspective while snapping shots of city landmarks. Then, skip the line with premium access tickets to the Chocolate Museum and taste a variety of hand-crafted chocolate. 

Night: German Beer and Scenic River Cruises

Explore Cologne after dark with an Old Town brewery tour. Taste a variety of German beers, and learn about local history during stops at several different traditional pubs. Travelers looking to experience Cologne’s nightlife may want to join other revelers and a local guide on a pub crawl that includes access to several trendy bars. Visitors looking for a more relaxed evening can check out a scenic dinner cruise on the Rhine River. Some cruises include a buffet dinner, complimentary drinks, and music from an onboard DJ. 

Cologne’s Carnival is Germany’s second-most famous celebration after Oktoberfest. Nearly a million people attend the annual festivities, which kick off in November and ramp up around Lent in February. Here are a few ways to enjoy the celebration.

• Pedal through the city center on a small-group bike tour to see where the Carnival celebrations take place, including Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral).

• Attend one of the city’s costume balls, Fools’ Gatherings, or a parade rehearsal to get in the Carnival spirit.

• Participate in a pub crawl to see the best of Cologne’s nightlife.

• At 11:11am on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, kick off Carnival Week with costume parades and street parties.

• Wrap up Carnival season at the official Carnival parade called the Rose Monday Parade (Rosenmontag), featuring marching bands, dancers, elaborately constructed floats, and thousands of costumed revelers shouting “Kölle Alaaf!”

• Check out the year-round Cologne Carnival Museum for elaborate Carnival costumes and floats, and to learn more about the origins the Carnival (Fastnacht) origins around Easter and Lent.