Planning a short trip to Cologne? Check out our guide to the city’s top attractions that you can explore if you have just one day in Cologne.
Cologne is a 2000 year old city in western part of Germany, best known for its iconic cathedral. The Cologne Cathedral is one of the most recognizable buildings in the country and is truly impressive.
We visited Cologne in spring and thoroughly enjoyed the city. It has a wonderful atmosphere, scenic walks along the river, Rhine boat tours, the Lindt Chocolate Factory, a charming old town, bridges with fantastic views, and delicious beer—what’s not to love?!
We were lucky to have our own local guide. Yuriy’s niece was studying in Cologne at the time and happily spent the day with us, showing us around the city, taking us to the best viewpoints, and recommending cafes with amazing food and beer.
If you are visiting Cologne during Christmas, chances are your day will be filled with festive activities like sipping mulled wine, savoring gingerbread cookies, and soaking in the holiday cheer. 🙂
But if you’re visiting at any other time of the year, here’s our list of must-see attractions and activities to enjoy during your Day in Cologne.
Getting around
While we prefer exploring on foot, Cologne has an excellent public transport system. The city is well-connected by buses and trams, with tickets available at most tram stops and inside the vehicles. The cost varies depending on the travel distance. You can opt for a single-use ticket, but if you plan to travel more than twice in a day, purchasing a one-day ticket is a more cost-effective choice.
If you arrive in Cologne by train, it will bring you straight to the city center. Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) is located right next to the Cologne Cathedral, so you’ll spot the city’s main attraction as soon as you step out of the station.
The square in front of the train station—Bahnhofsvorplatz—is usually bustling with people and often hosts various events. For instance, if you visit during Christmas, you’ll find yourself stepping straight into a festive Christmas market right after getting off the train. Thanks to Cologne’s excellent train connections with other German cities and neighboring Netherlands, many people make day trips here specifically to enjoy the Christmas market before heading back just a few hours later.
Cologne Cathedral
As I mentioned earlier, it’s impossible to miss the cathedral if you arrive by train. In fact, it’s hard to miss it altogether—it’s a magnificent Gothic church standing proudly in the heart of the city, with its two towering spires visible from afar.
The Cologne Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking. Don’t just admire it from the outside—step inside to marvel at its stunning interior and vibrant stained-glass windows. For an unforgettable experience, consider climbing around five hundred steps to reach the viewing platform inside one of the towers.
Even if you’re just transiting through Cologne and have a half-hour stopover, I highly recommend stepping off the train to check out the Cologne Cathedral—it’s absolutely worth it.
We actually did exactly that when we were traveling the other day with my dad from Koblenz to Utrecht. With less than an hour to change trains in Cologne, we stepped out of the station so my dad could see the Cologne Cathedral. We even had enough time to go inside and admire the cathedral’s interior.
Altstadt, Köln Rathaus and Groß St. Martin
Exploring the Old Town—Altstadt—is a must when visiting Cologne. Its narrow, cobbled streets are lined with numerous cafes and breweries offering traditional German beer and food. Highlights include the well-preserved historical Town Hall (Köln Rathaus) and the picturesque St. Martin Church (Groß St. Martin).
On warm days, treat yourself to an ice cream and relax in one of the green spaces with stunning views of the Rhine. Alternatively, enjoy a drink and a meal at one of the charming cafes in Old Market Square (Alter Markt).
Take a boat trip
Boats depart from the “Rheingarten” landing, located between the Hohenzollern and the Deutzer Bridge. Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket office on site.
A one-hour harbor tour is a wonderful way to take in some of Cologne’s sights from the water, complete with information and commentary in English. Highlights of the excursion include the Cologne Cathedral, St. Martin Church, the Chocolate Museum, and the Rhine bridges.
In addition to guided harbor tours, you also have the option to hop on any regular KD Rhine cruise. You can purchase a Rhine Pass day ticket, which allows unlimited access to KD Rhine cruises throughout the day. For details on ticket prices and departure times, visit the official KD website.
We didn’t take a boat tour in Cologne that day, but we did experience a KD Middle Rhine cruise during another visit to Germany. Read all about it here – Scenic Middle Rhine cruise from Bingen to Boppard.
Ride a Wolters Bimmelbahnen mini-train
This could be a great option when visiting with kids—fun for them and less walking for the family.
Initially, we didn’t plan to take the touristy Wolters Bimmelbahnen mini-train. Based on our previous experiences with similar city trains, they tend to be quite noisy, cramped, and offer limited views due to their small windows and low roofs.
However, instead of rigidly sticking to our planned itinerary, we prefer to remain flexible and adapt as we go. In fact, it was our younger son (who was 5 years old at the time) who spotted the train and insisted that we all hop on for the ride!
The tour begins near the Tourist Office, located in front of the Cologne Cathedral. It’s operated by “Wolters Bimmelbahnen Mini-Trains,” and tickets can be purchased either at the Tourist Office or directly from the cashier at the train stops. The trains run every half hour, allowing you to either complete a full round trip or hop off (and back on) at the Chocolate Museum.
That’s exactly what we did—we got off at the Chocolate Museum, explored the area, and then took the train back to the old town.
Chocolate museum
The Chocolate Museum is situated on the Rheinauhafen peninsula. We decided not to go inside, primarily because we were short on time (and perhaps to resist the temptation to buy lots of chocolates from the museum shop! 😊). Maybe next time.
You can purchase tickets and plan your visit on their official website.
Rheinauhafen peninsula
Even if you’re not planning to visit the Chocolate Museum, the Rheinauhafen peninsula is still a lovely place to explore. One part of the peninsula features the Chocolate Museum and the Sport & Olympia Museum, while the other boasts the Kranhaus business center with its striking modern architecture, elegant houses, and a scenic waterfront promenade.
For a nice view of the Kranhaus, head up to the Severinsbrücke bridge.
Wait near the Chocolate Museum until a toll boat arrives, and you’ll get to see the Drehbrücke bridge rotate to allow the boat to pass.
Be sure to visit the viewing platform on top of the Chocolate Museum for stunning views of the Rhine River.
Hohenzollernbrücke and the love locks
The Hohenzollern Bridge is more than just a vital train route into the city; it’s also a romantic spot where couples attach love padlocks to the railings. For tourists like us, it’s a delightful place to take a leisurely stroll while admiring the colorful array of locks.
We crossed the Rhine via the Hohenzollern Bridge, and it took us nearly an hour—not because the bridge is particularly long, but because of the mesmerizing love locks. There are thousands of them in all shapes and sizes, from bike locks and chains to master locks with codes, even safe locks. The boys took their time examining many of them, searching for the most interesting or amusing ones. Meanwhile, Yuriy and I savored the beautiful views of the Rhine River and its banks.
Rheinboulevard
Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge to the Rheinboulevard, where you’ll find its famous steps and stunning city views. Take a leisurely walk along the Rhine, and stay until after sunset. The view of the right bank is breathtaking at night, with the Cologne Cathedral, St. Martin Church, city bridges, and more beautifully illuminated, creating a picture-perfect scene.
Rhine Park
Also located on the left bank of the river is Rhine Park. It’s a delightful spot, perfect for picnics during the warmer months, walking, cycling, or simply relaxing and enjoying time in a large green park conveniently close to the city center.
Cologne Sculpture Park
If you have additional time in Cologne, I recommend visiting the Cologne Sculpture Park (Skulpturen Park Köln). As the name suggests, the park features contemporary sculptures scattered throughout its grounds. The collection is updated annually, making each visit unique.
You can reach the park via tram #18, which departs from Cologne Central Station.
If you only have one day in Cologne, the list above provides plenty of options to ensure a memorable experience. It’ll leave you wanting to return to this vibrant city to explore even more of its treasures.
Liked the post? Pin it!
Read next – Visiting Koblenz – a picturesque city on the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Cologne looks our sort of place it’s been on.my hotlist since Henry had a 15 minute potty walk there changing trains. Its Germany so will be dog friendly….
We’ve never visited Cologne but it is a place that we would love to see. There’s so much to do! We would definitely want to visit the cathedral and walk around the old town but we’d also want to visit the chocolate museum and we do love a sculpture park. Really enjoyed this post.
I’d love to see Cologne Cathedral and going inside would be an absolute must for me. Your picture from the left bank of it lit up at night is gorgeous! I enjoy the eggs cooking on the rocks in the park, too lol