Cologne, Germany

Kölner Dom & Altstadt

Any visitor to Cologne should definitely take the time to explore the Altstadt (Old Town). There are still many old houses and lanes, and reminders of the city's long history. Starting from the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), walk across Roncalliplatz, with the Römisch-Germanische Museum to the left. Across the square you'll see Früh am Dom and the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen. Make your way down the Hafenstraße, which leads from Roncalliplatz to the Philharmonie. The huge cobblestones are from the Roman era. Go straight on and you'll come to the Alter Markt. The old marketplace is lined with cafés and pubs—particularly pleasant in summer. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month of each year, crowds gather here to Ring in the Karneval. In the middle of the square is the Jan-von-Werth Fountain. Only a few of the buildings have actually been standing since the Middle Ages. One of them, the house Zur Brezel zum Dorn, was constructed in 1580. Stop into at least one of the traditional Kölsch pubs, which are an essential part of the Altstadt experience!

Altes Rathaus & Rheinpromenade

Before exploring the many narrow lanes that lead down to the Rhine, climb the stairs to the Alte Rathaus, the old city hall. In front of the Rathaus is the Mikwe, the Jewish baths, which have been excavated and can be viewed through the glass pyramid. Now make your way toward the Martinsviertel. The quarter surrounding the church of St. Martin is home to plenty of romantic small streets. Many a charming little corner is waiting to be discovered near the Salzgasse, Rote-Funken-Plätzchen, the Buttermarkt and the Fischmarkt. Emerging from the network of tiny streets, you'll appreciate the panorama of the Rhine promenade. It's worth walking across the river on the Deutzer Brücke—the bridge provides the best view of the old houses and the magnificent Dom.

Rheinseilbahn & Rheinpark

The prelude is a ride with the Rheinseilbahn from its station at the Riehler Straße, best reached with the U-Bahn lines 15 and 16 to Zoo/Flora, to Mühlheim on the other side of the Rhine. When the weather is good, the view over Cologne from out of the little gondolas is breathtaking and one of the most beautiful point of views on the old part of the town and the cathedral. Next to the cable railway is the Claudius Therme. This wellness bath is fed by thermal waters, providing everything from sauna to mudbaths. Now relaxed, follow the Rhine upstream through the Rheinpark, the green lung of Cologne on the right hand side of the River and an eldorado for rollerbladers and joggers, to the Rheinterrassen. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the 1950s but especially on the weekends, when a mixed crowd can be found enjoying the unique view of Cologne's skyline. For about EUR 1 per person the ferry will take you from the Rheinterrassen to the promenade on the left hand side of the Rhine, just below the cathedral. The Schokoladenmuseum is located on a small peninsula, about 30 minutes from the pier. Sponsored by the Stollwerck company, a local manufacturer of fine chocolates since 1839, the museum is a paradise for the chocolate enthusiast.

Hohe Straße & Hahnentor

Apostelnstraße, Ehrenstraße, Friesenwall and Mittelstraße are forming the round course for fastidious shoppers in Cologne. A little bit off the racket of the Schildergasse/Hohe Straße pedestrian zone, this mecca for the trend setter offers a variety of designer stores and little boutiques, interrupted only by strategically well-situated coffee shops and restaurants. St. Aposteln at Neumarkt, one of the twelve great Roman churches in Cologne, marks the starting point for the beginning of the tour. Make a stop at Gummi Grün. This store—for generations now—sells everything somehow related to rubber. It's one of a few stores along the way that are typical for Cologne. The Kunstkaufhaus features works of established and young artists. The Buchhandlung König, at the corner of Apostelnstraße und Breite Straße, is well know as the best address for sophisticated and hard-to-find books. The Broadway awaits you for a relaxing coffee break. This small movie theater offers the best view on the trendy and beautiful crowd of the Ehrenstraße. Whereby the Ehrenstraße serves the mid-prize category and the parallel Mittelstraße features more precious labels such as Gucci, Fogal, Versace, Armani etc. Before turning left at the end of the Ehrenstraße you should follow your nose into the Käsehaus Wingenfeld. It's the last of the three aforementioned out-of-place stores. Continue towards the Friesenwall and the Hahnentor. It was built in the 13th century and is one of Cologne's oldest city gates. It used to be, and in a way still is, the main entrance for Cologne merchants.