The best times to visit Cologne are late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–early October), offering mild weather and manageable crowds. Summer is the busiest season—warm, beer gardens in full swing, plenty of outdoor festivals and open-air events, but also higher prices and more tourists. Winter is colder but still draws plenty of visitors thanks to the Christmas markets (from late November) and Cologne Carnival in February, both major highlights if you don’t mind bundling up.

The Cologne Carnival is a carnival that takes place every year in Cologne, Germany. The highlight of carnival is Rose Monday, with a big parade.  Cologne folks go out masqueraded.

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Best Time to Visit

Cologne Bonn Airport is around 15 km southeast of the city centre, and it takes about 15–20 minutes to get into town. The airport has its own train station directly under the terminals, with frequent S-Bahn and regional trains heading to Cologne’s main station. Buses also connect the airport with various parts of the city. Taxis and ride-shares are available outside arrivals.

Suitcases in airport departure lounge, airplane in background

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Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Germany, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. 

For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle Eastern, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

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Passport/Visa

Cologne’s public transport is run by Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) as part of the larger Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS) network. The system includes trams, light rail (Stadtbahn), underground (U-Bahn), buses, S-Bahn and regional trains—all integrated under one ticketing system. 

For visitors, it's one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get around the city and nearby areas. Ticket options range from single rides to 24-hour, weekly and monthly passes. 

The KölnCard is a popular choice for tourists, offering unlimited travel within Cologne along with discounts to many museums and attractions for either 24 or 48 hours. There’s also the Deutschlandticket, a monthly pass valid for all regional public transport across Germany—great for longer stays or day trips, but less useful for a short city visit.

For more information on fares, timetables, and routes, visit KVB's official website.

Selective blur on a German S-Bahn suburban train near Cologne seen from another train, part of Germany's public transportation system capturing the motion  connectivity of regional rail services.

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Public Transport

Taxis in Cologne are widely available and easy to find, especially in central areas like the city centre, train stations, and near major attractions. They are typically white or cream-coloured vehicles with a yellow illuminated 'Taxi' sign on the roof. 

You can hail one directly from the street if the light is on, or head to designated taxi ranks. Booking by phone is also an option, with services like Taxi Ruf Köln available. For added convenience, ride-hailing apps such as Free Now and Uber also operate in the city. 
However, note that Uber's presence is more limited compared to other major cities like Berlin and Munich, and it often operates similarly to a traditional taxi service.

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Taxi

Cologne’s postal services are run by Deutsche Post, with a mix of full-service branches and smaller postal counters tucked into shops across the city centre. Most larger branches are open Monday to Friday from around 9am to 6pm, and until midday on Saturdays; they’re closed on Sundays. 

Services include letters and postcards, registered and express mail, parcel shipping via DHL, and extras like postage stamps, packstation access, mail forwarding and customs forms. 

For travellers, the most convenient office is the one inside Köln Hauptbahnhof—open early until late and right next to the train lines.

Paper envelope with letter sending in yellow mailbox

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Post

In Cologne, pharmacies are easy to spot by the red ‘Apotheke’ sign and are found throughout the city. Like elsewhere in Germany, most are independently owned rather than part of large chains. Notable examples in Cologne include Dom-Apotheke, located near the Cologne Cathedral, and Apotheke im Hauptbahnhof, situated within the city's main train station. Both are known for their comprehensive services and central locations, making them convenient options for travellers seeking pharmaceutical needs.

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Pharmacy

Country code: +49 

Cologne’s main area code: 221

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Telephone

In Germany, the electrical system operates on a voltage of 230 volts with a frequency of 50 hertz. The country uses plug types C and F, both of which have two round pins. Type F also includes two earth clips on the side for grounding.

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Electricity

It is said that natives of Cologne who are living elsewhere always feel homesick, and visitors to this beautiful city will soon understand why. Germany’s oldest metropolis, which, of course, gave its name to the Eau de Cologne, offers a mix of magnificent and romantic churches, cutting-edge modern architecture, busy shopping streets, and world-famous museums. There is much to do and see in Cologne, and with all the frequent flights and transportation options, getting here has never been easier.

Construction on the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, and it ended up being one of the biggest building projects of the Middle Ages. The idea was to make room for the waves of pilgrims coming to see the shrine of the Three Wise Men—yes, those Three Wise Men. Their supposed remains are kept in a gold casket near the altar, and it’s still the cathedral’s most prized relic.

Cologne Cathedral seen from below with blue sky. Cologne Cathedral, or Kolner Dom, is the main landmark of Cologne and a catholic church in Germany.

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Cologne Cathedral

While in Cologne, you can visit Germany's oldest city hall, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Over time, it has picked up a mix of styles—Gothic tower, Renaissance loggia, some modern touches. The 61-metre tower is covered in carved figures, including some cheeky ones from local history, and the bells chime four times a day. There’s also a mechanical face called the Platzjabbek that sticks its tongue out on the hour. Inside, the Hansasaal is the main historic hall—worth a look if it’s open.

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Cologne's City Hall

Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.

Cologne, Germany. The Church of St. Martin. Of the twelve Romanesque churches built in X-XI centuries on the territory of Cologne, perhaps the most beautiful is the Church of St. Martin.

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Twelve Romanesque Churches of Cologne

This garden has been around since the 1800s and holds about 10,000 plant species. The main greenhouse is a highlight—step inside and it’s like a mini rainforest with tropical plants from South America and beyond.

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Flora and Botanical Garden

This railway and pedestrian bridge is one of the most recognisable spots in Cologne, and hard to miss if you’re near the Cathedral. Originally built in the early 1900s, it was rebuilt after being blown up in 1945. These days, most people come for the view and the thousands of love locks clipped to the railings. It’s a short, easy walk across the Rhine with some great photo angles of the city, especially at sunset.

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Hohenzollern Bridge

For a great view of the Cathedral and the city, head up to the rooftop platform at Köln Triangle. It’s over 100 metres up, so you get a full 360-degree look. The lift gets you there fast, and on a clear day, you can spot pretty far across the skyline.

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Cologne Triangle

Tucked beneath Cologne’s City Hall, this underground site gives you a glimpse of the city’s Roman past. You can walk through the remains of the governor’s palace and parts of the old sewer system—surprisingly intact.

roman sewers below praetorium, Cologne Germany

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The Praetorium

One of Germany’s oldest zoos, and still a popular spot, especially if you're travelling with kids. It’s got a good mix of animals, from elephants and hippos to penguins and baboons. There’s a rainforest house and aquarium on site too. Feeding times are worth catching if you're around—check the schedule when you arrive.

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Cologne Zoo

Cologne’s main opera house stages a mix of classic and contemporary productions, from Mozart to modern composers. The resident company is strong, and visiting performers keep the programme varied. The building itself is modern and a bit divisive—some love it, some don’t—but the acoustics are excellent.

Conductor conducting an orchestra with audience in background

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Cologne Opera

Lanxess Arena is one of Europe’s biggest indoor venues, holding up to 20,000 people. It hosts everything from major concerts and comedy tours to ice hockey and big-name shows. If you’re in town and looking for something live, it’s worth checking what’s on—tickets can go fast for bigger acts.

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Lanxess Arena

A relaxed park just outside the centre, known more as a local hangout than a tourist spot. There’s a lake with pedal boats in summer, a playground for kids, and a beer garden that’s busy on warm afternoons. Good place for a slow walk, a picnic, or just to take a break from the city streets.

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Volksgarten

Take a cable car ride over the Rhine and see Cologne from a different angle. You can start at either the Zoo or Rheinpark, making it easy to combine with a stroll or a visit nearby. The trip is short but offers great views—perfect for a sunny afternoon or just a relaxed way to cross the river.

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Cologne Opera

Twelve Romanesque Churches of Cologne

Volksgarten

A relaxed park just outside the centre, known more as a local hangout than a tourist spot. There’s a lake with pedal boats in summer, a playground for kids, and a beer garden that’s busy on warm afternoons. Good place for a slow walk, a picnic, or just to take a break from the city streets.

Hohenzollern Bridge

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