Have a day in Cologne and want to make the most of it? Welcome to the Portland of Germany, first of all! Cologne is a vibrant city that is loving, accepting, and one of the most tolerant cities in the area. At least, that’s according to our Free Walking Tour guide. Which is the first thing I recommend! But first, check out the Cologne Cathedral and Chocolate Museum before you leave.
Cologne Cathedral
A wonder so big that it’s impossible to get the whole thing in a photo!
Seriously, though, the Cologne Cathedral is the #1 must-do, and for good reason! It’s beautiful, historic, and a phenomenal part of history. Definitely set aside an hour or two to explore this beauty and it’s….sassy? stained glass window characters.
If you time your visit right, you can listen to the organ player stationed high in the eaves of the cathedral.
Chocolate Museum
What human doesn’t swoon at the promise of a chocolate museum…with free samples? As soon as I heard about this heavenly place, I put it on our to-do list! This museum teaches you about the journey and evolution of the cocoa bean and ends in a beautiful overlook of the river with a chocolate conveyor belt that I may have used once or twice or eight times for the free samples. Plus, a chocolate fountain with MORE free samples! If those aren’t enough for you, there is a cafe with an assortment of chocolate-flavored goodies for sale.
Free Walking Tour
My #1 recommendation is to find a free walking tour and explore the city with a local. Walking tours are great because you pay what you think the tour guide was worth…you can pay a Euro, a hundred Euros, or nothing at all. Although they’re usually pretty great! FWTs are the best way to see hidden gems. We usually use getyourguide.com, Sandman Tours, or simply google “free walking tours [city]” and see what pops up.
Did you know Cologne was actually built on old Roman ruins? In fact, the city often has to stop building because when excavateing for a new building or parking lot, they discover beautiful ruins. The mosaic above is in the Romano-Germanic Museum right next to the Cathedral. It was closed when we visited, but you can peek through the windows and see it.
The above picture is in a parking structure, and the photo to the left is in the middle of a sidewalk. The city often simply builds around the ruins, you can’t help but be thrown back in time after only a few miles of walking through Cologne.
Cologne is a beautiful and vibrant city with more history than you can consume in a weekend. No matter what you do or where you go, you won’t be disappointed with the diversity and excitement you feel in the city!
Endless Horizons Await 