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Cologne

Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany and a popular tourist destination for people passing to or from Holland. The city has a great cathedral, the food is delicious, and the historic architecture is also a big draw. Moreover, the city has a great range of museums and free activities to choose from. Additionally, compared to cities like Berlin and Munich, Cologne is a lot less touristy. Cologne isn’t my favorite city in the world but it makes for a great stopover destination on your way between the east and west sides of Germany.

Costs in Cologne

• Hostel Prices: Hostels in Cologne start at 10 Euro a night for a dorm bed.
• Budget Hotel Prices: Most budget hotels range from 35-58 Euros for a double room.
• Average Cost of Food: You can typically eat a meal out for 11-20 Euros including a hearty German beer. Street vendors (i.e. sausages) cost around 1-3 Euros. Fast food will set you back around 6 Euros and a week’s worth of grocery shopping costs on average 50 Euros.
• Cost of Internet: There is no shortage of coffeehouses offering free wi-fi and most hostels or hotels offer free wi-fi too. Internet cafes charge 3 Euros an hour.
• Transportation Costs: The train, U-Bahn, is the best way to get around the city besides walking. You can purchase tickets on the trains or at the stations. A one way ticket costs 4 Euros.

Things to Do in Cologne

• Visit the Kolner Dom – This beautiful cathedral is Cologne’s most famous. The view from the top of the south tower is not to be missed but you have to walk up 509 stairs to see it. Entry into the cathedral is free but the south tower will cost 2.50 Euro.
• Walk Around – Spend time walking Cologne’s neighborhoods such as Agnesviertel which is a bohemian area filled with shops, art galleries, bookstores, and pubs. Then there is Alte Feuerwache which has a great flea market during the summer.
• Visit the church of St. Kunibert – Cologne has some breathtaking churches to visit and besides Kolner Dam, St. Kunibert is also one of the best. Its beautiful stain glass windows are very intricate, detailed, and offer a rainbow of colors.
• Visit Grüngürtel – Located in the heart of the city, Grüngürtel is a great place to spend the day having a picnic, soaking in the sun and people watching. Not interested in that? Well, it also has a beer garden and that’s something you can never go wrong with.
• Visit the Wallraf-Richartz museum – Cologne used to be the major town of this region and with art from the medieval period until the twentieth century, this museum will give you a detailed history of the area and how people lived. Admission is 9 Euros.
• Karneval – The biggest festival Cologne is the winter Karneval. It occurs every February and on opening day, crowds line the streets and watch a huge parade. This is then followed by lots of eating, drinking, and merrymaking.
• The Cologne Synagogue – The synagogue is notable for its architecture that looks, well, right out of Gotham City. The Torah within the synagogue was rescued by a Catholic priest from another synagogue as it was being burned during Nazi rule. In August of 2005 Pope Benedict XVI visited the synagogue, becoming the second pope to ever visit a synagogue.
• River Cruises – Cruises up and down the Rhine river are very popular. You can take a cruise just around the city or join a multi-day trip all the way down the Rhine through other parts of Germany. You pass through many good towns and mountains. It’s very scenic but more geared towards older travelers, families, and couples.
• Museum Ludwig – This is one art museum that stands out form the rest—a unique attraction, recommended by nearly everyone. There is an excellent exhibit on German expressionism, but the main draw is the variety of postmodern art. There is essentially work from all major genres of the 20th century. It is exciting to see so many originals from artists you’ve heard of.
• Schokoladen Museum – It the name doesn’t ring a bell, you should sound it out-loud. This place is dedicated to the history and production of chocolate. You’ll learn about everything from the Aztecs to modern day cocoa-growing. The end of the tour even features a chocolate fountain, for sampling—and there is a fully stocked shop.
• Kolumba – This is a museum that has a huge variety of exhibits, that cover several years’ worth of history. The building itself was constructed to enclose the church St Kolumba—dating back to late-Gothic influence. There is a range of religious artistry, medieval paintings, Coptic textiles, and more—on display.
• Nightlife – There are a slew of bars, lounges, and clubs throughout the city here. Many of them feature really interesting decors and themes—some are quite glamorous. Places like Shepheard and Papa Joe’s Klimperkasten are a little more slow going, whereas, Lauschgift and Alter Wartesaal are great places for dancing and theme-night fun.
• Veedel – Known commonly as the city quarters, these traditional neighborhoods are a great place to explore. There are several historical monuments, such as the Eigelsteintorburg and Agneskirche—as well as, family owned bars, galleries, bookshops, and cafes. Once a month, during the summer, there is a flea market that springs up, too.

Budget Tips for Cologne

• Spend the day in the park. Cologne offers many free parks within city limits, so spending the day walking around is a great way to spend the day.

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