Cologne

If you talk about Germany, of course you cannot disregard Cologne (Köln). It is very close to Bonn. So if you visit Bonn for any reason, you should get the opportunity of seeing Cologne as well. There is a good train connection between the two cities. Each hour at 01, 32 and 53th minutes there is a regional train from Bonn central station to Cologne. It takes 27-29 minutes.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is one of the important symbols of Cologne. You shouldn't leave the city without seeing it.  But if you come to Cologne by train, even if you don't have any intention to see it, you will see. Because it is near the central train station. Once you are out, the cathedral is in front of your eyes!

When you are out of the station you see the cathedral and the steps. When you go up the stairs and turn right you find the entrance

Inside the cathedral

It has two twin towers and each around 157 meters high. If you fit enough you can go up the towers and see Cologne from the top.

You go in and out of the cathedral from that door...

If you take the door to your left side and walk straight ahead you enter a big shopping street.

Beginning of the shopping street

The 4711 House

Do you know anything about the origin of "Eau de Cologne"? I guess from the name you can guess it. Eau de Cologne's story started in Cologne. The building in the Glockengasse was the head office of the manufacturer. And the number 4711 was the house number in the 18th century.

The famous "Eau de Cologne" of Cologne

Museums

Cologne is famous for its art galleries.

The Museum Ludwig

One of the most famous museums is the Museum Ludwig. There you can see exhibitions related to modern art. It is located in Bischofsgartenstrasse number 1. The fee is 7,5 euros. It is closed beetween 23-28 February for carnival.

Roman and Germanic history

Another popular museum is the Römisch-Germanisches Museum in which you can see pieces related to Roman and Germanic history. It is located in Roncalliplatz number 4. It is close to the cathedral. The entrance fee is 5 euros.

Wallraf-Richartz Museum

Wallraf-Richartz Museum houses paintings of artists such as Rembrandt, van Gogh and Rubens. It is located in Martinstrasse number 39. The entrance fee is 7 euros.

Chocolate museum

Everything related to chocolate is there... The museum is located in Rheinauhafen and after visiting the museum you can buy many nice chocolates in the shop inside the museum. The fee is 7,5 euros.

P.S. All the museums are closed in Germany on Mondays like in many countries.

Carnival!!!

Germany and carnival words remind only one city in Germany. That is Cologne! It starts each year officially on the 11th of November at 11:11. And on Rosenmontag in February it ends. That day everybody goes out with costumes and celebrate the carnival.

Shopping

In Cologne you can find each kind of shop suitable for your budget.

The most famous shopping street is the Hohe Strasse which starts from the Cologne Cathedral as I mentioned above. Take the cathedral to your left side and walk :) And you can find many shopping malls as well.

Lanxess Arena

For football fans it might be a good chance to watch Cologne football team or other German teams' matches in Lanxess Arena.

Travel

The transportation system is one of the best in Cologne. You can reach with metro and bus wherever you want. That is the website of Cologne's official transportation company.

http://www.kvb-koeln.de/german/home/

There is also good connection to the other cities in Germany with high speed trains.

Restaurants

When you go towards the Rhein River starting from the cathedral you will see each kind of restaurant there. Asian, German, Mexican or Italian cuisine. Whatever you like. There are also nice cafes and bars in the side streets along the river.