Culture
Nature
Capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne is a city that surprises the visitor with its almost Latin vibe. Obviously, this is in addition to its iconic attractions, including its cathedral, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is no shortage of reasons to visit Cologne.
Here are the five attractions you really should see.
The Ludwig Museum is Cologne’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Located close to the cathedral, it contains an interesting collection of modern art, which includes works by such well-known artists as Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, René Magritte and Andy Warhol – reason enough for it to be on your list of things to do during your short stay in Cologne.
Although Pop Art is the museum’s focus, it’s got much more to offer than just Warhol!
The Augustusburg Palace is a magnificent example of the excesses of European Rococo architecture. Located in the small town of Brühl, just a few miles from Cologne, it’s a definite highlight of any visit to the region.
It’s worth getting to the Augustusburg Palace early, so you can see it when there aren’t so many visitors around. All visits are accompanied by a German-speaking guide, but palace staff will happily provide audio guides in other languages to allow you to enjoy this building, which was constructed on the orders of Clemens August of Bavaria.
The famous Eau de Cologne is named after this German city. The most famous of all the cologne manufacturers is the Farina-Haus. Its original fragrance, created by the Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina, remains in production to this day.
A visit to the Cologne Perfume Museum is a peaceful and pleasant way to discover more about an important aspect of the city’s history. Tours, which are always accompanied by a guide, last around an hour. While you can give it a miss if time is tight, it is worth making time to visit.
Cologne is very serious about traditional beer. At the Päffgen Brewery, for example, the beer is never bottled because they believe it ruins the taste. It is brewed every day on-site and poured straight from the barrel into glasses. The waitresses carry them on round trays, which have holes cut in them to keep the glassware secure. Since 1883. It was here that I first had the chance to drink a glass of Kölsch beer in Cologne.
Don’t forget to visit one of Cologne’s best traditional breweries. The Päffgen-Kölsch brewery is in the Friesenstrasse district, one of the most famous parts of the city.
As well as being one of the tallest churches in the world, Cologne Cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dedicated to Saint Peter and to Saint Mary, it’s no surprise that it’s Germany’s most visited monument and a must-see attraction while in Cologne. This majestic cathedral is truly spectacular, dominating the urban landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia’s capital. No matter where you look, there it is, in all its glory.
Once inside, be sure to have a look at the stained-glass windows and the carvings on its choir stalls. Entry is free, but get there early to avoid the crowds.