A One Day in Cologne Itinerary You'll Want to Steal

Last Updated on 5th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

Cologne can be found in west Germany and is particularly famed for its impossibly high Gothic Cathedral which was once the tallest building in the world. Perfect for a weekend break thanks to its relatively compact size, the most popular time of the year to visit the city is during the Christmas period when markets spill onto the streets and illuminations brighten up even the darkest of nights. But if you only have a short time to explore Köln, here are our suggestions for how to spend the perfect one day in Cologne itinerary.

Is one day enough time to visit Cologne?

Yes, I would say that 24 hours is more than a sufficient amount of time to explore Cologne. The mid-size city is home to a population of just over a million residents, though much of the interesting things to do in town are concentrated around the historic city centre. If you want to test out multiple restaurants and see further out attractions, then book to stay in Cologne for two or three days.

If the Christmas Markets are taking place…

I’ve been to over 50 Christmas Markets in Europe, and it’s my personal opinion that Cologne has one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. I love that there are so many different themed markets scattered across the city (nautical, fairytale, and angel to name but a few).

As such, if you’re planning to visit Cologne during the Christmas Markets then I recommend booking to stay two days; one day to explore the Christmas Markets and one day to see what the rest of the city is about.

One day in Cologne suggested itinerary

Fish market

If you’ve ever looked at photos of Cologne, then no doubt you’ve spied snaps of the candy hued houses which form the fish market (known as Fischmarkt Köln in German). Start your day at this iconic spot to make the most of the beautiful early morning lighting and also enjoy the architecture without the crowds which inevitably arrive later in the day.

The Cologne Fishmarket was once the site of the historic city fish market, with roots dating all the way back to the 13th-century. During this time, the fish market would have been situated between the Köln’s city walls and the church of St Martin.

The candy coloured buildings themselves trace their way back to the 12th-century, when they were likely constructed as part of the adjacent Benedictine Abbey. Though they were largely destroyed during WWII, following the war they were painstakingly rebuilt to what you see today.

One important detail to note: while many people mistakenly believe (myself included prior to my Cologne visit) that the church featured in the photo is that of Cologne Cathedral, it’s actually the Great Saint Martin church.

Cathedral 

No trip to Cologne would be complete without checking out Kölner Dom, as it is so-called in German. Tower high above the city, if you’re arriving in Cologne by train then this will actually be the first grand monument you see as it can actually be spied from within Cologne’s main train station.

As one of my friend’s pointed out to me, this is the equivalent of being able to spy the Eiffel Tower from within Gare du Nord in Paris! Groundbreaking of the cathedral began in 1248, though there had been several previous iterations of a church onsite.

Due to various issues (including financial reasons) the cathedral wasn’t actually completed until 1880. Today the ecclesiastical building is free to visit and I would set aside around an hour of time to check out the interior. Additionally, you can also pay to climb the cathedral tower.

Stroll along the Rhine (boat tour) 

Cologne’s enviable position alongside the River Rhine means that it has been strategically important over the centuries. Today, this waterway remains one of the most important in the region and if you want to have a relaxing hour or so, then you’ll want to book to go on a boat tour like this one.

Lunch 

Whenever you’re travelling in Germany, one of the most important tips I can give would be that you should travel with cash on you. Many restaurants and cafés are cash only (yes, even in 2024!) and so be sure to have some extra money on you at all times for drinks and snacks.

There are a number of cafés and speciality coffee shops that are worth checking out. Some of these include Kaffeesaurus (where you can get smoothie bowls and vegan dishes), Schamong Kaffee (the oldest roastery in Cologne), and Woyton (there are several branches across the city).

If you want to learn more about the local food culture and try some traditional German food for yourself, then consider booking a guided tour like this one. Taking place over the course of several hours, you’ll try five different snacks in Südstadt Cologne together with a local guide.

Go searching for hidden gems 

Despite being one of the more popular cities to visit in western Germany (there are around six million annual visitors), there’s still plenty of secret spots and unusual things to do worth checking out.

Some of my favourite hidden gems of Cologne include finding Space Invaders and the ossuary of the church of St Ursula. Other unique attractions include going on the ferris wheel at the chocolate museum and discovering the Melaten cemetery.

Visit a museum 

Cologne has a handful of museums to suit a variety of budgets and interests. So whether you’re a history buff or travelling together with kids, here are some of the top museums in Cologne to consider checking out:

• Cologne Chocolate Museum: This museum was open in 1993 and showcases the entirety of the history of chocolate, from its beginnings in South America right up until the present day. Check prices and availability here.
• Farina Fragrance Museum: If you want to learn more about the history of perfume then you can head to this museum which is situated opposite the eldest fragrance factory still standing. Check prices and availability here.
• Museum Ludwig: This museum is a must-see for art lovers, particularly contemporary art. Famous pieces within the collection include one of the greatest collections of Picasso art in Europe and a number of Pop Art, Abstract and Surrealism pieces.
• Museum of Applied Arts: This is the only museum of its kind in the region. Interesting collections include jewellery, porcelain, furniture, weaponry and architectural exhibits.

Learn about Cologne’s beer scene

One of the most famous drinks to be produced, or rather brewed, in. Germany is beer! There are no fewer than 2500 bars in Cologne (indeed this is the city with the greatest number of bars per resident in Germany). If you want to learn more about local beer together with a local guide, then you can book this brewery tour with tastings. Find out more details here.

Where to stay in Cologne

As you might expect from such a large city, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Cologne, with tastes and amenities to suit all budgets. From the über luxe to the budget, here are some of the best accommodation choices in Cologne, based on location and reviews.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst: For an ever so luxurious experience while staying in Cologne, be sure to book a room at the Ecelsior Hotel Ernst. This five-star establishment boasts amenities such as a spa, fitness centre, and is set against the backdrop of a 19th-century townhouse just a short walk away from Cologne Main Train Station. Check rates and availability here.

Pullman Hotel Cologne: Located in the ever-so-trendy Belgium quarter of the city (which is easily the best place to base yourself if you’re looking for the best of restaurant offerings and access to the rest of historic Cologne), the Pullman is a chic four-star hotel. Highlights of the Cologne accommodation include a sauna, fitness centre, and seasonal bar. This is actually where we opted to stay during our most recent trip to the city and we loved the views from the top floor bar, as well as how clean the hotel was (the only negative was that the WiFi wasn’t very good)! Check rates and availability here.

25hours Hotel Koeln The Circle: One of the best-reviewed places to stay in Cologne is that of 25hours Hotel Koeln The Circle. Located around a fifteen-minute walk from the cathedral, amenities on offer at this place to stay include Wi-Fi, a restaurant and bar on the 8th floor, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic Cologne views.  Check rates and availability here.

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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.