2 Days in Cologne: Perfect weekend

One of the most influential cities in Germany - Cologne, attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. There is something for everyone here - from the magnificent architecture, led by the famous Gothic cathedral, to rich museum collections, shopping districts and some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country.

Cologne is also famous for its free and unconventional side, which is devoid of any superstitions. Traditional picnics are held on its embankments, and many interesting activities can be found in the LGBT quarter. The city also has many cozy parks where you can enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends.

How to get to Cologne from the airport

As soon as you fly into Cologne, you will immediately see that the airport, which is located about 15 kilometers from Cologne and Bonn, must be called Köln/Bonn Airport (Flughafen Köln/Bonn) to comply with the rules. This airport is one of the most convenient in Germany due to its location. For example, you can get to the center of Cologne in just 15 minutes on the city train S19, spending only €3. Trains run every half hour, including night flights with an interval of one hour to one and a half hours. There are ticket machines at the exit of the airport terminal to make sure you don't miss your train. There is also a special Airport Express Bus that goes to Cologne train station, but this option takes about 30 minutes and costs about the same as the train. If you choose a taxi, the road from the airport to the center of Cologne will cost about €35-40 per car.

Public transport system

Cologne is a city with a highly developed public transport system, but it can be difficult for tourists visiting the city for the first time to understand the system. And indeed, there are a large number of different fares for tickets, so there is a risk of buying the wrong ticket and getting on an unnecessary train. But, despite this, the public transport system in Cologne is quite convenient and practical, the main thing is to learn more about it in advance.

In order to better navigate public transport not only in Cologne, but also in the entire Rhine-Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia (which, in addition to Cologne, also includes large cities such as Bochum, Bonn, Wuppertal, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Essen and others), you should consult the website of the Rhein-Ruhr transport association (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR)), the VRR app on your phone or the website of the Cologne Transport Association (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB)) in advance. On these resources, you can find detailed information about ticket prices, make a route with an exact schedule, and also find out which ticket you need to buy. Therefore, before traveling to Cologne or any other city in the Rhine-Ruhr region, it is useful to learn about public transport and plan your route in advance.

Where to stay overnight in Cologne?

Cologne is one of the most visited tourist cities in Germany, which leads to a wide choice of accommodation for vacationers. Even during the popular Christmas period, which lasts about one and a half to two weeks, the city has approximately 300 accommodation offers, ranging from beds in shared rooms of hostels, which cost €20 per night. For around €50 per night, you can find a modest single room closer to the historic city center, and prices for double rooms start at about the same amount.

A little life hack is that in North Rhine-Westphalia, which includes Cologne, many hotels often quote the price without taking into account additional charges such as the city tourist tax or membership fee to the youth hostel association. In addition, some services may be provided at an additional cost, such as bed linen. Therefore, it is better to clarify all information when booking accommodation.

What to see in Cologne?

Founded by the Romans back in the 1st century, Cologne was able to rise from the ashes after the Second World War. After complete destruction, the Cologne Cathedral remained the only surviving building in the city. Thanks to the efforts of hardworking Germans, the city was completely restored and today has more than a million inhabitants, becoming one of the most important cities in Germany. Cologne is also the birthplace of “eau de Cologne”, known as cologne.

• The main attraction of the city was the Cologne Cathedral, which, with its exquisite stained glass windows, strict silhouette, wide facade and towers that reach the clouds, became a symbol of Cologne. After conquering 509 steps, you can go to the 157-meter tower and see the city in all its glory from a height.

• The Museum of Perfumes - an exposition dedicated to the history of the perfume craft and "eau de Cologne". Distillation apparatuses, photographs and paintings are presented, which demonstrate the process of making perfumes.
• The Chocolate Museum is one of the most popular places in Cologne, which was opened in 1993 near the chocolate factory. Here you can get acquainted with the art of chocolate production, and ingenious chocolate creations. The museum is built in the shape of a large ship.
• Phantasialand is an amusement park that has been operating for more than 30 years. One of the exquisite shows in the park is the space show "Galaxy", which is a journey through the Milky Way with unforgettable special effects and realistic simulations of space objects. This action captivates with its dynamism and impressive visual effects, and also gives the opportunity to feel like a space pilot flying his ship among the stars and planets. The "Galaxy" show is one of the most popular exhibition events in the park, which pleasantly surprises its visitors every time with new ideas and technologies.

Modern architecture of Cologne

Despite the fact that Cologne is an ancient city, there are examples of modern architecture that impress with their geometric sophistication. Yes, the parking lot behind Cologne Cathedral looks impressive.

Similarly, the famous Kranhäuser luxury residential buildings, located on the Rhine embankment in the more modern part of the city, will not leave indifferent any admirer of modern architecture. Of course, these three glass L-shaped buildings have become the object of caricatures more than once. Even a walk along the promenade that starts near these buildings can lead to the discovery of interesting museum objects in Cologne.

First among them is the German Sports and Olympic Museum (Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum), which is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history of sports and the Olympic movement.

Also in this place are the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) and the Mustard Museum, which will be a great addition to the route.

To make the most of your walk along the promenade, you should reach the South Bridge (Südbrücke), which is located at the end of Friedens Park. It will take about three kilometers from the Old City, but there are many interesting places and attractions waiting for you on the way.