Cologne, Germany
The city was born as a Roman colony, hence the name Colonia, which later became Cologne, or Köln in German.
Visitors will find that the majority of the sights, restaurants, shops, and nightlife are located in the city centre, known as Altstadt (Old Town).
Your first landmark to see should be the Cologne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the main tourist attractions in the city.
Highlights include:
Peters Brauhaus
City Hall
Jewish Quarter
KölnTriangle skyscraper
NS Documentation Center
Hohenzollernbrucke Bridge
Cologne Zoo and Aquarium
Roman Praetorium
The Volksgarten Park
Hellers Volksgarten
Chocolate Museum
Lanxess Arena
River cruise ships dock right in the heart of Cologne and steps away from the main highlights. Depending on where your ship docks, you can either walk ( 15-20 minutes) or hop on a bus transfer or guided tour.
Visit nearby towns of Bad Münstereifel & Brühl in the Euskirchen district.
In Bad Münstereifel, see the River Erft running through its center, the well-known Kneipp spa, and its collection of towering, age-old city gates.
In Brühl, visit the UNESCO-listed Augustusburg and Falkenlust castles, connected by an idyllic avenue through the expansive Schlosspark.
Discover the nearby historic town of Duren, located on the river Rur, and see the Gothic Saint Anne's church.
Other nearby towns perfect for day trips include Bonn, Koblenz, and Eltz.
Around 4 hours from Cologne is the town of Bremen.
Highlights here include:
UNESCO World Heritage Market Square
Bremen Town Musicians sculpture
Schnoor quarter
Evangelical Church of Bremen
Weser Renaissance Town Hall
Roland statue
Discover the fascinating street art on this walking tour of Cologne's Ehrenfeld district.
Visit 4 traditional brewhouses in the city's historical Old Town, and try 4 different brands of Kölsch on this guided tour.
