How to spend a perfect weekend in Cologne?
Cologne is ideal for a city trip. Do you have little time and want to see as much of Cologne as possible? We will tell you how you can spend a perfect weekend in Cologne.
Your weekend in Cologne – planning and preparation
Arrival
Cologne has optimal traffic connections and can be easily reached by plane (Cologne-Bonn airport), car (various motorways), and train (Cologne HBF / Cologne Deutz) from all over Germany.
For your weekend in Cologne, we recommend that you travel by train. The two central railway stations, Köln HBF and Köln Deutz are almost in the middle of the city. They are not only perfectly integrated into the ICE network but also into the public transport system. So you have quick ways and can fully concentrate on your stay.
Travel guides
The number of travel guides dealing with Cologne is four-figure, not to mention the countless pages and articles on the Internet.
For a weekend in Cologne, purchasing a travel guide is exaggerated. On the net is enough information. But maybe you’ll come back.
Explore Germany like a local with Fodor’s Essential Germany travel guide, your indispensable companion to navigate the country’s rich cultural tapestry and diverse landscapes.
Authored by local experts, this comprehensive guidebook is packed with essential information, practical tips, and honest recommendations, taking you from the sparkling Rhine to the bustling Oktoberfest in Munich and the mystic Black Forest.
Discover the enchanting city of Cologne with the Marco Polo Cologne Pocket Guide. This compact guide is your key to unlocking the town’s hidden treasures and insider secrets.
Uncover Cologne’s best boutique hotels, authentic restaurants, and trendy hotspots.
Get insider tips on where to shop and how to maximise your limited budget. If you’re travelling with kids, you’ll find plenty of ideas to entertain them. Additionally, you’ll find a summary of all the festivals and events happening in the city
Discover the historic city of Cologne with the comprehensive guidebook, “3 Days In Cologne”. Dive into Germany’s fourth-largest city, known for its vibrant art scene, renowned Carnival festivities, and rich Catholic history. From being a key trading hub in the Roman Empire to a leading city in the Middle Ages due to holy relics and commercial privileges, Cologne’s dynamic past creates a unique blend of ancient and modern attractions.
The guide unveils Cologne’s historical charm and contemporary appeal, making it a must-have for every travel enthusiast and business traveller.
Accommodation
There are more than 700 Hotels in Cologne. The choice is not easy. If you’re only in Cologne for a weekend, you should live centrally with good public transport connections. T
Our first choice is the Hyatt Regency (review), located directly on the Rhine, next to the two train stations and opposite the cathedral. Living comfort and food are also on the top level.
Alternatively, we recommend the Hotel Stadtpalais* and the Savoy Hotel* in the Cologne city centre on the Deutzer site.
Most popular tours in Cologne
Your weekend in Cologne – the tour
You start your tour on the Deutzer side in front of the Hyatt with a walk over the Hohenzollern Bridge. It is a pure railway and pedestrian bridge that leads directly to the Cologne Cathedral. The
The more than 500,000 love palaces attached to the railings are the best known of the Hohenzollern bridges. A beautiful custom for lovers. You also have a fantastic view of Cologne’s old town and the cathedral from the bridge.
By the way, the Rhine divides Cologne into the left bank of the Rhine or, as the people of Cologne call it, the “right” side and the right bank of the Rhine, the Schäl Sick, the “wrong” side. On the “right” side you will find the most famous Cologne sights, such as the cathedral, which you can now reach.
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is the city’s landmark and the second-highest church in Europe. “Mer losse d’r Dom en Kölle”, as the Cologne native says, because for him, the cathedral belongs to Cologne like the Kölsch beer.
Briefly, The cathedral was not completed until 1880, but construction began as early as 1248. After the presumed relics of the Three Kings had been brought from Milan to Cologne in the 12th century, Cologne developed into a highly frequented pilgrimage site. The cathedral was severely hit during the Second World War, but not wholly destroyed.
Cologne Cathedral is Cologne’s tourist hotspot and is accordingly frequented, especially as Cologne’s central railway station is directly adjacent to the cathedral. A guided tour offers the best overview. As a rule, the time starts on the Domplatte, before the leading portal.
Cologne is known for its numerous breweries. For locals as well as tourists a Kölsch is a must. The choice of the brewery is up to you. We feel particularly at home in the Gaffel at the cathedral and in the morning at the cathedral.
Excursus Kölsch: Kölsch is a light, bright (filtered) top-fermented full beer and has been a cultural asset of Cologne and a worldwide export hit for about 100 years. A Kölsch is drunk from slender, cylindrical 0.2 glasses – called “Stange”. It is served by the so-called “Köbes”.
You must know that you will receive a new Kölsch without being asked until you have put a beer mat on your glass or ordered the invoice.
If you want to know more about Kölsch or try it, order it in our Travel Food and Leisure Kölsch Online Shop.
The old town also has the church “Groß St. Martin”, a Romanesque church from the 12th century. Inside, the remains of the historic painting can still be seen today.
The cathedral and the old town can fill your weekend in Cologne completely. In addition, we recommend that you visit the Südstadt (Original Kölsches Leben) and the Chocolate Museum.
Your weekend in Cologne – eating and drinking
As a megacity and tourist stronghold, Cologne boasts many restaurants, cafés, bars, bistros, pubs, markets, and food trucks. The choice is difficult.
Since we mostly stay in Deutz and shy away from the hustle and bustle in the old town, we eat either in the breweries or Deutz. So we like to eat in the Cantina Mexican with tradition – the Café Especial in Cologne Deutz ( our review ) or go to a Kölsch in Lommerzheim.
You will find excellent tips from Cologne insiders on the following pages, which we will try out next time.
Food & drink – Insider tips in Cologne 43 restaurants in Cologne that are worth a trip
Your weekend in Cologne – our conclusion
A weekend in Cologne is too short for this city. But it makes you want more. We always return to Cologne for a few days and discover the city anew. We are looking forward to your feedback and recommendations in and around Cologne.
