Cologne tours and tickets
Cologne is easy to book. The cathedral is free, and most museums sell tickets at the door. What needs planning is the cathedral tower climb in busy months, a brewhouse table for a group, and anything near carnival or the Christmas markets. Day trips to Bonn, Brühl and Düsseldorf are quick by train, so there is no need to fix them ahead.
Book these first
- Hotels in carnival and fair weeks
- several months ahead. Carnival in February and big trade fairs such as gamescom in August fill the city and push prices well above normal.
- A brewhouse table for a group
- a few days ahead. Brewhouses seat walk-ins at shared tables, but groups of more than four or five on a Friday or Saturday should reserve.
- Christmas market weekends
- 1 to 2 months ahead. The markets bring day visitors and weekend stays, and hotels fill on Fridays and Saturdays in December.
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Churches and palaces
Cologne Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral beside the station. The nave is free to enter, the south tower climb has a ticket, and the treasury is a separate visit. Guided tours cover the nave and the stained glass.
Which to pick. Go inside for free, then buy the tower ticket at the foot of the tower. The climb is more than 500 steps, so go early and skip it in rain.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAugustusburg Palace in Brühl
A Rococo palace and garden, a UNESCO site, about 15 minutes by train. Entry to the palace is by guided visit, and the garden is free to enter. It is peaceful and rarely full.
Which to pick. Take the train and join a guided visit. It is a good option if the cathedral city feels busy.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Romano-Germanic Museum
A museum beside the cathedral, built around a Roman mosaic, with glass, jewelry and tombs from Roman Cologne. Tickets are sold at the door, and the mosaic is the main reason to go.
Which to pick. Buy at the door, and go for an hour. It is good for a wet afternoon.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMuseum Ludwig
Modern and pop art next to the cathedral, with a large Picasso collection and works by Warhol and Lichtenstein. Tickets are sold on the day, and guided tours run at set times.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and see the pop art and Picasso rooms. It is open late on some days, so check the hours.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorChocolate Museum
A museum on the Rhine harbor peninsula, with a chocolate fountain, a glasshouse and the history of cocoa. Tickets are sold at the door, and guided visits and tastings are offered.
Which to pick. Buy at the door in the morning, and add a guided tour only for groups. It works well for families.
A day ahead for weekendsOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Rhine cruise
Sightseeing boats leave from the quay below the cathedral and run for about an hour, with commentary in English. Longer trips go upriver to Bonn or downriver to Düsseldorf. Evening cruises are sold in summer.
Which to pick. Take an hour on the water in the late afternoon for the skyline. Book the longer trip only if you want a lunch afloat.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorRhine cable car
A cable car that crosses the river from Rheinpark to the zoo, with a view of the cathedral. It operates on a seasonal schedule, and tickets are sold at the stations.
Which to pick. Check the season before you plan around it. Ride at the end of the afternoon for the light.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Brewhouse tasting
A walk through two or three brewhouses, where a server brings small glasses of Kölsch until you put a coaster on the glass. Group tours also include a short brewery visit and a plate of local dishes.
Which to pick. Take the tour if you want the rules explained. Book a table early for groups of more than four on a weekend.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorEau de Cologne tour
A visit to the original fragrance house or a museum on the history of the scent, with a guided walk and a chance to smell the notes. Visits last about an hour and run daily.
Which to pick. A small guided visit is a good fit for a rainy afternoon. Book a day ahead, and avoid it if you have only a single day.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Cologne
- CologneCardA card for a set number of days with free public transport and discounts at many museums and tours. It pays off with several paid visits and some use of the trams. It does not replace timed tickets at the busiest sites. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Cologne
Is the Cologne Cathedral free?
Entering the nave is free. The tower climb and the treasury each need a ticket, and guided tours cost extra. Respect the quiet during services, when some areas are closed.
Do I need to book the cathedral tower?
Rarely. Tickets are sold at the foot of the tower, and queues are short outside peak times. Go early in summer and avoid the climb in rain or strong wind.
What is carnival like for visitors?
Carnival fills the city in February with parades and street parties. Hotels book months ahead. If you want to see it, plan early. If not, avoid the week.
Are the Christmas markets worth a trip?
Yes, there are several, each with a different mood, and the cathedral market is the largest. Weekends are very busy. Hotels and train tickets should be booked well ahead.
Is the CologneCard worth it?
It is if you plan many museums and use trams. For a short stay with the cathedral and a Rhine boat, single tickets cost about the same. Compare before you buy.
What can wait until I arrive?
The cathedral, the museums, a Rhine cruise and a brewhouse for a small group can all wait. Book carnival, market weekends and a table for a large party first.