Cologne 7 Day Itinerary

Cologne 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Explore the Old Town

  • 🏨 Accommodation: Stay in the heart of the old town, such as Hotel Excelsior or Hotel Im Wasserturm. These hotels are conveniently located near major attractions.
  • 🚕 Transportation: Cologne has an excellent public transportation system (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe - KVB). Consider getting a CityPass for unlimited travel within the city.
  • 🌆 Evening Stroll & Dinner: Take a leisurely evening stroll along the Rhine River and cross the Hohenzollern Bridge to see the Cathedral (Dom) lit up at night. For dinner, try Zum Ubi Herrn Mit der Gans (Restaurant with Swan Master), known for its traditional Kölsch dishes.

Day 2 - Cologne Cathedral & Museums

  • 🏛 Morning: Visit the iconic Cologne Cathedral (Dom). Climb to the top for a stunning city view. Nearby, explore the Chocolate Museum and the Roman-Germanic Museum.
  • 🍽 Lunch: Grab a quick lunch at one of the food stalls in the Turmuferkoje, an area filled with traditional German street food.
  • 🎨 Afternoon: Explore the Wallraf Richartz Museum and the Museum Ludwig for impressive collections of European art.

Day 3 - Cologne Zoological Garden & Phantom World

  • 🐘 Morning: Spend the morning at the Cologne Zoo, home to over 10,000 animals.
  • 🕸️ Afternoon: Visit Phantom World (Schokoladenmuseum im Schokoladenmuseum) for a spooky and fun experience with interactive exhibits.
  • 🍴 Dinner: Dine at Krafft, a modern German restaurant that offers innovative dishes using traditional ingredients.

Day 4 - Rhine Cruise & Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum

  • 🚣 Morning/Afternoon: Take a river cruise to enjoy the beautiful Cologne skyline and pass by some of the city’s most important landmarks. You can find various cruises that offer lunch or dinner options.
  • 🍫 Afternoon: Visit the Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and even make your own!

Day 5 - Green Spaces & Festung Ehrenbreitstein

  • 🌳 Morning: Explore the green spaces in Cologne like the Hofgarten or Melaten Friedhof. Both offer tranquil settings with beautiful gardens and historic sites.
  • ⛪️ Afternoon: Take a day trip to Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a historic fortress located across the Rhine River in Koblenz. The views from the top are stunning!

Day 6 - Shopping & Nightlife

  • 🛍️ Day: Spend your final day shopping in Cologne’s trendy districts like Belgian Quarter (Belgischen Viertel) and Godorf. Don’t forget to try a Kölsch beer at one of the many breweries!
  • 🎉 Night: Experience the vibrant nightlife in Cologne by visiting bars and clubs such as Stadtgarten or Die Wohngemeinschaft.

Day 7 - Departure

  • 🚌 Transportation: Return to the airport using public transportation or a taxi. Safe travels until next time!