Cologne, Germany 5 Day Itinerary

5-Day Itinerary for Exploring Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪

Day 1: Arrival & City Orientation

  • Arrival: Start your adventure by arriving at Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). From the airport, you can take a train to the city center (around 20 minutes and €3.80 one way).

  • Accommodation: Check in at Hotel im Wasserturm, a unique hotel located within an old water tower with stunning views over the city.

  • Lunch: Head to Zum Schlüsselfisch for delicious seafood dishes in a charming atmosphere.

  • City Orientation & Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom): Spend the afternoon exploring the city center and visiting the iconic Cologne Cathedral. You can also climb the tower for panoramic views of the city (€4,50).

  • Dinner: Enjoy traditional German cuisine at Gerhardshof, a cozy restaurant offering hearty dishes like Sauerbraten and Käsespätzle.

Day 2: Museums & Rheinauhafen

  • Breakfast: Start your day with a Croissant at Backerei und Konditorei Feldkamp.

  • Museum Ludwig: Dedicated to modern and contemporary art, this museum is a must-visit for art lovers (€16).

  • Lunch: Have lunch at Restaurant Museum Ludwig or try Bierhaus im Tanzbrunnen for a beer and sausages.

  • Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum): Explore the history and art of chocolate making in Cologne (€10,50).

  • Rheinauhafen: Spend the evening strolling along the Rhine waterfront, visiting the modern architecture, and enjoying dinner at one of the many restaurants, such as Fischereihafen.

Day 3: Old Town (Altstadt) & Phantasialand

  • Breakfast: Grab breakfast at Bakery & Co. before exploring the Altstadt.

  • Old Town: Wander through the cobblestone streets, visit the Old Town Hall (Alter Markt), St. Martin’s Church (Martin Kirche), and the beautiful courtyard of Gereonskloster.

  • Lunch: Try the delicious street food at Zur alten Frucht or Brauhaus Frettchen.

  • Afternoon: If you’re traveling with kids, head to Phantasialand for an afternoon of fun and thrilling rides (€42,50 for a day pass). For adults, consider visiting the Roman-German Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) or the Chocolate Museum.

  • Dinner: Return to Gerhardshof for another delicious dinner or try Zur Kölner Bierstube.

Day 4: Cologne Zoo & Rhine Cruise

  • Breakfast: Start your day at Backerei und Konditorei Schmitz for a variety of pastries and breads.

  • Cologne Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Köln): Spend the morning visiting this award-winning zoo (€17,50). Don’t miss the gorillas, orangutans, and penguins!

  • Lunch: Grab a bite at Café Mühlenblick inside the zoo or head to Rheinterrassen for a riverside lunch.

  • Afternoon: Relax with a Rhine River cruise (€12,50 for 1 hour, €16 for 1.5 hours) and enjoy the stunning cityscape from a different perspective.

  • Dinner: Return to Fischereihafen or try Restaurant Schloss Posthorn for an elegant dinner.

Day 5: Departure

  • Breakfast: Enjoy your final breakfast at your hotel or try Baker & Co. one more time before departing.

  • Last Minutes: Spend your last moments exploring any sights you may have missed or simply soaking up the charming atmosphere of Cologne.

  • Departure: Head to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) for your departure. Auf Wiedersehen, Köln! 🇩🇪