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COLOGNE

8 things to do on a rainy day in Cologne

With North Rhine-Westphalia slated to see stormy weather at the weekend and next week, these activities will keep you entertained indoors in Cologne.

Published: 10 August 2023 15:33 CEST
Raindrops in front of the Cologne Cathedral.
Raindrops in front of the Cologne Cathedral. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Oliver Berg

Take a dip in the Claudius Therme

The Claudius Therme is a perfect retreat into warmth and relaxation when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

You may not realise it, but Cologne is one of the few German cities with its very own thermal spring and it’s this natural wonder which supplies the Claudius Therme’s sprawling pool complex with its unique healing waters.

The spa has various pools of differing temperatures including a 33-degree main pool, a cold plunge bath, jacuzzis and a whirlpool – both inside and outside the building. The mineral waters’ therapeutic benefits have even been officially recognised by the state.

Get a taste of the Chocolate Museum

What better way to spend a rainy day than tasting and discovering the hidden secrets of chocolate?

From tracing the history of cacao cultivation among ancient civilisations to witnessing the modern chocolate-making process, Cologne’s Schokoladenmuseum offers an interactive and educational experience.

Visitors to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne try out a praline-making course. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Schokoladenmuseum Köln

Highlights include a transparent production line showcasing the journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar, a towering chocolate fountain, and exhibits that explore the cultural and artistic significance of chocolate.

READ ALSO: 8 unmissable tourist attractions in Germany to visit with the €49 ticket this August

Visitors can also participate in workshops, explore a gift shop stocked with a variety of chocolate products and of course, taste different types of chocolate.

Discover Cologne’s long history in the Cologne City Museum

This summer, the Kölnisches Stadtmuseum has relocated to the former Franz Sauer fashion house and has reopened with a new permanent exhibition that tells the story of the city of Cologne in a completely new way.

Visitors can delve into the city’s history, tracing its evolution from Roman times to the present day through the museum’s diverse exhibits and artefacts. With a wide range of displays encompassing art, architecture, historical objects, and interactive installations, the museum offers a comprehensive insight into the city’s social, economic, and urban development.

Learn about Cologne’s dark past in the NS Documentation Centre

Housed in the former Cologne Gestapo headquarters, the NS Documentation Centre provides a sobering insight into the city’s history during the National Socialist regime.

Through multimedia exhibits, artefacts, and personal accounts, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed during this dark period, as well as the resistance movements that emerged.

The centre’s exhibits cover topics such as propaganda, persecution, forced labour, and the Holocaust, aiming to promote awareness, critical reflection, and dialogue about the past.

Sniff out the secrets of Eau de Cologne in the Farina Fragrance Museum

Have you ever wondered why your favourite perfume is called “Eau de Cologne”? Well, you can find out all about it in the city’s Farina Fragrance Museum.

Historic perfume bottles dating back to 1830 in the Farina House in Cologne.

Historic perfume bottles dating back to 1830 in the Farina House in Cologne. Photo: picture-alliance/ dpa | Oliver Berg

The term “Eau de Cologne” was the name given to the light, refreshing fragrance created by Giovanni Maria Farina in the early 18th century, known as “Eau de Cologne Original 4711” after the address of his shop in the city.

This fragrance has since become synonymous with the city of Cologne and over time other perfumers and brands have developed their own variations of Eau de Cologne.

READ ALSO: 8 places in North Rhine-Westphalia to escape the heat this summer

In the Farina Fragrance Museum – the oldest fragrance factory in the world –  visitors can take a journey into the history of perfumery and the creation of the renowned fragrance through interactive exhibits, antique distillation equipment, and historical artefacts. 

Take a brewery tour

Escape the rain by immersing yourself in Cologne’s abundant brewery scene and uncover the secrets behind the city’s iconic Kölsch beer while indulging in a sip or two.

With a variety of tour options available, you can explore one or multiple breweries dotted throughout the city.

Highlights not to miss include the renowned Früh am Dom, a quintessential and time-honoured brewpub, the inviting ambience at Gaffel am Dom, or Päffgen, an atmospheric historic brewery known for its authentic Kölsch and hearty German cuisine.

The centuries-old Brauhaus Sion is also a great place to check out, with its captivating history and an array of Kölsch and regional specialities.

See some art in Museum Ludwig Cologne

From Picasso to Roy Lichtenstein, the Museum Ludwig is home to an impressive array of 20th and 21st-centuryworks.  

Its diverse collection covers a wide range of art movements, including Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism, and Russian Avant-Garde.

The exhibition on "Time" features an installation with life-size, individually designed puppets by the artist Oscar Murillo at the Museum Ludwig.

The exhibition on “Time” features an installation with life-size, individually designed puppets by the artist Oscar Murillo at the Museum Ludwig. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Thomas Banneyer

Notably, the museum is also home to one of the largest collections of works by the American Pop Art icon Andy Warhol.

Visit the Cathedral

Last but by no means least, a visit to the city’s cathedral can be a uniquely enchanting experience on a rainy day as you can enjoy special tranquillity as raindrops patter against the cathedral’s Gothic architecture.

READ ALSO: 10 odd tourist attractions in Germany you shouldn’t miss

Take in the stunning stained glass windows, particularly the south transept’s “Three Kings Window” which is known for its vibrant colours and intricate design. Ascend to the south tower’s viewing platform for panoramic city views, and take time to appreciate the monumental high altar and the Shrine of the Three Kings, said to house the relics of the biblical Magi. 

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COLOGNE

What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, with a history stretching back just over 2,000 years. It’s a past full of old Roman bones, Gothic architecture and world-famous fine fragrances. But it's possible to explore without breaking the bank.

Published: 5 April 2024 14:40 CEST
What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

You could spend months exploring Cologne, but most of us don’t have the time or resources.

Therefore, here’s what to do, see and eat during a weekend in one of Europe’s cultural capitals. 

DO

Cologne is a very walkable city, and it’s easy to get between the main sights, such as the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge and the historic Altstadt or old town. That said, it’s also well-served by an excellent public transport network. 

The most up-to-date schedules and journey planners are available through the KVB or Deutsche Bahn apps. 

READ ALSO: 10 facts you probably didn’t know about Cologne (even if you live there)

To get around, the KölnCard is your best option. Not only will it get you everywhere you want to be within the areas visited by tourists, but it can give you up to a 50 percent discount on selected attractions.

The KölnCard can be purchased at the tourist information centre, or KVB ticket machines at public transport stops. 

SEE

The first thing you’ll likely see upon arriving in Cologne is the Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral. (Domkloster 4, 50667). 

While there’s been some sort of church on the site since the 17th century, the current Gothic masterpiece began construction in 1248 and, due to war, plague and economic turmoils, was not completed until 1880. Indeed, a crane sat atop one of the incomplete towers for centuries. 

The cathedral is one of the holiest pilgrimage sights in Christianity, as tradition holds that the relics of the Three Wise Men are housed there in a reliquary.

Cologne cathedral

Cologne’s cathedral is one of the world’s most important Gothic masterpieces – it took over 600 years to build! Photo: Bea61 / Pixabay

READ ALSO: Eight things you probably didn’t know about Cologne Cathedral

You can spend hours drinking in the gorgeous medieval paintings and carvings, flooded with golden light streaming through the windows. 

With a €10 ticket per adult, you can enter the cathedral and the treasury, which holds even more stunning treasures. 

However, Cologne was occupied way further back than the Middle Ages. Cologne, or Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium as it was known, was an important Roman city founded in the first decades of the first century. 

While Roman remains can be found everywhere in Cologne – in the crypts of many churches, for example – many of the best-preserved artefacts and evidence of everyday Roman life are kept in the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, or Romano-German Museum (Cäcilienstraße 46, 50667). 

Everything you might expect from a bustling Roman provincial capital, from tiny, intricate jewellery pieces to monumental arches that led into the city, can be found here. Tickets for adults are €6. 

Another quite peculiar legacy of the Romans can be found in the Basilica of St. Ursula (Ursulaplatz 24, 50668). Locals uncovered a Roman cemetery in the early Middle Ages, which contained hundreds of burials and thousands of bones. 

Somehow, these were conflated with the legend of St Ursula, an English princess whom the Huns martyred along with eleven other virgins (and who eventually grew to 11,000). 

These bones now adorn the basilica’s Goldene Kammer or ‘Golden Chamber’, arranged in fantastic designs such as letters, numbers and geometric patterns. 

It’s something you’re rarely likely to have seen before. Best of all, photography is permitted, and entrance is free. 

The incredible interior of the Goldene Kammer, or ‘Golden Chamber’ in the Basilica of St Ursula. Photo: Mike Stuchbery / The Local

For something completely different, head over to the Farina Duftmuseum, or Farina Fragrance Museum. 

Cologne is world-renowned for its contribution to perfumery. Indeed, the city gave its name to the fragrances worn by men. 

This is mainly due to the work of Johann Maria Farina, who, together with his brother, established a perfumery in the eighteenth century that became spectacularly successful across Europe with their ‘Eau de Cologne’. 

The Farina Fragrance Museum not only tells the story of the family firm but also explains the production process in detail and demonstrates how the scent is manufactured. 

Tickets cost €8 per adult, and yes, there’s a gift shop with bottles of all shapes and sizes to take home. 

EAT AND DRINK

In Cologne—and especially when staying there on a budget—there’s no other place for snacks and quick meals like a Büdchen or Kiosk. 

Like the legendary Berlin Späti, these are places open all hours of the day for anything you may need and serving simple but good food. 

Pico Coffee (Neusserplatz, 50670) is one of the city’s most beloved Büdchen. Don’t let the name fool you—they also serve breakfast, sandwiches, crepes and other snacks, in addition to takeaway essentials and fantastic coffee. 

Carnival start

A woman holding a greeting sign of ‘Alaaf’ to mark the start of Cologne’s Carnival season on November 11th, 2022. picture alliance/dpa | Rolf Vennenbernd

Another cult Cologne Büdchen is Kölnkiosk (Brüsselerstraße 39 – 41, 50674), a very popular neighbourhood venue that serves a constantly changing menu of small bites to larger meals. You’ll recognise it with a riot of bright pink!

Locals also swear by Weinhaus Vogel (Eigelstein 74, 50668) a neighbourhood institution with cheap, filling regional fare that’s been keeping customers happy since 1898. 

Finally, get a taste of real local flavour at Knippschild Werk 2 (An der Kemperwiese, 451069), where you can enjoy a cold Kölsch beer alongside a selection of hearty, good-value German dishes. 

Have any recommendations for things to do, see or eat in Cologne? Let us know in the comments.

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