Cologne (Köln), North Rhine-Westphalia

View of the Rhine in Cologne, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2013-08-10_07-13-36_Ballonfahrt_%C3%BCber_K%C3%B6ln_EH_0598.jpg
Author: Eckhard Henkel


Cologne (Köln, is the fourth largest city in Germany, and the largest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded by the Romans in 38 BC, it is also one of the oldest cities in Germany.

Cologne has a population of one million inhabitants. It is located by the banks of the River Rhine, at the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, which is home to over ten million people. Its most famous tourist attraction is the Cologne Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. It is also a prominent university town. The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe.

Gross St Martin Church, Cologne
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fischmarkt.jpg
Author: Thomas Robbin


Being a major cultural center, Cologne has over 30 museums to showcase everything from Roman archaeological finds to modern sculptures. It is also home to several important trade shows including the Art Cologne Fair, the International Furniture Fair and PhotoKina.

Going to Cologne

By Plane
Most visitors arrive at either the Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) or the Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS). CGN is the home to the low-cost carrier Germanwings and TUIfly. It is just 15 minutes by local train (called S-Bahn) to the city center. The fare is €2.50 each way. DUS has more intercontinental flights. The train from there to Cologne central station takes about 40 minutes. By Train
Cologne has two train stations namely Kö Hauptbahnhof, the central station, and Köln-Deutz. There are regular as well as high-speed (Inter City Express, ICE) trains connecting Cologne with Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. Frankfurt Airport is also just one hour away by ICE.

By Road
Autobahs A1, A4, A3, A57 and A555 lead to Cologne. You would need a "Low Emissions" sticker on your car to drive it within the city center. Application for the sticker has to be done a few weeks in advance.

Cologne Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koelner_Dom_bei_Nacht_1_RB.JPG
Author: Robert Breuer

Exploring Cologne

Cologne has a good network of public transport provided by Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe, with a combination of subway, train and bus network. The tickets are valid within the network.

World Heritage Sites in and around Cologne

Places of Interest in Cologne

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