Things To Do in Cologne Germany

Cologne is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to in Germany. Having studied there for three weeks and every day seeing the breathtaking Cologne Cathedral towering over the city, Cologne holds a special place in my heart. So, here is a list of things I recommend doing during your time in this wonderful city.

Check out the Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is, and rightfully so, the most popular, famous and significant piece of Cologne. It is by far the most astounding and beautiful cathedral I’ve ever seen, and I’m sure you’ll understand when you first lay eyes on it. It’s especially jarring if you arrive via the Cologne Hauptbahnhof (train station), since it will likely be the first thing you see when you exit the building. It towers over the rest of Cologne, and its incredible gothic style makes you want to stand there and stare at it for hours at a time.

*The view of the Cologne Cathedral from the doors of the Hauptbahnhof.*

Also, the area to the south/southwest of the cathedral is the shopping district if you’re looking to get some shopping done.

Hang Out at Poller Wiesen

Poller Wiesen is an open grassy park area on the east bank of the Rhine river, and it’s a great spot to have a picnic, chill out, watch the sunset and admire the view of Cologne.

WARNING: The northern part of the Poller Wiesen, closer to the bridge, is a nude beach. You won’t see them unless you walk past the taller trees at the north side of the park, but of course I had to go exploring and now I can issue this warning to anyone that wanders like I do.

Walk Along the Rhine River

The west bank of the Rhine, the Rheinauhafen area, is a great place to go for a walk. There are many restaurants, food carts and events here, so it’s a great spot to go later in the day and have a stroll.

This area also gets super busy on Saturdays and especially Sundays, so it’s a nice place to spend a Sunday morning people watching.

*The path is also dotted with interesting buildings and architecture.* *You can see these Tetris-like buildings across the river in the Poller Wiesen image.*

Watch the Sunset at Restaurant Oasis

I’m sure this is a good option regardless of the restaurant that you visit on the Rhine’s east bank, but I can personally vouch for Restaurant Oasis. It’s a great spot to spend an evening, have a beer, chill out and watch the sun set over the Cologne Cathedral.

I will say the food isn’t anything totally mind-blowing, but it isn’t bad by any means. The drinks were good though, and the view is the main attraction. But that’s just, like, my opinion, man.

Whatever you choose to do during your time in Cologne, I’m sure you’ll love the city. It’s a beautiful place with great people and a dense history, and it’s one of the prettiest places I’ve traveled to.

Enjoy!