Cologne, Germany
Germany’s fourth-largest city
Is the most important in all of North Rhine Westphalia. It’s one of the nation’s very oldest, too, having been founded by the Romans in 38BC, although most traces of the era are long since gone. Today it’s a prosperous and modern university town with a thriving cultural and arts scene, a windy river frontage and a warm welcome.
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Destination overview
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| Language: | German | |
| Currency: | Euro | |
| Time zone: | GMT +1 hour (GMT +2 hours in summer) | |
| Flight Time: | 1 hour 30 | |
| Holiday type: | City break | |
| Weather: | Average maximum temperature: 14°C Rainfall: 760mm a year |
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Must see:
Take the 509 steps to the top of the south tower of the Kolner Dom, the imposing cathedral that dominates the centre of town. Expect your pilgrimage to take about an hour. You’ll need to wear comfy shoes (stilettos probably aren’t a good idea) but it’ll be well worth it when you get your slot at the top.
Must eat at:
The independent brewpub Hellers Brauhaus (on Roonstrasse) serves up hearty meals as well as its own varied selection of ales, all brewed in situ. Even if you’re not a big drinker, go on in for a pint of atmosphere.
Must be there for:
Cologne just loves its tolle tag (mad days) around the time of carnival. The long carnival season extends from 11 November through to Ash Wednesday, but it’s on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday that the streets throng with up to a million revellers for the city’s biggest bash.
Well-travelled tips:
Don’t laugh. The Cologne Comedy Festival is one of the largest in Europe. Worth seeing, even if you don’t get all the jokes.
If you travel by tram or subway, your lucky number is 13. Most of the city’s main sites lie inside the loop of Route 13 – a good way to explore the attractions that can’t be as easily reached on foot.
