Visit Cologne
There’s something for most tastes in Cologne, from rowdy bars to contemplative galleries, big-brand malls to independent stores, simple pleasures to extravagant luxuries, and lots in between. A university city, a culture capital and one of Germany’s largest and most liberal cities, Cologne is a great place for a laidback city break.
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is the single most-visited landmark in Germany, partially because it's popular with Christian pilgrims. Since 1164, the site has been the home of the reliquary of the Three Kings – the wise men who travelled from the east to deliver gifts to the baby Jesus. The mighty Gothic cathedral can be a little cramped with so many visitors inside, but it still has a real sense of awe about it, both inside and out.
Hohenzollern Bridge
The Hohenzollern Bridge is quite an attractive structure in its own right, in an industrial sort of way. The 3-span tied-arch bridge carries pedestrians and trains across the Rhine for nearly 400 metres between the cathedral and the modern office complex of KölnTriangle. However, unlike the other bridges in the city, this one has been taken over by the ‘love lock’ craze which has swept across Europe.
The Rhine River
The mighty River Rhine has been vitally important to Cologne for centuries. While there is a lot less river trade than there used to be, boats still offer a great way to view the historical heart of the city. The typical route will take you south from Hohenzollern Bridge, past Cologne Cathedral, the charming Old Town, and the renovated old harbour district of Rheinauhafen, with its chic modern buildings designed to resemble the old cargo cranes. Finally, after about an hour of gentle cruising, you reach the old fishing community of Rodenkirchen.
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