Cologne, Germany
The birthplace of Eau de Cologne and one massive cathedral, the 2000-year-old city is easily walkable and sits on the banks of the Rhine River in Western Germany.
Epic things to do in Cologne, Germany:
- The Cologne Cathedral
- Old Town and the River area
- Try the local Kolsch beer
- Enjoy the Brussler Platz
Cologne Cathedral – The construction of the cathedral started in 1248 and was completed in 1880. The two iconic towers, at 515 feet tall, make it one of the world’s tallest cathedrals. It was hit 14 times by aerial bombs during WW2 and still it is undergoing almost constant repairs and maintenance, so expect scaffolding covering parts of it. It is free to walk around inside, which you should do. If you have an extra burst of energy, you can also pay to climb the 500+ steps of the south tower.
Old Town – This part of the city was 70% destroyed in WW2 but they have rebuilt it and it is a charming, colorful area. There are plenty of restaurants, breweries, and eateries along the route and plenty of tables outside to enjoy views of the river and all the people. There are also many old churches to peek into in the area.
Along the river is a great promenade which is ideal for a stroll and plenty of action – bikes, cruises, views of the river and the Hohenzollern bridge, which you can also walk across.
Try Kolsch beer – brewed in Cologne, it is a light beer that is filtered from the bottom to the top, so it is served in small glasses to maintain its flavor. Once you are seated a waiter will quickly bring you a beer mat and a drink, they walk around with trays of the beer and quickly refill empty glasses and mark a line on your mat. Once you are done, you simply place your mat on top of your glass and then they will tally up your lines and your bill are complete.
Enjoy the Brussler Platz in the Belgian Quarter and all the energy of people sitting outside sipping coffee or trying a local dish. There are also plenty of shops and galleries to explore.
Overall – The city itself is a mix of new and old. There are also plenty of museums and areas to relax and slow down to watch the world go by. Walk the city, watch the people and enjoy a less frantic pace. Don’t miss this cathedral though – it really is the epic landmark of the city.
