Cologne how many days

Full of museums, churches, galleries and other attractions, Cologne is a popular choice among travel enthusiasts. If you are going to travel to Cologne , you might wonder how many days you must spend in this historical city. Unless you are on a very tight schedule, it is recommended that you spend at least three days here. Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany and is home to more than 10 million people.

The city was almost reduced to ruins by bombs. After the war, the city builders started reconstructing the city and restoring the historical buildings. So now Cologne has a mixed landscape, unlike anywhere else in the world.

The River Rhine divides the city into two parts. This landmark attracts on an average 20, people everyday. The history of this Cathedral can be traced back to , when its construction was first commenced.

Surprisingly, the Cathedral was hit by seventy aerial bombs during the Second World War, but did not collapse. At the Cathedral, you can climb a spiral staircase containing steps which will take you to a viewing platform, located at a height of feet. The main attraction in the Cathedral is a reliquary which supposedly holds the relics of the Three Wise Men. Many pilgrims come here to see this shrine. If you like to drink, do not forget to visit a brewery in Cologne.

When you finish a mug of beer, a new one will immediately be put in front of you and this will go on, until you leave your mug half-finished or put the beer mat on top of your glass. Include a visit to these breweries in your travel to Cologne. Other than the Cologne Cathedral, the city is also famous for its twelve landmark churches or Romanesque churches.

The oldest of these, The Basilica of St. No travel to Cologne is complete without some shopping. Do not forget to visit the Ehrenstrasse. Other famous shopping streets are Hohe Strasse and Friesenstrasse.

As you walk around, you will notice many buildings from the 50s and 60s, especially if you walk down the pedestrian shopping streets. Nevertheless, you can also see some of the older buildings that remained intact or were restored after the war. The Rathaus , the city hall, is one of them. The oldest parts of the building date back to the 14th century, with various expansions, added since then. Make sure to also stop by the Alter Markt , the old market square, and the Heumarkt.

You can still see some historic buildings in this area. Plus, if you come in winter, the Christmas market here is well worth a visit. The Romano-Germanic Museum is perfect for anyone who loves history. The Romans founded Cologne 38 BC, and in the museum, you can see many artifacts from their former settlement. In fact, the museum itself stands on the foundations of a Roman villa, and you can still discover a giant mosaic here. Some of the stone tools on display are around , years old.

If you prefer chocolate to history, you should head to the Chocolate Museum instead. One of the highlights is the giant chocolate fountain. You also get to taste a piece of Lindt chocolate when you enter the museum. And of course, you have the chance of stocking up on as much chocolate as you want in the museum shop!

Did you know that Cologne is famous for its local beer? When you order it, you will receive it in a tall and slim glass that only holds ml, with lots of foam on top. It takes 15 — 20 minutes to walk there from the Old Town, but the large outside seating area makes it well worth the effort. In winter, when temperatures drop, the owners cover the gardens with glass and install heating, so you can keep sitting there. If you have more time in Cologne, consider visiting one or two more museums.

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Thank you for supporting my work! Facebook Instagram Pinterest Rss. Share on facebook. Share on linkedin. Share on pinterest. Share on twitter. Share on whatsapp. Table of Contents. Brief History of Cologne. Visiting Cologne. Roman-Germanic Museum. Museum Ludwig. Hohenzollern Bridge. Great St. Martin Church. Alter Markt. Chocolate Museum. In Conclusion.