5 Nights in cologne
A city bursting with life, Cologne (Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice 2012 Winner), the historical city on the Rhine, well known for its cathedral, cultural diversity, carnival and kölsch beer. It is a city that draws visitors back time and time again, infecting them with its passion and zest for life. At the heart of Cologne lies the world-famous cathedral, the city's pride and joy that towers over everything around. It is home to over 40 museums and more than 110 galleries. Cologne’s Schildergasse is Germany’s most visited shopping boulevard. The whole city is known for its abundance of shops, and is simply a haven for anyone who likes to shop. Cologne was the hometown of Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina, who created a fragrance and named it after the city. Eau de Cologne or “water from Cologne” is still famous the world-over, and still produced in Cologne today. Drop in to one of the traditional and welcoming bars in the area around the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares or the large brewery taverns scattered throughout the old quarter. Kölsch – the city's signature beer – never stops flowing. The scores of clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants are heaving with locals and tourists, young people and students, particularly at the weekends. Do grab a show at Millowitsch Theatre (show schedule). However, there is much more to Cologne than its bars and breweries, as proven by the many significant museums, ArtCologne and other art fairs, a lively art and music scene and Christopher Street Day, Germany's largest event for gays and lesbians. One of the largest parks in the city is the Rhine Park. Getting there is an adventure in itself if you take the cable car that departs from the Zoo and Flora botanical gardens and crosses the river. While you're there, ascend to the 100-metre high observation deck of the KölnTriangle skyscraper for what is probably the best view of Cologne's old quarter and cathedral. Although the scenery is mesmerising, don't forget to pick up a souvenir: original Eau de Cologne is as much a part of Cologne as carnival and kölsch.
Within City Walls
City Tour
Wide range of things to see and do, including host of museums and churches, the padlock-covered Hohenzollern Bridge and ofcourse towering Kölner Dom or Cathedral. Home to 12 stunning Romanesque churches, most popular is St. Gereon’s Church. Museum Ludwig set over 5 floors, expansive modern art gallery is filled with a great collection of paintings, sculptures and video installations. For something a little different, check out the Schokoladenmuseum. The Sielbahn is a network of cable cars stretching across the River Rhine. Stretching up 29 stories, the Köln Triangle’s viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the city below. |
For the kids
Cologne locals have a heart for so-called “Pänz“ or kids. With attractions, such as the Zoo, the Yakult Children’s Opera or the nearby Phantasialand theme park, Cologne is a children-friendly town and always worth a family excursion. Odysseum, a gigantic interactive knowledge adventure. Phantasialand Theme Park, SEA LIFE Königswinter, Cross the Rhine in a cable car Koelner Seilbahn (aerial tram), Europe’s only cable car crossing a river. You can also hop on a boat and continue your sightseeing tour on the water, Cologne's Chocolate Museum, Kölner Zoo is home to over 10,000 animals of more than 700 species. |
Cologne Cathedral
True Cologners are quite literally overcome with emotion when they glimpse the spires of Cologne cathedral in the distance on returning from their travels. The city's famous landmark is one of Germany's top attractions, visited by nearly 6 million tourists every year also an UNESCO World Heritage. At approximately 157 metres in height, the Gothic cathedral has the second tallest church spire in Europe and houses the shrine of the Three Wise Men. Every year thousands of tourists climb the 509 steps to the top and their efforts are suitably rewarded with a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. |
Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate Museum has approximately 2,000 exhibits, making it a memorable experience for anyone with a sweet tooth. Visitors are taken on a journey spanning 3,000 years of chocolate history. The chocolate production area located at the tip of the museum is one of its highlights. Stretching across two levels, it shows visitors how bars of chocolate, truffles and hollow figures are made. Near the museum entrance there is a three-metre high chocolate fountain filled with melted, velvety chocolate – everyone can dip a waffle into it. At this museum, visitors can not only see the exhibits, but also smell, taste and touch them! |
Romanesque churches
Countless legends are told about the inception of Cologne's twelve Romanesque churches, clustered together within the medieval city walls. The Via Sacra route encircles the city centre linking all these fine examples of Romanesque architecture. Especially worth seeing is the St. Maria im Kapitol church, built between 1040 and 1065. The churches provide the ideal setting for the Romanesque Summer, a music festival of the very highest calibre, alternative to the philharmonic concerts. |
Ludwig Museum
Founded in 1976 it houses a modern and contemporary art collection of international standing. Iconic pieces such as Roy Lichtenstein's 'Maybe' and Andy Warhol's 'Brillo Boxes' can be viewed at the biggest pop art collection outside the United States, along with the world's third-largest collection of Picasso prints, sculptures and paintings, a great many works of the Russian avant garde and important examples of Surrealism, Expressionism and art from 1920s. |
Cologne Musical Dome
An exceptional venue located right on the Rhine promenade only a stone's throw from the cathedral. It also catches the eye from the outside thanks to its impressive architecture of glass and steel. With seating for up to 1,700 people, it is also the largest theatre in the city. Built over a period of just six months, Cologne Musical Dome opened in 1996 and has become an absolute hit with productions such as Saturday Night Fever, We Will Rock You, Spamalot, Hairspray and Thriller. |
The Rhine Park
Set in 40 hectares of delightful parkland, its present-day form is a reflection of 1950s garden design. The attention to detail, the layout of its pathways and the many architectural features make the Rhine Park one of the most beautiful landscaped creations from the post-war period and one of the best preserved of its day in Germany. In 2007, on its 50th anniversary, the Rhine Park was voted Germany's most beautiful park and the second most beautiful park in Europe. |
Even the most die-hard Cologne fans might need a break from the city after a couple days, and thankfully there are plenty of places around perfect for day trips.
Frankfurt
Lots of things about Frankfurt are just that little bit bigger than in other German cities: the airport, for example, the banking district, the exhibition centre and – perhaps surprisingly – the belt of green land on its doorstep. Frankfurt's people are proud of their city, which puts most others in the shade when it comes to quality of life. Another source of pride – and of shade – are the breathtaking skyscrapers. The bridges spanning the Main are attractions in themselves, each one different in architecture and character. A captivating urban landscape lies either side of the river, with towering skyscrapers, beautiful old mercantile houses, pretty churches and elegant museums. Goethestrasse, one of the city's most exclusive shopping streets. It's then onto Hauptwache square at the very heart of Frankfurt and across the Main to the Städel Institute of Art to see Hans Tischbein's famous portrait 'Goethe in the Roman Campagna'. Not much further south lies the Stadtwald forest, where an ascent of the 45-metre high wooden Goethe Tower is rewarded with fabulous views across the entire city. The GrünGürtel, a belt of green land around the city, offers 80 square kilometres of natural scenery for people to stretch their legs in the fresh air. |
Dusseldorf
Strictly speaking, Düsseldorf – the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia – was not originally built along the Rhine, as one might think, but extends either side of the narrow river Düssel. A visit to the historical heart of the old town, from St. Lambert's basilica to the castle tower, reveals the city's eponymous waterway, tucked away between Liefergasse and Burgplatz square. At the time, there was little indication that Düsseldorf would become a business, fashion and cultural centre of international standing – and one that is now undisputedly on the Rhine. The old town with its narrow lanes is as popular today as it has always been – and party-goers know it as the longest bar in the world. For Düsseldorf generally, its many museums and the acclaimed art academy contribute greatly to its reputation as a city of culture. Düsseldorf can boast attractions devoted to two of Germany's greatest writers – Heinrich Heine and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Most classical concerts take place in the Tonhalle, the Robert Schumann Hall and the Chamber Music Hall at Wittgenstein Palace. The trees, ponds and romantic fountains in Hofgarten park or Lantz'scher Park, Nordpark is perhaps the prettiest of the city's parks. The cool city. |
Heidelberg
Famous around the world and a perennial favourite among international tourists. Heidelberg is all this and more. The town has so much to offer including the Old Bridge and the mighty castle, the university and its student hangouts, a great choice of culture and entertainment, hearty cuisine and a picturesque setting on the Neckar river amid the foothills of the Odenwald forest. All reasons that explain the popularity of a town that according to Goethe had a quality of the ideal.With around three million day-trippers every year, Heidelberg can boast some of the most impressive visitor statistics in Germany, Europe and probably the world. One of Europe's most famous landmarks, the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle have been attracting visitors since the 19th century. This is home to the biggest wine barrel in the world. Made from 130 oak trees, it is seven metres wide, over eight metres in length and has a capacity of precisely 221,726 litres. At the centre of old town is the market square where you'll find another of Heidelberg's many beautiful fountains, grand period houses, lots of cafés and even more little shops. Head to Kornmarkt, See The Madonna, held aloft by angels atop a fountain pillar, one of the town's most popular postcard motifs. |
Rothenburg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town with a big reputation. Nowhere else will you find such a wealth of original buildings dating from the Middle Ages. You can't help but ask yourself whether time has stood still, as you amble past the beautiful old houses, secluded squares and tucked-away corners of the old quarter, where towers, taverns and town gates alternate with fountains, fortifications and former storehouses. Germany's most beautiful road and Christmas all year round. Old quarters, beautiful churches and cosy inns. Rothenburg may be small, but it has a remarkable wealth of historical sights, museums, churches, abbeys and monuments. From here, you can explore the Romantic Road, Germany's most famous and most beautiful scenic route. You can either travel towards Füssen and the Alps or towards Würzburg to the river Main. This is the Germany of fairytale fame with majestic castles, magnificent scenery and culinary delights fit for a king. The Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village, the largest Christmas shop in Europe open all year round, stocks everything from candles, nutcrackers and decorative tablecloths to Germany's famous Christmas pyramids and incense burner figures. Amazing finds here always. |
Phantasialand
There's simply no limit to the imagination. Phantasialand theme park in Brühl near Cologne has six themed areas offering a wonderful combination of high-speed thrills and lovingly staged rides, gripping attractions and fantastic shows especially for children. The park also has a wonderful selection of themed hotels to suit every taste. Crowd pleasers such as the Black Mamba rollercoaster, the Talocan top spin and the aptly named Mystery Castle are among the park's main attractions. Also a great place to stay, range of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. |
Mainz
The state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, is famous for its university, its Roman heritage and as a media centre, as well as its Romanesque cathedral, the Gutenberg printing press and the Rhineland carnival. The people of Mainz can look back on a proud history spanning almost 2,000 years, but they do so with equanimity. Among the city's rich cultural heritage is a well-established tradition of wine growing, which just makes Mainz all the more attractive. Panoramic Rhine views and the museums. Mainz cathedral is one of the most important ecclesiastical buildings. |
Bonn
City on the Rhine, previously known as the 'federal village', is now an internationally renowned hub of commerce and culture that comes across as assured and lively but also laid back. On a political level, Bonn still has an important role to play. Germany's 'second capital' is home to 16 UN institutions and an array of other international organisations. It enjoys widespread renown as a city of the arts, Bonn Theatre is a top destination for discerning audiences. The Bonn Museum of Art and the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic. Summer is festival time: entertainment on and around the Rhine. |
Braunschweig
Castle Dankwarderode and Residenz palace are famous. Known for it's old quarter. But the city is less well known as a setting for Tatort (crime scene), regarded as most successful detective series on German TV. Every Sunday, millions of viewers settle down to watch the exciting stories which take place in cities all over the country, from Cologne to Berlin to Constance to Kiel in the north. A city that combines the traditional with the modern, it's blessed with a wealth of monuments from its rich history as well as beautiful quarters that have retained their charm over the centuries. |
The Fairy Tale Road
Visit the country of the Brothers Grimm: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and the Bremen Town Musicians are some of their most famous fairy tales. Fairy tales, sagas and legends are brought to life in many places, since the Brothers Grimm were at home along the German Fairy Tale Route, and this is where they gathered the narratives for their world-famous stories. Immerse yourself in the world of fairy tales, visit museums and fairytale houses or go to one of the many enchanting fairytale-related events: there are fairytale theatre shows, fairytale musicals, fairytale weeks and storytelling hours for old and young. In many places you can personally meet up with real live figures right out of fairy tales and legends, for instance during a guided tour or at the welcome greeting of a tour group. Everything is as enchanting as a fairy tale on the German Fairy Tale Route. Whether they are placed along beautiful rivers or simply placed on top of high mountains surrounded by ancient forests, the German castles are the most vivid expression of romantic times when chivalry and beautiful damsels inspired the bards and story tellers to create what the kids today are calling fairytales. Almost all the towns you visit offer family-friendly activities, such as puppet shows, storytelling events, and theater plays (in German, but with universal appeal), parades, concerts, fairy tale museums, historic Christmas markets, and lovely statues of your favorite fairy tale characters. Follow The Fairy Tale Route. |
- Steinau: Visit the half timbered Museum of the Brothers Grimm where Jacob and Wilhelm grew up, then stroll through the picturesque old town of Steinau.
- Schwalm Region: The region along the Schwalm River is the setting for Little Red Riding Hood's adventure. Hike through forests dark and deep, and visit the museum of Ziegenhain, where you can see the traditional costumes that might have even belonged to Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.
- Göttingen: The Brothers Grimm worked at the University of Göttingen; visit the central square of the romantic old town and look for the statue of the little goose girl - some say it's the most kissed statue in the world (for luck).
- Trendelburg: Climb up to the medieval castle of Trendelburg, Rapunzel; from one of these towers, she let down her long blond hair so the prince could climb up and save her.
- Castle Sababurg: This 650-year old castle was where Sleeping Beauty slept for 100 years before a kiss saved her. You too can spend the night here: The castle is now home to a romantic hotel, surrounded by a lush park with ancient oak trees and tall ferns. In summer, there are theater performances in the castle's courtyard.
- Hamlin: The picturesque town of Hamlin was the setting for the folk tale of the Pied Piper, a rat catcher who lured the town's children away, never to be seen again. Visit the rat catchers house, enjoy the cute rodent shaped cookies from the local bakeries, and marvel at the old Glockenspiel at the "Hochzeitshaus" that reenacts the legend of the Pied Piper.
- Neuschwanstein: Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, is the most famous German castle, Ludwig II of Bavaria constructed this fairy tale castle in 1869, with the help of a stage designer, for pure pleasure; he built it as a fantastic summer retreat. Despite the castle's medieval appearance, Ludwig built in modern technologies of the day, such as flush toilets, running hot and cold water, and heating. It was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Neuschwanstein is the highlight of the scenic drive Romantic Road.
- Bremen: This is
the last stop on the Fairy Tale Road and home of the Bremen town
musicians, the witty animals that outsmarted the thieves. Visit their
statue on the central town square.