Things to Do in Cologne
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• Sail past historic landmarks like the iconic Cologne Cathedral and charming Old Town, and glide under the 5 Rhine bridges.
• Learn about the city’s history and waterfront attractions from your German and English-speaking guide or the onboard commentary as you admire the striking modern Kranhäuser buildings and the famous Chocolate Museum.
• Choose between a 1-hour panorama cruise for a quick scenic tour or a 1.5-hour skyline cruise for a more in-depth exploration of Cologne.
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Over our 2.5 hours tour, you'll get to know the inside information on what makes Cologne a special place in Germany. Why do Cologne people like the number 11 so much? And why is Cologne called “the most northern city of Italy”?
On our Free Walking Tour we'll show you some of the main sights, get to know the origins of the city and learn why Cologne people do not fulfill the German stereotype. Our tour is not just about dry history of Cologne, we will rather try to give you the true Kölsche Jeföhl (Cologne Feeling)!
We offer our 'Classic Cologne' tour as a free tour:
-In English: every day at 12:11h and 16:11h.
-In German: every day at 12:11h. Extra: Saturdays at 16:11h.
-In Spanish: every day at 12:11h. Extra: Saturdays at 16.11h.
-In Portuguese: on Saturdays at 12:11h.
Please book in advance if you want to join this tour: we will only accept guests with bookings. The booking is free of charge. Each group will have a max. of 30 people (Kids under 14 years old don't count).
According to TripAdvisor, we provide the best free tours in Cologne! Our secret: We love Cologne and we'd like to share that love with you!
Free Walking Tour means that you decide at the end of the tour whatever it is worth for you and pay your guide accordingly.
• Glide under the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge and sail past the majestic Cologne Cathedral, two of the city’s most renowned historic landmarks, accompanied by insightful audio commentary in English and German.
• Admire Old Town’s historic charm, the Deutz Bridge, and the vibrant Rheinauhafen district, home to striking modern architecture and lively waterfront scenes.
• Spot cultural highlights like the Chocolate Museum and the German Sports & Olympia Museum as you take in the sights from a unique vantage point on the boat.
Being on the Top 5 on Tripadvisor speaks for itself! Discover the secrets of the biggest city on the Rhine on this free tour of Cologne's unmissable sights.
The meeting point is at the stairway next to the cathedral, right outside the Cologne Central Station. Not to be confused with the main entrance of the cathedral. It is not there 😉 We will be there with our white and green umbrella, so you can easily recognize us.
From there, we'll head to the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen fountain, so named after some curious gnomes connected to the city of Cologne... mysterious, huh?
Following our route, we'll see more of the city's most iconic monuments, like the Rathaus or City Hall, the Rheingarten, a park next to the River Rhine, and the Fischmarkt or Fish Market Square. Wandering onwards, we'll reach the Farina Haus. Did you know that this shop is one of Cologne's most famous perfumeries?
We'll then make a stop in front of the EL-DE Haus, former headquarters of the Gestapo.
You will get to see this and much more during our Free Walking Tour in Cologne with The Walkings.
Attention Groups!
This tour is designed for people traveling in small groups. Groups of 6 or more attendees are asked for a contribution of at least 10€ per person before the tour starts, so a fair income for the guide's work is guaranteed. The same policy applies to bookings coming from different names that actually belong to the same group.
• Journey through the Rainforest House and look for free-flying bats, colorful toucans, and elusive flying foxes.
• Visit Clemenshof, a traditional farmyard replica, and see heritage breeds like curly-coated Mangalica pigs and English Longhorn cattle.
• See a slice of Africa at the Hippodom. Listen for a hippo's thundering roar and the Sitatunga antelope's graceful movement.
• Fun fact: Cologne Zoo’s conservation efforts in Vietnam helped discover over 100 never-before-seen vertebrate species.
Do you have just a little time in Cologne but want to take it all in? Our 90-minute express tour of the city center is the perfect way to discover the essentials of the city in a fun and dynamic way. We start at the square in front of the Mondial Hotel, where we will give an introduction to the history of Cologne and its current life. Then, we head to a local brewery to talk about the famous Kölsch, before strolling along the Rhine River, exploring its banks and the most interesting areas of the city. We will visit the oldest perfumery in the world, birthplace of the authentic Eau de Cologne, where we will learn all the secrets of this perfume. The walk ends in front of the Cologne Cathedral, with its secrets, its construction, and curiosities about the main relic hidden behind the altar.
This tour is perfect for those who want to see the most important sights without wasting time, learn curiosities, and have an authentic experience. Book your spot and discover Cologne quickly, with a local guide, and stories that only the experts know!
• Buses show up every 30 mins at 14 stops, all close to the iconic attractions. Hop off when you're curious, hop back on when you're ready – it's that simple.
• Get comfortable in the double-decker bus while the audio guide in a language you pick reveals all the fascinating secrets behind Cologne's incredible history.
• History buff? Nature lover? Discover the Chocolate Museum, marvel at the Cathedral, or stroll along the Rhine on this route – the choice is all yours.
Are you looking to have a night out in Cologne but don't know where to start? We've got you covered! Come check out the Cologne version of a Pub Crawl and have a night out the way locals do!
Our Kiosk Crawl is the best way to start your party adventure in the city! We’ll introduce you to the Kiosk culture in Cologne, an important part of the lifestyle in the city that lets you explore different neighborhoods, meet new people and drink our local beer, the Kölsch, all while exploring the streets of Cologne!
Join us for a night of drinking, playing games, and getting to know one of the most popular nightlife spots in the city of Cologne. It’s the best way to start your night out and get to know people!
IMPORTANT: We'll make 5 stops along the way. If you'd like to drink something (beer or otherwise - around 2€ per drink, depending on the drink) at any of those stops, please make sure to bring enough cash with you: most Kiosks accept card but usually from a 5€ minimum purchase.
We offer our 'Kiosk Crawl' as a free tour from April to October with the following schedule:
-In English: Fridays and Saturdays at 19:11h.
Please book in advance if you want to join any tour: we will only accept visitors with bookings. The booking is completely free of charge. Also, each group will have a max. of 16 people.
According to TripAdvisor, we provide the best free tours in Cologne! Our secret is that we love Cologne and we want to share that love with you!
Free Walking Tour means that you decide at the end of the tour whatever it is worth for you and pay your guide accordingly.
• Take in unique views of Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town, Rheinauhafen with its blend of historic and modern architecture (including the iconic crane houses), Poller Wiesen, Deutz exhibition halls, RTL headquarters, and Rhine Park.
• Listen to live commentary about the sights, available in both German and English throughout the cruise.
• The experience is designed to be enjoyable for tourists, locals, and families alike.
• The tour is offered in both German and English for your convenience.
I offer guided tours in Cologne, for groups, individuals and business people. Tours focus not only on historical facts and the famous Dom Cathedral, but also on local culture and people, cooking highlights, hidden gems and insider stories. For a first impression, Iam offers an orientation tour of Cologne's top attractions! Cologne Cathedral Historic Center Hohenzollern Bridge Historic Town Hall Jewisch District Museum Farina, the birthplace of "Eau de Cologne" Whatever preference you have, Cologne has a lot to offer and I will make sure your stay turns into an unforgettable experience!
• Enjoy panoramic views of Cologne's waterfront attractions and picturesque neighborhoods.
• Witness the rare sight of a Ferrari container stacker in action at the Niehl I Container Port.
• Learn about the city's port industry as you cruise past iconic landmarks like the Chocolate Museum.
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### Additional Highlights • Perfect for history enthusiasts and families.
• Relaxing way to see Cologne's industrial and modern sides.
Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, but its more recent history is also evident in its streets. This tour focuses specifically on the major events of the 20th century in Germany: Nazism and World War II. We'll visit museums, memorials, and former buildings linked to the Nazi regime. We'll discuss wartime attacks and the reconstruction of the city.
Join us as we discover the traces of World War II and Nazism in Cologne!
• Sail past the majestic Cologne Cathedral, the historic Hohenzollern Bridge, and the charming Old Town while enjoying lounge music onboard.
• Admire the stunning architecture of Cologne’s Romanesque churches as you glide through the scenic waterways.
• Optional cocktails or barbecue available to enhance your cruise experience.
More than 900 reviews on GuruWalk, 3,500 on Google, and a top 5 ranking on TripAdvisor support us.
Through this route, we'll go back to the days of Nazism in Cologne . We'll talk about the great consequences the Nazi regime left in its wake and how the city has been a symbol of resilience, becoming one of the most vibrant and inclusive cities in the entire country.
We begin the tour at the Köln Deutz station, which played a very important role during the Nazi occupation.
From there, we'll take you to one of the city's most beautiful viewpoints , where, through its modern glass, we'll be able to appreciate the architectural contrasts that have emerged throughout the city's history.
We will head to the majestic Rhine River, the flowing soul of Cologne and silent witness to centuries of history, to walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge, a marvel of 20th-century engineering, which during World War II became a strategic point and was almost destroyed before the German withdrawal.
We continue on to the Ludwig Museum, one of Cologne's most important museums, which was "marked" for life with one of the famous bananas. There we'll tell you the story.
We'll walk toward the imposing Cathedral, where we'll talk about its darker side during the Nazi regime.
We'll move on to the city's old museum, where we'll talk about its famous winged car and learn the secrets of renowned brands that supported Hitler during WWII.
We ended up at the headquarters of the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police , in Cologne, which today serves as a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.
