Things to Do in Cologne
• 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.
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.
• 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 for a different side of Cologne’s history? The medieval past, the witches, the ghosts, the things that go bump in the night? Maybe it’s time you join our Dark Side of the Dom tour. Walk with us on our ghost tour as we uncover the legends and stories that show you the darker side of this welcoming city. Join us as the sun goes down and the shadows grow longer in exploring the dark corners of our home.
Walk with us for around 2 hours to uncover the legends and stories about the darker side of this welcoming city. Join us as the sun goes down and explore with us the darker corners of our home.
We offer our 'Dark Side of the Dom' tour as a free tour every Friday at 19:00 in English.
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.
Do you only have 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 an enjoyable and dynamic way. We begin at the Alter Markt , where we review Cologne's history and its current life. Then, we visit 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 , the birthplace of authentic Eau de Cologne, where we will learn all the secrets of this perfume. The walk ends in front of Cologne Cathedral , with its secrets, its construction, and interesting facts about the main relic hidden behind the altar.
This tour is perfect for those who want to see the highlights without wasting time , learn interesting facts, and have an authentic experience. Reserve your spot and discover Cologne quickly, with a local guide and stories only experts know!
• 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.
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 Dufthaus 4711. 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.
• Groove to the beat of Christmas songs on a DJ cruise or watch the views float by as you relax with festive live music in the backdrop.
• Pass by the pastel houses before the Great St. Martin Church, the world’s tallest twin-spired church, Cologne Cathedral, and the Christmas market of Old Town.
• In the comfort of heated decks, sip on a drink, dig into delectable cakes and nibble on other treats you can purchase from the ship’s onboard bar.
• Fun fact: With a footfall of about 20,000 visitors daily, Cologne Cathedral is the most visited monument in Germany.
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!
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.
Come with me on a journey through the legends and stories of Cologne.
Over 2,000 years of Cologne's history, a number of legends have accumulated. They testify to the city's constant transformation, as well as to the Cologne way of life, as it continues to this day.
They are stories of love, protest, and arrogance. Occasionally, things can even get a bit obscene.
The stories are hidden, among other places, at the famous fragrance house 4711 , at the historic Altermarkt and in the heart of the city, Cologne Cathedral.
You should plan on about two hours for the approximately 2-kilometer route. It's best to bring something to drink and snacks, or have a good breakfast beforehand. However, we can also take a break at any time.
The tour starts at Neumarkt . It is easily accessible by tram lines 1, 7, 9, 3, 4, 16, and 18, or by bus.
The tour will end directly in front of Cologne Cathedral .
