| Planning a short break to Cologne? Check out Travel Library's recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Cologne. It's a perfect companion for weekend city breaks to Cologne. Once you've been you can add your own tips and suggestions to help other visitors. |
| Top 10 Things in Cologne on a Short Break |
|
 Cologne Cathedral - Cutural Attraction |
Domkloster, take the U-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof. The cathedral has been Cologne's most famous landmark for centuries, and is the top architectural monument in Germany.
The church was built from 1248 till 1880 when it was finaly completed. The churches top attraction is the Sarcophagus of Epiphany, which dates back to the 13th century. There are also a number of relics and works of art housed in the cathedral's treasure chamber.
The cathedral is open daily from 07h00 - 18h00, except during religious services; the tower is open daily from 09h00 - 17h00; and the treasury is open Monday to Saturday from 09h00 - 17h00. Admission to the cathedral is free, and to the treasury and tower is $2.60 for adults and $1.40 for children. |
|
 Hotel im Wasserturm - Hotel |
Kaygasse 2. This is one of the most unique hotels in Germany, it is housed in the tallest water tower in Europe, which was converted into a deluxe hotel at the cost of $75 million. The rooms are cleverly designed to provide maximum comfort and style, with a range of facilities including minibar; TV; telephone; internet access; telephone; and a full bathroom. The hotel offers a wide range of facilities, including restaurants; a bar; sauna; solarium; massage; and a fitness centre.
For more information visit: www.hotel-im-wasserturm.de/ |
|
 Phantasialand - Children’s Activity |
Berggeiststrasse 31-41. Phantasialand is Europe's most uniqe theme park, and is a great place for children and the whole family to have loads of fun. The park has a wide range of activities on offer, including wild water rapids; mystery castle; Hollywood tour; space centre; Colorado adventure; and much more. It is situated on a large green park, with picnic areas available throughout. THe park also has numerous restaurants, which serve a wide range of different foods. Admission is $26.60 for a full day ticket.
For more information visit: www.phantasialand.de |
|
 Chocolate Museum - Cutural Attraction |
| Rheinauhafen 1a. The Chocolate Museum is located in the former harbor and was opened in 1993, it is housed in a building designed in the shape of a ship's prow. The museum displays exhibits on chocolate's 3,000 year history, tracing back to it's beginings in South America right up to the present day. There is also a chocolate factory that makes some of the most delicious chocolates for visitors to sample. The museum is open Tueseday to Friday from 10h00 - 18h00 and weekends from 11h00 - 19h00. Admission is $7.25 for adults and $4.20 for children. |
|
 Christmas Market - Local Festival or Holiday |
| Alter Markt and surrounding streets. The Christmas Market in Cologne is one of the most popular events every year, with many exhibitors; a wide range of goods on sale; and a live entertainment program. The Market runs from November 20 to December 23, and you can browse through the shops at the Market or sample some of the tastey local treats. There are a wide range of arts and crafts products on sale, as well as excellent local food. The Market is open from Monday to Friday 11h00 - 20h00; Saturday 10h30 - 20h00; and Sunday 11h00 - 20h00. |
|
 Museum Ludwig - Cutural Attraction |
Bischofsgartenstrasse 1, take the U-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof. This beautiful museum houses one of the world's biggest collections of the works of Pablo Picasso. Irene Ludwig donated 774 works of Picasso to the museum. Works on display in the museum include 49 unique works; 29 ceramics; 37 works in paper; 15 relief plates; and 681 graphic prints. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday 10h00 - 18h00 and weekends 11h00 - 18h00. Admission is $10.30 for adults and $5.35 for children and students.
For further information visit: www.museenkoeln.de/museum-ludwig/ |
|
 Ringfest - Local Festival or Holiday |
Christophstrasse to Neumarkt. The Ringfest is held every summer in Clogne ring neighbourhood, and is one of the most popular festivals in the city, with millions of people attendin gthe festival from Friday to Sunday. The festival features 1000s of bands from all over the world, with concerts taking place along the ring from Rudolfplatz to Christophstrasse. Between all the concert stages there are stalls that sell a wide range of food and drink, from Tequila to Bratwurst. There is plenty on offer for everyone to enjoy at this music, entertainment and media festival. There is no admission cost and the festival is open 11h00 - 22h00 everyday.
For more information visit the Ringfest website: www.ringfestkoeln.de |
|
 Kart Centre Cologne - Sporting Activity |
Kelvinstrasse 5-7, take the U-Bahn to Rodenkirchen. The kart centre is one of the best places in Clogone to go and have fun. It has 2 halls with 375 m of track; two tunnels; banked corners; and a bridge. There is also a large spectator area where you can sit back and watch the races while having a drink or a bite to eat. The centre also has a Kart shop, which sells a wide range of carting products, including helmets; accessories for Go-Carts; overalls; gloves; and fan merchandise. The centre is open Monday to Friday 14h00 - 23h00; Saurday 12h00 - 23h00; and Sunday 10h00 - 23h00.
For more information visit the Kart Centre's website: www.kartcenter-cologne.de/ |
|
 Aqualand - Children’s Activity |
| Merian 1, in Chorweiler. This is the place to go if you're looking to have fun, there is fun for the whole family, especially children. Aqualand has a wide range of fun activities, from swimming pools to waterslides; a large park area; sun loungers; a sauna area; and children's pools. There is also a cafeteria with a wide range of refreshments, and a bar in the sauna area. Admission is $9 for 2 hours, $ 12 for 4 hours and $15 for a full day pass and $3 for children under 5. |
|
 Cologne Zoo - Children’s Activity |
Riehler Strasse 173. The Cologne Zoo is the third oldest zoo in Germany, and is one the most popular places to visit in Cologne. The zoo has many attractions, including an elephant house; monkey island; owl house; aquarium; and many more.
There are also cafes and snack shops that sell a wide range of refreshments, as well as the Zoo-venir shop that sells souvenirs.
The zoo is open daily from 09h00 - 18h00 in summer and 09h00 to 17h00 in winter
Admission is $10.30 for adults and $5 for children. |
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