Cologne Cable Cars

Take a cable car ride over the Rhine and see Cologne from a different angle. You can start at either the Zoo or Rheinpark, making it easy to combine with a stroll or a visit nearby. The trip is short but offers great views—perfect for a sunny afternoon or just a relaxed way to cross the river.

• Web:

  www.koelner-seilbahn.de/en

• E-mail:

  info@koelner-seilbahn.de

• Address:

  Riehler Straße 3, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 5474183

Cologne Cathedral

Construction on the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, and it ended up being one of the biggest building projects of the Middle Ages. The idea was to make room for the waves of pilgrims coming to see the shrine of the Three Wise Men—yes, those Three Wise Men. Their supposed remains are kept in a gold casket near the altar, and it’s still the cathedral’s most prized relic.

• Web:

  www.koelner-dom.de

• Address:

  Domkloster 4, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 92584730

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6am–8pm

Cologne Opera

Cologne’s main opera house stages a mix of classic and contemporary productions, from Mozart to modern composers. The resident company is strong, and visiting performers keep the programme varied. The building itself is modern and a bit divisive—some love it, some don’t—but the acoustics are excellent.

• Web:

  www.oper.koeln/en

• Address:

  Rheinparkweg 1, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 2212400

Cologne Triangle

For a great view of the Cathedral and the city, head up to the rooftop platform at Köln Triangle. It’s over 100 metres up, so you get a full 360-degree look. The lift gets you there fast, and on a clear day, you can spot pretty far across the skyline.

• Web:

  https://koelntrianglepanorama.de/en/homepage

• Address:

  Ottoplatz 1, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 355004100

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–8pm

Cologne Zoo

One of Germany’s oldest zoos, and still a popular spot, especially if you're travelling with kids. It’s got a good mix of animals, from elephants and hippos to penguins and baboons. There’s a rainforest house and aquarium on site too. Feeding times are worth catching if you're around—check the schedule when you arrive.

• Web:

  www.koelnerzoo.de

• Address:

  Riehler Straße 173, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 56799100

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–6pm

Cologne's City Hall

While in Cologne, you can visit Germany's oldest city hall, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Over time, it has picked up a mix of styles—Gothic tower, Renaissance loggia, some modern touches. The 61-metre tower is covered in carved figures, including some cheeky ones from local history, and the bells chime four times a day. There’s also a mechanical face called the Platzjabbek that sticks its tongue out on the hour. Inside, the Hansasaal is the main historic hall—worth a look if it’s open.

• Address:

  Rathausplatz 2, Cologne