Centred around a towering Gothic cathedral, this cultural urban oasis is a stone’s throw from Dusseldorf yet feels a world apart. A city where Germany's old traditions meet modern influences, the best things to do in Cologne will keep you entertained all day and all night.
Köln, to use its German name, is at its best during its world-famous Carnival celebrations – a city-wide fancy dress party fuelled by beer and good spirits, starting on Shrove Thursday and running right through Easter weekend. But when the party finally fades, you’ll find there’s something to do in Cologne all year round. Get a taste for the fiercely protected Kölsch brews, test your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Museum, dance the night away to techno and eat your bodyweight in pork and potatoes before you leave.
RECOMMENDED:
📍 The best places to visit in Germany
📍 The best things to do in Berlin
📍 The best things to do in Frankfurt
Duncan Madden is a writer based in Cologne. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.