The cathedral city has a history of over 2,000 years, traces of which can be seen all over the city. Impressive constructions, remains or natural churches: in Cologne, there is something to be discovered around almost every street corner.
Cologne offers great opportunities for leisure time activities: rambles or shopping excursions through the inner city are actually possible in all kinds of weather. And of course every visitor to Cologne must have seen the Cathedral from up close. In addition to this, there are alternatives for every taste: How about a visit to a museum, a peek behind the scenes of the German television channel WDR, a barbeque afternoon or a visit to the zoo? And those who have had enough of the city can just take off on an excursion into the surroundings.

Sights worth seeing

Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, Gürzenich, Heinrich-Böll Square, Heinzelmännchenbrunnen, Cologne Arena, Trade Fair premises, Philharmonic, City Hall, St. Andreas, St. Gereon, St. Maria in the Capitol, City Walls, Zoo, 4711-ancestral homes in the Glockengasse

Ropeway ride over the Rhine

Fresh air is what you will find in plenty in the cable cars that traverse the Rhine regularly ("Rhine" sounds the same as 'pure' in German).

Opening hours:
April to October daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Tickets: Single ride for adults 4 €, children from 4 to 12 years old 2.40 €, Round trip for adults 6 €, children from 4 to 12 years old 3.50 €
More information is available via telephone on + 49 (0) 221 5474183

Chocolate Museum

The museum takes the visitor along on a journey through the 3,000 year old cultural history of chocolate. The home of cocoa and its cultivation and harvest are documented through photographs. Visitors can actually experience the tropical climate in a walk-in tropical greenhouse. The high point of the museum is the main attraction: the production. From two levels, visitors can see how bar chocolate, truffles and hollow figures are made. After this, you can nibble away at a chocolate well spring.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11 am to 7 pm
Entry fee: Adults 6.50 € per person, reduced 4 €
Children's guided tour: Sundays and holidays at 3 pm, approximately 4 €

Museum for East Asian Art

As the first special museum of its kind, this museum was opened in 1913 and displays art from China, Japan and Korea. The collection with Buddhist paintings and wooden sculptures, Japanese screen paintings, coloured wooden carvings and lacquer work is considered to be one of the most important within Europe. The museum, built in the classical modern style with Japanese influences and the landscape garden designed in the tradition of Japanese meditation gardens lend a harmonious background to the collection.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, Thursdays from 11 am to 8 pm
Entry fee: Adults 4.20 € per person, reduced 2.60 €

The Flora

The variety of plants, their significance in gardening design and culture, for technology, nourishment, medicine and for the construction and textile industry : these are the topics addressed in this 11.5 ha garden complex in the north of Cologne, known as the "The Flora".

Opening hours:
Garden: 8 am till darkness sets in
Greenhouse: October to March daily from 10 am to 4 pm April to September daily from 10 am to 6 pm

Phantasialand

From the "Old Berlin Steam carousel" through "Feng Shui Palace", "Galaxy", "Fairytale Woods", "River Quest" to the "Temple of the Nighthawk", there is something here for everyone.

Opening hours:
24 March to 1 November daily from 9 am to 6 pm, Tour service begins at: 10 am, ticket office closes at: 4 pm
Extended opening hours in summer (if there is a rush)
Entry fee: Day ticket Adults 29.50 €, 2-Day ticket Adults 42 € (not transferable, valid for one person on two consecutive days), day ticket children (1.00 m to 1.45 m height) 26 €, 2-Day ticket children (1.00 m to 1.45 m height) 32 € (not transferable, valid for one child on consecutive days), free for children up to 1.00 m height, day ticket for senior citizens 19 € (above 60 years on presentation of valid proof of identity), 2-day ticket for senior citizens 32 € (above 60 years on presentation of valid proof of identity, not transferable, valid for one person on two consecutive days), free for children on their birthdays (valid for children and adults on the birthday, on presentation of valid proof of identity)

Cologne/Bonn airport

From the viewing terraces of the airport, visitors can view the large take off and landing strip, the aprons, the freight zones and the military zone. The view platforms are located at the Terminal 1, at the Stars B and C respectively. The view terraces are worthy destinations, especially as family excursions. From Monday to Friday here is access for the disabled to the visitor terrace above the conference centre. This ascent is located at Terminal 1, Ascents 3 and 4, 3rd level above ground and is accessible during the specified opening hours.

Opening hours for the visitors' terrace:
Daly from 6.30 am to 10 pm
Entry free.
In bad weather, if there are storms or glaze frost, the visitor terraces will be closed for security reasons.

The visitor service offers interested groups of visitors with at least 10 participants the possibility of a guided tour on Mondays to Fridays at 10 am, 11.45 am, 11.30 pm and 3.15 pm with prior appointment. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Cost: Adults 5 €, free for children and youngsters
Registration via telephone on + 49 (0) 2203 404388 or + 49 (0) 2203 404389
Proof of identity or passport is necessary. As a precaution the Visitor Service points out that the inside of an aircraft or the Tower are not part of the visit due to security reasons.

inside cologne: city tours

City tours for children with "touching" and "running around", such as "Roman tours". For children from 6 to 10 years old, adult accompaniment is -*necessary, fixed timings will be known shortly. The tours are organised in the old city of Cologne.
Price: 6.50 € to 8 €

Finkens Garden

A garden that is rewarding to look at, smell and feel, even for small children. Here, nature can be experienced through all sense. The children learn how violets smell and how beech-nuts feel. You will see how bees make honey (Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm) and the things that grow in a meadow.
The garden is open to the public on weekends and on holidays from 9 am to 6 pm. The visit is free. Also suitable for pre-school children.