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Cologne

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Cologne
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Cologne Travel Guide

  • About Cologne
Vibrant Cologne (Köln) may be famous for its awe-inspiring cathedral, but its atmospheric pubs showcase a city in love with life and certainly knows how to have a good time.Leaving the main station, the unmissable sight that greets all new arrivals is the towering twin spires of the Dom. Cologne’s cathedral was once the world’s tallest building, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site remains Germany’s most-visited monument. Its silhouette, combined with the curves of the adjacent Hohenzollern Bridge, are the symbols that define the city.Cologne’s art comes in many forms, from Roman mosaics and impressive stained-glass windows to world-class art museums featuring Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein and Pablo Picasso. Then there’s the classic appeal of the Old Town, with its narrow streets and houses painted in pastel shades. While much of it had to be rebuilt following WWII, the atmospheric beer gardens and unhurried joie de vivre are just as romantic as parts of Paris or Rome.For children, the city has some of Europe’s best zoos, while the highlight for countless adults are Cologne’s Brauhäuser, brewpubs that serve local Kölsch beer. Each of these is a sight to behold, as bartenders spin glasses around like battle-weary magicians, waiters marking beer mats to keep track of who had what and managers ring up sales with antique cash registers in the corner.When it comes to food, there are traditional waiters in white shirts and leather waistcoats serving ham knuckle or bratwurst with sauerkraut. But Cologne’s culinary horizons don’t end there – they also include Michelin-starred restaurants serving French and Asiatic fusion flavours.Though Catholicism flourishes here, Cologne is certainly not a place for puritanical restraint. The city is famous for the six-day street carnival known as the “Crazy Days” taking place in the days running up to Ash Wednesday. It’s also an energetic open-minded place, and its Pride parades are some of the best attended in Germany.Last, but by no means least, the city also has a chocolate museum, taking pride of place on the Rhine. Now Cologne is a city that has its priorities sorted.
  • Cologne History
That Cologne reinvented itself after being bombed to near oblivion in WWII is a huge testament to the resilience of the human spirit.Yet the history of Cologne extends further back than the dark days of the 20th century of course. The city began life as a Roman colony (hence its name) and was a key strategic site.Catholicism flourished in this part of the Roman Empire and in 1248 construction began on a mighty cathedral worthy of housing the relics of the Three Kings themselves.Work continued up to 1473 and yet still the Dom wasn’t done. Nevertheless, it was the world’s tallest building, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe.Work picked up again in the 19th century and the completion date is largely regarded as being 1880. Yet a lot had happened to Cologne during that time, most conspicuously the frequent skirmishes with the French.Following the French Revolutionary Wars, Cologne came under French control. The University of Cologne was closed and all local residents were granted French citizenship.Perhaps most notably, the French administration scrawled 4711 across the doorway to the Eau de Cologne household and inadvertently went on to launch an international brand.After the French came the Prussians, and following defeat in WWI, the British moved in for a while. Wartime fortifications were converted into green belts (Grüngürtel) and the University of Cologne was opened anew in 1919.By the end of WWII, Cologne was swept up into West Germany and began to thrive. The Old Town was repaired along with many Romanesque churches.Recently, Cologne has been making its name in the media game, founding an Academy of Media Arts, an International Film School and a Media Park over the last few decades.Excellent transport links have made the city one of the easiest places to access in western Germany.
  • Did you know?
Almost 90% of the Old Town was destroyed during WWII. Launched in 1967, Art Cologne was the first international art fair of its kind. Five FIFA World Cup matches were played at Cologne’s RheinEnergieStadion in 2006.
  • Weather in Cologne
Spring (March to May) is lovely in Cologne, particularly in May with temperatures averaging 13°C (55°F) and the weather is still relatively dry.Summer (June to August) starts off with plenty of rain so pack a raincoat with you. Temperatures often hover around 23°C (73°F) but highs of 30s°C (80s°F) are getting frequent.Autumn (September to November) is pleasant and visitors can make the most of beer gardens scattered around the city. The average temperature in September is 15°C (59°F).Winter (December to February) is mild, but with the sun setting at around 3.30pm, it can feel gloomy. Temperatures hover around 3°C (37°F) in December.Cologne is famous for its Carnival known as “Fastelovend”. In theory, the Carnival starts on November 11th at 11:11am, but the real “Crazy Days” do not start before Shrove Thursday which falls in either February or March. During “Crazy Days”, people dress up and participate in balls and parades, singing and dancing. As the city is aswarm with tourists, accommodation is hard to come by and prices are high.

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