Cologne Iconic Sights Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Cologne on this comprehensive city tour.

Your adventure begins at the magnificent Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), the city’s towering Gothic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From there, explore the artistic treasures at the Museum Ludwig (Modern Art Museum) and the ancient artefacts at the nearby Roman-Germanic Museum.

Continue your walk across the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke), adorned with thousands of love locks, and enjoy the fresh air along the scenic Rheinuferpromenade (Rhine Promenade).

Step back in time as you wander through the winding alleys of the Old Town (Altstadt) and admire the historic facade of the Historic Town Hall (Historisches Rathaus).

Along the way, treat your senses with a visit to the interactive Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum Köln) and discover the origins of the famous perfume at the Farina Fragrance Museum (House of 4711).

Finish your day with a stroll down Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse (Shopping Streets), the city’s bustling pedestrian zones perfect for picking up souvenirs and enjoying the local atmosphere.

Tour Starting Point

Cologne Cathedral is arguably the best-connected landmark in Germany. Virtually every form of public transport stops here.

The Easiest Way to Find It:

Virtually every form of public transport stops here.

S-Bahn, Regional & Long-Distance Trains

All these trains stop at Köln Hauptbahnhof.

Station: Köln Hauptbahnhof

S-Bahn: Lines S11, S12, S13, S15, S19 (connecting the wider Rhine-Ruhr region).

Regional Trains (RE/RB): Connects Cologne to cities like Bonn, Aachen, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt.

High-Speed Trains (ICE/IC): Connects Cologne to major German and international cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.

U-Bahn (Stadtbahn)

Cologne's U-Bahn (which is mostly a tram-style system in the city centre) has a major hub directly under the main station.

U-Bahn Station: Hauptbahnhof

Lines 1, 5, 7, 9: These are key lines crossing the city. Line 1 and 7 go to the southern suburbs and the Eifel region (e.g., Bonn). Line 5 and 9 go to the northern and eastern suburbs.

Lines 12, 15: These lines also serve the station, connecting to other parts of the city.

Trams & Buses

Numerous surface-level trams and city buses stop on the streets surrounding the cathedral and train station.

Tram Stop: Hauptbahnhof

Lines 1, 7, 9, 12, 15: These are the same lines as the U-Bahn, which run above ground before entering the tunnel.

Bus Stop: Hauptbahnhof

Many city bus lines (e.g., 133, 142, 146, 170) use this central hub. It's the main starting and ending point for many routes.

River Ferries

Since the cathedral is on the Rhine, it's also a stop for river cruises.

Ferry Stop: Köln/Rhein

KD (Köln-Düsseldorfer) River Cruises: The main terminal for tourist river cruises is just a short walk from the cathedral, on the Rhine promenade.