Cologne Old Town (Altstadt)

The Basics

No Cologne sightseeing tour is complete without a visit to Old Town landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Join a walking tour and learn more about the city’s history from your tour guide; admire the views on a cruise along the Rhine River; or explore independently on a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Cologne’s main Visitor Information Center is located outside the cathedral in the Old Town.

• There are free Wi-Fi spots located around the Old Town.

• Most of the attractions in the Old Town are wheelchair accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.

How to Get There

Most of Cologne’s main attractions, hotels, and restaurants are located in or around the Old Town, so it’s impossible to miss the neighborhood. The main Köln Hauptbahnhof train station sits just north of the cathedral. From the cathedral, trams run to nearby sights such as the Rheinauhafen and the Chocolate Museum.

When to Get There

Whether you visit during the day as part of a city tour or after dark to drink or dine along the riverfront, Cologne’s historic center is lively at all hours. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months (July and August), when attractions like the cathedral can get busy; get an early start if you want to escape the crowds. Alternatively, Cologne is at its most atmospheric during the annual Carnival or over the winter holidays, when the Old Town hosts some of Germany’s best Christmas markets.

A walking tour of Cologne Old Town

Start your walking tour outside the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, then head to the riverfront to see the Hohenzollern Bridge and stroll along the waterfront. Stop to see Museum Ludwig and Great St. Martin’s Church, then head west to the Alter Market, where you can visit a traditional brauhaus (brew-pub) to sample a Kolsch beer. Continue to the Neumarkt, one of the main shopping centers, stopping along the way to see the Heinzelmännchen fountain and the Tünnes and Schäl statues, then visit the Farina Museum to learn more about Cologne’s perfume-making history.

What are the must-visit attractions in Cologne Old Town?

Cologne Old Town’s standout attraction is Cologne Cathedral, renowned for its Gothic architecture. Other notable landmarks include the Old Town Hall, Roman-Germanic Museum, Museum Ludwig, and Great St. Martin’s Church. For photography fans, a riverside walk leads to Hohenzollern Bridge, which boasts stunning views of the Old Town’s architecture.

Can you recommend some traditional Cologne dishes to try in the Old Town?

Yes, a popular local dish is halve hahn—a traditional sandwich with rye bread, cheese, onions, and mustard. For something more substantial, himmel und aad is mashed potatoes, apple puree, fried black pudding, and onions. Of course, don’t forget to wash everything down with the local alcoholic specialty—a Kolsch beer.

Are there guided tours available in Cologne Old Town?

Yes, there are lots of different guided tours available in Cologne Old Town. Walking tours take you down atmospheric alleyways that are inaccessible by car or bus. Bike tours allow you to check off more sights in less time, and boat tours along the Rhine offer incredible city views.

What is the best time of year to visit Cologne Old Town?

For mild weather, without the huge summer crowds, spring (April through June) and fall (September through October) are great months to visit Cologne. Outside of these months, you can enjoy festivals like Cologne Carnival in February or the annual Christmas Market in December, which centers around the Old Town.

What are some of the best hotels or accommodations in Cologne Old Town?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re after 5-star luxury and a perfect location near Cologne Cathedral, then Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a great choice. However, there are also plenty of apartments and affordable hotels to suit different budgets, such as the 3-star boutique Stern am Rathaus hotel.

What are the shopping options like in Cologne Old Town?

Shoppers will find diverse shopping opportunities in Cologne. The Alter Markt, a marketplace at the heart of the city, is a great place to go souvenir shopping. Alternatively, the Schildergasse is a long, pedestrianized shopping street with a range of shops, from trendy boutiques to internationally known stores.