If you’ve read my blog before, then you’ll know that I’m a massive fan of the city of Cologne. It just has everything you could possibly want. Bucket-loads of history, the nearby beauty of the Rhine River, and just an overall awesome vibe. It makes for one incredible weekend break and, if you are thinking of that, this post is for you! Here it is – 48 hours in Cologne. Enjoy!
Getting to Cologne
Getting to Cologne is really easy thanks to the central location. The best way to get here is by either plane or train, depending on whether you’re coming for a weekend or as part of a larger itinerary.
By train, the city is incredibly well-connect. The main station is the Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) and is a major hub within Germany. There are frequent trains running here from the German major cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, but you can often get here from other international cities including Brussels and Amsterdam.
If you are planning on getting here by plane then the nearest airport is the Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). It is just 15 minutes from the city centre, but some trains run to the Central Station in a shorter amount of time. If you are coming for the weekend, this option is probably the most likely. You should find it easy to book a direct flight here; it is well-connected with other international cities.
Where to stay in Cologne
Because of the scale and centricity of Cologne, there is a complete range of places to stay in Cologne. The most important part is probably which part of the city you’d want to stay in. My personal recommendation is staying near the Cathedral – this is really central and gives you access to all the major attractions, shops etc. Equally though, the Belgian Quarter is a quirky, fun place to stay and the Rheinauhafen District is perfect for people who want a quieter experience.
Here are some choices that I’ve picked out based on my own experiences in Cologne:
| Accommodation Type | Hotel |
| Luxury – Central | Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom |
| Affordable – Central | Hotel Mondial am Dom |
| Budget – Central | Stadthotel am Römerturm |
| Affordable – Rheinauhafen | The Hyatt Regency |
| Affordable – Belgian Quarter | The Qvest Hideaway |
Getting Around Cologne
Cologne has a fantastic public transport system including the Stadtbahn (subway) and trams. There are frequent services that run across the city and you’ll find it really easy to move from one part to the next.
I would 100% buying the KölnCard, which is a travel pass offering unlimited use of public transport. For 48 hours in Cologne, this costs € 18.00 per person, or you can get a group pass for up to five people costs € 38.00. You’ll be able to get around the city with ease and will save a fair amount of cash too.
Please Note: As of March 2025, the Cologne Tourism website is not selling the cards due to a technical difficulty. However, you can easily buy these at the Central Station.
Day 1: Immerse Yourself in Cologne’s History and Iconic Sites
Morning: Visit the Cologne Cathedral
To start of your 48 hours in Cologne, you of course need to head to the Cologne Cathedral. This inspirational landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site stands a whopping 157m high, and you can even climb to the top of it! Whilst I wouldn’t recommend it for those who are afraid of heights, it easily has the best views of the city. Inside is also interesting too, and incredibly beautiful. You can also see the Shrine of the Three Kings and the Romanesque crypt.
📍 Location: Domplatte, City Center
🎟️ Entrance: Free (Tower climb: €6)
Lunch: Try Cologne’s Famous Kölsch Beer and Local Cuisine
One thing I adore in Germany is the food. When I lived here a lunch out was always a highlight of the day. In Cologne, you need to try Kölsch beer, a pale ale that is locally brewed. As with any northern German city, the lunches are hearty, local dishes. Rheinischer Sauerbraten, a marinated pot roast, or Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) are a bit of a staple and something you should definitely try for your first lunch here.
📍 Recommendation: Brauhaus Pütz, Gilden im Zims
🎟️ Average Meal: €10-€15
Afternoon: Stroll Through the Old Town and Visit the Roman-Germanic Museum
After lunch, take a stroll through Altstadt (Old Town), where narrow streets, colourful houses, and charming squares await. Walk along the Hohen Strasse for some shopping or visit the Alter Markt for a coffee at one of the quaint cafes. From here, make your way to the Roman-Germanic Museum to dive into Cologne’s history. The museum showcases Roman artifacts, including the famous Cologne Treasury, and offers a fascinating look at the city’s ancient roots as a Roman settlement.
📍 Location: Roncalliplatz
🎟️ Entrance: €10
Evening: Rhine River Cruise
Germany river towns and cities are perfect for as river cruise, and Cologne’s location means that it is one of the best places for this. I think that this is best appreciated here during the evening and some tours even offer some light bites and drinks to go with it. Just wait until you see the Cathedral at sunset – it is gorgeous!
📍 Location: Cologne’s Rhine Promenade
🎟️ Cost: €15-€25 (depending on the tour)
Day 2: Art, Culture, and the Best of Cologne’s Contemporary Scene
Morning: Explore the Museum Ludwig and the Belgian Quarter
For your second day in Cologne, I actually would explore the more artsy areas. Nowhere is the art scene better in the city than at Museum Ludwig. There is an extensive collection of 20th Century art here and you’ll see work from top European artists of this era, including Pablo Picasso. After this, wander around the Belgian Quarter. In my opinion, this quirky neighbourhood is the perfect place to grab a delicious breakfast or a coffee. You’ll find plenty of up-and-coming places here with interesting unique vibes.
📍 Location: Museum Ludwig, Belgian Quarter
🎟️ Entrance: €12
Lunch: Visit the Chocolate Museum
For lunch today, especially after a large breakfast in the Belgian Quarter, I thought that it would be cool to tuck into some Chocolate. Loads of Northern German cities have places like this and I always enjoy my visits here. In Cologne, I’d recommend a visit to the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) to learn about the history of chocolate in the area. You’ll get to see the chocolatiers at work and, perhaps more excitingly, get to tuck into some delicious samples. There is also a cafe here which serves a range of chocolatey treats.
📍 Location: Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a
🎟️ Entrance: €12
Afternoon: Explore the Parks and Gardens
After eating your fair share of chocolate, what better way to spend an afternoon than a walk around Rheinpark, a lovely green park along the river. If you fancy a proper garden to explore, then I would suggest the Botanical Gardens Flora. There are plenty of lush gardens here that feature plants from around the world, including a rose garden.
📍 Location: Rheinpark, Flora
🎟️ Entrance: Free for Rheinpark, Flora: €3
Evening: Enjoy Cologne’s Nightlife
For your final evening of your 48 hours in Cologne, I would unwind with a drink. My favourite place to do this is in the Old Town where you can get a real feel for the city in the pubs and bars. As always, I’m a massive advocate for the local breweries and you’ll find some delicious, authentic food here.
Alternatively, for something a bit more sophisticated, try the observation deck of KölnTriangle for some breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You could also visit the Palladium or Gloria Theatre for live music and concerts, but make sure that you book in advance!
📍 Recommendation: Old Town bars, KölnTriangle
🎟️ Observation Deck: €3
Suggestions for an extended stay
Explore Cologne’s Surroundings with Day Trips
There are some good day trips from Cologne if you want to extend your stay here. The town of Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven, and the town of Aachen are two interesting places to explore and have some beautiful architecture. If you fancied immersing yourself in nature, then the obvious place would be the vineyards of the Rhine Valley. Cologne’s excellent train connections make these trips easy and, to be honest, relatively cheap.
For a better overview, check out my blog post on day trips from Dusseldorf, Cologne’s next door neighbour.
Immerse Yourself in Cologne’s Art and Culture
If you enjoyed your time in Museum Ludwig, then why not check out some of the other museums that make up Cologne? If you enjoy history, check out the Roman-Germanic Museum for a thorough overview of the Roman history in the city. You could also enjoy more art at the Wallraf-Richartz Museum. Unlike Ludwig, this collection goes back as far as the Medieval times.
Another option is a trip to the Cologne Opera House or the Cologne Philharmonic for a performance. These run regularly, but make sure that you check their websites first.
Live Like a Local in Cologne’s Neighbourhoods
I’ve mainly covered the tourist areas here, but with more than 48 hours in Cologne you can explore some of the lesser-looked places. Südstadt, which is known for a more relaxed vibe, is well-worth visiting for a walk and a stop at a café. Or, if you fancy somewhere to see street art and local, live music, you might like to explore Ehrenfeld.
Visiting Cologne at Christmas Time
The Christmas Markets in Cologne are easily some of the best in Germany. You’ll find these mainly in the Old Town, with the most popular one being Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market. Like most of these in Germany, you’ll be treated to a range of things to eat and can enjoy some glühwein, always one of my favourites around the festive time. You also have ice skating (by the Heumarkt) and many of the attractions have Christmas-themed experiences.
For more information, check out my blog posts on the top Christmas Markets in Nordhein-Westfalen. These are all easily accessible from Cologne.
Top Tips
As I said above, make sure that you buy a KölnCard: If you’re planning to visit several museums and attractions, consider purchasing the KölnCard, which offers free public transport and discounts on entry to many museums and attractions.
Plan Your Visit to the Cathedral: The Cologne Cathedral can get crowded, especially during peak hours, so try to visit early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Final Thoughts | 48 Hours in Cologne
48 hours in Cologne is a perfect time to spend in this gem of a city. However, you’ll find that you will keep wanting to come back and experience the magic here at different times of the year. I hope that my post has helped you plan your trip here but, as always, if you have any questions just let me know. I always love hearing from you.
