I believe there is no place on this earth that we should not visit. Wherever you go, you can find something interesting and worth taking a photo of.

1. Kölner Dom

When arrived in Cologne I was straight away impressed by the view of the Kölner Dom.

Such a majestic building, this gothic structure took more than 600 years to finish in 1880, it became the tallest structure in the world, with both towers exceeding 515 feet (157 meters). It continued to be the world’s tallest one until it was exceeded by Ulm another Germany Cathedral in 1890.

I knew it was situated close to the main train station, but I was not aware it was straight next to it. To see inside is a must and it is free, no excuses then, but if you wish to climb to the top of the tower via the 533 steep staircases and be rewarded with one of the best views of Cologne, then adults pay €6 and children, schoolchildren, students, and persons with special needs pay a reduced entry fee of €3.

Cathedral today is the symbol of the city and can be spied from pretty much every point across Cologne.

2. Kölner Rathaus

The Cologne City Hall is an important building and house to the city council, part of the government, and other important offices. If you plan a civil wedding ceremony this is the place to step by.

The building is decorated with 130 stone sculptures of prominent personalities like Martin Luther. And this is where things are getting interesting. One sculpture looks very nougaty and makes many people smile.

Konrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne in the XIII century, took the unprecedented decision to start taxing beer. This clearly did not sit well with people, who asked the town hall architect to carve his sculpture in a way to serve him what he deserved.

3. Golden Bird

The car was created by HA Schult and on April 25, 1991, landed on the staircase tower of the former armoury, and is made completely out of gold.

The Cologne district president at the time demanded that the work of art be dismantled with reference to the preservation order, but the car is still “temporarily tolerated” in the museum. The wing car is a tourist attraction.

4. Banana Sprayer

Thomas Baumgärtel, a German graffiti artist known under the pseudonym Banana Sprayer, began his “banana project” in 1983. Over the years, his work could be seen everywhere in Colognes’ street scene. The typical stylized banana appeared on the facades of places where culture is promoted. 

During your walk around Cologne try to spot as many as you can.

5. House of 4711

As you can guess Eau de Cologne was invented in Cologne. Simple as that. The store is very elegant and always busy, you can buy tiny bottles as a memento and the cologne they sell today is supposedly made using the same ingredients as the original formula. 

You can attend a seminar and create your own personal fragrance, or sign up for an impressive, guided tour. Make sure you are there at the hour to see and hear the music from the clock. Stand outside of the building, look up, and watch the figures of horseback riders pop out and move around (address: House of 4711, Glockengasse 4, 50667, Cologne).

In 1794 Napoleon implemented a system of house numbers in Cologne, therefore 4711 is the address where the perfume house was located. Now it is a museum, which you can visit (address: Hommage, Friesenstraße 73, 50670, Cologne)

6. Love Locks Bridge

Hohenzollern Bridge (or just Love Locks Bridge) is 400 meters long and it is filled with love locks all the way from one side to the other, there is no milometer left untouched.

It is the largest padlocks bridge in the world! The government takes the locks down every so often as it gets too heavy and becomes dangerous. 

7. Lindt Chocolate Factory

For me the most important place to visit, even more important than Cathedral. Placed next to the River Rhine, a visit to the Chocolate Museum will introduce you to the cacao bean journey from field to mouth.

This interactive museum will allow you to discover how chocolate is crafted and how it could eventually be worth its weight in gold!

Follow the aroma of melted chocolate, and you will arrive at a giant chocolate fountain complete with a chocolate maestro stirring the thick velvet liquid. A banana waffle topped with chocolate will melt in your mouth.

8. Rheinauhafen

After your visit to the Chocolate factory, instead of going back to the center, turn left.

The Rheinauhafen district is a young and attractive area with a mix of modern residential and office buildings interspersed with many cafés, restaurants, and galleries.

The design for the revitalization was created by the renowned Hamburg-based architecture firm Bothe, Richter, Teherani. Many old structures were extensively renovated to suit their new uses. If you hold a passion for architecture and culture, you cannot miss a walk on that path.

9. Colourful Buildings in the Old Town

Walking along its cobbled streets by the riverside you will come across traditional coloured houses standing in the shadow of the Romanesque church of St Martin, a monument that had been damaged and rebuilt after the war.

I was not so lucky, as during my visit two of those famous, colourful buildings were covered with scaffoldings.

10. Belgian Quarter

Food, fashion, and art are the focus of this creative hub. Belgian Quarter shops offer high-quality off-mainstream fashion and designer labels. You will find your favourite outfit here. With their shops in or around the Belgian Quarter, numerous young fashion designers bring innovative fashion to Cologne. But if you are like me, this is a great area to visit and wander around to look for street art.

11. Street performers and book shops

Take time simply wonder around the streets, watch people, listen street performers.

Go inside the bookstores and take a big breath, maybe try to read one. Explore all possibilities.

12. River Rhine

After hours of walking and sightseeing to sit down by the river is more then welcome idea. You can people watch or have a nice picnic with a family and friends to plan where to go and what to see next.

Cologne is the largest city on the River Rhine. The longest river within Germany is one of the most travelled waterways in the world, but at the same time gives this city a unique and relaxed atmosphere. On its banks visitors to Cologne like to spend their time relaxing alongside the locals, known as ‘Kölner’.

One way to enjoy Rhine’s panorama is to take a boat trip. You can opt for a cruise either during the day or a more romantic one in the evening to watch the illuminated city from the comfort of your boat. I also have seen party boats, and they looked like lots of fun.

Which of these fun things to do in Cologne, Germany appeals most to you? Want to share other great Cologne attractions? Let us know in the comments below!