Cologne holidays

Popular holidays

City breaks to Cologne are the whole package when it comes to culture – think beer halls, museums and historic landmarks.

Cologne city breaks

This iconic German city sits in the west of the country, on the banks of the Rhine River. Its charming old town delivers on cobblestone streets, pastel-hued houses and museums, while its modern centre has a glossier feel. Cologne’s known for its beer scene and its Christmas markets, too. And everything’s watched over by the city’s most famous landmark – its impressive Gothic cathedral.

A UNESCO-stamped cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is one of Germany’s most-visited landmarks, and it’s not difficult to see why. Its foundations were laid way back in 1248, and construction didn’t finish until more than 600 years later, in 1880. But taking their time on the build paid off – it’s a Gothic masterpiece, and at around 160 metres high, one of the tallest buildings in the city.

A riverside old town

The city’s old town spreads out near the riverbank. It’s stuffed with traditional restaurants, cosy pubs and a huge crop of museums. The latter includes a chocolate museum, where you can create your own customised chocolate bar. As for the old town’s squares, they play host to markets throughout the week, so don’t forget to swing by to pick up a few souvenirs.

First-class festivities

Cologne really comes to life during the festive season. Like its other German counterparts, the city’s Christmas markets know how to pull in the crowds. The biggest of the bunch unfolds next to the cathedral – vendors sell everything from souvenirs to currywursts and mulled wine, all from wooden huts decked out with twinkling lights and garlands.

Popular hotels in Cologne

Top things to see and do in Cologne

Shopping

Bargain buys

Wilhelmplatz is home to Cologne’s flea market, which is a top destination for bargain-hunters. It’s only open once a month, though, so make sure you check to see if you’ll be in town at the right time. If you are, don’t miss the chance to browse through stalls full of clothes, toys and homewares.

Mid-range buys

For high street brands, make a beeline for Schildergasse – the city’s main shopping street. It flows all the way from the old town to the city centre, so it’s the perfect route to take between sightseeing stops. You’ll find the likes of Zara and Footlocker here, along with a collection of local brands that offer something different to what you’d find in Ireland.

Designer buys

Ehrenstrasse is where you’ll find the city’s best designers. It’s about 10 minutes’ stroll from the city centre, and it’s loaded with top-of-the-range stores selling everything from clothes to watches. Nearby Mittlestrasse throws some more upmarket options into the mix, as well.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

If you’re after dinner and a few quiet drinks, head to the Alter Markt part of the city. Here, you’ll find a crop of traditional taverns and independent restaurants. They can get busy, but they attract a quieter crowd compared to the bars in the newer side of town.

Lively evenings

Zulpicher Strasse is your go-to spot if you fancy a big night out. It’s been nicknamed Party Mile, which is a pretty accurate description of what it’s like – the clubs and bars here stay open until the early hours. One of the highlights is Bootshaus – a nightclub that’s often named in lists of the top 10 in the world.

Food & drink

Kolsch

Kolsch is a type of beer that’s exclusive to this part of Germany, so no matter where you buy it from, you know it’ll have been brewed within 30 miles of Cologne. So, it’d be rude not to give it a try while you’re in town.

Currywurst

This famous snack’s a staple on Cologne’s street food scene. You can get your hands on it at a market, or from a kiosk in the city centre. It consists of diced sausage, covered with a curry-flavoured ketchup topped with a sprinkling of curry powder, and it’s usually served with either chips or sliced bread.

Halve Hahn

This rye bread roll comes buttered and stuffed with cheese, gherkins, raw onions and mustard. It gets its name from the fact that it’s cut into two halves. And you’ll spot it on menus in pubs and restaurants all over Cologne.

Rievkooche

Rievkooche is a type of potato pancake that you’ll find served in taverns across the city. It’s usually topped off with apple sauce or sugar syrup, so the result is a sweet-and-savoury snack.

Himmel un Äd

The name of this dish translates to ‘heaven and earth’, which doesn’t give much away. It’s actually made from mashed potato and apple sauce – both ingredients are fried together along with sliced black pudding or liver sausage.

Facts about Cologne

Currency

Euro

(EUR)

Language

German

Time zone

GMT +1

Flight duration

2 hours 15 minutes from Dublin