18 Activities
Gondolas and Gothic Vibes in Cologne
Starts from
Düsseldorf
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
18
Duration
12 hours
Length
39 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Düsseldorf
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
39 mi
Alexis James
Travel Expert
- Enjoy a morning pretzel from local bakery.
- Take in the 2,000-year-old Gothic Cathedral.
- Photograph the epic views from Cologne's cable car.
- Add a love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge.
This 2,000-year-old city exudes high Gothic vibes, and nowhere does this stand out more than at the amazing Cologne Cathedral. After admiring this man-made beauty, take in the natural wonders at the botanical garden. It's where you'll find the only palm trees in Germany.
In the afternoon, feast on the regional specialities and schnitzel, add your love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge, and then see the rest of the city from on high via the Cologne gondola cable car. Then indulge in a sweet treat from the much-loved ice cream store before heading back.
In the afternoon, feast on the regional specialities and schnitzel, add your love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge, and then see the rest of the city from on high via the Cologne gondola cable car. Then indulge in a sweet treat from the much-loved ice cream store before heading back.
This 2,000-year-old city exudes high Gothic vibes, and nowhere does this stand out more than at the amazing Cologne Cathedral. After admiring this man-made beauty, take in the natural wonders at the botanical garden. It's where you'll find the only palm trees in Germany.
In the afternoon, feast on the regional specialities and schnitzel, add your love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge, and then see the rest of the city from on high via the Cologne gondola cable car. Then indulge in a sweet treat from the much-loved ice cream store before heading back.
In the afternoon, feast on the regional specialities and schnitzel, add your love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge, and then see the rest of the city from on high via the Cologne gondola cable car. Then indulge in a sweet treat from the much-loved ice cream store before heading back.
Alexis James
Travel Expert
- Enjoy a morning pretzel from local bakery.
- Take in the 2,000-year-old Gothic Cathedral.
- Photograph the epic views from Cologne's cable car.
- Add a love padlock to the Hohenzollern Bridge.
Day Itinerary
18 Activities
Day 1
39 mi3 mi2 mi
Pretzels, Gondolas, and Gothic Vibes
It is an easy day trip with plenty of time to see its top attractions along with its lesser-known gems. You get to Cologne early enough to enjoy a freshly baked morning pretzel from the local bakery, before soaking in the Gothic ambience of the city's cathedral.
In the afternoon, take in some hearty local fare at a brewery, leave a love padlock on Hohenzollern Bridge, and see the city from its best angle before heading back with a sweet treat in tow.
In the afternoon, take in some hearty local fare at a brewery, leave a love padlock on Hohenzollern Bridge, and see the city from its best angle before heading back with a sweet treat in tow.
09:0015 min
Bauer Bossmann
Farm
Open Details
In the summer months, stop off at this local farm near Langenfeld to spend some time picking the freshest local strawberries. It'll make the perfect snack throughout the day!
18 mi
40 min
10:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
This car park is well-located within walking distance of the Cathedral and your lunch stop, meaning you can leave your car here all morning and find your way on foot.
0.4 mi
10 min
10:1510 min
Merzenich
Bakery
Open Details
Merzenich bakeries are a Cologne institution, and you'll find nearly two dozen of them scattered around the city and its environs.
Established by Bernhard Merzenich in 1896, make it your first stop on your way to the Cathedral. Try signatures like nougat pretzel, Röggelchen rye buns, and Rhenish black bread.
Established by Bernhard Merzenich in 1896, make it your first stop on your way to the Cathedral. Try signatures like nougat pretzel, Röggelchen rye buns, and Rhenish black bread.
0.2 mi
5 min
10:3045 min
Cologne Cathedral
Church
Open Details
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is open to tourists but, please note that, as a working place of worship, daily masses are also held.
Germany's most-visited landmark is a feat of Gothic architecture and hits the top spot for good reason. Not only is it the second-highest structure in the city (behind the Colonius telecommunications tower), but it is the tallest twin-spired church on the planet.
You may also book guided tours online.
Germany's most-visited landmark is a feat of Gothic architecture and hits the top spot for good reason. Not only is it the second-highest structure in the city (behind the Colonius telecommunications tower), but it is the tallest twin-spired church on the planet.
You may also book guided tours online.
0.5 mi
15 min
11:4515 min
Hohenzollern Bridge
Bridge
Open Details
This bridge across the Rhine dates back to 1911, but despite being the busiest railway bridge in the country, its fame relates to the accompanying pedestrian route.
A recent custom of leaving padlocks dedicated to your beloved has become increasingly popular with tourists, and in 2015 it was estimated that there was over half a million locks attached to the bridge. Take a walk over and see them for yourself!
A recent custom of leaving padlocks dedicated to your beloved has become increasingly popular with tourists, and in 2015 it was estimated that there was over half a million locks attached to the bridge. Take a walk over and see them for yourself!
0.4 mi
10 min
12:1030 min
Peters Brauhaus
Brewery
Open Details
This traditional Brauhaus showcases the famed Cologne warmth, with welcoming staff serving up local specialities either on a plate or in a tankard.
You'll find plenty of regional faves including Halve Hahn, a rye bread roll covered with Gouda cheese and pickles, and Himmel und Erde, a fried black pudding with onions, mashed potatoes, and apple compote.
You'll find plenty of regional faves including Halve Hahn, a rye bread roll covered with Gouda cheese and pickles, and Himmel und Erde, a fried black pudding with onions, mashed potatoes, and apple compote.
0.6 mi
15 min
13:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Once you've finished your lunch, take the short walk back to your car - it's time to head north of the city, ahead of an interesting journey east over the Rhine.
1.8 mi
10 min
13:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
On the banks of the Rhine River and within walking distance of the Botanical Garden and cable car stop, this is another well-located car park with plenty of parking spaces.
0.3 mi
5 min
14:0045 min
Flora and Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
Open Details
Situated right next to Cologne's Zoo (which is an alternative option if you're making the trip with young children), the Flora Botanical Garden is a beautiful space in which to enjoy the early afternoon.
You'll walk through an Italian Renaissance garden with a spectacular cascade, the Flora Temple, English-style gardens, and four exhibition greenhouses showcasing exotic and tropical plants.
You'll walk through an Italian Renaissance garden with a spectacular cascade, the Flora Temple, English-style gardens, and four exhibition greenhouses showcasing exotic and tropical plants.
0.3 mi
10 min
15:0010 min
Kölner Seilbahn Zoo Station
Cable Car
Open Details
Now for a real treat. Here at the Kölner Seilbahn cable car station, you will find the most fun way to cross the Rhine and the best views of the city. The journey takes less than ten minutes, so have your camera primed and ready for some spectacular shots from on high!
For ticket prices and timetable information, visit the website.
For ticket prices and timetable information, visit the website.
0.8 mi
20 min
15:305 min
Kölner Seilbahn Park Station
Cable Car
Open Details
Disembark from the cable car to find yourself on the east side of the Rhine. You'll be back here shortly to make the return trip, but not before enjoying Cologne's cityscape from another angle.
0.4 mi
10 min
15:4530 min
Rheinpark
Park
Open Details
If you'd like to take in some of the views from east of the river before making the journey back, this 40-hectare stretch along the riverbank is a perfect spot.
During the summer, this park is a magnet for sporty types playing football, rollerblading, and jogging on the lawns.
Should you have kids with you, there are also a handful of playgrounds, a small train, and a minigolf course.
During the summer, this park is a magnet for sporty types playing football, rollerblading, and jogging on the lawns.
Should you have kids with you, there are also a handful of playgrounds, a small train, and a minigolf course.
0.4 mi
10 min
16:305 min
Kölner Seilbahn Park Station
Cable Car
Open Details
It's time to head back to the station for your trip back across. Remember to check timetable information before your trip on the official website.
0.8 mi
20 min
17:005 min
Kölner Seilbahn Zoo Station
Cable Car
Open Details
Once you've made the 930-metre journey back over the Rhine, return to the car park.
Make sure to take into account the likelihood of traffic at this time and plan well in advance before making any restaurant reservations. But once back to your car, it's time to head for dinner.
Make sure to take into account the likelihood of traffic at this time and plan well in advance before making any restaurant reservations. But once back to your car, it's time to head for dinner.
3.6 mi
20 min
17:451 hr
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Restaurant
Open Details
Bei Oma Kleinmann translates as "At Grandma Kleinmann's" and it describes itself as "a loud, old lady with a wild heart".
The home of the Schnitzel, you'll find dozens of varieties of the breadcrumb-coated delight – including vegetarian alternatives – to be washed down with Kölsch beer.
As you can imagine, it's a popular pick among visitors and locals, so make sure to book in advance online.
Save some room after your schnitzel feast because you can't leave Cologne without a sweet treat from another local hit.
The home of the Schnitzel, you'll find dozens of varieties of the breadcrumb-coated delight – including vegetarian alternatives – to be washed down with Kölsch beer.
As you can imagine, it's a popular pick among visitors and locals, so make sure to book in advance online.
Save some room after your schnitzel feast because you can't leave Cologne without a sweet treat from another local hit.
1.1 mi
10 min
19:0015 min
Ice Cream United
Ice Cream Shop
Open Details
This place on Brüsseler Street is inspired by two of Germany's great loves: football, and ice cream.
The Spaghetti Classico features vanilla ice cream, homemade strawberry sauce, white chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
They even do ice cream burgers here, featuring two scoops of your chosen ice cream crammed insight a brioche bun. Off-street parking is available.
The Spaghetti Classico features vanilla ice cream, homemade strawberry sauce, white chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
They even do ice cream burgers here, featuring two scoops of your chosen ice cream crammed insight a brioche bun. Off-street parking is available.
14.8 mi
30 min
19:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Use the car park next to the Neuland park, where you can relax and polish off the experience of an eventful road trip.
0.5 mi
10 min
20:0045 min
Neuland Park
Park
Open Details
This 25-hectare park is a hive of activity, even late into the evening.
Enjoy a post-meal stroll alongside the Rhine and take in the merry sight of skateboarders, climbers, and mini golfers, before hitting the road for the final leg back.
Enjoy a post-meal stroll alongside the Rhine and take in the merry sight of skateboarders, climbers, and mini golfers, before hitting the road for the final leg back.