Cologne, Germany is a quaint little town on the western side of Germany. It's about 45 minutes from the border of Belgium and The Netherlands. Though it is a tourist town, to me, it didn't feel like one. Maybe it was because I traveled in the middle of the pandemic or because they passed new policies about the covid restrictions during my stay but it didn't seem that there were many tourists out and about when I was there.
I stayed in Cologne for 5 days. I originally planned to stay for 2 but I fell in love with the city and I wanted to explore as much as possible. I typically don't enjoy doing the typical touristy things. When I went to New York, I didn't really care to go to the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. I really just wanted to get an understanding and feeling of living there. I want to find a cheap bar 30 minutes away from the city, where you would typically throw a party or go after a long day. That is the goal of any travel experience for me.
Filled with colorful buildings, historical markers, and views of the river, there are many different things that can be done in Cologne. Here is a list of things that I LOVED when I was in Cologne.
Cologne Cathedral: I think every single article I read to prepare myself for this trip had this on their list. This cathedral, though, has a lot of history and is absolutely stunning. Pretty much anywhere in Cologne, you will see a bit or piece of the cathedral in the background. But the inside is also absolutely gorgeous. It is a living, working, breathing church that still holds mass but it also has a museum inside. The museum has places to sit as well and candles you can light for prayer. It also has many different statues, stained glass, and plaques symbolizing the importance and history of the cathedral.
Cologne Old Town:
Again, this is a touristy place again. However, this is a park area. This is a park-like area that houses green grass, sitting areas, and shops that stretch about half a mile. It houses old and refurbished architectural buildings with shops and restaurants that are widely praised in Cologne. Normally I look down on going to parks for sightseeing but this space is incredibly relaxing and offers many things to do. I went when it was winter time and there were still so many people who went out for picnics or who brought out blankets and lounged around.
Cafe Barista:
I don't care what anyone says. Cafe Barista is a must. It is MUCH better than Backwerk. While Backwerk delivered pastries and other small meals, Backwerk lacked creativity and atmosphere. Cafe barista offered stellar and quality pastries and coffees. The atmosphere of the cafe was a perfect combination of floral decorations, pink colors, and natural wood. It was evident that Backwerk was more common, offering convenience style options (think gas station), however, cafe barista offered a more homely feel with more quality tasty products.
Belgian Quarter:
This is a super cute little neighborhood that has little shops, bakeries, and breweries around. This neighborhood seems off the path of tourist attractions and is filled with many more locals than downtown Cologne. The Belgian quarter has beautiful sights to see as well as french architecture. It's really a sight to see if you're in the area or take a day trip out there.
Bars:
So Cologne has an amazing nightlife. Not just in downtown Cologne but pretty much anywhere you are, you can find a great pub to spend the evening. There are many different bars and nightclubs throughout the city. So it's not surprising to know that there's a pub crawl that is offered to hit up nightclubs, German beer and wine, exotic drinks and help gain experience of Cologne city.
Cable Cars:
When I was out and about in Cologne Germany, I kept seeing these cable cars and I was so confused. Upon more research, Cologne has this cable car system that is designed to span over major sights and views, memorable landscapes, and rivers. If you want to see many different sights from the air, cable cars are the way to go.
Schloss Dyck Castle:
Now, I wasn't able to go to this location due to covid restrictions. However, I was able to view the outside on a train while coming back to Cologne. It was GORGEOUS. It was huge and yellow. I knew there was a rich history here just through the looks of it. The garden outside looked beautiful as well but again, I didn't actually go and see it. Next time in the area, I know for sure that I would like to see this in person.
Christmas:
Now I haven't been to the city during Christmas time but I have heard wonderful things about the city in December. Cologne has a beautiful Christmas market that holds many different traditions dating back to 1820. From decor to lights, to activities, to booths and shops, the Christmas market in cologne is a great way to spend time with family or friends you are with or get to know more about the traditions of Old Cologne.
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