Cologne Holiday Packages, Deals & City Breaks by Fred.\

Destinations » Germany » Cologne Travel Guide

Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities, is a vibrant metropolis famous for its historic gems and vivacious carnival celebrations. The twin spires of the Gothic cathedral tower over the heart of the charming Old Town and its countless cultural and historical treasures.

From bustling bars and restaurants to peaceful gardens and museums, Cologne is a colourful city with a lively atmosphere - perfect for a cultural city break as well as an excellent starting point for exploring the nearby Rhine Valley. As Germany's fourth largest city Cologne is a famous Mecca for shopping lovers. The world feels at home in Cologne - this lively and cosmopolitan city has something for everyone!

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Cologne, from hotels to apartments and hostels. Alongside regular flights to the city from many major airports, and excellent train routes, Cologne is an extremaly accessible location with many tours and packages to keep tourists entertained.

Please Note: As of the 1st October 2010 the City of Cologne began to charge a culture tax of 5% to guests staying in hotels in the area. This will be charged locally by the hotel - please contact us for more information.

For more information and to book, please visit the Cologne City Break page

Map
Shopping
Eating
Essentials
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All the big department stores and designer shops can be found on Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse. A variety of stylish boutiques are located on Ehrenstrasse and Breite Strasse, while Mittelstrasse and Pfeilstrasse are popular for their exclusive designer outlets. Cologne is also emerging as the capital of contemporary art in Germany, and lately the city seems to be brimming with galleries.

Main shopping areas:

Schildergasse

The most popular shopping street of the city with many fashion and shoe shops.

Neumarkt Passage

For more exclusive shops head to Neumarkt Passage at Neumarkt Square.

Apostelnstrasse

Apostelnstrasse is a small, yet elegant shopping street in the heart of Cologne.

Department Store:

Peek & Cloppenburg

One of Germany's leading clothing retailer situated in a very uniquely designed building.

Art Galleries:

Galerie der Spiegel

The gallery that launched Cologne as a centre for art.

Galerie Michael Werner

An excellent gallery for both modern and experimental art which sells contemporary European, particularly German, painters.

Früh am Dom

This Cologne favourite by the Dom is a great choice to get a taste of traditional German dining. Enjoy a local brew and dine on hearty Rhineland meals of meats and vegetables. Locals say every visitor to the city must eat at least one meal here to get a flavour of the city.

Weinhaus Brungs

This restaurant is located in Cologne's city centre with a beautiful wooden interior and a leafy open-air terrace serving excellent Rhine and Moselle wines as well as tasty regional cuisine.

Café Extrablatt

A very popular restaurant with locals and tourists alike in the heart of Cologne. The Sunday brunch will fill you up until supper.

Cologne Cathedral

A listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cologne Gothic Cathedral has been the city's famous landmark and one of Germany's most visited architectural monuments for centuries.

Cologne Old Town

The many colourful houses and narrow cobbled streets of Cologne's charming Old Town as well as the countless restaurants, bars and shops make this part of the city one of the most popular places to spend some time.

Rhine Promenade

Stroll along the Rhine and have a Kölsch (local beer) in one of the typical breweries along the way.

Cologne Philharmonie

This impressive building reveals Cologne's avid love for music. Located in the city centre, it is well worth a visit to take in the atmosphere and beauty of this magnificent concert hall.

Museum Ludwig

This stunning museum is the home of one of the world's largest collections of the works of Pablo Picasso. The museum is also home to a great collection of modern art from Dalí to Warhol. The American Pop Art collection rivals the Guggenheim Museum in New York.