Cologne Old Town (Altstadt) Tours
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Stretching along the west bank of the Rhine River and presided over by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town (Altstadt) is both the navigational and historical heart of Cologne. With its colorful old buildings, beautiful Romanesque churches, and scenic riverside promenades, it’s an obvious starting point for any exploration of the city.
The Basics
No Cologne sightseeing tour is complete without a visit to Old Town landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Join a walking tour and learn more about the city’s history from your tour guide; admire the views on a cruise along the Rhine River; or explore independently on a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
Cologne’s main Visitor Information Center is located outside the cathedral in the Old Town.
There are free Wi-Fi spots located around the Old Town.
Most of the attractions in the Old Town are wheelchair accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.
There are free Wi-Fi spots located around the Old Town.
Most of the attractions in the Old Town are wheelchair accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.
How to Get There
Most of Cologne’s main attractions, hotels, and restaurants are located in or around the Old Town, so it’s impossible to miss the neighborhood. The main Köln Hauptbahnhof train station sits just north of the cathedral. From the cathedral, trams run to nearby sights such as the Rheinauhafen and the Chocolate Museum.
When to Get There
Whether you visit during the day as part of a city tour or after dark to drink or dine along the riverfront, Cologne’s historic center is lively at all hours. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months (July and August), when attractions like the cathedral can get busy; get an early start if you want to escape the crowds. Alternatively, Cologne is at its most atmospheric during the annual Carnival or over the winter holidays, when the Old Town hosts some of Germany’s best Christmas markets.
A walking tour of Cologne Old Town
Start your walking tour outside the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, then head to the riverfront to see the Hohenzollern Bridge and stroll along the waterfront. Stop to see Museum Ludwig and Great St. Martin’s Church, then head west to the Alter Market, where you can visit a traditional brauhaus (brew-pub) to sample a Kolsch beer. Continue to the Neumarkt, one of the main shopping centers, stopping along the way to see the Heinzelmännchen fountain and the Tünnes and Schäl statues, then visit the Farina Museum to learn more about Cologne’s perfume-making history.
Address: Germany
Admission: Free
3 Tours & Activities to Experience
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$50.58 USD
Cologne Christmas Sunday Brunch Cruise
- Enjoy festive celebrations in the heart of Germany on this 2.5-hour Christmas Sunday brunch cruise in Cologne. Hop aboard your sightseeing boat in Cologne’s Old Town, and enjoy a welcome drink of sparkling wine or orange juice. Cruise out onto the Rhine River as Christmas music fills the air. Gaze over top attractions such as the UNESCO–listed Cologne Cathedral, the bustling Old Town and the marina of Rheinauhafen. Sit down to a delicious buffet brunch of eggs, cold meats, pasta, and fish as the city drifts slowly past outside.
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$27.25 USD
Cologne Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise
- Explore the best of Cologne on this narrated, hop-on hop-off, double-decker bus tour. Visit many of Cologne’s top attractions — like Cologne Cathedral and Cologne City Hall, plus visit the Old Town district, bustling Roncalliplatz, the historic Alter Markt square and much more. Select the 1-day pass, then board at any of the 16 stops and get to know this landmark of High Gothic architecture in customized fashion, with live onboard commentary in English and German. Audio guides in nine languages also available. A 1-hour Rhine River sightseeing cruise is included.
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$80.09 USD
Private Tour: Cologne City Highlights
- Visit the beautiful city of Cologne on this private, guided, 2-hour sightseeing tour. Enjoy personalized attention while learning about the history of the city, a landmark of High Gothic architecture set amidst the reconstructed Old Town. See the Cologne Cathedral, Germany’s most-visited site, the Romanesque Catholic Great St. Martin Church, plus visit bustling Roncalliplatz, the historic Alter Markt square and much more. A Cologne hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
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