I have lived in Cologne for over 5 years. While I may have not have been to every possible location, I have a few places I would recommend for tourists or any person visiting the city.

1. Visit the Dom

It’s hard to miss the cathedral. It’s the tallest building downtown, and it looms over you as soon as you step outside the main train station. Just checking out the architecture from outside is already impressive, but you can also usually go inside. Additionally, you can pay 4€ to go up a very narrow spiral staircase to view the city from up top.

It’s also really nice at night when it is illuminated. When I am downtown at night, I still like to check it out.

 

2. Cross the Hohenzollernbrücke

This is the bridge between the two main train stations, the “main” station and Messe/Deutz. It offers a nice view of the city and is completely covered with love locks.

 

3. Get a beer

Cologne is famous for it’s Kölsch beer, which you can find in practically every bar. I recently went on a Kölsch tour, sampling many of the local beers. That being said, one of my favorite bars is the Biermuseum, which isn’t actually a museum but a bar with an extensive beer offering.

My other favorite bar is the Abhörbar, or the “Eavesdrop bar.”

It is heavily themed like Cold War USSR, and vodka is heavily featured it the cocktails. It’s small but cozy, and the Maxim Gurki is one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had.

4. Go to a museum

Cologne has a lot of museums one can visit, but I think the Ludwig Museum is one of my favorites.

It features a lot of pop art, but it’s a nice change from the many classic art offerings one typically finds in Europe.
That being said, there are plenty of other funky museums in Cologne including the Senf (mustard) museum as well as the Chocolate museum.

5. Visit a park

Germany is pretty good about keeping the cities green with gardens and fields. During the summer, Aachener Weiher is really nice to visit and hang out and enjoy a beer with friends. Even more green is the Königsforst, which I really like.

A small forest at the very edge of the city which you can reach with the subway, it’s accessible and allows you to walk in relative solitude when you need a break from the city.