Cologne > Cologne Attractions

Advantages: Location. Presentation. Diversity. Educational.
Disadvantages: Milk Chocolate Only! Very Crowded. Expensive Shop. Very Hot. No water to buy.

In preparation for our short break in Cologne last October, we had done just a little research in order that we might, in our two full days there, see as much as possible of the place. As is usual we drew up an "A" and "B" itinerary according to the weather, after all in October anywhere in Northern Europe it is quite likely to rain, wandering the streets of any city, no matter how historic, in the rain is a pretty miserable experience. On our "B" ...
...was a chocolate museum situated on the Rhine, very close to the Cathedral and city centre. Upon arrival in Cologne, it would appear that there is no escaping the Chocolate Museum, leaflets in the hotel, direction signs to it around the city and even a comprehensive mention on a river cruise as it passed by too. Thanks to these fairly hefty "plugs" the Chocolate Museum found its way to number one on our "must see" list on our second day in the city. ... Read review

Advantages: History. Scale. Drama. Art. Views. Free Admission.
Disadvantages: Crowds. Luggage.

...subject of this review as Cologne Cathedral, that being the familiar English term for it. If you wish to carry out further research you will also need to know the German title: "Kolner Dom". Two of my great interests in life are architecture and history; seldom do they merge better and in more spectacular style than in the great churches and cathedrals. Over the years I have enjoyed visiting virtually all of the cathedrals in England - many in Poland ...
...architecture, the iconic silhouette of Cologne Cathedral, with its truly colossal twin towers, will probably be familiar to many. Strengthening our desire to visit Cologne, had been the sight of this great cathedral from the A4 Autobahn each time that we had sped through the city en-route to Poland, twice a year every year since 2001. In October of last year at last the opportunity arose - we were in Lubeck for a friend's wedding and decided to ... Read review

Advantages: a great selection of modern art
Disadvantages: you have to pay to get in

this is a fantastic gallery/museum for any person with an interest in art. the building in itself is fantastic, spread over several floors, with permanent and visiting exhibitions. the basement floor is filled with pop art, they have some fantastic warhols, jasper johns, and lichtensteins, for the brits, they also have quite a selection of richard hamilton's work. on the other floors, there's quite a good picasso section, and a couple of pollocks ...
...especially in the visiting exhibitions. its a shame you have to pay to get in, but that does mean they have some high profile pieces. i found that there was enough range in the works exhibited to please everyone in my party. its right next to the station, so transport should not be an issue. a special mention to the restaurant, live jazz and the best apple strudel, surrounded by fine art, bliss! ... Read review

Advantages: A stunning example of culture and history
Disadvantages: Towers may be inaccessible to some

Background: Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of high Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1248, but due to a lack of funds and various disagreements concerning the work, the cathedral was only completed in 1880. The cathedral is renowned as one of Germany's prinicpal landmarks and has long been Colognes number 1 tourist attraction, featuring heavily in the city's unofficial logo. The Cathedral is the second largest Gothic structure in the ...
...recent history- the city of Cologne was almost completely flattened by Allied air raids during the Second World War, but the cathedral escaped intact. Minor structural damage has been replaced with a painstaking reconstruction of the northwest tower's base in order to keep the style authentic. External: The cathedral is dramatically imposed on the city's skyline and visitors approaching the city by road, river or rail will immediately be struck ... Read review

Advantages: a wealth of information for any chocolate lover
Disadvantages: your expanding waistline!

this museum is situated overlooking the river, it offers a complete background to the history of chocolate, including all the different types and flavours according to the country that produced it. also featured are the different processes that have been used over the decades in the production of chocolate, its really educational. but here is the best bit! you get to see chocolate been made that is on sale today, you can get really close to the ...
...see how it is made, and at the end of the tour is the biggest chocolate fountain you have ever seen with free samples of course!! i must mention the factory shop, we went at christmas time, and choosing gifts was really difficult as the shop sells so many types of chocolate and sweets, all which were truly delicious. if you've got a sweet tooth, this is a must see on a trip to cologne! ... Read review