2 Days in Cologne Germany + Bonus Day Trip Itinerary

Planning a quick trip to Cologne (Köln), Germany? With its iconic Gothic cathedral, vibrant old town, riverside promenades, and world-class museums, Cologne is the perfect city for a short European getaway. This 2-day Cologne itinerary covers the must-see sights, where to eat and drink, and how to make the most of your time in this historic Rhine River city.

I met my friend Rahel in high school when she came from Germany to Canada to do an exchange program! In 2017, a group of us went to visit her in Berlin and Cologne, where we then left her to go visit Amsterdam. I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade – where does the time go!?

Table of Contents

Quick Facts: Visiting Cologne
Day 1: Cologne’s Historic Core and Riverside Vibes
Day 2: Art, Culture, and Quirky Finds
Christmas Markets
Story Time
Bonus Day Trip from Cologne: Burg Eltz, Moselle Valley and Bavarian Eats

Quick Facts: Visiting Cologne

Location: Cologne (Köln), North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Getting There: Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), or high-speed train from Frankfurt, Brussels, or Amsterdam
Getting Around: Easy to explore on foot or with the KVB transit system
Best Time to Visit: Spring (May–June) and Fall (September) for mild weather and fewer crowds
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: German (but English widely spoken in tourist areas)

Day 1: Cologne’s Historic Core and Riverside Vibes

Morning: Explore Old Town

Start your day in Old Town: the heart of Cologne. Here you’ll find the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited landmarks in Germany. Climb the 533 steps to the tower platform for panoramic views of the city.

Wander through the Altstadt (Old Town), with its charming cobbled streets, pastel-colored buildings, and historic squares. Don’t miss Alter Markt and Heumarkt, where you’ll find plenty of cafés and shops.

Lunch: Café Rico or Brauhaus Sion

Grab lunch at Café Rico or Brauhaus Sion, a traditional Cologne brewery serving hearty Rhineland fare and fresh Kölsch beer.

Afternoon: Stroll the Rhine & Visit the Chocolate Museum

Take a walk along the Rheinpromenade, passing the modern architecture of the Rheinauhafen district and the iconic Kranhäuser buildings.

Stop at the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) for a sweet (and educational) break. It even includes a chocolate fountain!

Evening: Sunset Views & Kölsch Culture

Head to Hohenzollern Bridge for sunset and see the famous love locks.

Have dinner at Früh am Dom and try Himmel un Ääd (mashed potatoes and apple sauce with black pudding). Wash it down with a crisp Kölsch beer, served in its signature stangen glass.

The Cologne Triangle Tower is another fantastic lookout point in Cologne, close to Hohenzollern Bridge. Pay to take an elevator to the top and for a view of Cologne from above.

Day 2: Art, Culture, and Quirky Finds

Morning: Museum Ludwig and Roman History

Start at Museum Ludwig, home to one of Europe’s best modern art collections, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein.

Roman-Germanic Museum is a must-see for history buffs with its Roman mosaics and ancient artifacts from Cologne’s early days.

Lunch: Café Reichard or Well Being

Try Café Reichard for a historic café experience with cathedral views, or go vegan at Well Being nearby.

Afternoon: Belgian Quarter and Shopping

Spend your afternoon exploring the Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel). This is Cologne’s trendiest neighborhood, packed with indie boutiques, art galleries, and quirky street art. It’s also the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee at The Coffee Gang or an Aperol spritz on a patio.

Optional detour: NS Documentation Centre

If you’re into WWII history, visit NS Documentation Centre, a powerful museum and memorial housed in a former Gestapo prison.

Evening: Panorama Dinner and Nightlife

Wrap up your trip with a sunset dinner at Osman 30, a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic city views.

Finish the evening in Ehrenfeld, Cologne’s edgier nightlife district.

Christmas Markets

The Christmas Markets originated in Germany and are still the best to this day. In Cologne there are markets set up all around the city in different neighbourhoods. A lot of the markets have similar vendors and they all serve glühwein (mulled wine). It warms you up from the inside out (it’s warming me up now just thinking about it).

Each market is unique but filled with cozy charm:

Handmade ornaments, holiday décor, and sweet treats
Food like currywurst and potato pancakes
Drinks like glühwein, tea, and German spirits

Cologne Christmas Market in front of a skating rink

Story Time

When I was visiting in 2017, we had paid to store our luggage at the train station, and then wander the area bag free. We got to the station about 20 minutes early but our ticket wasn’t working to collect our baggage. At the service desk they informed us that it would be about an hour before maintenance could come and take a look at the luggage dispenser. We all started getting a little nervous and split up. Our ticket worked with 2 minutes to spare and we were absolutely panicking! We yelled to find each other, grabbed our bags and run to the platform with our bags flying. Our friend from Cologne runs ahead to hold the train up for us: we run up the stairs and the train is beeping at her trying to close the door to leave. We rush in, drop our bags on the train & as the door closes our friend says “It’s better this way!” as we drive away from the platform. Literally out of a movie, right?!

Bonus Day Trip from Cologne: Burg Eltz, Moselle Valley and Bavarian Eats

Burg Eltz is a castle about a 1.5 hour drive from Cologne. The castle itself closes for winter, but you can walk from the parking lot down a footpath to the castle and then up the road back to the parking lot. It’s a wonderful walk with even better views! There are a few hiking trails in the area as well, so you could spend a good day here.

On the way back to Cologne from Burg Eltz, drive along the Moselle River to Koblenz. Cafe Werrmann is a classic, and if you’ve planned it right and visiting during the Christmas season, you can wander through their Christmas market.

End the day trip at Rhein Alm in Bonn: an iconic bavarian restaurant. The food is incredible, the beer is delicious and the atmosphere is a perfect German setting. If you get a chance, make sure to stop by: you won’t regret it!