I spent a couple of days in Cologne, Germany, during a larger trip that also took me through the Czech Republic. Though my time there was short, it was one of those cities that made an impression on me. Grand Gothic architecture and the wide Rhine River cutting through the city made it an enjoyable place to sightsee.
Beyond the most famous landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, I spotted so many fascinating architectural marvels. Cologne felt elegant, a mix of historic beauty and chic, modern designs. The overall atmosphere felt stylish in an unexpected way, and for just a short stay, it left me intrigued to see more.
The Cologne Cathedral
My host in Cologne recommended that I start with visiting the iconic Cologne Cathedral. It’s the center of the city, a huge building that made me feel nothing but awestruck when I arrived in its shadow. The large size makes it feel almost overwhelming, and I thought it was strange to see so many people passing through the square in front of this massive cathedral so casually.
As I learned on a city walking tour, this UNESCO World Heritage site is hundreds of years old, and the construction process lasted from the 13th century to the 19th century. Looking at the intricate architecture on that overcast day, I was impressed with the scale of it. The cathedral dominates the entire skyline, demanding your attention. Arches, carvings, and spires that make up the facade of the Cologne Cathedral appeared so intricate that we spent a while just admiring it from every angle outside.
For my trip to Cologne, this cathedral was really the identifying factor and what made this German city feel so enchanting and powerful. It’s a centuries-old monument that makes up a core part of Cologne, and I felt like trying to capture its glory in just a few photos or videos was impossible because it simply couldn’t fit in two dimensions.
Going inside the cathedral was free, and upon entering, I gazed around at the beautiful stained glass windows and stone walls and pillars that stretched up around me. It felt echoey and elegant, and I stopped to admire countless paintings that hung on the wall. The decor was ornate and intricate, yet the inside of the cathedral felt powerful and sturdy thanks to the enormous gray stone walls. The combination of art and architecture made it truly memorable to me.
City Vibe & German Snacks
I was way too excited to find pretzels and enjoy that snack after exploring the cathedral. Going around the square, I saw plenty of bakeries with delicious-looking pastries, bread loaves, pretzels, and more baked items that I would’ve loved to try if I had more time.
For lunch, I settled on a unique find: döner kebab, a common fast-casual food pick in Cologne that my host recommended I try. After taking the first few messy bites, I quickly saw why this Turkish food item was so popular there and why I saw so many döner kebab joints. The seasoned meat, veggies, and garlic-flavored sauce inside warm flatbread made for the perfect hearty meal.
Chocolate Museum & the Hohenzollern Bridge
One surprise stop was to a chocolate museum: Schokoladenmuseum Köln. The massive, architecturally beautiful museum sits right on the bank of the Rhine, overlooking other sleek buildings. Walking inside the museum, I was amazed at the huge windows with river views, and the precise layout of the different parts ot the museum showcasing historical chocolate-industry items and informational exhibitions.
Sadly, the huge chocolate fountain inside the museum was closed for sanitation reasons, so I didn’t get to partake in that experience. As a staff member explained, usually guests have the chance to dip something in the chocolate fountain. But thankfully, I did leave with a couple of delicious chocolate samples.
Close to the museum was an attractive bridge extending from one bank to the next, tall enough to allow boats to pass underneath. The Hohenzollern Bridge, as I later found out, is a signature bridge in Cologne. And since it caught my eye, I made it a point to stop by after the chocolate museum. To my surprise, I saw that there were thousands of locks on the bridge: love locks, like those on the famous Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. The river and city views in the background made for a visually striking scene.
I couldn’t stop by Germany without having some classic German food. On the opposite side of the river, I found a traditional brewery restaurant (a brauhaus). The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Inside, dark wood was accented by minimal decor, and when I looked up at the ceiling, I saw beer mugs dangling like Christmas ornaments. And the food was hearty and delicious: schnitzel and Kölsch (Cologne’s signature beer).
A Short Stay in Cologne
The beauty of spending a short time in Cologne was that I got to see the most striking highlights without pressure since they’re easily accessible. It was completely possible to glimpse the most iconic places and even savor some German food before continuing on the rest of my European trip. My verdict was that visiting Cologne can be a beautiful part of a trip to Germany or Europe, and a chance to see some gorgeous Gothic architecture and modern marvels that I still appreciate to this day.
