Cologne Hotels
CologneWith a population of approximately one million people, the city of Cologne is a metropolis by anyone’s standards. It sits along the world famous River Rhine, and survived the ravages of Second World War to become one of the most economically important and architecturally beautiful cities in Europe. First of all, obviously, since it’s in Germany, Cologne is known for its local beer, called Kolsch, which can be had at every bar or pub in the city, and is celebrated annually with the Cologne “Beer Fair”. Cologne is also full of some of the most beautiful buildings in Europe, including the St. Martin Church and the outstanding Cologne Cathedral. Boat tours in open-air boats cruise down the Rhine, showing off the city’s stunning skyline (which includes the cathedral, of course, and the beautiful bridges which span the river itself). This is a delightful way to see the whole city at once. In the city itself, there are no fewer than twelve Roman era churches, Cologne University, and the lesser known but still important and beautiful Farina House, which is the birthplace of Eau de Cologne, the name of which has become synonymous with scents of all kinds. Cologne has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are museums galore in Cologne, each with a speciality, including the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum of medieval art, the Museum Ludwig of modern art, and the grim but significant EL-DE Haus, the former local headquarters of the Gestapo, which has been turned into a museum documenting Nazi rule in Cologne during the war. Obviously such a city offers the very best in shopping and dining, and it offers both at a world class level, from huge establishments to the smallest boutiques and bistros. The biggest festival in Cologne is the Cologne Carnival, which begins in November, and lasts all the way to Ash Wednesday! It has parades, shows, and of course lots of beer. This is a huge tourist attraction, and hotel reservations for this time need to be made well in advance.
Bridge and Cathedral in Köln by boronat ![]() Photos provided by |
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