The Best of Cologne, Germany

• Visit Cologne Cathedral. Stroll through the cathedral and marvel at the stained glass windows. For those who don’t mind a challenge, scale the 500 steps to see the iconic views. Go in the morning before the crowds arrive to ensure you can climb at your own pace.

• Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge and see the locks of those who have crossed before you.

• Stroll through the Belgium District but make reservations for bars and restaurants before you go. Can be very busy on the weekends!

• Can’t miss the Museum Ludwig that hosts work from Picasso. Plan to explore the perimeter of the museum, where you’ll find red bricks that symbolize all of the Holocaust victims. Follow the bricks down the stairs or towards the bridge – the number of bricks will surprise you.

• Keep your eyes peeled for the plaques scattered among the cobblestones, referred locally as “stumbling stones.” Each plaque begins with “HERE LIVED” followed by the individual’s name, date of birth and fate. This started in Cologne and today there are more than 70,000 plaques around the world in over 2,000 towns.

• No visit to Cologne is complete without a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Get tickets in advance and be prepared to gorge on more chocolate than you could even imagine. If you see a staff member with a bag of chocolates wandering around, ask them a question – they love to be in a conversation, and it always ends with more chocolate for you!

• Spend an afternoon exploring the quaint Old Town and snap photos of the colorful houses. Wear flat shoes as the cobblestone streets are uneven.

• Head to the Cologne Triangle just before sunset to see the most amazing view, looking across the Rhine, back at Cologne.

Restaurants

Il Bagutta
Sit in back in the garden – and if you like truffle pasta, it’s an absolute must!

Meister Gerhard
Order the bread and dips. This Mediterranean gem is worth the wait.

Gilden im Zims
Weather permitting, sit outside and watch the crowds walk through Old Town. The sausages are all amazing and the schnitzel is crispy and wonderful. Order the local beer, but know that if it is close to empty and you don’t cover it with a coaster, you will be brought another.

Bars

THE BEST bar in all of Cologne, Ona Mor, will be someplace you’ll want to go back to each night you are there. The bartenders are friendly, creative and serve you magical drinks in unique drinkware. Don’t know what to order? Simply tell them what you like, what you don’t and what you might be in the mood for. You will not be disappointed.