Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Cologne

Cologne is the largest city in western Germany and sits on the Rhine River, blending 2,000 years of history. Once the Roman provincial capital called Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, it later became a major medieval trade center. The city’s most famous landmark is the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage site with twin spires reaching 157 meters. The cathedral survived 262 bombing raids during World War II and became a symbol of resilience for both Allied pilots and those who rebuilt the city. Today, about 1.08 million people live in Cologne, which is known for its special "Kölsche Jeföhl"—a relaxed, humorous, and welcoming spirit that’s different from the usual Prussian image. Cologne is the cultural heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, famous for its lively Carnival (especially the Rosenmontag parade in February, which draws 1.5 million people), its protected Kölsch beer (served in small glasses by blue-aproned Köbes waiters), and its Old Town, where pastel-colored buildings hide Roman ruins and medieval squares. Free walking tours from Freetour.com, starting at the Eigelstein-Torburg gate or Heumarkt’s riverside breweries, help visitors explore the city’s many layers, from Romanesque churches and Hanseatic League history to the destruction of WWII and the city’s modern revival. Today, you can visit the Lindt Chocolate Museum, walk along the Rhine promenade, see the love-locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge, and stop by more than 300 Brauhäuser that keep Cologne’s brewing traditions alive.