10 Things to Do in Cologne on a Small Budget

Cologne Cathedral (or Kölner Dom) is among Germany’s favorite landmarks, partially because of its popularity with Christian pilgrims. Since 1164, the site has been the home of the reliquary of the Three Kings – the wise men who traveled from the east to deliver gifts to Jesus. The mighty Gothic cathedral by the main train station can be a little cramped with so many visitors inside, but it still has a real sense of awe about it, both inside and out.

Cologne’s city hall is the oldest in Germany, but various additions across over 9 centuries have created a curious patchwork of architectural design. The historical building just south of the cathedral is beautiful both inside and out. A guided tour is recommended to help point out and explain the more interesting details, but you can also look around on your own for free. Take a close look at the 130 stone statues on the exterior and see if you can spot the one cheekily showing his bottom, or see the famous Platzjabbeck – an ugly face which sticks out its wooden tongue when the clock tower strikes the hour.

Located right next to Cologne Zoo, in the north of the city, the Flora und Botanischer Garten is home to more than 10,000 species of plants. The 11.5-hectare park contains several greenhouses which recreate tropical environments, allowing them to house exotic crops like sugarcane, cocoa and vanilla. There’s also a cactus house, a Mediterranean garden and a splendid Italian Renaissance garden. The result is a popular place for visitors and locals to relax.

The lively Old Town (or Altstadt) is one of the star attractions of Cologne. The winding cobbled streets are lined with interesting shops and historical buildings. Given that much of the city was levelled during the Second World War, the Altstadt is an interesting combination of preserved and restored structures, but it still retains its bustling atmosphere, especially during the Christmas market or the Cologne Carnival. Look out for the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen on Am Hof. The attractive fountain built in 1899 depicts the gnomes said to have done all the city’s work while the people slept, but who left forever when they were insulted.

The Rhinepark, as the name suggests, is on the bank of the River Rhine, in the north of Cologne. It spans an impressive 40 hectares and, while quite a lot of that space is open lawns, there are some unique features to explore. There’s a children’s playground, an opera house, an open-air theatre, a cable car station, a spa, a couple of restaurants and even a beach club on the sandy shore of the river. The paths which criss-cross the park are popular with joggers and rollerbladers while the riverfront offers great views of the Old Town and the cathedral.

St. Maria im Kapitol is the largest of the 12 Romanesque churches in Cologne. The beautiful historical building near the Deutzer Bridge dates back as far as the 11th century and, amazingly, it still has the original wooden doors installed in 1046. The church was built on the site of a Roman temple and you can still see its foundations in the crypt. Other noteworthy features and artworks include a striking statue of Mary from 1300.

Towards the outskirts of Cologne, to the west of the Old Town, Ehrenfeld is one of the historical city’s more cool and contemporary neighborhoods. The roads around the Ehrenfeld train station are home to some large murals, covering entire walls in color. The CityLeaks Festival hits the area every September, taking over the local art spaces – of which there are quite a few in Ehrenfeld – along with exhibitions and tours of the nearby urban art.

Cologne was originally protected by walls built by the Romans, which were then upgraded in the Middle Ages. Of the 12 old city gates, few are still standing, among the biggest and most impressive of them being the Severinstorburg at Chlodwigplatz. It’s a very impressive structure, proudly wearing the city’s coat of arms, and is often used as a wedding venue. You can also see a few of the old Roman round towers dotted around the Old Town.

Perhaps the most striking of Cologne’s Romanesque churches, Groß St. Martin was severely damaged during the Second World War, but was restored to its original grandeur. The ruins of the Ancient Roman storehouse it was built upon are integrated into the walls of the towering riverside church. Surrounded by colorful houses and the lovely Rheingarten park, the Church of Great St. Martin has the look of a fairy-tale castle.

There are quite a few flea markets around Colonge and they continue to be popular with locals. Perhaps the best is the Kölner Südstadt Flohmarkt, held near the Volksgarten Park on 1 Sunday every month (usually the 1st one). The selection of goods on sale is very wide, ranging from antiques to old vinyl records and retro furniture. Prices tend to be fair and there’s usually a lively atmosphere.