hometogo.com has been visited by 100K+ users in the past month
HomeToGo®: Easy Multi-Site Price Comparison. Search and Save Up to 75% Now! Compare the Best Vacation Rentals in North Rhine-Westphalia from the Largest Selection.
Cologne - Discover the best flight deals and save on your travels. All airlines in one place, buy cheap, safe, and convenient.
fragrancenet.com has been visited by 10K+ users in the past month
FragranceNet.com offers a variety of designer perfume and colognes, all at discount prices. Vintage Designer Brands Perfumes Colognes Haircare Makeup Skincare & more at Low Prices
Ratings: Customer Service 4.5/5 - Product Selection 4.5/5 - Price 4.5/5 - Ease of Ordering 5/5Trains, Private Guides, Hotels. Customized Itinerary and Travel Tips. Book now! Enjoy a European trip of a lifetime. Choose tours, excursions, transport, hotels & more!
Search results
Cologne (/ k ə ˈ l oʊ n / ⓘ kə-LOHN; German: Köln ⓘ; Kölsch: Kölle ⓘ) is the largest city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and over 3.1 million people in the Cologne Bonn urban region.
Things to Do in Cologne, Germany: See Tripadvisor's 306,305 traveler reviews and photos of Cologne tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. We have reviews of the best places to see in Cologne. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Discover Cologne's attractions, from its famous cathedral to its art museums and chocolate museum. Learn about its history, culture and cuisine, and find tips on where to go and what to do in this vibrant city.
- Overview
- City site
- City layout
Cologne, fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land (state) of North Rhine–Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland.
Cologne’s commercial importance grew out of its position at the point where the huge traffic artery of the Rhine (German: Rhein) River intersected one of the major land routes for trade between western and eastern Europe. In the Middle Ages it also became an ecclesiastical centre of significance and an important centre of art and learning. This rich and varied heritage is still much in evidence in present-day Cologne, despite the almost complete destruction of the Inner City (Innenstadt) during World War II. Cologne is the seat of a university and the see of a Roman Catholic archbishop. Its cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996; it is the city’s major landmark and unofficial symbol. Area 156 square miles (405 square km). Pop. (2011) 1,005,775; (2021 est.) 1,073,096.
Cologne is situated about 21 miles (34 km) northwest of Bonn and 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Düsseldorf. It lies 210 feet (65 metres) above sea level, just below where the Rhine enters the fertile North German Plain. The river at this point is navigable to seagoing vessels. The immediate surroundings of Cologne are varied. The picturesque hills of the Bergisches Land lie to the east, while on the west is another group of hills forming a chain called the Ville. The North German Plain stretches away to the north and northwest, and the Rhine Valley winds to the southeast toward Bonn.
The greatest distance across the city from west to east is about 17 miles (27 km) and from north to south about the same. There are 85 districts, divided into nine Bezirke (city areas). Most of the city lies on the left (west) bank of the river, but it also incorporates a cluster of suburbs on the right bank, some of which were annexed in 1975. The climate of the region is temperate but humid. Average temperatures in the Cologne area are 36 °F (2 °C) in January and 64 °F (18 °C) in July.
The semicircular shape of the Inner City was originally determined by a defensive wall, 4 miles (6 km) long, that was completed in about 1200. The wall enclosed several formerly separate parishes and afforded protection for some 35,000 to 40,000 people. (At that time Cologne was bigger than Paris.) The flat side of the semicircle was formed by the Rhine. In the 1880s the medieval fortifications were demolished and replaced by a chain of ring roads, called the Ringstrassen.
Although Cologne has spread far beyond the confines of the Ringstrassen, its focal point is still within this area, the Inner City. There are found the main shopping and business streets—such as the Hohe Strasse (north-south) and Schildergasse (west-east), both of which have been closed to motor vehicles—as well as the city’s historic buildings. Several bridges span the river at Cologne; five of them were rebuilt after World War II, and the rest were postwar additions.
Special offer for students! Check out our special academic rate and excel this spring semester!
Learn More
People also ask
What is Cologne (Köln)?
What to do in Cologne Germany?
Where is Cologne located?
Is Cologne part of the Rhine-Ruhr region?
How to get to Cologne?
What is Cologne known for?
Learn what to do and see in Cologne, a city on the Rhine River in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Find tips on hotels, castles, tours, and more.
Here you will find everything you need to know for carefree days in Cologne. Experience exciting museums, enjoy a refreshing Kölsch beer in a rustic atmosphere or unwind at many great events.
Cologne is a city of joy, carnival, beer and art in North Rhine-Westphalia. Discover its UNESCO cathedral, cosy pubs, music venues and river views.
Our manually curated list of the best Best Hotels Cologne for 2023. Romantic, charming hotels. Lowest Rates Guarantee. 24/7 Support. Book Best Hotels Cologne today!
Find Cheap Flights to Your Favorite Destinations. Book With Confidence at OneTravel®. Search Through 500+ Airlines to Find Low Fares. Book With Confidence at OneTravel®.
cologne.online-reservations.com has been visited by 1M+ users in the past month
(Cologne, Germany) Hotel Gertrudenhof Cologne. Online Hotel Reservations for 2024. Hotel Gertrudenhof Cologne (Cologne, Germany). Hotel Rates, Specials, Offers
