The best tours in Cologne

Cologne’s most famous landmark is probably the cathedral, but there is much more to discover in the North Rhine-Westphalian city. / Cologne Travel

On various tours you not only get to know many other sights in Cologne, but also learn something about the traditional production of mustard, chocolate and Kölsch.

Guided tour of Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is 157 meters high and its Gothic style is probably the most impressive building in Cologne. The church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and has one of the largest free-swinging bells in the world: the Petersglocke. Those who are not afraid of the 533 steps can climb the tower up to the belfry and the viewing platform. There you have a breathtaking view over Cologne and the Rhine. Then it goes down again – and into the cathedral treasury.

Medieval garments, relics, sculptures and interesting grave finds can be seen on a guided tour of the treasury.

Admission to the cathedral treasury is 6 euros for adults, reduced 3 euros. A combination ticket for the treasury and the tower ascent costs 8 euros, for a cathedral tour 10 euros, reduced 8 euros.

Helicopter sightseeing flights over Cologne

If the Cologne Cathedral is not high enough for you, you can also book a 20-minute helicopter flight over Cologne. The pilot flies over the most famous sights and buildings in Cologne. The route can also be individually tailored. If you want, you can, for example, see the football stadium from a bird’s eye view.

The helicopter sightseeing flights start in Bonn-Hangelar, the price is from 159 euros per person.

Virtual reality tours

During the virtual reality tours, participants can embark on a journey through time and look back to the 19th century. Through VR glasses you can see how squares and buildings have changed over time. In 90 minutes you can rediscover the sights in Cologne’s old town.

On the special tours “Cologne 1926”, the journey takes you back to the 1920s. With the hat maker Tessa and the tram driver Pitter, participants can experience the spirit of optimism and joie de vivre of yesteryear.

Tickets for the virtual reality experience are available from EUR 12.50 per person.

Brewery tours in Cologne

Sightseeing tours through Cologne can make you thirsty. If you want to quench your thirst for beer, the best thing to do is stop at a brewery and taste the popular Kölsch there.

During so-called brewery tours, the participants try their hand at local beer specialties, toast each other and tour the city’s breweries together. You can also learn a lot of interesting facts about the different types of beer, how they are made and the culture of Cologne.

Tickets for the brewery tours cost from 19 euros including 5 Kölsch.

Snacking allowed! Tours of the Mustard and Chocolate Museum

Mustard is one of the most popular spices in Germany, which was brought to Europe by the Roman statesman Gaius Julius Caesar. In the mustard museum you can learn a lot more about the origin of the spice – and also about its effect on the body.

The heart of the museum is the 200-year-old mustard mill. Fruity spreads, jams and herbal liqueurs are also produced in the museum. If you like it sweeter, walk to the opposite side of the street and try the different types of chocolate in the chocolate museum.

Both Cologne museums offer tours where employees demonstrate how the products are made and offer samples.

Tickets for a guided tour through the mustard museum cost 2.50 euros, a guided tour through the chocolate museum costs 4 euros.