Home to the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, Cologne’s Altstadt lies at the historic heart of one of Germany’s oldest cities. It’s clustered with museums exploring everything from the city’s Roman past to modern art and serves as the launching point for cruises along the Rhine River.
Things to do in Altstadt
Dominating the Altstadt is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an icon of Gothic architecture. With its twin spires rising 157 metres in height, it is also one of the world’s tallest churches. After marvelling at its ornately decorated exterior, step inside to see the exquisite stained-glass windows and the shrine of the There Wise Men.
History buffs shouldn’t miss a visit to the Roman-Germanic Museum, which exhibits a large collection of artefacts from the Roman settlement of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. In addition to Roman glassworks from funerals and burial sites, it boasts a Dionysus mosaic that remains in its original site as part of a Roman town villa. Adjacent is the Museum Ludwig where works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Roy Lichtenstein are on display.
Connecting the Altstadt with the neighbourhood of Deutz is the monumental Hohenzollern Bridge, which is the most heavily used railway bridge in Germany. Originally constructed in the early 20th century, it was rebuilt following World War II and is accessible to pedestrians. Equestrian statues of Prussian and German emperors flank its ramps and the bridge offers stunning views of the Cologne Cathedral illuminated after dark.
Getting around Altstadt
Cologne’s Altstadt is around 20 minutes’ drive from Cologne Bonn Airport while trains connect from destinations across Germany to the Cologne railway station. Buses and trams travel throughout the Altstadt, although most of its attractions are accessible on foot.