"Köln am Rhein" Top 5 Page for this destination Cologne by diocletianvs


Cologne Travel Guide: 1,993 reviews and 3,948 photos

Köln.de

Cologne proudly introduces itself as Germany's oldest city. Its famous Cathedral still attracts millions of modern pilgrims making it the most visited monument in Germany. Situated at the crossroads of main European traffic corridors, with 10 European motorways intersecting with the ring road around the city and with more than 1,200 train arrivals per day under the steel and glass canopy of the Hauptbanhof, Cologne is easy to reach. Especially since its international airport has become the hub for several budget airlines.

As a former Hanseatic city, Cologne is city of trade and commerce. The Cologne ports continue to number among the largest inland ports in Germany, trans-shipping between 7 and 8 million tons of cargo every year. Twenty-five of the world's largest industrial tradefairs are staged at Cologne's tradefair centre, the Koelnmesse. Over one quarter of all German television programs are produced in Cologne and there are more TV and radio stations located here than in any other German city. Cologne is synonymous with communications - everybody speaks to everybody here. (Not surprising, therefore, that Cologne also has the largest numbers of pubs and restaurants per capita than any other German city.)

Still, the city hasn't sold its soul to the international financial capital. People still meet for a Kölsch, a chat or simply a laugh. Life in Cologne is uncomplicated, vivacious and cosmopolitan at the same time. It boasts a great variety of municipal and private museums, which is their various ways reflect the 2000-year history of the city. There is also a vibrant club scene, and the spectrum of theatre productions.

Twenty million people live within one hour's drive from Cologne. The dynamic Rhine-Ruhr region is one of the central locations in Europe for industry, trade, the economy, science and research. Together with the adjacent Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg, it generates more than 40 per cent of the European Union's total gross domestic product.

Once in Cologne, you will definitely feel like you are in the center of Europe. Roman stones will bring the memories of the Mediterranean influence while the Rhine and the Hanseatic heritage enables links to Europe's northern provinces. And according to the local saying, the Siberia starts right on the Wrong side if the Rhine, in Deutz.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:If it only had the Cathedral and the Hohenzollern bridge it would still be worth visiting
  • Cons:If Kölsch is a beer then Zagreb tap water is Champagne
  • In a nutshell:The left side of the Rhine is the right, the right one is the wrong one.
  • Last visit to Cologne: Nov 2004
  • Intro Updated Apr 24, 2005
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Reviews (43)

Comments (39)

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  • Raimix's Profile Photo
    Raimix Jun 27, 2009 at 6:43 AM Report Abuse

    Great page about Cologne! I am sure I could be amazed by beauty f Cathedral. Anyway, I see here is not only Cathedral left ;) Greetings!

  • BruceDunning's Profile Photo
    BruceDunning Jun 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM Report Abuse

    A very good presentation of the city. I have been there 6 times and never spent enough time to enjoy the details. Thank you

  • mvtouring's Profile Photo
    mvtouring Feb 24, 2008 at 9:44 PM Report Abuse

    thanks your tips are going to be of great help planning my trip ;-)

  • yumyum's Profile Photo
    yumyum Jul 29, 2007 at 11:53 AM Report Abuse

    Love your night shots! Hilarious machine stories! I used both of those machines about 10 days ago! The luggage one now costs 4 Euro :(

  • gilabrand's Profile Photo
    gilabrand Jul 19, 2007 at 3:08 AM Report Abuse

    Good stuff - and funny story about taking pictures of the "wrong" building...LOL

  • garridogal's Profile Photo
    garridogal Apr 11, 2007 at 1:41 PM Report Abuse

    Your page is so informative that I feel like I just got a history lesson! I was just in Cologne a couple of weeks ago and also had the pleasure of meeting Sabsi and some other VT'ers. What a great city!

  • titabell Mar 30, 2007 at 7:24 AM Report Abuse

    Hey, Niksa! Thanks for your Cologne tips. My son sure will be happy to visit the museums, the rathaus and of course the media center. Thanks a lot!

  • BorderHopper's Profile Photo
    BorderHopper Mar 19, 2007 at 1:24 PM Report Abuse

    I really enjoyed your beautiful "night shot" photos of Cologne. Happy travels!

  • ettenaj's Profile Photo
    ettenaj Feb 4, 2007 at 10:22 AM Report Abuse

    Nice informative page about a great city, we spent New Years Eve there it was great

  • Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Jim_Eliason Dec 29, 2006 at 7:57 AM Report Abuse

    great tips!

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