Shopping or culture? Preferably both!

Cologne makes the national headlines at least once a year: when the so-called "fifth season" brings the world-famous Cologne carnival to town. Always at the same time and on the same day: 11:11 am on 11.11. That, however, is only the official starting time. The city remains fairly peaceful until the New Year. Only then does the so-called "session" begin, which lasts until Ash Wednesday. Most of the carnival parades and activities take place in the last week before Ash Wednesday, and anyone who wants to take part should be sure to book a hotel room early, as the most entertaining festivities take place right in the city centre.

Cologne is also well worth a visit outside the carnival season. The proverbial friendliness of the locals is expressed in the phrase "rheinischen Frohnatur", or "Rhenish cheer". Live and let live - here it's the reality. Discover the small, authentic pubs of the Old Town. Conversation flows quickly and easily over a glass of Kölsch beer. Fresh Kölsch beer flows in streams at the traditional breweries. Enjoy it with savoury treats such as Eisbein (pickled knuckle of pork), Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) or "Halver Hahn" (rye bread with cheese and pickles). This town loves to party and the nights are long. Start your shopping spree early the next morning, even though it can sometimes be tough after a long night. You'll need a lot of time to take in the seemingly endless array of fashion shops and original souvenirs. Take a break from shopping at one of the many street cafés.

It's well worth visiting a gallery or museum in the afternoon. Cologne is a city of art. One of the most important living contemporary artists, the painter Gerhard Richter, is based in Cologne. Art Cologne, one of the most important German art fairs, has been held in Cologne for years. The many small galleries show the work of as yet unknown artists, fresh out of art school and brimming with raw talent. Cologne is a fertile breeding ground, offering pure inspiration to locals and visitors alike.

Take the easiest way to get around in Cologne. With the Welcome Card of the city Cologne you can use the local transportation and get many discounts at local partners of the card. For example 50% on the first drink at the Dom Hotel Cologne.

Distances from the city sights

• Distance to Cologne Cathedral: 50 m
• Distance to the Cathedral Treasury: 50 m
• Distance to the Romano-Germanic Museum: 50 m
• Distance to Museum Ludwig: 50 m
• Distance to the Cologne Philharmonic: 150 m
• Distance to the Rhine Promenade and Cologne Old Town: 250 m
• Distance to the Roman city walls: 1.5 km
• Distance to the Municipal Museum: 500 m
• Distance to Cologne Zoo: 3.5 km
• Distance/max. distance to the 12 Roman churches: 5 km