Stand on the plaza in front of the Kölner Dom and the scale of it registers before anything else does: the twin towers, the dark stone, the fact that it took 632 years to complete. Step inside and the Shrine of the Three Kings sits behind the high altar, the reason pilgrims have come here since the relics arrived in 1164.
Cologne suits travellers who like their sightseeing on foot and their history layered — Roman foundations under Romanesque churches, a medieval town hall still in municipal use, a cathedral that anchors the whole city centre. It also suits anyone arriving by train, since the Dom stands directly outside the main station exit.
This guide covers the cathedral, the Romanesque churches, the historic civic buildings and the synagogue, with a one-day plan at the end that strings the strongest of them together.
Top things to do in Cologne
1. Kölner Dom
The cathedral is the first thing you will notice when leaving through the main exit of the central station. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and took 632 years to complete, finally being consecrated in 1880. If you are in good shape, climb the 509 stairs to the top of the south tower; the round trip takes about an hour and requires comfortable shoes, but the panoramic view is well worth the hike.
Touring the cathedral is forbidden during Mass, so check the liturgical calendar at koelner-dom.de to be sure the doors are open for visitors. Admission to the cathedral is free, with a sightseeing fee for tourists being introduced in July 2026; worshippers and those attending Mass still enter for free. No luggage or large bags may be carried inside, and lockers are available at the nearby station or the service centre.
2. Groß-St. Martin
A landmark Romanesque basilica in the Old Town, characterised by its distinctive trefoil choir and soaring crossing tower. It was founded around 960 AD as a Benedictine monastery, with the current structure dating to the 12th and 13th centuries.
It sits close to the Rathaus, so combine the two on the same walk. Sightseeing is limited to times outside of religious services; information on public guided tours and group visits is on the official website.
3. Historisches Rathaus
Germany's oldest functioning municipal building, with origins dating back to the 12th century. The complex is defined by the 15th-century Gothic tower, which served as a symbol of the city's guilds, and the 16th-century Renaissance "Laube," a loggia representing the civic pride of Cologne's citizens. Look for the "Platz-Jabbeck," a carved wooden figure on the tower that sticks out its tongue when the clock strikes, and the restored Hansa Hall, once the meeting place of the Hanseatic League.
The central Piazzetta connects the historic wings with modern architectural elements, reflecting both the city's medieval heritage and its post-war reconstruction. The subway station is "Rathaus."
4. Basilica of St. Severin
The second tallest of Cologne's Romanesque churches, dedicated to the patron saint of rain who is said to protect the city from drought. Visitors can walk beneath the elevated 19th-century shrine to receive a "blessing from above."
It is a treasure trove for history buffs, housing the largest preserved medieval silk fabric in the world and a crypt built over ancient Roman burial sites. Take the tram to Clodwigplatz.
5. St. Maria im Kapitol
The oldest and largest of Cologne's Romanesque churches, built upon the foundations of a Roman temple. Its unique floor plan is modelled after the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and it houses treasures such as an 11th-century carved wooden door and a 14th-century crucifix.
It stands on Marienplatz, and sightseeing is limited to times outside of religious services.
6. St. Gereon's Basilica
One of Germany's oldest churches, built on the foundations of a late antique oval structure. It is known for its unique decagonal dome and elliptical floor plan.
Sightseeing is restricted to times outside of religious services. For details on public tours or to register group visits, consult the official website.
7. Basilica of St. Ursula
One of Germany's oldest continuously used churches, with origins dating back to the Roman era. It is best known for the "Golden Chamber," a historic ossuary, and its significance as a site of pilgrimage.
Access for sightseeing is limited to times outside of services; for guided tour schedules and group reservations, visit the official website.
8. St. Andrew's Church
A notable example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture, containing a 14th-century crypt where the scholar Albertus Magnus is buried. The interior is characterised by a series of contemporary stained-glass windows by Markus Lüpertz and features significant medieval furnishings, including 15th-century choir stalls and the gilded Maccabee Shrine.
It is on Komödienstraße, a short walk from the Dom.
9. Basilica of the Holy Apostles
A Romanesque basilica featuring a cloverleaf-shaped choir and a 67-metre-high west tower. It stands on Neumarkt.
Sightseeing is only possible outside of service hours. Group tours must be arranged in advance via the parish office, and information on public guided tours is available on their website.
10. St. Maria Lyskirchen
The smallest of Cologne's twelve Romanesque churches, known for its remarkably well-preserved 13th-century ceiling frescoes, the only ones of their kind to survive largely intact in the city. Located near the Rhine, it has long been the traditional church of the river boatmen and houses the "Schiffermadonna" (Boatmen's Madonna), a late Gothic wooden statue from around 1420.
Pair it with a walk along the river.
11. Basilica of St. Cunibert
The youngest of Cologne's twelve Romanesque churches, known for the Kunibertuspütz. According to local legend, Cologne's babies are born in this crypt well rather than being delivered by the stork. The church is a treasure trove of medieval art, housing the city's oldest stained-glass windows and the golden shrines of Saint Kunibert and the Ewaldi brothers.
It is on Kunibertsklostergasse, north of the cathedral along the Rhine.
12. St. Cecilia's Church
A Staufen-period pillar basilica and one of Cologne's twelve great Romanesque churches, with notable historical elements such as a 12th-century tympanum and remnants of Ottonian architecture. Since 1956 the church building has housed the Museum Schnütgen, which showcases an extensive collection of medieval religious art.
It is on Cäcilienstraße. Adult admission is €6, concessions €3.50.
13. St. Pantaleon's Church
An early Romanesque basilica in the southern part of the Old Town, once serving as the church for a Benedictine abbey. It is dedicated to St. Pantaleon, St. Cosmas and St. Damian.
Sightseeing is restricted to times outside of religious services; information on public tours and group registrations is on the official website. Adult admission is €11, concessions €9.
14. St. George's Church
Founded in 1059, this basilica is noted for its Roman-era columns and vaulted architecture that earned it the nickname "Ravenna on the Rhine." It stands on the site of a former Roman guard post.
It is on Georgstrasse. Sightseeing is restricted to times outside of religious services; for information on public tours and group registrations, visit the official website.
15. Die Kölner Synagoge
The Cologne Synagogue is architecturally striking for its dark, monumental style. Its Torah scroll has a significant history, having been rescued by a Catholic priest from another synagogue during the Nazi era. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI visited the site, marking only the second time in history that a pope had visited a synagogue.
It is on Roonstraße, near the U-Bahn station Zülpicher Platz. Guided tours are available; consult the official website for schedules and booking information. Admission is €5.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Kölner Dom, leaving the main station exit to find it directly in front of you. Tour the interior, then climb the 509 stairs to the top of the south tower if you have the time and comfortable shoes. Check the liturgical calendar beforehand so you do not arrive during Mass.
Afternoon. Walk to the Historisches Rathaus and look for the Platz-Jabbeck on the tower, then continue to Groß-St. Martin nearby. From there, head south through the Old Town to St. Maria im Kapitol on Marienplatz, and on to St. Maria Lyskirchen near the Rhine.
Evening. Finish at St. Andrew's Church on Komödienstraße, close to the cathedral, where the crypt holds the tomb of Albertus Magnus. If time allows and tours are running, the Die Kölner Synagoge on Roonstraße is a short U-Bahn ride away.
Frequently asked questions
Is admission to the Kölner Dom free?
Admission to the cathedral is free, though a sightseeing fee for tourists is being introduced in July 2026; worshippers and those attending Mass still enter for free. The south tower and the treasury each cost €8, with a combined ticket available for €12.
Can I visit the Romanesque churches at any time?
Several of them restrict sightseeing to times outside of religious services, including the Basilica of the Holy Apostles, St. Gereon's Basilica, Basilica of St. Ursula, St. Pantaleon's Church, St. Maria im Kapitol, Groß-St. Martin and St. George's Church. Check the individual church websites for public tour times and group registration.
How do I reach the Historisches Rathaus?
The Historic Town Hall is at Rathausplatz 2, at the subway station "Rathaus." Groß-St. Martin is a short walk away, at the U-Bahn station Rathaus.
Are there guided tours of the Cologne Synagogue?
Yes. Guided tours are available at Die Kölner Synagoge on Roonstraße; consult the official website for schedules and booking information. Admission is €5.
Pick your dates, check the cathedral's liturgical calendar and the opening times of the churches you most want to see, and Cologne's centre will reward a day on foot.