North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Cologne

Cologne's twin-spired cathedral towers over an old town of beer halls, Roman remains and Rhine-side promenades.

Cologne: Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine
Featured walk: Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Cologne was founded by the Romans and became one of medieval Europe's largest cities. Its cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The old town by the Rhine is compact, with Kölsch beer halls, museums and a riverside walk.

What makes Cologne distinctive

  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Kölsch beer halls
  • Carnival
  • Hohenzollern Bridge's love locks

Walking tours in Cologne

Hand-picked guided walks in Cologne, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Night and ghost tours in Cologne

Compare with other cities: Free walking tours · Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Cologne is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

Search Cologne on GetYourGuide

The button loads content from GetYourGuide, which may set cookies. Links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book.

Main sights

Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Altstadt

    The old town.

  • Belgian Quarter

    Bars and boutiques.

  • Ehrenfeld

    Street art and nightlife.

Free self-guided walk

Cathedral and the Rhine

A free self-guided walk in Cologne, from the cathedral through the Old Town to the Rhine and across the Hohenzollern Bridge.

1.6 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Rhine promenade

    Along the river.

  2. Old Town

    Lanes behind the river.

  3. Hohenzollern Bridge

    Across the Rhine.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat.

  • Distances

    The cathedral to the Old Town is a few minutes.

  • Cathedral tower

    533 steps to the top.

When to visit

  • Carnival

    February, especially the week before Lent.

  • Summer

    Riverside life.

  • Advent

    Christmas markets.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Düsseldorf in 25 minutes and Frankfurt in about an hour.

Local transport

  • Trams

    Cover the city.

  • On foot

    The centre is walkable.

Questions travellers ask about Cologne

Can I climb the cathedral?

Yes, the south tower, by 533 steps.

What is Kölsch?

Cologne's local beer, served in small glasses.

How many days do I need?

One or two days.

Berlin: Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour
Berlin

Berlin

A city where twentieth-century history is written on the streets

Discover the city
Munich: Munich Old Town Walking Tour
Bavaria

Munich

Palaces, beer halls and the Alps on a clear day

Discover the city
Nuremberg: Nuremberg Walking Tour
Bavaria

Nuremberg

A medieval imperial city

Discover the city
Hamburg: Discover Hamburg Walking Tour
Hamburg

Hamburg

Canals, warehouses and a harbour

Discover the city
Dresden: Dresden History & Stories Walking Tour w/ Dr Fraser Macdonald PhD
Saxony

Dresden

Florence on the Elbe

Discover the city
Frankfurt: Frankfurt: Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour
Hesse

Frankfurt

Skyscrapers and a rebuilt old town

Discover the city
Berlin: Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour
Country overview

Germany

Twentieth-century history on one hand, beer gardens on the other

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.