Free self-guided walk · Cologne

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.

Distance
1.6 km
Walking time
19 min
Allow
About 1.5 hours with stops
Stops
5

Open the route in Google MapsCologne city guide

About this walk

This walk covers the heart of Cologne on foot.

The view back from the east bank is the best.

  • Terrain: Flat.
  • Best time: Late afternoon.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Cologne Cathedral

    Start at the cathedral.

  2. Roman-Germanic Museum

    Roman Cologne.

  3. Alter Markt

    An old square.

  4. Rhine promenade

    Along the river.

  5. Hohenzollern Bridge

    Finish on the bridge.

Tips

  • The cathedral tower climb costs a fee.
  • Kölsch is served in small glasses.
  • The KölnTriangle viewpoint is across the bridge.

Prefer a guide?

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.