Cologne Travel Guide: Flights & Hotels
Germany · CGN
Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral, one of the tallest in the world, dominates the skyline right next to the main train station, making it one of the easiest major landmarks to reach in Europe. The city was heavily rebuilt after WWII but retains a lively riverside old town and a strong beer-hall culture centered on local Kölsch beer.
May-September offers mild weather for the riverside promenade and old town squares; late February brings Cologne's famously large Carnival celebration, worth planning around either way. Cologne is also a central rail hub, making it easy to combine with Düsseldorf, Bonn, or a Rhine Valley trip.