Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I had prior knowledge that it was the world’s largest gothic cathedral, but when I actually saw it in front of me, I was overwhelmed by its size, which was beyond my imagination.

Of course, it’s not just the size that is so fascinating, but also the detailed workmanship and the beauty of the stained glass that makes it impossible to appreciate in just one visit.

I can’t tell you all the charms of Cologne Cathedral, but I would like to share with you its history and the fascinating stained glass windows.

Cologne Cathedral

Practical information

Cologne Cathedral

Address： Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Opening hours: 06:00~21:00 (May~October) 06:00~19:30 (November~April)

Closed: None

Admission: Free

History

313 A.D. The first Christian cathedral is said to have stood on the same site as the present cathedral.

(There is no architectural evidence to prove it.)

Architectural evidence appears around the 6th century.

The cathedral in the year 800 looked different from what it is today.

In 1248 Archbishop Conrad of Hochstaden laid the foundation stone for the present cathedral.

The construction of the cathedral began with the model of modern French architecture, the Cathedral of Amiens and the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

The chapel was completed around 1265, the first in Gothic architecture.

After 1520, construction was halted, and in 1794, it was occupied by French troops.

In 1842, Frederick William IV of Prussia laid the first foundation stone to complete the cathedral, which had been abandoned for over 300 years.

Not only the king, but also many Cologne citizens donated large sums of money for the completion of the cathedral.

When the cathedral was completed in 1880, the two towers were over 157 meters high, making it the tallest building in the world at the time.

In 1945, the city was severely damaged by World War II, but the medieval artworks escaped the devastation.

1996 Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SOURCE：Kölner Dom History  

Exterior

Cologne Cathedral seen from the station.

This is the north side.

I had heard that there was a cathedral right in front of me when I got out of Cologne Central Station.

In fact, when I got out of the station, I saw a huge Gothic cathedral in front of me.

I have seen a lot of churches in my life, but this is the most impressive.

The view changes considerably depending on the time of day, but the overwhelming sense of presence remains the same.

Also, in the afternoon, it gets crowded with many people as you can see in the picture, so it might be better to take pictures in the morning.

The entrance to the cathedral is on the west side.

After exiting the station, walk towards the cathedral and keep going to the right.

The rounded, triangular wall section is called the tympanum.

It is a must-see for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Cologne Cathedral is a stunning decoration.

It’s quite a sight from the entrance.

This is the back side, the south side, coming from the station.

Unlike the front, there are fewer people here.

Of course, in the afternoon, it is overflowing with people.

There is also a gift store at the south entrance behind the building.

If you are looking for a souvenir, please stop by and take a look.

Interior

The interior of Cologne Cathedral has an amazingly high ceiling, and the vaulted ceiling adds to its beauty and majesty.

Inside the cathedral, there are many works of historical value.

Time flies when you are looking at them one by one.

From among these many valuable works, I would like to introduce some of the most representative ones.

Stained Glass and Exhibits

This is a schematic of the inside of the cathedral.

The entrance is at the front, and the number below contrasts with the location of the artwork.

Please refer to it when sightseeing.

①Bavarian window

It was donated by King Ludwig I in 1842.

It depicts a story about Christianity.

①The Adoration window　1846

The stained glass in the middle of the picture.

The scene depicted here is that of the Annunciation of the birth of Christ.

It is hidden by a pillar, but three figures are depicted in the second split from the left.

One is kneeling and two are standing, holding gifts.

These three men are the Three Doctors of the East, and they have become very important figures in Cologne Cathedral.

It is said that the relics of these three men are housed in a golden casket.

①The Lamentation window

It depicts the Virgin Mary holding Jesus as he is taken down from the cross.

On it is a scene from the Last Supper.

In the lower window area, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are also depicted.

②Inside wall of the south transept

It was designed by architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and completed in 1847.

In two sections, the upper and lower, the lower section depicts Saints Benedict, Dominic, Francis, Bruno, Ignatius of Loyola, and Teresa.

They are also all founders of congregations.

The upper part depicts an angel holding a flag.

There is a small painting on both sides of the door at the bottom of the front of the photo.

On the left is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1855, and on the right is the Annunciation.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary in 1855, painted by artist Friedrich Overbeck, depicts the Virgin Mary in heaven surrounded by eight angels.

The Annunciation was donated by Petrus Bequerer in 1712.

③Window of the South Transept

Gerhard Richter (considered to be Germany’s greatest painter) created this window to replace the stained glass that was destroyed after World War II.

The work was finally completed in 2007.

A specially developed computer was used to determine the placement of the colors.

④St Agilulfus altar-piece

It is said to have been built around 1520 and moved to the cathedral in 1817.

⑤Altar of the City Patrons

This work was created around 1442 by Cologne-based artist Stefan Lochner.

This one is used for the daily liturgy.

⑥Shrine of the Magi

The Magi’s coffins are very valuable historically and artistically.

It was produced from 1190 to 1220.

The decoration is very ornate and consists of gold and silver embossed and gilded figures, panels of precious and semi-precious stones, intaglio and cameo carvings, and columns and arches decorated with enamels.

The subjects depicted are in line with the Bible, from the nativity to the final judgment and the scene of salvation.

⑦The St Agnes window

On the right side of the picture is the St. Agnes window, and on the left is the St. Cunibert window.

⑧Neo-Gothic furnishings of the axial chapel

After the mausoleum was demolished in 1892, it was painted by the church painter Friedrich Stummel.

⑨Crucifixion Altar

It is said to have been carved around 1500 in a workshop in Middle Rhine.

⑩Gero Crucifix

Donated by Archbishop Gero around 970.

This wooden cross is said to have stood in the center of the old cathedral.

⑪The plan of the floor mosaic

The 1,350 square meter floor mosaic, completed in 1899, is the largest work of art in the cathedral.

The company is also famous for using products from Villeroy & Boch.

⑫Magi Altar

The altar was created by Heribert Neuss between 1668 and 1683.

The materials used were black marble and pale alabaster.

It was dismantled in 1889 and, after some modifications, was used as an altar in 1920.

⑬The Nativity of Christ window

The window in the middle of the picture is the nativity window.

It depicts Christ being worshipped by angels and shepherds, with Moses in the upper left corner.

The window on the right is The Magi window.

⑭St. Peter and Jesse’s Window

This window, donated in 1509, depicts something related to St. Peter.

Summary

Cologne Cathedral is said to be the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and its size is first of all overwhelming.

And because of its size, it can be seen from many different places.

In addition to the works introduced here, there are many other things to see inside the museum, and if you go through them one by one, it may take you quite a while.

But I think it’s more than worth the time.

And finally, when photographing the cathedral, there is actually a very big problem.

This means that the entire cathedral cannot be captured in a photo with a smartphone camera.

It is very convenient to have the cathedral right in front of Cologne Central Station, but it is too big to take a good picture of the whole building from in front of the station.

The west entrance is even closer, and no matter how I try, I can’t capture it in a photo.

The only possibility is to take a picture from the south side, but even from here, I managed to get a picture by shooting a little farther away from the cathedral.

It’s not easy to take good pictures, but there is one spot that I personally recommend.

It is in the vicinity of the Wasserspielplatz in der Altstadt, a park along the Rhine River.

If you take pictures from this area, you can get a good balance of the cathedral without being obstructed by large buildings.

You can also take beautiful pictures of the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine River, so I think it is worth a visit.

Please stop by if you have time.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.

You can learn more about sightseeing in Cologne, a day trip from Paris, here.

Paris Cologne one-day trip Travel by Thalys to 17 of the best sightseeing spots.

This time, I would like to share with you a travel series about Cologne, Germany, which is a day trip from Paris.As in B...

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2021.06.13

Cologne, Germany, is said to be the birthplace of perfume.

The most recommended of these is Dufthaus 4711.

I would like to introduce you to the charm of the fragrance that is still the same today as it was 200 years ago.

Dufthaus 4711

Dufthaus 4711

Address： Schwertnergasse 1, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 07:00~22:00

Closed: Sunday

History

On October 8, 1792, Wilhelm Muelhens received instructions on how to make “miracle water” from a Carthaginian monk as a wedding gift.

After the wedding, he opened a factory in Glockengasse, Cologne, to manufacture and start selling it as a nutritional drink.

When the French occupied Cologne in 1974, the buildings were numbered and the number was “4711”.

Later, this number would become the name of the eau de cologne.

In 1810, it was transformed from a health drink into a perfume.

In 1820, a hexagonal bottle named Molanus bottle was born.

It is named after its developer, Peter Heinrich Molanus.

In 1875, 4711 was registered as a brand.

In 1921, a new fragrance, TOSCA, was created.

In the same year, Chanel’s perfume No. 5 was also launched.

In the 1920s, 4711’s advertisements became so controversial that they often caused sensational problems.

In the 1930s, a variety of new perfumes were introduced.

Troika (1934), Sparta (1934), Shahi (1935), Sir (1935), and Carat (1938)

1962 Bottling plants in Japan, Guatemala, and Egypt open.

Today, it is sold in countries all over the world and has established itself as a global brand for perfumes.

SOURCE　4711 web site

Exterior

The building was bombed during World War II and was later rebuilt.

It seems that it is now designated as a national cultural heritage.

The design and display is typical of a long-established business.

The aqua blue color is eye-catching, as is the bottle color.

There is also an interesting statue outside the store.

The store is very clean and the products are very easy to see.

Also, the clerks will not unnecessarily talk to you, so you can browse through the products without worry.

I purchased this product.

 4711 Original Eau de Cologne

This is a perfume that has been made in the same way for over 200 years.

I had seen it in magazines when I was a teenager, but I never thought I’d end up buying it at the main store.

The scent is simple and nice.

It is very refreshing and can be used by both men and women.

There is a reason why they are loved for a long time, isn’t there?

Summary

I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the store, but it’s not that big and there aren’t many kinds, so it’s very easy to choose.

It is also sold in small bottles, so it would make a great souvenir.

However, since it is made of liquid and bottles, it can get heavy if you buy too much, so it might be better to visit at the end of your sightseeing tour.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.

You can learn more about sightseeing in Cologne, a day trip from Paris, here.

Paris Cologne one-day trip Travel by Thalys to 17 of the best sightseeing spots.

This time, I would like to share with you a travel series about Cologne, Germany, which is a day trip from Paris.As in B...

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2021.06.13

Among the many stores in Cologne, I would especially like to recommend Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE .

From the name alone, you might think it’s a high-end suitcase store, but it’s actually one of the largest outdoor stores in Cologne.

The selection at this store is quite good, with a wide range of items that are not available at other stores.

This alone is attractive enough, but there is one more service that other stores do not offer.

Let me quickly tell you about the charm of this store.

Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE

Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE

Address： Richmodstraße 10, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00~20:00

Closed: Sunday

Features of Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE

Globetrotter　

History

Established in Hamburg, Germany in September 1979.

It has expanded its stores on the theme of travel and outdoor activities, and is now one of the largest outdoor stores in Europe.

This company is also known for being an early adopter of PCs.

In 1993, the company opened its own website.

They have been the first to offer a variety of services such as daily featured recommendations, credit card payment, introduction of auction sites, entry into the second-hand market, downloadable catalogs, and webTV.

They are still introducing new systems one after another ahead of their competitors.

Features

The Cologne store opened in 2006.

The sales floor area is approximately 7,000 square meters.

The interior of the store is made up of a central atrium.

In the pool shown in the photo, you can try out canoes, diving goods, etc.

The slightly deeper area is a diving area.

Each floor has a different theme, and there are also many in-shops for famous brands.

(Jack Wolfskin Store, The North Face Store, Eddie Bauer Store, Arc’teryx Store, Fehrraven Store, etc.)

The displays are very stylish, and there are actual tents and a climbing space.

The store is spacious and the spacious display allows you to take your time to look at each item.

In addition to the photos, the store has a restaurant, a diving store, a travel clinic, and a great selection of everything related to the outdoors.

Why you should definitely stop by.

Now that I’ve introduced the charm of the Globetrotter Cologne store, some of you may not be interested in outdoor stores.

If you are one of those people, there is a reason why you can’t miss Globetrotter when you visit Cologne.

That is, you can use the restroom for free.

I think we all know that the toilet situation in Europe is not good, but here in Cologne it is especially bad.

Of course, there are toilets in several stores, including Cologne Central Station, but almost all of them charge a fee.

It is not a bad thing to have to pay for a toilet, but when you are a tourist, you may not have coins ready.

With that in mind, free toilets are still the way to go.

And preferably a beautiful one.

However, it is quite difficult to find a clean toilet in Europe.

Even the high-end department stores in Paris are not necessarily very clean.

The Globetrotter is the perfect place to do just that.

The restroom is located on the top floor of the building.

You can take the escalator up, but it is even better to use the elevator.

On the top floor, there is a rest area with toilets beside it.

There is also free water to drink in this rest area.

There is a plastic cup on the right side, take it to the machine.

And the great thing about this free water is that you can drink carbonated water.

Of course, you can also drink regular water, so choose whichever you prefer.

However, I couldn’t tell which was the carbonated water because it was only written in German.

(Of course, if you drink both, you’ll understand. 、、、、)

For reference, on the left is plain water and on the right is carbonated water.

Be careful when you add water.

Generally speaking, you would think that you push the cup and the water comes out, but with this machine, you push the black button on the top to fill it with water.

On the right side of the room, you can also have a cup of coffee for a fee.

Coffee is also recommended as it is inexpensive at 1 euro.

Summary

How was it?

Globetrotter is the largest outdoor store in Cologne.

In addition to the attractive selection of products, the store offers a variety of services.

The toilets are available free of charge, but they are only for guests.

If you use the restroom, please purchase one of the outdoor items as a memento of Cologne.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.

You can learn more about sightseeing in Cologne, a day trip from Paris, here.

Paris Cologne one-day trip Travel by Thalys to 17 of the best sightseeing spots.

This time, I would like to share with you a travel series about Cologne, Germany, which is a day trip from Paris.As in B...

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2021.06.13

Germany is known for its sausages.

It was one of the dishes I really wanted to try when I came to Cologne.

However, there is not enough time to eat at a restaurant.

In such cases, I would like to recommend Meister Bock.

The store is located inside the station, and you can order it and eat it right there.

Even with limited time for sightseeing, you can fully enjoy the sausages.

This time, I would like to introduce you to some of the most recommended and easily eaten sausages in Cologne.

Meister Bock

Practical information

Meister Bock

Address： Trankgasse 11, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: 07:00~24:00 (Business hours are subject to change)

Closed: None

Features of Meister Bock

When you arrive at Cologne Central Station on the Thalys from Paris, the arrival platform is on the first floor.

When you take the stairs down to the ground level, you will find many stores crowded with customers.

There are many stores in the station, but here is the best place to go.

This is a stand-up sausage shop.

Cologne Central Station attracts a lot of tourists, but one of the most popular restaurants among the locals is Meister Bock.

The store is very simple.

Just an aluminum counter with a napkin on it.

The sausage hanging behind the wall was kind of subtle.

But I wanted to try it at a restaurant like this one in Germany, so I didn’t hesitate to order.

When I looked at the menu to order, I saw that everything was written in German.

There are no small English words on it, so I don’t know what’s there at all.

With gestures, I ordered the boiled sausage in the picture.

It comes with bread, which you can see at the back of the picture.

A very simple menu.

Sausage, bread and mustard.

It’s a little worrisome that it’s so simple.

(When I was paying the bill, I noticed that there were also grilled sausages in the back.)

There is a small wooden fork-like object that you can use to cut the sausage.

It is very tasty.

Germany, the home of sausages.

When it first came out, I felt it was quite underwhelming, but it definitely tasted good and was more filling than it looked.

We stopped by before sightseeing in Cologne, and I couldn’t forget the sausages that were grilled. 、、、、

On the way back, I revisited the restaurant for grilled sausages.

It was also very tasty.

Both boiled and grilled sausages were very tasty.

I highly recommend you try both when you visit.

In addition, when I saw what other people were ordering, some of the sausages were cut into small pieces and covered with sauce, so if you can read German, please try ordering a variety of things.

Summary

When I was sightseeing in Cologne, I didn’t have much time to relax at a restaurant, so I was looking for an easy place to eat that was very German, and I happened to find this restaurant, Meister Bock.

It had a simple exterior and was very clean and nice.

During the morning crowds, more locals than tourists were making purchases.

The sales staff is very quick and efficient, so even if there is a line of people, you will be able to buy quickly.

This is one of the stores you should definitely stop by when you visit Cologne.

I visited the store twice, once in the morning and once in the evening, and neither of the sales staff spoke a word of English.

I’m sure there are staff who can speak English, but since there was no English on the menu painted on the wall, I was quite frustrated because I had no idea what to order and how to order it.

However, if you look at what the locals are ordering, you will see that the sausages and bread come as a set, so if you choose between boiled or grilled sausages, you can get by.

However, there seem to be different types of both types of sausages, so if you are not familiar with sausages like I am, just point to the sausage you are somewhat interested in and ask for it.

The sales staff is very nice and helpful, so you can buy without any problems.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.

For more information on Cologne sightseeing, a day trip from Paris, please click here.

Paris Cologne one-day trip Travel by Thalys to 17 of the best sightseeing spots.

This time, I would like to share with you a travel series about Cologne, Germany, which is a day trip from Paris.As in B...

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2021.06.13

This time, I would like to share with you a travel series about Cologne, Germany, which is a day trip from Paris.

As in Brussels, we took the Thalys train, which took about three and a half to four hours.

However, for those who have used the Thalys at least once, the trip will be less challenging, just because the ride is longer.

It’s not too difficult to use the Thalys for the first time, so if you have enough time in your itinerary, try a trip to Cologne.

The cathedral is the main attraction in Cologne, but there are many other places to visit, including museums.

Also, the city of Cologne is compactly built, so there is little need to use local transportation.

The area is also relatively safe, so you can enjoy sightseeing without worry.

Paris to Cologne

So without further ado, let me introduce you to my journey from Paris to Cologne.

First, the ticket.

It’s really more convenient than it used to be.

No need to print it out, just show your smartphone.

(If you don’t have a local internet connection, we recommend you print out a copy.)

It’s a long trip, about 3 hours and 40 minutes to get there and about 3 hours and 30 minutes to get back.

I had to leave North Station at 6:00 a.m. to get there, so I had to get up very early.

(Try to arrive at the North Station about 20 minutes before departure.)

I woke up at 4:30am and left the hotel at about 5:15am.

It’s a bit far from the hotel to the North Station, but there are no buses running, so we walked.

It was a February trip, so it was pitch black outside.

If you are traveling in the summer, the scenery will be quite different as it will be light even at this time.

If you are not familiar with Paris or are worried about security, you can ask for a cab.

(If you ask the hotel staff the night before, they will call a cab for you.)

We arrived at North Station safely.

As expected, there are not many people here at this time.

However, it is not a safe area, so you need to be very careful.

Don’t be too nervous, just walk straight into the station.

When you arrive at the station, check the electronic bulletin board first.

As I mentioned in the Brussels section, you don’t know what platform the train will depart from in Paris until just before it leaves.

If you see a number next to the second one from the top, the 6:03 to Koln, head that way.

The Thalys is already parked at the station, so you can probably guess where the platform is.

Don’t forget to check out the historic scenery of Paris Gare du Nord.

The photo shows a view looking back at the entrance.

Even in the early morning, as the departure time approaches, many people gather.

On this day, we departed from Line 10.

After this, they will all move to the platform at once.

Please note that the Thalys will check your luggage before boarding.

The ticket gate you see at the back of the platform is the security checkpoint.

(Immediately after the terrorist attack, they were very strict, but lately they have become a little loose. This day was no different.)

The train looks beautiful from a distance, but when you get closer, it is quite dirty.

Unlike the outside, the inside of the train is luxurious.

This time we are using first class carriages, so we can move around in comfort.

After departing from North Station, we arrived in Brussels, Belgium in one and a half hours.

The Thalys stops at BRUXELLES MIDI (Brussels South Station).

The sky finally begins to lighten as we arrive in Brussels.

When you leave Brussels South Station, you will run underground for a while, but when you come up to the surface, you will see Saint-Michel Cathedral in the distance, so be sure to check it out so you don’t miss it!

You can only see it for a short while.

After leaving Brussels South Station, the next stop is Liège.

It is said to be the home of waffles, so it is tempting to take a detour, but…

It is a city I would like to visit if I have the chance.

The station had been renovated and was very clean.

At that time, there was an expo going on near the station to look back at the 80’s, and Rubik’s Cube was on display as part of the campaign.

A short time after leaving Liege, we finally arrived at the end of our long journey, Cologne Central Station.

A shot of the station from Cologne Cathedral.

No cars are allowed in front of the station, so you can walk around in peace.

The electronic board at Cologne Central Station is quite difficult to see.

The station is also very crowded.

Cologne Central Station taken from further away.

Cologne Central Station is served by a variety of trains, so you can tell it’s a big station from a short distance away.

Meister Bock

When you arrive at the Cologne train station, the first place to go is Meister Bock.

This restaurant is a Stand-Up Dining.

It’s reasonably priced and very tasty, so please give it a try.

Meister Bock Cologne Eat authentic sausages at Cologne Central Station!

Germany is known for its sausages.It was one of the dishes I really wanted to try when I came to Cologne.However, there ...

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2021.06.13

Cologne Sightseeing

Here are the spots we visited.

The blue line is the path traveled on foot.

Although we had to go back the same way on the way, I think we could see all the sights of Cologne in this course.

Here is a brief introduction to each spot.

Cologne Cathedral

Address： Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Opening hours: 06:00~21:00 (May~October) 06:00~19:30 (November~April)

Closed: None

Admission: Free

Cathedral, the main sightseeing spot in Cologne

I had heard that it was right in front of the station, but it is really right in front of the station.

It is a Gothic cathedral and the beautiful stained glass windows are a beauty not to be missed.

It is recommended to visit the cathedral first thing in the morning.

Depending on the day of the week, it can get very crowded in the afternoon on weekends, so try to finish your sightseeing in the morning at the latest.

Römisch-Germanisches Museum

Address： Roncalliplatz 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00~17:00

Closed: Monday

It is located behind the cathedral.

The mosaic of Dionysos is famous.

Museum Ludwig

Address： Heinrich-Böll-Platz, 50667 Köln, Germany

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00~18:00

Closed: Monday

Admission: 11 Euro for adults

Many of Picasso’s works are on display.

There is also a wealth of other contemporary art on display, so if you are interested, this is the museum for you.

If you look closely, it will take a long time, so I think you need to adjust the overall time.

I would recommend stopping by at the end of your sightseeing tour to make it easier to adjust your time.

Hohenzollern Bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge was built in conjunction with the construction of Cologne Central Station.

It is also famous as a bridge of love, and the bridge is covered with many padlocks.

This photo was taken from Wasserspielplatz in der Altstadt, a park along the Rhine River.

I walked to the park to directly see the Rhine River, which I have often seen in textbooks since long ago, and was impressed by the beautiful view of the Hohenzollern Bridge from the park.

Also, not only the Hohenzollern Bridge, but also Cologne Cathedral from this location was very nice with a good view of the whole area.

Further along the Rhine is a park called Rheingarten, which is a very nice place to relax on a sunny day.

If you have the time and energy, you can cross the bridge to see it.

Cologne City Hall

Returning to the downtown area from the Rhine River, you will see the Old Town Hall of Cologne on Marktplatz, the center of the Old Market.

Looking at the Gothic architecture of this building while looking at the slightly retro buildings around it, you can feel a bit of the history of the city of Cologne.

Farina Duftmuseum

Address： Obenmarspforten 21, 50667 Köln, Germany

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00~19:00, Sunday 11:00~17:00

Closed: None (rare days are closed)

After passing through the Old Market and heading further into the center, you will see the Farina Duftmuseum (Perfume Museum).

This store is said to have been the first in the world to sell perfume in 1709.

There are also perfumes available that are made using the same method that has been used for 300 years.

There are also guided tours of the museum, but it is better to book in advance.

You can participate even on the day of the event if you are available.

This is a great store for perfume lovers, so if you are interested, please stop by and take a look.

Galeria Kaufhof Cologne Hohe

Address： Hohe Str. 41-53, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 20:00 (21:00 on Friday only)

Closed： Sunday

From the Perfume Museum, head further into the center of the city, but a little further out, towards Hohe Street, you will see the Galleria Kaufhof, one of Germany’s most famous department stores.

The photo was taken from the back entrance, on the Tsetsilian Street side.

To be honest, the interior of the store is not very good.

Although Rimowa and other German brands are sold here, I didn’t find the sales floor itself very appealing.

I was expecting a bit of a surprise, but it was not a place that tourists would dare to stop by.

Peek & Cloppenburg

Address： Schildergasse 65 -67, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 (21:00 on Friday only)

Closed： Sunday

After leaving the Galleria Kaufhof, walk further along Zetilien Street and you will see a distinctive glass-walled building.

This building is the Peak & Cloppenburg.

This is a major German select apparel store.

Aside from the clothes, the architecture that combines wood and glass is worth a visit.

There is a streetcar running along Zetsilien Street.

It is unlikely that you will use it for normal sightseeing in Cologne, but if you are interested, please take a ride.

Mayersche Buchhandlung

Further along Zetsilien street and into Neumarkt, you will see a distinctive building.

A major German bookstore located in a building with ice cream sticks.

I’m not particularly interested in books, but there is a pay toilet, so if you need to do, stop by.

In addition to bookstores, there are various other stores in the building.

Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE

Address： Richmodstraße 10, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00~20:00

Closed： Sunday

Cologne’s best shopping spots Globetrotter NEUE HORIZONTE.

The Globe Trotter of luxury bags is not involved.

This is a major outdoor store in Germany.

This store is an essential stop on your tour of Cologne, so be sure to stop by!

Karstadt Köln

Address： Breite Str. 103-135, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00~20:00

Closed： Sunday

Like the Kaufhof, this is Carlstadt, another major department store in Germany.

The buildings have been modernized, but the department stores in Germany are still not very attractive.

I don’t think there is anything new, but if you have time, stop by and take a look.

ALDI Süd Supermarket

Address：Richmodstraße 31, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 08:00~21:00

Closed： Sunday

ALDI is a major German supermarket.

The store is not very clean, but the products are sold at a surprisingly low price.

It might be a good idea to buy some water and a small snack.

Birkenstock

Address：Glockengasse 68, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00~20:00

Closed： Sunaday

Birkenstock is popular for its easy-to-wear sandals.

This is a regular store, so it is not a cheap place to buy.

There are also Birkenstock letters on the bicycle parking lot outside the store.

REWE Richrath

Address：Schwertnergasse 1, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 07:00~22:00

Closed： Sunday

This is REWE, another major supermarket in Germany.

The store is very clean compared to the ALDI shop I mentioned earlier.

It is a store that was somehow designed with an American organic supermarket in mind.

This may be the best place to buy souvenirs.

Dufthaus 4711

Address： Schwertnergasse 1, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Saturday 07:00~22:00

Closed： Sunday

This is Dufthaus 4711, another popular store for perfumes.

It is said that the same process has been used for 200 years to make the original eau de cologne products.

Café Reichard

Address： Unter Fettenhennen 11, 50667 Köln, Germany

Business hours: Monday – Sunday 08:30~20:00

Closed： None

Café Reichard has a history of over 150 years in Cologne.

This café-restaurant is right in front of the cathedral and is a great place to take a break.

The store is quite large, so even if it is a bit crowded, you can enter quickly.

A typical German display.

It’s a little noisy, but…

Some products are available for take-out, so you can take them home and eat them in the park on a sunny day.

Cafe Reichardt is also famous for its clean toilets.

Die Maus

Although not a tourist attraction, Cologne is also famous for the Die Maus, shown in the photo.

He is a character that everyone in Germany knows, but since he is from Cologne, he can be seen all over the city.

One of the fun things to do is to walk around looking for Die Maus.

Summary

How was it?

The city of Cologne is very compact, so it was very easy to explore.

The center of the city has many pedestrian-only streets that are not accessible to cars, making it ideal for walking around the city.

If you don’t go to the museums, you should have about 5 hours to see all the sights.

If you have a museum you want to visit, you may want to adjust your time and take a look around at the end of the day.

However, it is very crowded on Saturdays and other days, so it is best to consider your time allocation well in advance.

There are many sightseeing spots that I could not introduce here, as well as many cute and stylish shops, so I think it is a city that many people can enjoy.

If you are considering visiting Cologne, this is a great place to visit.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.