Visit Cologne for romance on the Rhine
This picturesque, historic and culturally evolving city on the banks of the great river is little more than an hour’s flight away from London Heathrow
Germany needs no introduction as a city break destination. Whether the focus is on Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Stuttgart, the German map is dotted with places ideal for a brilliant weekend.
This list also includes Cologne. The country’s fourth biggest city is an urban jewel, set beautifully on the west bank of the River Rhine.
British Airways is well aware of its charms. The national carrier flies in at least once a day (and 12 times every week) from London Heathrow – and what’s more, with British Airways Holidays you can book your flights and hotel all in one place.
The flight is the shortest of hops, taking just one hour and 15 minutes. It delivers you to a city where history leaps out at almost every corner.
Cologne’s close proximity also makes it good news for football fans: it is one of the host cities of UEFA EURO 2024, making the Scotland vs Switzerland (19 June) and England vs Slovenia (25 June) matches within easy reach.
UNMISSABLE SIGHTS
It is impossible to miss the Dom, Cologne’s enormous 13th-century cathedral, which dominates the centre of the city. How enormous? With its twin Gothic spires soaring 515ft (157m), it is the third tallest church on the planet.
You’ll find the extraordinary Shrine of the Three Magi inside this grand cathedral: preserved from the Middle Ages, it’s one of the largest and most sophisticated medieval shrines, a reliquary which is said to house the holy bones of the Biblical Magi.
You can’t miss the Rhine either. It flows majestically past the city, the iron arches of the Hohenzollern bridge making the scene even more spectacular. Nor do you have to admire it from the banks. You can take to the river with local cruise tours, which offer gentle voyages at all times of year. This includes the run-up to Christmas, when boats set off on regular Advent cruises, showing off the cityscape in a blaze of twinkling lights.
Cologne has a close association with the festive season, thanks to the Christmas markets, which take over the Neumarkt, Heumarkt and Domkloster squares in November and December. But Cologne is a superb shopping destination in every season – stores calling out to visitors along the likes of Gürzenichstrasse and Pfeilstrasse.
CENTURIES OF HERITAGE
There is also enough culture in Cologne to fill several long weekends. The Museum Ludwig, for example, has colourful works by the likes of Dali, Picasso and Warhol, as well as by German artist Martin Kippenberger.
Elsewhere, Time Ride will carry you back to the Cologne of the 1920s, via the wonders of virtual reality.
The Romano-Germanic Museum traces the city’s tale back even further, to its Roman roots, in underground ruins and elaborate mosaics.
Meanwhile, if you are impressed by the cathedral, Cologne’s 12 Romanesque churches – including the gorgeous 10th-century St Aposteln, beautifully adorned with frescoes and stained glass – may also appeal.
DIVERSE FLAVOURS
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to eating, either. Cologne has more than 3,000 restaurants, serving up dishes of almost every conceivable taste and international flavour – although those keen to try local cuisine might head for RheinZeit, next to the river, where German staples such as sausage and schnitzel are given a gourmet twist.
The riverside is also one of many areas of the city awash with lively bars. Cologne is the spiritual home of Kölsch – a tasty local ale, generally served in small yet tall glasses (stangen).
Visitors keen to look a little further – but not too far – afield may already be aware that Cologne shares its airport with neighbouring Bonn.
The one-time capital of West
Germany is a small but inviting city, less than an half an hour’s direct train ride from Cologne, where you can delve into modern German history at the
Haus der Geschichte, and explore the house where musical genius Beethoven was born, in 1770.
To book your city break to Cologne, please visit ba.com/cologne