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    • Cologne

    Cologne travel guide

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    Overview

    Cologne (Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches are dotted around the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports and even chocolate.

    There are two lovely, massive green lungs in the city containing a number of parks, recreational areas and beer gardens. In warm weather, there's a fun outdoor culture in Cologne and thousands of people gather in these areas for picnics, sports and socialising. The two pedestrian strips of Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse offer great shops, cafes and street music.

    Cologne is well known for its Veedel or traditional neighbourhoods. One of the most interesting districts for tourists is the bohemian Agnesviertel neighbourhood where visitors can find local fashion designers, bookshops, bars and art galleries.

    Cologne has a vibrant and colourful cultural life, with tourists sampling locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties. The city is also known as the gay capital of Germany with a large pride event held every year. The local inhabitants are known to be friendly, sociable and liberal, making Cologne one of the best German cities in which to meet new people and make new friends.

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    Cologne has a temperate oceanic climate, and is among the warmest cities in Germany thanks to the strong breezes blowing in from the nearby North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Average temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn are warm and pleasant, ranging from 57°F (14°C) in May and September to around 66°F (19°C) at the peak of summer in July and August. Winters (December to February) are cold but not bitterly so, with average temperatures hovering around 32°F (0°C). Rain is fairly steady throughout the year, although the long days of summer offer more sunshine hours than winter. The best time to visit Cologne is between May and September, although visitors should prepare for sudden rain showers.

    Cologne-Bonn Airport
    Location: The airport is located eight miles (12km) southeast of Cologne and 10 miles (16km) north of Bonn.
    Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
    Transfer Between Terminals: The two terminals are linked by a walkway.
    Getting to the city: There are several transport options available, including taxis, the local bus service, and the S-bahn.
    Car Rental: Car rental agencies at the airport include Hertz, Avis and Europcar, among others.
    Airport Taxis: Taxis are available outside the terminal.
    Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMs, left luggage, shops and restaurants.
    Parking Parking at Cologne-Bonn Airport starts at a rate of €1.50 per 15 minutes in the short-term zone (maximum two hours), while Car Park 1 charges €4.50 per hour and Car Park 3 charges €3 per hour. Car park 2 is reserved for women and disabled passengers only.
    Website: www.koeln-bonn-airport.de

    Cologne has excellent public transport made up of subway, tram and bus lines. Single tickets and multi-day passes are available online and from ticket offices and vending machines at most stops. Taxis are also available, as are ride-sharing app services. Driving in central Cologne can be a bit of a nightmare, with confusing streets and many areas open only to residents. Fortunately, the city centre is fairly compact and most areas can be comfortably reached on foot or by bicycle.

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    Companies flying to Cologne (Bonn)

    Eurowings