First Time Visitor Guide: What to Do in Cologne During IMM 2018

After having a Christmas market every day of the week, in January the German city is about to be even more festive with IMM 2018.

Today’s article is just the first of a series of city guides we’ll do about Cologne since IMM 2019 is coming in January! We want to give you insider tips in order for you to experience the city to its fullest while attending the stunning furniture fair from 15th to Sunday to 21st January 2018. So, if it’s your first time traveling to Cologne then this article is perfect for you. We will show you the top attractions in Cologne and why you should visit this amazing city more than one time in a year. If you have been wondering what to do in Cologne, today all your questions will be answered. Don’t forget to stay tuned in order to find even more things to do in Cologne!

Come find Cologne with us!

---

READ ALSO: FIND OUT HOW GREAT WAS IMM COLOGNE 2017!

---

Why Visit Cologne?

Cologne is an open-minded city with some of the most beautiful buildings in Altstadt, next to the river Rhine. Just next to it is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. However, the most amazing thing about Cologne is the atmosphere and its people. People in Cologne just love their city and their happiness is really contagious.

Main Attractions of Cologne

Kölner Dom

Every single traveler should visit Kölner Dom. Even if you stay for a very short trip, you have to make it. It’s a true masterpiece of high Gothic architecture and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. It was started in 1248 and was considered the most ambitious architecture project of the middle ages. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. A must-visit place!

Opening Hours:

Open daily
6am-7.30pm (Nov.-Apr.)
6am-9pm (May-Oct.)
Opening hours on sundays and holidays: 1pm-4.30pm

Kölner Synagogue

Since 1899, the neo-Romanesque synagogue on Roonstraße has been the largest cultural center for the Jewish communities in Cologne. The Torah within the synagogue was rescued by a Catholic priest from another synagogue as it was being burned during Nazi rule. The reason why we love Kölner Synagogue so much is because of its incredible architecture that looks right out of Gotham City.

Rheinauhafen

This completely rebuilt area combines modern extravagant architecture with historical harbor buildings. It’ll take you about an hour if you just follow the Rhine, but if you stop and admire each landmark and perhaps have a coffee or lunch in between, it can easily extend to two hours or more. There you can also visit any of the museums or galleries along the way. The walk, as presented here, is arranged from South to North, ending by the Chocolate Museum, where the original waterfront starts.

Get in:

Stadtbahn lines: 15 and 16.

Hohenzollern Bridge

Also called the Locking Bridge. If you walk to the back of the Kölner Dom along a straight path, there is a bridge on the Rhine to your right that is covered in padlocks. Definitely one of the must-visit places of Cologne.

Cologne’s Old Town

As you explore Cologne‘s historic churches and museums, you’ll come across the city’s lovely Old Town quarters and its many unique charms, one of them the Great St. Martin church. Cologne’s Old down has countless monuments and fountains that adorn the area, along with its Archaeological Zone and the many ancient ruins and artifacts. The Altstadt is surrounded by a ring of wide avenues running over the former city walls of Cologne. They all have street names ending with the word Ring. One of our favorite places to visit in Cologne!

St Gereon’s Church

This is probably one of the most unusual churches you will visit in Cologne. Built on the site of a former 7th-century church which was constructed on a ten-sided domed structure that is still visible, the Romanesque St. Gereon’s Church has a visually appealing architecture that includes highlights such as its unique long choir and its several medieval murals, mosaics and ancient relics.

Opening hours

Mon – Fri: 10 am – 6 pm
Sat: 10 am – 5.30 pm
Sun: 1 pm – 6 pm

The crypt:
Wed: 3 pm – 5 pm
Sat: 10 am – noon

Augustburg Palace

Now we are cheating a little bit but the amazing Augustburg Palace needed to be in this city guide. This incredible building is located 15km south of Cologne, in a small town called Brühl. Besides its unique architectural style, the Augustburg Palace is surrounded by one of the most dazzling and colorful gardens in the city.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Friday – 9 am – 12 am | 1:30 pm – 4 pm ( last admission )
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays – 10 am – 5pm ( last admission )

Stay tuned for more IMM 2019 news! We’ll be showing everything you need to know in order to experience this amazing city to its fullest during your stay.