City itineraries · Germany
Cologne, day by day
Cologne is a Roman capital that became the largest city in medieval Germany, with a cathedral that took six hundred years and the densest group of Romanesque churches in Europe. These plans cover the old town, the churches and the rebuilt harbour.
Updated 13 September 2026 · 9 official sources checked · report an error
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3 days in Cologne
Before you go
Good to know in Cologne
Cologne Cathedral: the new ticket rule and the hours
- The cathedral states: “Since 1 July 2026, you have required a ticket to visit Cologne Cathedral.” Sightseeing hours are generally 10:00 to 17:45 daily with the last entry at 17:30, and 13:30 to 16:30 on Sundays and church holidays with the last entry at 16:15. The cathedral itself is open from 06:00 to 20:00.Source: Kölner Dom — Öffnungszeiten · checked Sep 2026
Two museums that are closed
- The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is shut for a two-year general refurbishment and will not reopen until the end of 2028, when the restored Ungers building and a new extension by Christ & Gantenbein open together. The museum states explicitly that its works will not be shown at other venues during the closure.Source: Wallraf-Richartz-Museum — Vorübergehend geschlossen · checked Sep 2026
Museums: hours, prices and the first Thursday
- Museum Ludwig opens Tuesday to Sunday including public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00, and until 22:00 on the first Thursday of each month; it is closed on Mondays except public holidays. On that first Thursday, the KölnTag, entry is free for Cologne residents to the collection and all special exhibitions, while non-residents pay the regular price until 17:00 and 7.00 euros after it. KölnCard holders may visit all municipal museums at a 20 per cent reduction.Source: Museum Ludwig — Tickets + Öffnungszeiten · checked Sep 2026
The cable car: season and fares
- The Kölner Seilbahn's 2026 season began on 12 March and runs daily from 10:00 to 18:00 until the beginning of November, with the last boarding at 17:45. It also runs on all four Advent weekends, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 to 18:00: 28–29 November, 5–6 December, 12–13 December and 19–20 December 2026. A single one-way ticket costs 5.50 euros for adults and 3.30 euros for children aged 4 to 12 (2026 prices); tickets are sold only at the ticket office and cannot be reserved.Source: Kölner Seilbahn — Fahrten · checked Sep 2026
Kolumba: the annual rebuild
- Kolumba rehangs its entire exhibition once a year and closes for the changeover. The museum gives 19 and 20 September 2026, 12:00 to 17:00, as the opening days of the new annual exhibition, with free admission on both.Source: Kolumba — Eröffnungstage · checked Sep 2026
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