Cologne

At 160 metres tall, Cologne’s iconic Gothic cathedral pierces the sky above the city. In fact, it’s one of the tallest churches in the world! Construction on it began in the 13th century, but the cathedral wasn’t completed until 1880! The interior houses many treasures, notably the Altar of the Poor Clares and the Shrine of the Three Kings believed to hold the relics of the Biblical Magi.

There are around 40 museums in Cologne! Our top three would include the Museum Ludwig dedicated to 20th-century art (Picasso, Modigliani, Malevich, Warhol, etc.), the Chocolate Museum, which is an essential stop for food-lovers, and finally, the Romano-Germanic Museum, which will delight archaeology buffs with its ancient Roman villa.

Explore beyond the city centre and head to the Ehrenfeld district. You’ll notice the spectacular graffiti brightening up the neighbourhood walls. A peaceful atmosphere prevails in the small cafés and slow food restaurants. And don’t forget to visit Melaten-Friedhof cemetery, which is reminiscent of Père Lachaise in Paris.

Have a lunch or evening meal to remember! The Osman 30 restaurant is on the 30th floor of the Kölnturm tower, which is about 150 metres tall. You can savour a delicious meal as you enjoy unrivalled views of the city at the same time. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the restaurant organises special events, so you can enjoy Cologne by night.

If you want to do a spot of shopping or are looking for a great night out, then make your way to the Belgisches Viertel, or Belgian district. It’s very trendy and arty, and you can lose yourself in the pretty, little streets. The boutiques, cafés and bars are a mix of contemporary and traditional, but the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere is prevalent wherever you go.

For a quick bite to eat, you need to grab a Halve Hahn. But do you know what it is? It may sound like it, but it’s not half a hen! A Halve Hahn is like a ploughman’s lunch and consists of a small rye bread roll, mustard, slices of cheese (often gouda) and large gherkins. So, no meat!

When in Germany, you have to sample the local wurst, a traditional German sausage found all over the country. However, a delicacy local to the Rhineland is flönz, a popular, smoked black pudding. It’s a delicious sausage that’s usually served with mashed potato or fruit purée.