Cologne Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) · via Wikimedia Commons; Shijin Thomas, Hatem Wardeh, Azad Yousif Kheder, Raoul Juchem, Antònia Coll Alemany · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Germany
- Region:
- Rhine
- Coordinates:
- 50.9422° N, 6.9578° E
About Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-most populous city and the largest in North Rhine-Westphalia, with over 1.0 million inhabitants in the city proper. Located on the River Rhine, the port puts you within easy reach of eight significant attractions, most within a short walk or brief journey from the terminal.
The standout sight is Cologne Cathedral, just 0.1 km from the port, with a 4.7 rating across 5585 reviews. Equally close are Museum Ludwig (0.2 km, 4.5 rating, 9623 reviews) and Romans' Northern Gate (0.1 km, 4.4 rating, 203 reviews). For outdoor space, Rheingarten sits 0.4 km away with a 4.5 rating and 8243 reviews.
What to see and do
Beyond these headline attractions, you'll find Heinzelmännchenbrunnen (0.3 km), Römerbrunnen (0.5 km), Rheinboulevard observation deck (0.9 km, 4.6 rating, 2594 reviews) and Der Pegelturm (0.7 km). Cologne sits within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, the second-largest by GDP in the European Union.
Nearby ports
From Cologne, you can visit other Rhine cruises ports including Koblenz, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Strasbourg and Basel.
Cologne is the fourth-most populous city of Germany and the largest city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia with over 1.0 million inhabitants in the city proper and over 3.1 million people in the Cologne Bonn urban region. Cologne is also part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, the second biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the European Union. Centred on the left bank of the Rhine, Cologne is located on the River Rhine, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) southeast of the North Rhine-Westphalia state capital Düsseldorf and 22 kilometres (14 mi) northwest of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Cologne on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Jörg Scherer · via Google Maps Art museum
Museum Ludwig
4.5 (9,623) 0.2 km from port
The formerly private collection of Peter Ludwig, with paintings, ceramics, sketches & prints.
Near: Cologne Philharmonic Hall (38 m) · Filmforum NRW (50 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “Very great experience. Of course, I enjoyed modern art and pop art more than more recent contemporary works. The fact…” — Povilas Godliauskas
- 5 · “If there is one museum in Cologne that demonstrates how modern art can be both intellectually rigorous and emotionally engaging…” — Angela Lidder
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Photo: joel hasman · via Google Maps Park and Garden
Rheingarten
4.5 (8,243) 0.4 km from port
This strip of parkland along the Rhine River has walking & cycling paths.
Near: Stapelhaus (18 m) · Black Angus XL Steakhouse (23 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “It is a beautiful pedestrian zone between Hohenzollern Bridge and famous Cathedral. There were many shops' restaurants and cafes on…” — Balkrishna Shroff
- 5 · “It's a really nice walk, with cool old buildings, the river, and some green space. Watch out for bikes 🚴♂💥…” — adir adler
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Photo: KPT_KL · via Google Maps Church
Cologne Cathedral
4.7 (5,585) 0.1 km from port
Landmark Gothic cathedral with a huge facade, plus guided tours & Rhine views.
Near: Shrine of the Three Kings (34 m) · Wartesaal am Dom (103 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “600-Year Prayer in Stone: The Majesty of Cologne Cathedral 🇩🇪⛪ Rising above the Rhine like a dark, intricate crown, the…” — Ari Zingillioglu
- 5 · “Architecture is absolutely insane. It’s stunning both during the day and at night. Loved it so much. I didn’t go…” — Maryna Pikhovych
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Photo: Tanja Winter · via Google Maps Observation Deck
Rheinboulevard
4.6 (2,594) 0.9 km from port
Riverside walkway with a 1,640-foot-long row of steps overlooking the Rhine, old town & cathedral.
Near: Rheinpromenade Köln-Deutz (118 m) · LANXESS AG - Headquarter (125 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Rheinboulevard is one of Cologne’s most spectacular waterfront destinations, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Rhine River, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner…” — Amir Ardalan Davoodi
- 5 · “Cologne has a complicated relationship with its river. The Rhine runs through the city but for decades the city turned…” — Lilia Faizova
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Tourist attraction
Heinzelmännchenbrunnen
4.5 (842) 0.3 km from port
Ornate 19th-century fountain & sculptures commemorating a local legend about house gnomes.
Near: Eden Hotel Früh Am Dom (25 m) · Bakery Merzenich on Wallrafplatz (62 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Dogs allowed
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “If you are walking around the cathedral area, the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen (Pixies' Fountain) is a delightful stop that is very close…” — Nora
- 5 · “Heinzelmännchenbrunnen (the “Pixies/Elves Fountain”) is one of my favorite small surprises in Cologne. It’s not a huge tourist “event,” but…” — Eugene L
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Historical landmark
Romans' Northern Gate
4.4 (203) 0.1 km from port
Near: Excelsior Hotel Ernst (51 m) · Domforum (53 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Our family was here in 1977, profoundly moved by the cathedral with its soaring Gothic arches, then surprised to find…” — Roger Smith
- 4 · “The Roman North Gate, also known as the "Archiwka," is a well-preserved ancient Roman structure located in the city of…” — Daryll Davis
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Tourist attraction
Römerbrunnen
4.4 (137) 0.5 km from port
Near: Die Suppenbar (17 m) · Verwaltungsgericht Köln (105 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Α really nice sculpture water fountain in front of the old Roman walls Unfortunately it was out of order when…” — Kostis Katsirntakis
- 5 · “Beautiful remnant of Roman wall and reliefs” — Lukasz Zbylut
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Tourist attraction
Der Pegelturm
4.5 (83) 0.7 km from port
Near: Das kalte Eck (24 m) · Söckchen Altstadtkneipe (36 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “It's worth a look; it's a part of Cologne's history. The water level tower has survived many times and stands…” — Sven Pfeiffer
- 5 · “For me, as a Cologne native, it's a piece of culture. During the severe floods, it was repeatedly featured in…” — Anton Huber
Map of Cologne and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Cologne
Cruises to Rhine mostly sail april to October.
- Jan
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Cruises calling at Cologne
Deals update daily — see all Rhine cruises.
