What’s on in Cologne (Koln)

Connect to Cologne in western Germany’s bustling heartland and explore a modern metropolis grown from an age-old city. Wander the pedestrianised streets of Cologne’s Altstadt or Old Town, taking you from the grandeur of ancient Rome at the Roman-Germanic Museum to the glorious monument to Christianity that is Cologne Cathedral – Germany’s largest. There’s a lot to take in, but a cold Kölsch beer and a Halver Hahn cheese roll should keep you going.

From the main station, Cologne Hauptbahnhof, it’s less than five minutes' walk to the Cathedral – just exit via the plaza that faces Trankgasse and Cologne’s most iconic landmark soars directly above you. Or, for a more leisurely way to explore, amble along Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer. Straddling the Rhine, it’s a 30-minute walk to the Botanical Gardens and Zoo. To travel anywhere else in the region the station is well connected to the public transport network (S-Bahn or U-Bahn trains and bus), and there are plenty of taxis around if you’re lugging lots of luggage.

Chill out over a tall, slim glass of refreshing Kölsch beer in one of Cologne Altstadt's leafy beer gardens in summer, or in winter warm up among the locals with pretzels in a Brauhäuser. Head west to the Belgisches Viertel (Belgian quarter) and soak up the relaxed vibe in the bars and late-opening cafés, or go south to the Südstadt for a trendier crowd.

The city centre is easily explored on foot. The teeming shopping streets of Hohe Strasse, Schildergasse and Breite Strasse are pedestrianised and most of the main attractions cluster around the Altstadt on the Rhine's left bank. With wide cycling paths flanking both sides of the river, hiring a bike is a good option. If you get tired, hop on the tram that snakes from north to south, or the efficient U-Bahn (metro), which criss-crosses the city. There are also fantastic panoramic views of the city from the Seilbahn cable car across the majestic River Rhine.

Trace the Rhine's Roman roots at the Roman-Germanic Museum where you'll find the famous Dionysos mosaic (made of a million tiles) and the tomb of Poblicius. Reopened in 2007, the Kolumba Museum houses two millennia of western culture. Modern art heroes from Picasso to Warhol grace the walls of the Museum Ludwig, and you can get up close to classic masterpieces at the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, housing works by Rubens and Rembrandt.

Relax in one of Cologne's corners of greenery; take a boat along the River Rhine and stop at Cologne Zoo to meet apes and elephants. The adjacent Botanical Gardens are free, and provide a tranquil contrast with their tropical greenhouse and palm-tree garden. Quirky statues and unusual artworks can be found in Cologne's Sculpture Park, while surrounding the city is the Grüngürtel, Cologne's Green Lung. Made up of several different parks including the Stadtwald and Volksgarten, it's the perfect place for a picnic. Head north to bathe in the Fühlinger See lake, or go east to spot deer in Dünnwald Forest.

Chocoholics can satisfy their cravings at Cologne's Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum), while those who are passionate about perfume should visit the city’s Fragrance Museum. Flavoursome Cologne specialities include Halver Hahn; literally translated from the local dialect as half a chicken, it's actually rye bread with Dutch cheese and mustard. Get stuck in to tasty regional snacks like Kölsche Kaviar (blood sausage), Rievkooche (potato pancakes), Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated beef) and Himmel und Ääd (Heaven and Earth) apple and potato puree.