2 Nights Cologne, Germany- 4* Mercure Hotel Köln West

Cologne Holidays

Cologne Holidays

City breaks to Cologne are the whole package when it comes to culture – think beer halls, museums and historic landmarks.

Cologne city breaks

This iconic German city sits in the west of the country, on the banks of the Rhine River. Its charming old town delivers on cobblestone streets, pastel-hued houses and museums, while its modern centre has a glossier feel. Cologne’s known for its beer scene and its Christmas markets, too. And everything’s watched over by the city’s most famous landmark – its impressive Gothic cathedral.

A UNESCO-stamped cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is one of Germany’s most-visited landmarks, and it’s not difficult to see why. Its foundations were laid way back in 1248, and construction didn’t finish until more than 600 years later, in 1880. But taking their time on the build paid off – it’s a Gothic masterpiece, and at around 160 metres high, one of the tallest buildings in the city.

A riverside old town

The city’s old town spreads out near the riverbank. It’s stuffed with traditional restaurants, cosy pubs and a huge crop of museums. The latter includes a chocolate museum, where you can create your own customised chocolate bar. As for the old town’s squares, they play host to markets throughout the week, so don’t forget to swing by to pick up a few souvenirs.

First-class festivitie

Cologne really comes to life during the festive season. Like its other German counterparts, the city’s Christmas markets know how to pull in the crowds. The biggest of the bunch unfolds next to the cathedral – vendors sell everything from souvenirs to currywursts and mulled wine, all from wooden huts decked out with twinkling lights and garlands.