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North Rhine-Westphalia Churches & cathedrals

Our most recommended North Rhine-Westphalia Churches & cathedrals

Cologne: The Dark Side of the City Walking Tour

1. Cologne: The Dark Side of the City Walking Tour

Enjoy a guided walk through Cologne and discover the dark side of the city as you hear about rogues, kidnappers and other rapscallions. Stroll through the streets and marvel at the famous cathedral, St. Andrew's Church and other sights. Start with the talking punishments of the Middle Ages and follow the manifold deeds, judgements and punishments down to our own day. Who was the last poisoner sentenced to death in Germany, and who was the vampire of Düsseldorf ? Do heads really roll in Cologne at carnival ? Where was the red light at home in Cologne and what did Romy Schneider have to do with Cologne pimps? Enjoy a spooky city walk you won't forget. Go home with lots of interesting facts about Cologne's ghoulish past and stories about this sometimes dark, sometimes red-lit city.

Cologne: Private Walking Tour of City Center

2. Cologne: Private Walking Tour of City Center

Discover some of Cologne’s most relevant sites on a private walking tour in the city center. Wander along the river Rhine, gaze at the Cologne Cathedral, and cross the Hohenzollern Bridge while chatting with a local guide. Begin the tour in front of the city’s famed cathedral and take in this hallmark, historical structure that lies adjacent to the Rhine. The cathedral is the city’s second tallest building and boasts the title of UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, take the opportunity to see the Dionysus Mosaic, which dates from around A.D. 220 and is the centerpiece of the Roman-Germanic Museum. After checking out the mosaic, stroll along the Hohenzollern Bridge, which overlooks the Rhine, and snap some photos to capture this memorable experience. From the bridge, continue the tour in Cologne’s Old Town and experience its unique historical appeal. Take in the traditional old housing and local breweries, which are located directly along the Rhine. As you pass through Old Town’s narrow alleys, next stop at the Great St. Martin Church located at the city’s historical fish market. Observe the church’s distinctive design that has shaped Old Town’s skyline throughout the years. Next pass by the Willi Ostermann Fountain and then stop by the historical Cologne City Hall, famous for its Renaissance façade. After that check out the city’s largest shopping strip, Hohe Street, where everything can be found from electronics to clothes and shoes. Wrap up the walking tour by stopping at Heinzelmännchen Fountain, a monument dedicated to a local myth about little people who used to work all night so the people of Cologne could take it easy during the day.     

Cologne: Medieval Churches Private Walking Tour

3. Cologne: Medieval Churches Private Walking Tour

"They say that there are as many churches in Cologne as there are days in a year, so on this original tour we will show you the city's most historically and architecturally important sacred buildings! Discover interesting facts and legends about religion in Germany. Your 2-hour tour begins right in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, at the lively Old Market Square. This is where you will find Great St. Martin Church, one of the city’s 12 Romanesque churches. Step inside this magnificent building to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere and hear its story, from the original Roman chapel, through a Benedictine monastery, to WWII damages and reconstruction. A few steps away you will find Cologne Cathedral, the city’s most famous monument. Admire its spectacular Gothic architecture and find out why the Cathedral is important not only to Cologne’s Christians but also Jews. See also the Baroque-style Kirche Mariä Himmelfahrt and the Romanesque-style Basilica of St Ursula, which houses a shrine made of real bones. The final stop will be at the medieval Basilica of St Gereon, which has one of the largest and most beautiful domes in Europe."

Exclusive Historical Walk of Cologne with a Local

4. Exclusive Historical Walk of Cologne with a Local

Experience the city of Cologne from an insider's point of view on this tour with a local guide. Take pictures of stunning locations like St. Martin's Church, Cologne Cathedral, and the Rheinauhafen waterfront complex. Start your adventure at the St. Gereon Church and walk towards the city's old fortification. Explore and take pictures of local spots and hidden gems that a typical tour won’t show you. Learn about the history of the old market and Cologne Cathedral. Then, take in the towering heights and romanesque beauty of St. Martin’s Church, a favorite landmark among the locals. End your sightseeing at the newly designed and restructured Rheinauhafen waterfront complex to explore some more of the city on your own.

Cologne: Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

5. Cologne: Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

Walk by a pedestrian street which is 500 meters long and is a wonderful mix of modern, and Roman architectures. Said to be the busiest shopping street in Europe, we'll be walking by its wonders: the Atoniterkirche church, or the Weltstadthaus contemporary building, designed by Renzo Piano. Stop at Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus, also known as the Farina Fragrance Museum, it is the oldest fragrance factory and the birthplace of Eau de Cologne. We will travel back in the Rococo Era to learn the astonishing production methods of perfume, but also the history of the original Eau de Cologne. Walk by Rathausplatz, the oldest city hall in Germany. Founded in the 12th century, the Renaissance style monument is the home of the mayor and the city government. The City Hall is composed of a Gothic-style tower of 61 meters high, a Renaissance-style external corridor, a piazzeta and a spanisher bau. Those various design styles make the building unique. Visit the Great St. Martin Church, a wonderful example of Medieval architecture. Founded in the 10th century on the remains of a Roman chapel, the building has been built and rebuilt many times. The Great St. Martin Church went by many Baroque and Classical influences. Get to see the Cologne Chocolate Museum and experience Chocolate history from the Maya period to our present day. Several attractions are waiting for you there: the palm house composed of cacao trees, a 3-meter-high chocolate fountain, and small versions of the machines used in the creation of chocolate. Walk on the Hohenzollern Bridge, built between 1907 and 1911, it was one of the most important bridges during World War II in Germany. Since 1948, it has become a tied arch bridge surrounded by four beautiful equestrian statues representing Prussian kings and German Emperors. Finally, get to see the Cathedral, a World Heritage Site since 1996, and a famous monument of Gothic architecture. With the largest façade and the tallest twin-spired in the world, the Cologne Cathedral is considered as a masterpiece in all Christian Monument History.

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What people are saying about North Rhine-Westphalia

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 267 reviews

Natalia very well, very attentive to explaining to us and allowing us to take photos, she gave us important and also curious information about the city and its culture, stories and tips where to eat and drink, very good in her guide.

Jutta reported in detail and with humor. The tour was put together well and very varied. Therefore, the four teenagers in the group were happy and interested in what was happening.

The experience was just great, but the meeting point and arrival time of the guide did not quite match and unfortunately it took us a while to find him.

We were all very happy with the tour! Our guide did a really great job. We will definitely contact you again on our next visit :)