We finally made it to Cologne (or Köln in German) with the kids, and it turned out to be such a lovely surprise. Cologne is famous for its Christmas markets, but we visited in May while seeing family and ended up discovering much more than we expected, both in the city and just outside it.
We took the Eurostar train from Paris and spent 4 days in the city during the May public holidays in France. That’s way more than you need if you’re just planning to stay in Cologne itself. I think one or two days is enough for seeing the main highlights of the city. One of the biggest surprises of this trip was how much we loved heading outside the city. We did a full day trip to nearby castles and scenic spots, and realized we only scratched the surface of what the area has to offer to families. If you’re visiting Cologne with kids and don’t have a car, renting one for a day or two really opens up day trip possibilities into some lovely places.
Where we stayed in Cologne with kids
We stayed at the Aparthotel Adagio in Cologne, which fits the “cheap and cheerful” category really well. The rooms are actually apartments with kitchens, so you can make breakfast in the room if you want to save money, or you can pay extra for the hotel breakfast (which we didn’t feel was worth around €20 per person). The hotel’s reception area has a foosball table, which was a nice little surprise and there is even a ‘kids corner’ with toys, board games and a piano.
The location is very convenient for walking into the city centre. There are also lots of cafes within a couple of minutes’ walk, including Café Sisu, Café Goldjunge Köln Innenstadt and Café Boxenstopp, where you can get very nice breakfasts. Do call or stop by to book a table, even for breakfast. I was really surprised when we discovered that all the nearby places were fully booked for breakfast. So, after that experience, we started reserving each breakfast in advance.
Things to do in Cologne with kids
Cologne itself is surprisingly compact. You could easily see the main sights in about a day, maybe two if you take it slowly. The real bonus was that our relatives showed us how much there is to explore just outside the city, and that’s what made the trip feel special. They had actually planned a whole day out for us to visit nearby castles, and we were really pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed heading beyond the city. Here is what we go up to in Cologne with kids.
Visiting the Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral was, of course, the big wow moment. It’s huge, dramatic, and completely dominates the skyline. It’s the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, and when you stand in front of it you can really feel its scale. When it was completed in 1880 after more than 600 years of construction, it became the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower overtook it a few years later. The cathedral is beautiful inside, so definitely go in to admire the stained glass windows and the impressive scale of the building. Entry is free unless you want to visit the tower, which has 533 steps leading up to a viewing platform. In that case, tickets cost €8 per adult and €4 per child.
Playing in the Splash Park
The riverside splash fountains were one of the nicest little stops for the kids. They’re a short walk from the cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge, and the shallow, sculpted water play area is perfect for letting children cool off after sightseeing. Kids can take off shoes and play in the water, a really lovely spot to relax in. We ended up here each day somehow.
Walking along the Rhine and the Hohenzollern Bridge
We really enjoyed walking along the Rhine and over the Hohenzollern Bridge. The bridge is covered in thousands of love locks. Some love the idea, others hate it! There’s a nice promenade on both sides of the river, so it’s easy to stroll, and the whole area has a relaxed, family-friendly feel. Along the way you’ll find plenty of cafes, places to stop for a drink or ice cream, and cruise boat rental services, so there’s always something happening by the water.
Lindt Chocolate Museum
The Lindt Chocolate Museum was a clear favourite for the children. It was really well set up, with plenty of chocolate samples along the way, and the museum shows how chocolate is made at each stage of production. For a small extra fee, the kids even got to design and personalise their own chocolate bar, which was definitely the best part of the experience. We then stayed at the museum café for hot chocolate and more sweet treats on the outdoor terrace.
On the same little peninsula as the Chocolate Museum, there are two other family-friendly attractions we didn’t get a chance to try but would definitely do next time. Right outside the museum is the large Cologne Ferris Wheel, with panoramic glass gondolas overlooking the Rhine and the cathedral. Nearby is also the German Sport & Olympic Museum, which apparently has lots of hands-on activities for children, including football goal walls, a boxing ring and interactive sports stations.
The House of Farina and Eau de Cologne
A little surprise for us was the House of Farina, the birthplace of Eau de Cologne. Cologne the scent is named after the city where it was created in the early 18th century. The children loved smelling the base scents by lifting up the lids and the shop itself was a very interesting place to browse. 4711 is another popular Cologne fragrance house, with its fragrance house and shop situated near the cathedral.
Other family-friendly activities to try in Cologne
If you’re planning a longer stay or want extra options for kids, here are more family-friendly things to do in Cologne beyond the highlights we visited:
- Phantasialand is one of Germany’s best theme parks, about 30 minutes from Cologne. It has rides for all ages, from gentle family rides to more thrilling attractions.
- Cologne Zoo – one of the oldest and most well-known zoos in Germany.
- Aqualand – a large indoor/outdoor water park with a small kids’ area and bigger slides for older children. It can be a good option if the weather turns or you need a fun break from sightseeing.
Exploring outside Cologne with kids
One of the biggest surprises of this trip was how much we loved heading outside the city. Our relatives planned a full day trip to nearby castles and scenic spots, and we were really pleasantly surprised by how much there is to explore in the surrounding region. If you’re visiting Cologne with kids and don’t have a car, renting one for a day or two could be a very fun thing to do. You can easily fit in a full day of castle-hopping, abbey walks, and scenic drives.
During our day out, we visited:
- Burg Eltz – a fairy-tale castle that looks like it’s straight out of a storybook, set in a forested valley. A guided tour in English or German is included in the cost of the entry ticket.
- Benediktinerabtei Maria Laach – a beautiful Benedictine abbey with a stunning lake and grounds, perfect for walking and relaxing.
- Burg Olbrück – rugged hilltop fortress feel, with great views once you climbed to the top.
If we’d had more time, we’d also have visited Sitzbank Montenich near the village of Montenich in the Moselle region. It’s basically a giant scenic countryside bench placed at a viewpoing overlooking the hills.
If you’ve been to Cologne, let me know what you thought of it in the comments below.
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