Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
German
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1)
Best Time to Visit
May–Oct
Typical Duration
7-14 nights
Price Range
$1,695–$18,843 per person
Port Type
Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Gateway to the Rhine River valley with iconic Gothic cathedral, medieval old town, and access to some of Europe's most scenic river cruise itineraries.
Cruises that visit Cologne
- cruises to Cologne
- Cologne sailings
- Cologne cruises
- 4-night Riverside Luxury Cruises cruise
- 5-night Riverside Luxury Cruises cruise
- 5-night Riverside Luxury Cruises cruise
- 6-night Riverside Luxury Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking River Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Cologne
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 8:00 PM
Usually about 12 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Schokoladenmuseum Köln
Waterside museum devoted to chocolate
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Lanxess Arena
Indoor sports arena & concert venue
Köln Arcaden
Lots of shops en good food from the Kamps.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
NEUMARKT Galerie Köln
Good choice of shops, only let down is a toilet for 50 euro cents.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu
Old Market
Longtime marketplace with shops & cafes
GALERIA Kaufhof Köln Hohe Straße
Good department with with a food shopping area in the basement
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Hohenzollern Bridge
Landmark Rhine span with 'love locks'
Gilden im Zims “Heimat kölscher Helden”
Tavern with local cuisine & brews
Gaffel am Dom - Brauhaus
Classic restaurant with a bar & garden
Rhein-Center Köln
A Beautiful shopping mall with many shops and a rich food court.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Museum Ludwig
Extensive collection of modern artwork
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Peters Brauhaus
Venerable brewpub for Cologne cuisine
Rheingarten
Park with cycling & walking paths
Heumarkt
Square with a popular Christmas market
The Walkings - Free Tour Cologne
Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu
City-Center Köln-Chorweiler
It contains rewe , dm , netto , some restourant and many turkish shops.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Augustiner am Heumarkt
Dine-in·No delivery
Lindenthaler Tierpark
Hands-on zoo set amid lush greenery
Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Funkhaus Cafe-Bar-Restaurant
Cathedral views & mid-century style
Cologne Triangle
Office tower with dining & a scenic view
Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Servus Colonia Alpina
Buzzing venue for Bavarian food & drink
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Buzzy German eatery known for schnitzels
Volksgarten
Scenic historic park with ancient ruins
Jameson Pub Cologne
Lively hangout for Irish food & drinks
Gaststätte Lommerzheim
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Haxenhaus
Robust German dishes & riverside tables
Kaffeesaurus
Easygoing option for breakfast & coffee
Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Cologne Cathedral
Grand Gothic cathedral with twin spires
Closed · Opens 6 AM Thu
Max Stark
Relaxed brewpub with a vintage feel
GALERIA KARSTADT Köln
It's large and has many top brands and varieties
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
PIZZA PASTA LUCCA
Casual pizzeria with sidewalk tables
ST. LOUIS Breakfast
Lively cafe & bar with all-day breakfast
Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Wilma Wunder Köln
Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery
Quincy
The facilities are great, some shops are good too.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Brauhaus Sünner im Walfisch
Kölsch beer in a 17th-century house
Time Ride
Historical virtual reality experience
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
Fine art from 14th to early 20th century
Temporarily closed
Black Angus XL Steakhouse
Lively, modern stop for burgers & grills
Duftmuseum im Farina Haus
Museum in world's oldest perfume factory
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Green Smoke Cologne
Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery
Opern Passagen
A beautiful and historical shop that everyone must go to see when is in Köln
Closes soon · 9 PM
Blackfoot Beach
Caribbean-themed beach club by a lake
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Papa Joe's Jazz Bar
Cozy joint offering live jazz nightly
Ristorante il Tartufo
Airy stop for elevated Italian plates
Rheinboulevard
Riverfront walk with steps & city views
Hänneschen und die Pfeffermühle
Casual restaurant serving global cuisine
Closes soon · 9:30 PM
Fühlinger See, Sport- und Erholungsanlage
Lakes, park trails & rowing regattas
RheinZeit
Classic dishes with a laid-back vibe
Café de Paris Cologne
Eatery for classic French & International fare
Hommage Café
Casual coffee shop with light fare
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu
Fish Market
Quaint square & cafes near the Rhine
The Corkonian Irish pub
Classic watering hole with a terrace
Kuchi Mami
Informal eatery for classic Asian fare
Great St. Martin Church
Romanesque church with iconic tower
UNIQLO Köln
amazing place for adult clothing value for quality and design.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Kolumba
Contemporary museum with religious art
Temporarily closed
Strandbad Otto-Maigler-See
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Gruber's
Elegant space for Austrian fine dining
Little Link
Trendy cocktail bar with a terrace
THE COFFEE GANG
Simple cafe serving coffee & sandwiches
Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Playa in Cologne
Monkey's Island Köln
Lakeside park with a sandy beach
Closes soon · 9 PM
Rievkoochebud
Basic stand for potato pancakes & beers
Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
The Copper Pot - Köln
Live folk songs, TV sports & draft stout
Jlöcklich Barista Café
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Café Chocolate
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery
Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
ST. LOUIS Café-Köln
Cozy stop with cafe fare & vegan choices
Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom
Sausage & potatoes in a rustic venue
WakeClubCologne am Rather See
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Toddy Tapper - Köln
Popular standby for exotic cocktails
Restaurant Brücken
Simple German & Mediterranean cooking
ONA MOR Bar - Köln
Dine-in·No takeout
Urban Outfitters
Very pricey & often crowded but all in all a very good shop
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Woods
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery
Le Moissonnier
French fine dining in a stylish locale
Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
km 689 Cologne Beach Club
Rhine-side beach for cocktails & snacks
Grace & Grape Bar | Cocktails | Wein | Events
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Ox&Klee
Creative cuisine in a stylish space
Restaurant maiBeck
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
The Bär | Gin- & Cocktailbar Köln
Dine-in·No delivery
Trattoria l’Ancora
Dine-in
Hanse Stube
Fine French dining in a formal space
Niehler Strand
Miami am Rhein
Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery
Pottkind
Lauded destination for haute cuisine
Sahila - The Restaurant
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Limbourg - Köln
Traditional restaurant with a terrace
Strand am von-Diergardt-See
restaurant maximilian lorenz
Chic haunt for modern German cuisine
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Cologne
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Cologne
Cologne stands as one of Europe's most captivating Rhine River ports, drawing cruise passengers from around the world to experience its remarkable blend of medieval history and vibrant modern culture. As a primary port of call on the Rhine, this German gem serves as a perfect launching point for exploring some of Europe's most scenic waterways. Whether you're embarking on a classic 7-night Rhine itinerary or a longer journey that winds through Amsterdam, Koblenz, Strasbourg, Basel, and Breisach, Cologne offers the ideal balance of cultural immersion and convenient river access.
What makes Cologne truly special is its stunning waterfront location, crowned by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral—a Gothic masterpiece that dominates the skyline and greets you as your ship approaches the dock. The port facilities are exceptionally passenger-friendly, with direct access to the charming Old Town just steps away. Here you'll discover centuries-old traditions, world-class museums, excellent local cuisine, and the famous Kölsch beer that locals have perfected for generations. Major cruise lines including Viking River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Viking Ocean Cruises regularly include Cologne on their itineraries, particularly during the peak months of May through October.
Whether you have a few hours or a full day in port, Cologne rewards exploration with unforgettable experiences that capture the very essence of the Rhine Valley.
What makes Cologne truly special is its stunning waterfront location, crowned by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral—a Gothic masterpiece that dominates the skyline and greets you as your ship approaches the dock. The port facilities are exceptionally passenger-friendly, with direct access to the charming Old Town just steps away. Here you'll discover centuries-old traditions, world-class museums, excellent local cuisine, and the famous Kölsch beer that locals have perfected for generations. Major cruise lines including Viking River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Viking Ocean Cruises regularly include Cologne on their itineraries, particularly during the peak months of May through October.
Whether you have a few hours or a full day in port, Cologne rewards exploration with unforgettable experiences that capture the very essence of the Rhine Valley.
Cruise Lines at Cologne
- Viking River Cruises (2103 cruises)
- Emerald Cruises (721 cruises)
- Riverside Luxury Cruises (48 cruises)
- Viking Ocean Cruises (6 cruises)
Cruises Departing From Cologne
Cruises Visiting Cologne
Ship Schedule at Cologne
Cologne Location
Other Cruise Ports in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cologne best known for?
Cologne Cathedral and the Rhine's historic Old Town are iconic sights.
When is the best time to visit Cologne?
Spring and autumn offer mild weather; avoid peak tourist weekends.
Is Cologne Cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How can I reach the Cathedral by public transport?
Take the regional train to Cologne Central Station, then walk to the Cathedral.