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:
Cologne Cathedral
You can go upstairs for a reasonable fee.
Closed · Opens 6 AM Thu
Lanxess Arena
Also a lot of things to do outside of the Arena.
Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom
Great atmosphere, excellent food and drinks—definitely a 5-star experience.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Köln Arcaden
Reasonable prices for quality products, not too much crowdy.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
NEUMARKT Galerie Köln
Stores are organized and prices are affordable and fair.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu
Old Market
Variety of yummy food and activities to do.
GALERIA Köln Hohe Straße
They had a nice selection of items with good sales.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Hohenzollern Bridge
It's a free experience and worth the price.
Rhein-Center Köln
fancy shopping center with Starbucks inside on the first floor;
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Gaffel am Dom - Brauhaus
Impeccable service, good food, and a beautiful and pleasant place.
Closes soon · 12 AM
Museum Ludwig
Also, great activities for kids, especially in the Pop Lab!
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Rheingarten
The water play area is much enjoyed by the children.
Heumarkt
Lots of stalls and activities.
City-Center Köln-Chorweiler
It contains rewe , dm , netto , some restourant and many turkish shops.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Globetrotter Cologne
Everything you could possibly want, high quality, reasonable prices.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Augustiner am Heumarkt
The best food, drinks, service and atmosphere.
Closes soon · 12 AM
Cologne Triangle
I recommend going for sunset to see the lights turn on.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Volksgarten
Suitable for toddlers and bigger kids alike.
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Great service - delicious food - chill atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 5 PM Thu
Jameson Pub Cologne
Amazing vibes, cool drinks, great live music
Max Stark
The food, people, service, and atmosphere are perfect!
Closes soon · 12 AM
Quincy
Good mall with limited stores
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
This Museum has great collection of realistic art.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Time Ride
The part with the hat maker was fun and the VR experience was incredible.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Duftmuseum im Farina Haus
The activity at the end of tour was very fun and interactive.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Opern Passagen
Lots of choice at the supermarket on the ground floor!
Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Papa Joe's Jazz Bar
Cocktails are affordable and delicious and the environment is amazing!
Rheinboulevard
It works at every hour differently.
Ristorante il Tartufo
Wonderful atmosphere , great service and excellent meal.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Hänneschen und die Pfeffermühle
The food is absolutely outstanding, fresh and superbly well made.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Fish Market
Very cute little colored houses.
The Corkonian Irish pub
The drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is really relaxing.
Kuchi Mami
Delicious food, they served us very well and treated us and our dog lovely
Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Einkaufsbahnhof Köln Hbf
They have a lot of stores and restaurants here to get what you need
Closed · Opens 6 AM Thu
Great St. Martin Church
It made the whole experience way better Not scary or creepy
Kolumba
Nice museum, had an interesting exposition on "art vocabulary".
Closed · Opens 7 PM Thu
Gruber's
Delicious food and exceptionally friendly service.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Little Link
Incredibly good service and excellent innovative cocktails.
Neumarkt Passage
Very good with free toilet.
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu
Seiberts - Classic Bar & Liquid Kitchen
Amazing staff, incredible cocktails, unforgettable design.
Closes soon · 12 AM
Hahnen Gate
Some cafe around so good to sit down and have a relax coffee break.
The Copper Pot - Köln
The beer was good and reasonably priced, the service was fast and friendly.
Toddy Tapper - Köln
Excellent cocktails, friendly staff and a warm atmosphere!
Closes soon · 12 AM
Heinzelmännchenbrunnen
Humourous story
ONA MOR Bar - Köln
Friendly staff, great cocktails, quiet inside, loved it
Closes soon · 12 AM
Grace & Grape Bar | Cocktails | Wein | Events
Great vibes, warm interior, relaxing music and friendly staff!
FRIESEN Bar - Cocktailbar Köln
Great house music, nice style, super friendly staff, good tasting drinks.
Closed · Opens 8 PM Fri
PULS - Restaurant & Bar
The food is excellent, creative, and unexpected!
Closes soon · 12 AM
Cologne View
It’s an absolute must!
Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
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 (1977 cruises)
- Emerald Cruises (477 cruises)
- Riverside Luxury Cruises (49 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.