Colossal Gothic cathedrals, romantic bridges over the Rhine River, and the world's most famous fragrance await us on this day trip to Cologne from Brussels. Come and discover one of the most iconic cities in North Rhine-Westphalia!
Day Trip Details
At the scheduled time, we'll meet at Carrefour de l'Europe square, right in front of Brussels Central Station. Once everyone has arrived, we'll board the bus and head east to cross the border into Germany. Our next destination? Cologne.
After a journey of approximately 2.5 hours, we'll arrive at this historic city on the banks of the Rhine. We'll begin our guided tour of Cologne with a 2-hour walking tour of its Altstadt or old town. Our first stop, as you might expect, will be in front of the majestic Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). We'll marvel at its imposing Gothic façade and stroll through the Domplatte, the lively square that surrounds this UNESCO World Heritage monument.
We'll continue our walk, discovering the city's medieval legacy in the Alter Markt, where we'll admire the tower of the Town Hall (Rathaus). Nearby, we'll come across the Romanesque silhouette of the Groß St. Martin church and the photogenic, colorful houses of the Fischmarkt square, one of the most beautiful sights along the Rhine River. We'll also visit the famous Hohenzollern Bridge, known for the thousands of padlocks that decorate its structure.
To finish the route, we'll visit the exterior of the Farina House. Did you know that the original Eau de Cologne was created here? We will learn about the interesting history of this fragrance that gave its name to an entire category of perfumes.
At the end of the guided tour, you'll have 4 hours of free time to enjoy Cologne at your own pace. It's the perfect time to taste a traditional beer in a local brewery, visit the Chocolate Museum, or browse the shops on Schildergasse. The choice is yours!
Finally, we'll meet up again to make our way back to Brussels, where we'll conclude this 12-hour day trip.
