Driving to Cologne

Country: Germany Capital: Berlin Language: German Currency: Euro

Cologne was severely damaged during the Second World War. The old town and many other areas were almost completely destroyed by allied bombing raids. In spite of this much of the city has been restored, and Cologne now has a reputation for being one of the liveliest towns in Germany.

The cathedral is the biggest in Germany – it’s no wonder it took more than 600 years to construct. It is the focal point of Cologne, however there are 12 other churches, all of historical value as they were built between the 5th and 13th centuries.

The old town today is a bustling area filled with cafes and visitors, the busiest times of the year are during the carnival celebrations in February and March. Arts and crafts lovers should visit the Museum of Applied Art, which is very close to the main station and contains works which date back to the middle ages.

In the mood for something sweet? The Stollwerck Chocolate Museum will satisfy the cravings of any chocolate lover. Conveniently, the German Sports and Olympics Museum is right next door, where you can pretend to work off the calories while learning about Germany’s sporting history.

All of these places are within a few hours drive from Cologne