Cologne has a big, big history. Germany’s western metropolis spent centuries overshadowing both Berlin and Munich, and its medieval-era importance has left it with an amazing array of museums, galleries and period architecture – not least, of course, its world-famous cathedral, which still dominates the skyline.

Public Transport

The city has an extensive bus and tram network, with various tickets on offer allowing visitors to get good value from their time here – the Cologne Welcome Card, for example, allows use of public transport for 24 hours and also grants discounts at local attractions. To cross the Rhine in memorable fashion, there’s a cable car that’s been running for more than 50 years.

Climate and best time to visit Cologne

May to September is the most popular time of year to come calling, with the allure of the summer months pushing up accommodation prices – the city’s beer gardens are at their best in the sunshine, but if you come calling in spring or autumn then the drop in visitor numbers has its own rewards. For those in search of specific events or festivals, the week-long Carnival is a street party of epic proportions taking place in the days running up to Ash Wednesday, while the city’s Christmas markets are renowned as being among the best in Germany.

Telephone
Country code:+49

Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.

Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.

Key Areas

The city’s most obvious shopping streets are Schildergasse and nearby Hohe Straße, both of which sit in the centre of town and offer the expected range of goods and services. For something a little more specialist, Ehrenstraße has a number of young arty boutiques, while Mittelstraße plays home to numerous luxury brands.

Markets

The city’s Christmas markets are rightly famed (for their food and drink as well as their arts and crafts), with the stalls outside the cathedral representing the most naturally picturesque option. At other times of year, there’s a good flea market in the Neumarkt area, usually monthly, and an enjoyable Saturday food market on Wilhelmplatz.

Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s gift).

In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also cause offence.

Main emergency number: 112

Food & Drink

There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink.

Other Risks

Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.

During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.

If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the trip.

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