Cologne

Cathedrals, carnival and culture

Heart of the Rhineland: the vibrant city of Cologne lies on Germany's largest river. Two thousand years of history and international exchange with travellers from all over the globe have not only shaped the city's exterior but also the cosmopolitan attitude of its inhabitants.

Cologne is the city of churches (foremost among them being the world-famous Gothic cathedral), of carnival, of the local Kölsch beer and the eau de cologne that has carried its name throughout the world. From amateur dramatics to professional theatre, biting political satire to light-hearted stand-up, from musical show to classical concert: art and culture in all their diversity turned Cologne into a capital of the media, combining international flair with a down-to-earth and easy-going approach.

This is something you will not only experience in Cologne's countless traditional pubs: exclusive shopping is just as much a part of a visit to Cologne as sipping beer from the characteristic "Stängsche" glasses. The many important galleries and museums enjoy international renown, covering subjects as diverse as sport and the Olympics, religious art and Roman history and even chocolate.

Thanks to its outstanding location and excellent infrastructure, Cologne is also very popular among business travellers. You are within an hour of three international airports, and the ICE high-speed rail station near the Kölnmesse exhibition hall provides optimum access from all directions.

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