4 Days in Cologne and Germany's Historic Rhineland

4 Day Tour of Cologne

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Trip Map
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4 Days 3 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Beer Drinkers

Cultural Exploration

This four-day itinerary delves deep into Cologne’s unique blend of history and vibrant modern culture, and also takes you out of the city to explore Germany's Rhineland. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral, immerse yourself in the unique Kölsch beer tradition, and enjoy private guided tours of Cologne’s most iconic sites. Delve into the rich history of the Rhineland with excursions to Bonn, Aachen, and Brühl. Enhance your adventure with our detailed travel guidance through our mobile app, ensuring an exceptional experience at every turn.

Discover Cologne’s history, stretching back to the Roman Empire, on a private guided walking tour.
Delight in Cologne’s Kölsch beer culture with a private food and beer tour.
Wander through Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, and its historic sites.
Explore Aachen’s Imperial City and its stunning cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enjoy thrilling rides at Phantasialand and visit the magnificent Brühl Castle.

Discover Cologne’s history, stretching back to the Roman Empire, on a private guided walking tour.
Delight in Cologne’s Kölsch beer culture with a private food and beer tour.
Wander through Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, and its historic sites.
Explore Aachen’s Imperial City and its stunning cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enjoy thrilling rides at Phantasialand and visit the magnificent Brühl Castle.

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

National Socialism Documentation Center

Museums & Galleries

Cologne's Carnival

Nightlife & Local Scene

Hohenzollern Bridge

Architecture

Chocolate Museum

Museums & Galleries

Must see sights

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

National Socialism Documentation Center

Museums & Galleries

Cologne's Carnival

Nightlife & Local Scene

Hohenzollern Bridge

Architecture

Chocolate Museum

Museums & Galleries

Starting from

$895

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Trip Map & Itinerary

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Cologne

Day 1

Arrive Cologne

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Cologne Bonn Airport

For your arrival in Cologne, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will schedule a pick up for your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The ride is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package. You will be taken directly to your hotel.

Day 1

Arrive Cologne

To Be Determined:

Private Airport Pickup

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

Old Town

Early Evening/Evening:

Kölsch Beer Culture

Day 1

Arrive Cologne

Day 1

Arrive Cologne

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Cologne Bonn Airport

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Finding the Old & New in Cologne's Altstadt

Cologne has a history stretching well back into Roman times, and it is most famous for its massive Gothic Cathedral. While the Altstadt, i.e. the Old Town, is full of small alleyways and historic buildings, many are not in their original form because nearly three quarters of the city was leveled by WWII bombing raids. Indeed, in many ways Cologne feels like a modern city built onto the bones of an ancient city. With that said, there are many sites well-worth seeing, as well as great museums, such as the Romano-Germanic and Ludwig Museums. Taking a walk along the promenade on the Rhine River is also a must.

Early Evening/Evening

Get a Taste of the Kölsch Beer Culture

Kölsch beer is a special beer only brewed in Cologne. It's a light ale and is served in traditional tall and cylindrical 0.2 litre Kölsch glasses which waiters carry around in purpose-built circular serving receptacles that look like communion trays. Beer lovers often find that the regional specialties are the brews that are most distinctive and memorable, and no style better exemplifies that spirit of community pride and distinction than Kölsch. Indeed, Cologne boasts more breweries than any other major city worldwide. You can taste for yourself and get to know the etiquette associated with Kölsch beer during an evening out in Cologne's bars and brew houses.

Day 2

Cologne

Day 2

Cologne

Day 2

Cologne

Day 2

Cologne

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Private Highlights Walking Tour of Cologne

Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel. During this 2-hour walking tour, you will have a chance to get to know many interesting facts about the history of Cologne and visit the biggest highlights of the town. Among the others you will see: Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Roncalliplatz, Rheinboulevard, Heumarkt & Alter Markt, Hänneschentheater, Cologne City Hall, Typical Kölsch brewery. After the end of the tour the guide will be happy to give you the recommendations for the rest of your stay in Cologne.

Mid-Day to Early Evening

Excursion to the former West German capital of Bonn

Take a less than half hour train ride to what was until the fall of the Berlin Wall the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Bonn has reverted back to provincial status, but plenty remains to see of its former capital status, including the modern government district and a general spread of fascinating museums, all located near a very attractive stretch of the Rhine River. The city also makes the most of its associations with Beethoven, who was born here and whose birthplace has been turned into a museum also. You can also embark upon the Weg der Demokratie ("Path of Democracy"), a signposted walkthrough of sites associated with Bonn's period as the federal capital.

Day 3

Cologne

Day 3

Cologne

Day 3

Cologne

Day 3

Cologne

Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to the Imperial City of Aachen

Less than an hour from Cologne by train you'll discover Aachen, a small spa city located snugly next to the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. The city is famous not only for its thermal water, but also for its historical ties to the greatest and first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. Aachen was the place where he and 31 other Holy Emperors were crowned King of the Romans, although in reality it was mostly Germans that they ruled over. Visitors can explore the Charlemagne Route, visit a spa, enter the jaw-dropping cathedral, or just take in the charming ambience of a city whose story stretches back to Roman times.

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Private Beer and Food Tour of Cologne

During this 4 hour privately guided tour, you will try both the famous Kölsch beer and the traditional local food. The tour will be a mixture of food and beer tasting and short walks through the Cologne's Old Town. Your private tour guide will be happy to share with you interesting facts about the beer production process and the history of the town.

Day 4

Depart Cologne

Day 4

Depart Cologne

Day 4

Depart Cologne

Day 4

Depart Cologne

Morning/Mid-Day

Excursion to Brühl and Phantasialand

Lying in what at first seems like the industrial suburbs of Cologne, you'll discover the lovely town of Brühl. It is the perfect location for a family day out thanks to the nearby Phantasialand theme park. Also making it worth the 15-minute trip from Cologne's main station is the Brühl Castle, also known as the Augustusburg Palace. This was the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne and is among the finest examples of Rococo architecture in 18th-century Germany. Just around the corner you'll find a museum paying homage to Brühl's most famous son, the artist Max Ernst, a primary pioneer of the Dada movement and Surrealism who was once married to Peggy Gugenheim.

To Be Determined

Private Transfer to Airport, and Departure from Cologne

A car service will pick you up from the N/A and deliver you to Cologne Bonn Airport for your flight departure. This is a private transfer just for your travel party, and you will not need to pay the driver for the transfer, as it is already included in the cost of the itinerary.

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4 Days in Cologne and Germany's Historic Rhineland

4 Day Tour of Cologne

$895

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Private Transfer from Cologne Bonn Airport

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.