In a nutshell
- We’re showing you 6 guided tours in Cologne that are genuinely fun, fascinating, and totally worth your time.
- First-time visitors to Cologne should start with the classic highlights tour — it’s the best introduction to the city.
- Our personal favorite is the Executioner’s Tour through Cologne’s medieval dark side. Seriously creepy — in the best way!
Guided Tour of Cologne's Highlights
What do you need to know? The city tour of Cologne’s highlights takes you through the Old Town, to the Cathedral and Alter Markt, and along the Rhine riverfront for 1.5 hours. A local guide explains everything there is to know about Cologne’s top attractions. The perfect introductory tour.
Is it worth it? Totally! This tour is great if you want to learn more about Cologne and the sights of the historic center. In 1.5 hours you’ll see a ton, learn even more, and then get to show off your Cologne knowledge afterward. Hehe.
Book the guided tour of Cologne’s highlights
Still looking for a place to stay? You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in our article on Cologne hotel tips.
Brewhouse Tour of Cologne
What do you need to know? On this brewhouse tour, you’ll learn all about Cologne’s celebrated brewing culture, sample different varieties of Kölsch, and discover the city’s most beloved brewhouses.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! If you love beer and don’t want to miss out on Kölsch culture, this is exactly the right choice. Really cool: the guide spontaneously and individually decides which three brewhouses are the best fit for the group.
Book the brewhouse tour of Cologne
Also read our article on the best brewhouses in Cologne
Executioner's Tour of Cologne
What do you need to know? Things are about to get spooky! The Executioner’s Tour takes you to dark, medieval locations in the evening and reveals a completely different, eerie side of Cologne over 1.5 hours.
Is it worth it? If you love the spooky and the historical, this is seriously the tour for you. The costumed guide, the creepy stories, and the darkness all come together to make this a genuinely special experience.
Book the Executioner’s Tour of Cologne
Food Tour of Cologne
What do you need to know? The food tour takes you through culinary Cologne for three hours — specifically through the Südstadt neighborhood and into five carefully selected restaurants and snack spots. It’s going to be delicious.
Is it worth it? On this tour you don’t just eat — you also pick up a lot about the history of the Südstadt. As you walk from spot to spot, you pass by important buildings and genuinely cool shops. Three hours fly by just like that.
Guided Tour of Melaten Cemetery
What do you need to know? Melaten Cemetery is Cologne’s largest cemetery, known for its impressive mausoleums, beautiful tree-lined avenues, and the famous personalities buried there. The tour takes you through this one-of-a-kind park for two hours.
Is it worth it? Definitely! Melaten Cemetery brings together life, death, city history, and art in a fascinating way. The monuments are stunning, the surrounding quiet is wonderfully peaceful, and the stories the guide tells are incredibly interesting. A tour that’s different — in the best possible way.
Book the guided tour of Melaten Cemetery
Guided Bike Tour of Cologne
What do you need to know? Time to get active. On this guided bike tour along a 15-kilometer route, you’ll discover Cologne’s most beautiful sights away from the tourist crowds over three hours. A bike is included in the price.
Is it worth it? 100%! Experiencing Cologne by bike is a blast. This tour skips the usual tourist spots in favor of truly special highlights and viewpoints. On top of that, the guide always has a few insider tips up their sleeve.
Book the guided bike tour of Cologne
Frequently Asked Questions About Cologne City Tours
Which is the best city tour in Cologne?
If you’re visiting Cologne for the first time, go for the Cologne Highlights Tour. It gives you a really great first overview of the city.
If you already know Cologne a bit, we’d recommend the guided tour through Melaten Cemetery. The cemetery is truly beautiful and the stories behind the graves are incredibly fascinating.
How much do Cologne city tours cost?
The prices for Cologne guided tours vary quite a bit.
Prices start at €13.90 for the tour through Melaten Cemetery. For the classic highlights city tour, you’ll pay just €14.
We also think the brewery tour is a great deal at €28. Prices go up to €44 for the food tour.
Is a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Cologne worth it?
Absolutely! A hop-on hop-off bus ride in Cologne is definitely worth it. It’s especially a great alternative to walking tours if you have trouble getting around on foot or simply don’t feel like covering lots of ground on foot.
Just like the highlights city tour, the hop-on hop-off is also perfect if it’s your first time in Cologne. You get a really great overview of the entire city and see many of the coolest sights in a relatively short amount of time.
In a dedicated article, we’ve put together all the important info and our tips for a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus in Cologne.
