Day Trips from Cologne: Insider Tips & Best Destinations Around the City

Tips and Info for Exploring the Cologne Region

Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important information you need before heading out into the Cologne countryside.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Cologne

To explore the region around Cologne, staying right in the city — or just nearby — is a great option. That way, you can also squeeze in some time to discover Cologne’s brewhouse culture or check out some of the top Cologne attractions.

Also read our guide to where to stay in Cologne

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for the Cologne Region

Who are you and why are you an expert on the Cologne region?

Liebelein, schön, dat de do bess.

I’m Natalie, a true Cologne girl.

Born and raised in Cologne, I moved back after a brief stint in Aachen, where I studied.

You’ll rarely find me in Cologne’s city center these days — it’s usually too crowded and too loud for me.

When travel is limited, my husband, our furry companion Merlin, and I head out into nature on weekends.

Luckily, there’s plenty of it in the Cologne countryside.

I’ve been writing about our little excursions on my blog reisenmachthungrig.de for a few years now.

Sometimes I’m also out and about as an outdoor scout for Wandermagazin, writing up trail tips and illustrating them with my photos.

We’ve also started making videos, which are published on the Facebook page of Wandermagazin.

But what exciting, impressive, and wonderful things there are to discover beyond Cologne’s city limits — I want to show you all of that in this post. So let me take you along to some of the most beautiful of our countless, mostly hikeable discoveries.

If you had to describe the Cologne region in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, impressive, fabulous.

Why should everyone make a point of visiting the Cologne region at least once?

When you think of a big city, you quickly picture a gray, concrete jungle. But that’s not the case with Cologne.

Even within the city limits, Cologne has plenty of green space: the Grüngürtel, a green belt that curves around the inner neighborhoods on the left bank of the Rhine. Venture just a little farther out and things get really, really green in a hurry.

Out there, you get to choose between flat land or rolling hills, depending on what you’re in the mood for. And you’ll find out in a moment just how much there is to discover.

What does the Cologne region have that you can't find anywhere else?

About two years ago, we made an extraordinary discovery near Hückelhoven. There’s a patch of forest there — maybe 400 by 200 meters — where wild bluebells thrive in abundance.

It’s a plant that grows to this extent in Germany only in that one spot. Apparently the soil composition in that forest is responsible. You can only admire this natural spectacle between April and May, though.

The area is a nature reserve, so be sure to follow the rules. Stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a leash, so that many others can still enjoy this stunning blue phenomenon.

Day Trips in the Cologne Region

Which day trip destinations in the Cologne region are your highlights?

The nature experience park Panabora in Waldbröl — whether or not it counts as a sight, it’s definitely an attraction. On the treetop walkway, you feel almost like you’re in the jungle.

The Henrichenburg Boat Lift is a genuine landmark — essentially an elevator for ships. Impressive and educational for visitors of all ages.

There are also fascinating guided tours. Don’t miss them!

What can you do near Cologne when it's raining?

Easy — visit the stalactite cave in Wiehl. Inside the cave, with its real stalactites and stalagmites, it’s wet and cold year-round. That’s actually perfect, since you’ve already got your rain jacket on anyway.

To warm up afterward, head over to Holsteins Mühle for some delicious burgers or waffles, depending on the time of day. If the weather has improved by then, the hiking trails around the mill are also worth checking out. You’ll find an information board with a trail selection in the parking lot.

Which day trip destinations near Cologne can you recommend for families with kids?

A trip to Müngsten Bridge Park is a great adventure. The massive steel structure, over 100 years old, was and still is — at 107 meters — the highest railway bridge in Germany. And the best part: trains still cross it to this day.

Directly beneath the bridge is Haus Müngsten, a modern restaurant with a large outdoor area. The bridge spans the Wupper River, which you can follow beneath a green leafy canopy all the way to Schloss Burg on the Wupper.

The Wupper is crossed by a cable gondola — powered entirely by muscle power.

That’s quite a lot of highlights in one go. The kids will be completely worn out by evening.

Both attractions are also worth visiting on their own — especially since the castle houses a museum and hosts events like markets, bazaars, concerts, and variety shows throughout the year.

Is it worth visiting the Cologne region in winter too? What can you do at that time of year?

On one of our many outings through the Eifel, we stumbled upon the Schaafbachtal by chance. Ever since, I haven’t been able to stay away.

We keep coming back to the Schaafbach, but it’s most beautiful in winter, when the creek is frozen over and the landscape is blanketed in deep snow. There’s hardly any snow in the city, after all.

There are no tourists here — just a few local walkers or hikers making their way along the 7th stage of the Eifelsteig trail.

Which place can you recommend for taking a deep breath and just unwinding?

I find myself back in the Schaafbachtal again — I can’t quite explain it, but something there has gotten a hold of me. And afterward, a stop at Landlust in Blankenheim — a bistro like no other. Equally hard to explain, but I keep coming back there too — it’s just so wonderfully hygge.

Where is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Cologne region?

On the Drachenfels. There’s probably not a single child from Cologne or Bonn who hasn’t been there.

Whether on the back of a donkey or aboard the old cog railway — it gets pretty crowded on weekends with good weather and during school vacations. But that’s because there’s so much exciting and mystical to discover here, not just for kids.

There’s the cog railway from 1883, the ruins of Drachenfels Castle dating back to 1167, and countless legendary tales of dragons and mythical creatures.

As a hiker, you’ll also get your money’s worth in the wide-ranging hills of the Siebengebirge. Once you put a little distance between yourself and the castle and railway, you’ll find yourself in much more peaceful surroundings.

For food and drink, the modern panoramic restaurant is a solid choice. Personally, I prefer the charming Milchhäuschen, tucked in the middle of the forest just below the summit.

An amateur photographer asks you about cool spots for photography in your region that they'd never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?

All the destinations I’ve already described are set in beautiful landscapes and are correspondingly photogenic. Sometimes you have to search a bit to find the most flattering angle — but you probably already know that.

A lot also depends on the right time of year:

• In March/April, the daffodils bloom in the Perlenbachtal near Monschau. Just check online for the dates when guided tours are scheduled — that’s when the daffodils will be at their peak.
• In April/May, the bluebells bloom near Hückelhoven — a seriously stunning natural spectacle.
• In August, head to the Wahner Heide — the heathland is in full bloom and looks incredible.
• From October to February, up to 25,000 wild geese rest in the floodplains of Bislicher Insel near Xanten. It’s ideal for birdwatching, and photography workshops are also offered here.
• Year-round, I’d recommend Heisterbach Ruins as a photography location — ruins are always a great choice.

What is the craziest activity you can do in your region?

Skiing in the middle of summer, at the Alpenpark in Neuss.

What is the best event of the year in your region? What makes it worth coming to the Cologne region?

The Haldenzauber in Hückelhoven — I discovered it online last winter. Unfortunately I didn’t find the time to make it out there. But this year I’ve made up my mind to go. I’d love to see it in person (it runs from late November to early January). If you’re into photography, you can look forward to some wonderfully atmospheric shots.

Food and Drink in the Cologne Region

Which culinary specialty do you absolutely have to try near Cologne?

The Bergische Kaffeetafel. I won’t say anything more — just look at the photos and your mouth will water. One thing to keep in mind though: at most restaurants, you need to pre-order the Bergische Kaffeetafel, since it involves a lot of extra preparation for the kitchen.

What are your three favorite restaurants and what should you definitely try there?

I’ve already mentioned all my favorite spots above:

Landlust (#9): The menu isn’t very extensive (cake, soup, tarte flambée…), but everything is made with love — and you can taste it.

Holsteins Mühle (#6): Delicious burgers and waffles, and you’ll also find the Bergische Kaffeetafel here — what more could you want?

Milchhäuschen (#10): They serve a breakfast buffet — aka brunch — on Sundays. Absolutely worth it.

Where can you get the best ice cream near Cologne?

Honestly, when it comes to ice cream, I draw a blank — after a day of hiking, I’m not really in the mood for it. I need something more substantial. That said, I’d mention the Sylter Eiscafé in Kempen — see also #20.

Experiencing Nature Near Cologne

Is there a nice swimming lake near Cologne?

There are quite a few — some even within the city limits.

Escher See, Fühlinger See — both in northern Cologne — Otto-Maigler-See near Hürth in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis, and if you’re happy with fine white sand and your feet in the Rhine, I’d recommend the sandy beach in Cologne-Rodenkirchen. Swimming in the Rhine itself, however, is not allowed.

What is the most beautiful cycling route in your region?

We tend to cruise around northern Cologne — that’s where we live. Since water has a certain pull on us, we love cycling along the Rhine all the way to Langel and then taking the ferry across to Hitdorf near Leverkusen. There, the beer garden café Hitdorfer Fähre is already waiting for us.

What is the most beautiful hike in your region?

There are so many that I don’t even know where to begin.

But since I have to make a choice, I’ll go with the award-winning Mäanderweg along the Sieg River — a truly experiential hiking trail and one of the most beautiful circular hikes in Germany. That’s how it was pitched to us, and it absolutely lived up to the promise.

Which towns are best for a leisurely stroll, apart from Cologne of course?

I have a really charming under-the-radar pick for you — Kempen. Never heard of it? Neither had I until recently. I stumbled across it by chance.

Kempen is located along the Lower Rhine and has surprisingly lovely clothing boutiques, a colorful row of historic houses, and a favorite café: the Sylter Eiscafé.

Where to Stay Near Cologne

Is there a special hotel in the Cologne region that you would recommend to visitors?

As you might imagine, we don’t usually stay overnight in the region, and when we have guests, we tend to put them up at our place. But when we ourselves explore other cities or regions, I always start my search with hotels from the Accor group.

I usually find something quickly. The standard is predictable depending on the category you choose — no nasty surprises — and it’s reliably clean. That’s all I need when I’m out exploring all day.