Cologne | Day Trips

Aachen

Aachen is a feast for the eyes. Music fills every corner; it drifts in like the wind, sweeping us up in a dance.

Founded by the Romans between the 1st and 2nd centuries, Aachen was renowned for its hot springs.

The settlement expanded in the 8th century, after Charlemagne chose Aachen as his residence in 768.

He commissioned a complex that included a palace, a chapel, and an enclosed courtyard—known as the Pfalz.

Distance: 77 km

By car: take the A4 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the RE9 train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Aachen Central Station.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is one of those cities you simply fall in love with at first sight. Beautiful and irresistible!

That’s why I call it the “mini-Munich” of western Germany.

It is the capital of the state of NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia).

Distance: 38 km

By car: take the A57 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the ICE928 train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Düsseldorf Central Station.

Phantasialand

Phantasialand, located in Brühl, is one of Germany's largest theme parks. It offers an adventure-filled experience for the whole family!

Around two million visitors a year enjoy the park's six themed areas (Fantasy, Deep in Africa, Berlin, Mexico, Mystery, and China Town). With over 50 different attractions, the park offers the perfect mix of fast, thrilling rides, irresistible attractions, and fantastic shows for both children and adults.

If you want to make the most of the full experience, you can spend the night at one of Phantasialand's themed hotels.

Hotel Ling Bao, for instance, is furnished according to Feng Shui principles and features an Asian restaurant, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a magnificent garden area.

Hotel Matamba, on the other hand, boasts a distinctively African style. This themed hotel offers an African restaurant, tropical plants, African décor, and family rooms.

Check on this website.

Distance: 26 km

By car: Take the A553 Autobahn.

Public transport: Take Tram 18 from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Brühl Mitte station; from there, take bus 985 to the Brühl Berggeiststraße stop; it is a 550-meter walk from there.

Bonn

A charming and welcoming city!

With its cafés, bookstores, and public squares, Bonn gained worldwide fame on May 10, 1949, when it became the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Bonn was founded by the Romans in 11 BC and reached its peak of splendor and grandeur thanks to the Archbishops of Cologne.

However, it became even more renowned thanks to Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born there in 1770, and Robert Schumann, who spent the final years of his life in the city.

Distance: 30 km

By car: take the A555 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the RE5 train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Bonn Central Station.

Zons

The town was originally a customs fortification situated on the banks of the Rhine River.

It was founded between 1373 and 1400 at the initiative of Archbishop Friedrich von Saarwerden and has a population of just over 5,000.

The town itself is charming, featuring famous narrow medieval streets, numerous outdoor cafés, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Distance: 28 km

By car: take the A57 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the S-Bahn S11 from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Dormagen station; from there, take bus 875 to the Dormagen Nievenheimer Straße stop; it is a 150-meter walk from there.

Monschau

The small medieval town of Monschau is located right near the Belgian border.

It looks like something out of a fairy tale, nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains. It features a beautiful castle overlooking the town, as well as museums and charming medieval houses.

However, the town is best known for its famous mustard; there are dozens of producers scattered throughout the area. They offer a wide variety of delicious flavors—be sure to try the apple and bacon mustard; it’s amazing!

Distance: 94 km

By car: take the A4 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the RE1 train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Aachen Rothe Erde station, then catch the SB66 bus to the Monschau Altstadt stop.

Burg Satzvey

Want to experience the Middle Ages?

Then, when you're in Cologne, take a day trip to Burg Satzvey. This 12th-century medieval castle is just one of hundreds in the region.

It stands out because it offers entertainment for visitors year-round—from medieval knight tournaments in the summer to a wonderful medieval Christmas market in the winter. The castle's Halloween party is also not to be missed!

The castle is located in the small town of Mechernich.

Check on this website.

Distance: 49 km

By car: take the A1 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the RB24 train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Satzvey station; from there, it is a 750-meter walk.

Siegen

Siegen is a beautiful city situated on the banks of the Sieg River.

It lies in the wonderful Siegerland-Wittgenstein region, an area featuring endless forests, mountains, and waterfalls. Visitors can breathe in fresh, healthy air. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the region's other small towns and historic castles are not to be missed.

Mining has also played a major role in the region for centuries; historic mine tunnels are open to visitors.

It is certainly a great excursion for anyone visiting Cologne.

Distance: 93 km

By car: take the A4 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the RE9X bus (non-stop) from Cologne Hauptbahnhof (Breslauer Platz) to Siegen Hauptbahnhof.

Schloss Türnich

Also, visit the Baroque palace Schloss Türnich in Kerpen.

Built between 1756 and 1766, it features a small chapel dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia. Its interior is adorned with marble and elaborate paintings. It is a wonderful place to relax on a park bench—surrounded by the palace grounds—and admire the rare species of trees and shrubs.

Be sure to stop by the sunny beer garden next to the palace for a coffee accompanied by a slice of delicious seasonal fruit cake or a waffle.

Check on this website.

Distance: 38 km

By car: take the A4 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the S19 S-Bahn from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Horrem station; from there, take bus 955 to the Kerpen Nußbaumallee stop; it is a 450-meter walk from there.

Burg Bergerhausen

Also in Kerpen, Burg Bergerhausen is well worth a visit. It is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis region.

It is a Wasserburg (moated castle) built in the 13th century. The gardens are perfect for a stroll—pure relaxation!

Today, the castle is a popular wedding venue, featuring a beautiful chapel. Afterward, the reception takes place in the castle halls. A fairytale setting!

Check on this website.

Distance: 40 km

By car: take the A4 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the S19 S-Bahn from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Buir station; from there, take bus 976 to the Bergerhausen stop; it is a 350-meter walk from there.

Brauweiler Abbey

In Pulheim-Brauweiler, north of Cologne, is the beautiful Benedictine monastery Abtei Brauweiler, founded in 1024 by Count Ezzo Ehrenfried and his wife Mathilde, daughter of Emperor Otto II.

In 1048, Richeza, the couple's daughter and wife of the first king of Poland, donated money to begin construction of the new monastery building.

Richeza dedicated her life to charity and was a very important character in Polish history; For this reason, to this day, she is considered a saint. She is buried in Cologne Cathedral.

The building is wonderful, stunning. The church attached to the monastery deserves a detailed visit.

Check on this website.

Distance: 21km

By car: take Autobahn A57

Public transport: take S-Bahn S19 from Cologne Hauptbahnhof to Weiden West station; There take bus 961 to the Abtei Brauweiler stop; from there it is just a 100 meter walk.

Märchenwald

For over 200 years, the tales of the Brothers Grimm have inspired both young and old. At the Altenberg Fairytale Forest in the Bergisches Land region, children can immerse themselves in the magical world of fairy tales and visit Rapunzel and many other famous characters.

A total of 18 Brothers Grimm fairy tales can be discovered along the fairy tale trail. There are also seasonal special events, such as Christmas illuminations during Advent and the big Easter egg hunt. If you get hungry, simply stop by the Fairytale Forest Café—light snacks such as waffles, ice cream sundaes, and french fries await you there.

Check on this website.

Distance: 33 km

By car: take the A1 Autobahn.

Public transport: take the S6 S-Bahn from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Leverkusen Mitte station; from there, take bus 212 to the Odenthal Altenberg stop; it is a 1,300-meter walk from there.

Stars of the Galaxy

The Stars of the Galaxy Museum is located in Mönchengladbach; it’s a place where you and your family can have the time of your lives—especially if you’re fans of the Star Wars movies.

Life-size movie figures, lightsabers, original film costumes, limited-edition Lego models, and much more are all gathered within a 1,000-square-meter space.

Thanks to a free app, you can also take a virtual reality tour and bring robots, spaceships, and more to life.

Check on this website.

Distance: 65 km

By car: take the A57 Autobahn

Public transport: take the RE8 regional train from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Mönchengladbach Central Station; from there, it is an 800-meter walk.

Aqualand

A light-filled dome, various sunbathing areas, and a range of pools: Aqualand offers everything you need to truly relax.

Facilities also include a sauna area with eleven saunas and two steam baths, as well as a wellness oasis where you can treat yourself to a massage.

For thrill-seekers, there are seven different slides—ranging from standard water slides and tube slides to a looping slide with a rocket-style launch.

Children get free admission to the pool area (Badewelt) on their birthday; the sauna and wellness oasis are excluded from this offer.

Fun guaranteed for the whole family.

Check on this website.

Distance: 14 km

By car: Head to the Chorweiler district; it takes just 15 minutes.

Public transport: Take the S6 S-Bahn from Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Chorweiler station; from there, it is an 1,100-meter walk.