We will meet you in front of the Köln Cathedral, by Kreuzblume’s stairs. From here it’s just a couple of steps to the Cathedral of Cologne. With its impressive 160-meter-high spires (525 feet), it is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. On our walk around the cathedral you will learn about the legends and mysteries that propelled it on to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
After the cathedral we continue onwards to the old town. Of course, we will make a stop at one of its famous breweries, like Peters Brauhaus, and will have the opportunity to try one of Cologne’s treasures: Kölsch beer. Please note that drinks and food are not included in the tour’s price, so bring some pocket money with you.
Time to head out to the narrow alleyways and take pictures of the colorful traditional houses. We will then be the Alter Markt (old market), a place where public executions were also done during the Middle Ages. If we’re in luck we will get the chance to enjoy the weekly market organized here. The next market is right around the corner, the Heumarkt. This is where cheese, meat and salt used to be sold in the past. Both markets are nowadays major attractions for locals and tourists alike, due to its variety of restaurants and cafes.
Our path then takes us to the Rathaus, Germany's oldest City Hall which is built in many different architectural styles, including its Gothic tower and a Renaissance style Loggia and Cloister. It is one of the most typical buildings of the Renaissance era in the city.
Next to the Town Hall we will stop by the Archeological zone of the Jewish Quarter. Let us tell you about the long history of the Jewish community of this city, as well as about the 17-metre-deep (55 feet) shaft of the Mikveh, the Jewish ritual bath, that was excavated in the area. To this day, the changing level of the Rhine river can be read at the bottom of the Mikveh from the differing water levels there.
Our final stop will be at the Romanesque Catholic Church of Great Saint Martin. The foundations date to around 960 AD, but it had to be fully restored after the bombardments and destruction of World War II. It will be the last but great highlight of your walking city tour of the old town.
Cologne Private Walking Tour
Your first touristic landmark will be Cologne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the main tourist attractions in the city . Walk around the cathedral and learn about its legends and mysteries that propelled it on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage.
Continue to Cologne's Old Town. There we will stop in one of its famous breweries, such as Peters Brauhaus, to try one of Cologne's treasures: the Kölsch beer (on your own, the drink is not included). Walk in the narrow alleyways and take pictures of the colourful and traditional houses.
Reach the Alter Markt, where in the Middle Ages it was the place of executions. If you get lucky, you might get a chance to enjoy the weekly market. Proceed to Heumarkt, where – in the past – the trading of cheese, meat and salt took place. Nowadays both areas are major attractions for tourists and for locals as well and are full of restaurants and cafés.
Move on to the City Hall, Germany's oldest city hall, a building composed of many different architectural styles, with a Gothic tower and a Renaissance style loggia and cloister. It is one of the most typical buildings of the Renaissance era. Next to the Town Hall stop by the Archeological zone of the Jewish Quarter. Learn about the long history of the Jews living in Köln and learn about the 17-metre-deep shaft of the Mikveh, the Jewish ritual bath, that was excavated in the area. Even today, the level of the Rhine can be read at the bottom of the Mikveh.
Next and final stop will be the Romanesque Catholic church of Great Saint Martin. With its foundation built around 960 AD, but recently restored after it was destroyed during the World War II, it's one of the highlights of the Old Town.
