Most views of Cologne have one problem: you cannot see the cathedral when you are standing on it. The KölnTriangle solves that. This glass office tower on the Deutz side of the Rhine, just over 103 metres tall, has a public viewing platform on its 29th floor, above the 100-metre mark, and it looks straight across the river at the cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge with its trains, and the whole old town waterfront. On a clear day the view reaches far across the Rhineland. It is one of the city’s great bargains: the ticket costs a few euros, children under 12 go free, and the walk from the cathedral over the Hohenzollern Bridge, past thousands of love padlocks, is part of the experience. A lift does the climbing, and the platform is protected by glass panels, which makes it comfortable even on a breezy day. Photographers love it at blue hour, when the cathedral is floodlit and the bridge lights reflect in the water. This page links to the official KölnTriangle Panorama website.
How to visit: from October to April the platform is open daily from 11:00 to 20:00, and from May to September it opens from 11:00 to 20:00 Sunday to Thursday and until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Adult tickets cost about five euros, with reductions for students and groups, and children under 12 and visitors with a severe disability, plus one companion, enter free. The entrance is on Ottoplatz, beside the Deutz train station.
Getting there: walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge from the cathedral, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes, or take a train or tram to Bf. Deutz/Messe. There is an underground car park beneath the tower, entered from Hermann-Pünder-Straße.
Making the most of it: in winter the platform stays open until after dark, so you can watch the sunset and then the lights come on without staying out late. Clear, crisp days give the sharpest views. Combine it with a walk along the Rheinpark or the Deutz riverbank, and walk back over the bridge for the classic close-up of the spires.
What to expect
The experience
A lift ride to an open-air glass-panelled viewing platform on the 29th floor, looking across the Rhine to the cathedral and old town.
Best time
Sunset and blue hour, especially in winter when the platform is open until 20:00 after dark.
How long
Thirty minutes to an hour at the top.
Tips
Walk over the Hohenzollern Bridge to get there, and pick a clear day for the long views.
Quick picks
- Best for
- The best photograph of Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge, at a very modest price.
- Families
- Children under 12 go free, the lift does the climbing and the trains on the bridge below are a hit.
- Couples
- Come for sunset and stay as the cathedral lights up across the water.
- Pair with
- A walk over the Hohenzollern Bridge to Cologne Cathedral, or a Rhine panorama cruise.
- Time needed
- About an hour including the walk over the bridge.
Good questions
How high is the KölnTriangle viewing platform?+
The tower is about 103 metres tall, and the platform on the 29th floor is more than 100 metres above the ground. A lift does the climbing.
How much does the KölnTriangle cost?+
Adult tickets cost about five euros, with reductions for students and groups. Children under 12 enter free.
What are the KölnTriangle opening hours?+
From October to April it opens daily from 11:00 to 20:00. From May to September it stays open until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
How do I get to the KölnTriangle from the cathedral?+
Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge in about ten to fifteen minutes. The entrance is on Ottoplatz next to the Deutz train station.
Is the KölnTriangle better than the cathedral tower?+
They are different: the tower puts you on the cathedral, while the KölnTriangle shows you the cathedral and the skyline in one view. If you only do one, the KölnTriangle is easier and gives the better photograph.
