Cologne is an easy city for families. Distances are short, the Rhine gives children something to watch, and several of the best sights have been designed to hold young attention. The key is to mix one big sight a day with plenty of breaks, and to keep a rain plan in your pocket.
Cologne Zoo and Aquarium
The zoo in the Riehl district is the best day out for younger children. Founded in 1860, it has a large elephant park, the Hippodom with its underwater view of hippos, a rainforest house with free-flying birds and an aquarium with a terrarium and insect section. Most paths are step-free and work with buggies, and the indoor houses keep a visit comfortable when the weather turns. It takes three to five hours, so start early and have lunch in the grounds. The U-Bahn or tram gets you to the Zoo/Flora stop in about ten minutes from the cathedral.
The Chocolate Museum
On the old harbour, the museum follows cocoa from the rainforest to the factory, and children love watching chocolate being made and dipping a wafer in the famous chocolate fountain. It is warm, indoors and sweet, which makes it a good wet-weather choice. Allow about two hours, and expect it to be at its busiest at weekends and in the school holidays. Afterwards, walk along the Rheinauhafen promenade, where the modern crane-shaped buildings and the open space by the water give children room to run.
Cologne Cathedral and the tower climb
Children under 14 enter the cathedral for free, and the climb up the 533 steps of the south tower is a challenge older children enjoy, with the great bells halfway and a view of the Rhine at the top. The staircase is narrow, spiral and has no lift, so it is not suitable for buggies or very small children, and you should expect a queue on busy days. Younger children can enjoy the nave, the light through the stained glass and the gilded shrine, then run off steam on the cathedral square.
A Rhine cruise
A one-hour panorama cruise from the pier below the Hohenzollern Bridge shows the skyline from the water without a single step to climb. It is a good way to rest tired legs in the middle of a busy day. Check the departure time before you go, and bring a jacket, because it is windy on deck.
TimeRide
TimeRide is a virtual-reality trip through the streets of 1920s Cologne, and it is a good fit for older children and teenagers who might find a museum dull. Check the minimum age and headset rules on the booking page before you go, and reserve a time slot for busy periods. It takes about 45 minutes, so it fits neatly between a morning outing and a late lunch.
Phantasialand and Christmas
For a big day out, Phantasialand is a short train ride away at Brühl and is one of Germany’s best theme parks, with themed lands and rides for all ages. Tickets must be bought online, and it runs a winter season with decorated lands in the colder months. In Advent, the Christmas markets are enchanting for children, with the Heinzelmännchen storyland in the old town, an ice rink on the Heumarkt and a Ferris wheel at the harbour market. Visit in the afternoon before the evening crowds, and hold small hands in the busiest lanes.
Practical tips
Public transport is straightforward, and the KVB network has reduced fares and group tickets for children and families, so check the fare rules for your group. The KölnCard can be good value for a family that plans several partner sights. Most museums offer family tickets or free entry for young children, so ask at the desk. Pack snacks, because the area around the cathedral is expensive, and plan an afternoon rest at your hotel. Motel One Köln-Neumarkt and the Excelsior Hotel Ernst are both central, and the tram stop at Neumarkt makes both easy for families.
A sample family day
Start at the zoo when it opens, have lunch in the grounds, return to the centre by U-Bahn for a one-hour Rhine cruise and finish with chocolate at the harbour or a pretzel on the cathedral square. The next day, climb the tower in the morning while little legs are fresh, then spend the afternoon at the Chocolate Museum or TimeRide.
