Cologne Day Trip

Colossal Gothic cathedrals, romantic bridges over the Rhine River, and the world's most famous fragrance await us on this day trip to Cologne from Brussels. Discover one of the most iconic cities in North Rhine-Westphalia!

Day Trip Details

At the scheduled time, we'll meet at Carrefour de l'Europe square, right in front of Brussels Central Station. Once everyone has arrived, we'll board the bus and head east to cross the border into Germany, with Cologne as our destination.

After a journey of approximately 2.5 hours, we'll arrive at this historic city on the banks of the Rhine. Our guide will lead us on a 2-hour walking tour of Cologne's Altstadt or old town. The first stop will be the majestic Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), where we'll admire its impressive Gothic façade and stroll through the lively Domplatte square surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage monument.

During the walk, we'll explore the city's medieval legacy starting at the Alter Markt, where we can see the Town Hall (Rathaus) tower. Nearby, we'll find the Romanesque silhouette of the Groß St. Martin church and the colorful houses at Fischmarkt square, known for its picturesque views along the Rhine River. Another highlight will be the Hohenzollern Bridge, famous for the thousands of padlocks that adorn its structure.

Our next stop will be the exterior of the Farina House, the birthplace of the original Eau de Cologne. We will learn about the interesting history of this fragrance that gave its name to an entire category of perfumes.

After the guided tour, you will have 4 hours of free time to explore Cologne at your leisure. This time is ideal for tasting a traditional beer in a local brewery, visiting the Chocolate Museum, or shopping on Schildergasse. The choice is yours!

We will regroup for the return trip to Brussels, concluding this enriching 12-hour day trip.