Tours/Cologne/Roman Cologne: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Viator · Private tour

Roman Cologne: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

3.8(16)Cologne1 hour
VIATOR3.8(6)TRIPADVISOR3.8(10)

Description

Travel 2,000 years into the past with this affordable walking tour around Roman Cologne. • Find out how the first 500 years of occupation by the Romans permanently shaped the city and see remnants of this ancient city that are hidden in plain sight • Hear from producer Willem Fromm, a historian and podcaster whose passion for history inspired him to carefully craft this VoiceMap tour. • Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Tour Options

Roman Cologne: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Itinerary

Pass by

This self-guided audio tour using the VoiceMap mobile app starts in front of the Kreuzblume. The tour explores Roman Cologne, taking in some of its historic sites.

Pass by

The tour passes by the Cologne Cathedral. You'll take in the beautiful and impressive cathedral and hear about it while you walk.

Pass by

The tour passes by the Romans' Nothern Gate which you'll hear about while you walk.

Pass by

On this tour, you'll peer through the window of the Roman-Germanic Museum to see one of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman mosaics.

Pass by

The tour takes you down Die Roemische Hafestrasse in Koeln. While you walk, you'll find out why Die Römische Hafenstraße in Köln (a Roman Harbour road) was imperfectly rebuilt in Kurt Hackenberg Platz.

Pass by

The tour passes by the Romisches Praetorium, the largest Roman palace in the Rhineland.

Pass by

The tour passes through the Alter Markt (the old market) of Cologne.

Pass by

The tour passes by Great St Martin Church which was built in the Middle Ages on the foundations of a Roman warehouse

Pass by

The tour passes by Schmitz Saule where you'll learn what the 1969 moon landing has to do with the ancient Romans in Cologne.

Pass by

On the tour, you'll be told how to spot celebrated Roman soldiers, Marsilius and Agrippa, on the Gürzenich Köln's imposing Gothic facade.

Pass by

On this tour, you'll pass through the former Roman temple district and see St Maria im Kapitol.

Pass by

The tour ends near the Ubii Monument, the oldest stone tower in Germany.

Highlights

VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Lifetime access to this self-guided tour in English

What's included

Included
VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Lifetime access to this self-guided tour in English
Not included
Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Smarphone and headphones
Food and drinks
Transportation

Traveller Ratings

3.8
16 reviews
5
9
4
1
3
2
2
2
1
2

Important Information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(16)

J
Jerry D
June 2, 2026
Most Roman ruins don't exist

Most Roman ruins are not visible; the tour requires a lot of imagination. Had trouble with the maps linking to the GPS, which made navigation difficult.

M
matildaj839
December 23, 2025
Diving into rich Roman history

I had an amazing time on the audio tour in Cologne, diving into its rich Roman history. The narration was super engaging. Definitely worth it!

R
Renezito
August 5, 2025
Tour in English, best get free map in information office

I bought this audio, but I had a hard time using it. My English is very basic, so I got to the first stop, period. I searched on my own, and at the information office in Cologne you are given a map with a tour of the Roman ruins, much easier to follow than in the audio... and free. Unfortunately in the places of interest marked on the map, there is no information sign, no indicator plates, nothing....

Operator response

Hola, lamento que hayas tenido una experiencia frustrante. Ten en cuenta que estoy usando el traductor de Google para escribir este mensaje. Lamentablemente, este tour no está disponible en español, pero sí en alemán y holandés. La audioguía te indica exactamente dónde ir y también tienes un mapa en pantalla para ayudarte en caso de que te pierdas. Lamento que no hayas podido disfrutar de la experiencia completa. Saludos cordiales, Helene.

B
Bari_C
March 31, 2025
A bit boring.

We started in a place other than the cathedral and it was hard to figure out how to walk backwards with this audio tour (other tours make it much easier to map out and choose beginning places). Also, the tour was a bit boring truth be told.

Operator response

Hi there, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your experience. Our tours are set up to follow a narrative storyline, which is why it's best to start at the dedicated starting point. You can always skip a location in the app if you prefer but it's not set up to do in reverse. This is mainly because the tour uses GPS to automatically trigger the audio for the location you're in, making it easy to just put your phone in your pocket and enjoy the story. Can you email more information to support@voicemap.me? I'm sorry for your frustrating experience. Thanks, Helene

6
6r9fqkwqgr
January 2, 2025
We were looking for...

We were looking for something to do on New Year’s Day whilst most things were closed and this was perfect. Got to see some hidden gems in Cologne that you wouldn’t have otherwise come across and the app is really easy to use once you get used to the voice directions. Would recommend to anyone that would rather take a tour at their own pace.

E
ericpmulligan
August 7, 2024
Interesting Köln Roman History

I really enjoyed learning about the Roman history of Köln with extra information that I wouldn’t have had if not for the tour. Highly recommended!

M
Mary_M
June 5, 2024
Need internet! Don't expect to download and go without

Disappointing, because I thought that it would be available once downloaded on our phone, but it required constant data/internet access as it was supposed to track your location. Didn't work for us, though, since we had no internet access.

Operator response

Hi there, When you download a tour using the VoiceMap apps, the geodata, map, audio, image and other files are stored on your device. This means you can access your tours offline, without paying for mobile data or international roaming. I'm unsure what gave you the impression you needed internet to take the tour, as we sent you detailed instructions when you booked explaining that the tour works offline. Please can you send more detail to support@voicemap.me? Regards, Brent

P
Paula_W
April 29, 2024
Surprising

I live in cologne for almost 30 years and there were a few things I didn't know.. like the Höherstraße and the Gürzenich

T
tonh170
April 1, 2024
Walk

Doesn't work as you would expect, doesn't stop when you want to go to the next point. Therefore, it is not recommended to purchase this

Operator response

Hi there, I'm sorry that this didn't work as you expected. If you stop the tour along the way, you can use the Resume button to pick up where you left off. When you select Resume you'll be shown a list of the closest locations to where you are. Click on the location you want to start from, and the tour will resume from there. Regards, Brent

C
Camille_D
January 29, 2024
This tour put what I saw into context

Thank you for the history to at helped me understand what I saw when I walked around Cologne. So many layers of history!

You might also like...