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3 days · Cologne itinerary

Cologne in 3 Days: The Complete Itinerary

Three days based in Cologne lets you explore the Rhineland. Here is how to spend three perfect days in Cologne — with the best-rated tours and day trips to book for each.

At a glance

  1. 1Day 1: Cathedral & old town
  2. 2Day 2: Bonn & Rhine
  3. 3Day 3: Aachen
  4. 4Brewhouses & museums

Day 1: the city

Explore the cathedral, old town, a Rhine cruise and Kölsch.

Day 2: Bonn & the Rhine

Day trip to Beethoven’s Bonn and the Rhine castles.

Day 3: Aachen

Discover the imperial city and cathedral of Aachen.

Cologne in 3 days — FAQ

Is 3 days enough to see Cologne and the Rhineland?
Three days is ideal — the city on day one, Bonn and the Rhine castles on day two, and imperial Aachen on day three, using Cologne as a base for the Rhineland.
What is the best day trip from Cologne for 3 days?
Bonn and the Rhine Valley are the easiest and most scenic, while Aachen offers its UNESCO imperial cathedral; together they showcase the region.
How do I plan a 3-day Cologne itinerary?
Spend day one in the city, day two in Bonn and the Rhine Valley, and day three in Aachen, using Cologne’s fast trains to reach them easily.

Explore more in Cologne

Cologne CathedralOld TownRhine CruisesKölsch & BeerDay Trips