Apartments in Cologne -- Cheap Boutique Accommodation
Cologne boasts a gothic skyline fronted by its famous spired cathedral that towers above the city. But architecture is just one of Cologne's many attractions. Museum-lovers will find themselves in heaven with the amount of great institutions throughout the city, and history enthusiasts have plenty of age-old narratives to dive head first into. Founded by the Romans back in 38BC, Cologne still harnesses a heavy Roman influence, including an ancient Roman wall and a smattering of medieval churches. For the traveller who wants to explore modern day Cologne, there are plenty of contemporary art galleries, nouveau restaurants, and a fantastic nightlife that's headed by designer beer halls and multi-story clubs. Throughout the year there are numerous festivals that light up the city streets, bringing a contemporary twist to the city's medieval backdrop. Our Cologne apartments are tucked away between the major attractions, giving you easy access to all of the major sights.
How to Get from Cologne Airport to the City Centre
Cologne is serviced by Cologne Bonn Airport which is just minutes from the city centre. Getting into town is easy with the range of public transport options available. Firstly, there are bus and rail services that travel from the airport to various hotspots around the city. These provide the cheapest and quickest way to get into the city centre, and the airport has just renovated its train station to give visitors a sleek and stylish welcome.
Alternatively, you can grab a taxi from outside the terminals. Journeys are relatively cheap and quick depending on traffic. A number of visitors arrive in Cologne via the cross-country rail services, too, which connect it up with other major German cities as well as destinations all over Europe.
Cologne Accommodation
The cathedral spires of Cologne rise up alongside contemporary shops and cafes, the city's past and present jostling to come out on top. Cologne accommodation follows a similar pattern. On one hand, there are a number of grand hotels set inside old, historic buildings that tout traditional German hospitality, and on the other hand, there are new-age hostels set shoulder to shoulder with lively pubs and bars. There are plenty of city centre apartments for short term rental, too, which nestle on the crux of old and new that the city conserves so well.
A Multitude of Museums - Things to do in Cologne
Cologne hosts a great number of things to do, and our apartments in Cologne provide the perfect base from which to explore everything that's on offer.
- Cologne Cathedral -- Often touted as Germany's most inspiring attraction, this jaw-dropping cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne.
- Romano-Germanic Museum -- An archaeological museum that boasts a huge collection of Roman artefacts spanning back thousands of years.
- Wallraf-Richartz Museum -- One of Cologne's three major museums, the Wallraf-Richartz is home to an impressive collection of fine art that spans from the medieval period right up until the twentieth century.
- Museum Ludwig -- Situated in the heart of Cologne, the Museum Ludwig showcases some of the world's best modern art, including big names in pop art, surrealism, and abstract art. It's also home to one of the biggest collections of Picasso pieces in Europe.
- Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum -- Founded back in 1993 by Hans Imhoff, this delectable museum takes visitors through the chocolate-making process. The star of the show is a huge chocolate fountain.
- Great St. Martin Church, Cologne -- Located in the same spot of an old Roman chapel, this church was transformed into a Benedictine monastery. Today, it remains one of the most important Roman Catholic churches in Germany.
- Cologne Cable Car -- The cable car connects up the two banks of the River Rhine, offering views across the city's zoo and surrounding scenery.
- Schnutgen Museum -- The Schnutgen Museum mainly exhibits Christian religious art, though many of its textile and print pieces date back years before the medieval period.
- Kathe Kollwitz Museum -- This holds one of the biggest collections of work by Kathe Kollwitz, a famous German artist. It open back in 1985 on the 40th anniversary of the artist's death.
- Cologne Zoological Garden -- Home to more than 7,000 animals across 700 species, this city zoo offers a fun day out for all the family.
- Fragrance Museum -- Located just across from Cologne's City Hall, this museum is dedicated to fragrant smells from a variety of different sources.
- Lanxess Arena -- A huge indoor arena which opened back in 1998. It sees numerous sporting events every year, as well as a great number of live concerts.
- Museum fur Angewandte Kunst -- This is the city's decorative arts museum, which showcases an expansive collection of furniture, textiles, jewellery, and weaponry.
- RheinEnergieStadion -- Home ground of the local team, FC Koln, this football stadium is a popular attraction for sports enthusiasts.
- Basilica of St. Ursula, Cologne -- Set on the site of an ancient Roman cemetery, this basilica is an impressive display of age-old relics and frescoes.
- EL-DE Haus -- The original headquarters of the Gestapo, this imposing house is now home to a museum that documents the Third Reich.
The Contemporary Art Galleries of Cologne
Cologne may well only be Germany's fourth largest city, but it packs a punch when it comes to art and culture. It is home to a huge number of contemporary galleries, rivalling even the most cutting-edge artistic cities in the world. Millions of people flock to its creative streets every year in search of art and design, and the annual Art Cologne festival makes sure its status as an art city remains intact. Whilst staying in our Cologne apartments, you'll be on the frontline for exploring the city's creative scene, which is characterised by a large number of contemporary art galleries.
Galerie Artclub is one of the best-known contemporary art galleries in the city. Situated in an old fire station that's been polished up to within an inch of its life, it houses five exhibition halls, each of which holds a regularly changing schedule of shows. Many of the artists exhibited here are emerging, offering a first-hand insight into the future of German and European art.
The Kathe Kollwitz Museum is dedicated to one of the city's most famous artists. Tucked away above a shopping gallery, this small gallery focuses solely of Kollwitz's work about human suffering and tragedy. It's definitely not a light-hearted visit, but it offers a moving experience that leaves a lasting impression.
OffArtCologne Galerie is one of the city's independent institutions and can be found sitting pretty in Cologne's old town. The aim of the gallery is to promote young artistic talent to the masses, and you can also purchase a piece as a creative souvenir.
