PHOTO: © Florian Schmetz via Unsplash
Cologne from above: The best vantage points in the city
Think the cathedral offers Cologne’s best, highest, and most beautiful views? Think again! The city has a few more viewpoints up its sleeve that offer you an absolutely stunning panoramic view of the skyline 🌇 Camera charged, ready to soar? Then let’s go! Here are the city’s best viewpoints 👇
Kölner Seilbahn
© Celina via Unsplash
50735 Köln
Yes, Cologne has a cable car! For us, there’s no more beautiful or relaxing way to travel between the two sides of the Rhine than by gondola, since it connects Rheinpark in Deutz directly with the Cologne Zoo. From here, you really have a breathtaking view of the Rhine, the Cologne skyline, and other sights—and that’s (literally) from a bird’s-eye view 😏
All infos for the locationSonnenscheinetage
© Andreas Keunecke
Life is a Beach 🏖 True to the motto "Head up to unwind," you can make yourself comfortable on the SonnenscheinEtage—aka Cologne’s highest city beach! Yes, you read that right: For once, this city beach isn’t by the water, but on the Galeria Kaufhof Karstadt parking garage. Just head up to the 14th floor, leave the hectic city bustle behind in the elevator, and enjoy the sunny beach atmosphere 😎
All infos for the locationCologne's Bridges
You can also get to know the city from a whole new perspective on one of your walks: namely, on Cologne’s bridges!
The Hohenzollern Bridge (Obviously 👀) is one of our favorites here. From Deutz, it takes you not only to the main train station but also to Cologne Cathedral, the heart of the city. The bridge is best known, however, for its sea of love locks. Is yours hanging there yet?
We’re also big fans of the Severinsbrücke, which takes you right across the Rhine and offers the perfect view of the cathedral. But you also get a perfect view of Cologne’s skyline from the pedestrian bridge on Herkulesberg 😍
© 📸<a href="https://unsplash.com/de/@florianwehde">Florian Wehde</a>
Kölner Riesenrad
© Tobias Rademacher via Unsplash
50678 Köln
The Cologne Ferris wheel is 48 meters tall and features 36 fully glass-enclosed gondolas that can accommodate up to 6 people—including wheelchair users. Even small dogs that fit on your lap are welcome to enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel 🐶 Perfect for your next family or friends outing!
All infos for the locationKöln Triangle
© Tobias Rademacher via Unsplash
One of our favorites: the panoramic view from the 29th floor of the Cologne Triangle! This modern skyscraper is located right on the banks of the Rhine, across from Cologne’s Old Town. From the 103-meter-high observation deck, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Rhine—including the cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge 👀
All infos for the locationFrom cable cars and skyscrapers to the spectacular cathedral—Cologne definitely has some great viewpoints to offer. Do you know of a totally secret spot that we’ve forgotten to mention here? Well, then, share it with us! We’d love to hear your tips 😎