Our trip to Cologne was a spur-of-the-moment adventure; with just 24 hours to soak in as much German culture and excitement as we could. Both Aaron and I have German grandparents, so our anticipation to connect with our roots in this historic city was sky-high, despite the brevity of our stay.

Where We Stayed

Rhein-Hotel St. Martin - Oldtown Cologne

Our home base in Cologne was the charming Rhein-Hotel St. Martin, located right in the Oldtown. This area is a picturesque quarter filled with narrow lanes, traditional breweries, and shops that make it ideal for 24 hours of exploration.

However, finding family-friendly accommodations was tricky; we ended up booking separate rooms on different floors, which worked out since the kids are older. Despite this hiccup, the convenience of being in the heart of Oldtown meant we could experience Cologne’s vibrant culture and history right outside our door (and room window! We had great views!

What We Did

Walking and geocaching on the Deutzer Brücke Bridge

A walk across the Deutzer Brücke bridge revealed what had to be tens of thousands of locks attached to the bridge. We even joined in the local tradition of searching for a hidden geocache—although, like a needle in a haystack, it remained elusive.

But the real treasure was the view from the bridge, giving us a panoramic scene of the Rhine and the cityscape that stretched beyond.

Cologne Cathedral - Historic and Impressive

Our first stop had to be the Cologne Cathedral. This towering Gothic masterpiece isn't just an architectural wonder; it's a symbol of Cologne's enduring spirit. Standing before its massive doors, we felt a rush of awe—the intricate facades and the soaring spires seemed to reach directly into the heavens.

Known for housing the revered Shrine of the Three Kings, the cathedral also offers breathtaking views of the city if you're up for the climb up its towers. Walking through its vast interior, under the beautifully stained glass windows, felt like stepping back through centuries.

A Glimpse into the Euro Cup Football Village

As soon as we dropped our bags off into our rooms, we ventured into the Euro Cup Football Village around the corner. It was a sea of jerseys and flags, with fans from across all across Europe very proudly representing their countries.

The atmosphere was electric, a true sports festival, but with kids with us, we decided to leave after 10 minutes to explore the rest of town and find a better, less crazy place to watch the game.

Euro Cup with the Locals

The Euros brought tons of fans into town and we ended up watching the Germany game at L'Osteria Köln Zollhafen right by the river. The place had a great mix of people and even though Germany didn't win, the vibe was upbeat and everyone kept the party going all night.

What really stood out was how clean the city was the next morning. Despite the big night of partying by thousands of people and the amount of trash everywhere, you wouldn't find a single piece of trash on the streets of Oldtown the next day. They really have their cleanup process down.

Trying Out Cologne's Famous Kolsch Beer

We couldn't leave Cologne without trying some Kolsch beer—it was invented in Cologne, Germany! We stopped by Peters Brauhaus, a cool spot where they serve up this light, easy-drinking beer that's a big deal around here.

It's different from the usual beers we're used to (IPA lovers here), but in a good way—really refreshing.

Right next to our hotel, there was this place called KIOSK AM RHEIN. It felt more like a club than a beer shop! We grabbed a few Kolsch beers there and kicked back by the river to wind down. Perfect way to relax after a busy day.

Stay tuned for more stories from our European adventures—next stop, taking a train to Amsterdam!