16 Best Museums in Cologne, Germany

In this blog post, we'll show you the best museums in Cologne you won't want to miss — from galleries to scratch off your checklist, to unconventional cultural spaces you didn't know existed.

Whether you're into contemporary art, World War II history, or the delicious world of chocolate, the top museums in Cologne are anything but boring.

Scroll down to check them out now!👇

Top Museums In Cologne, Germany

Museum Ludwig

We stumbled into Museum Ludwig while looking for another museum in Cologne, and promptly stayed for hours admiring their expansive art collection!

The museum houses an impressive collection of modern art, including pop art, abstract and surrealism, with one of the largest Picasso collections in the world.

Established in 1976, it's quickly became one of the top museums in Cologne to visit!

Since the museum is parked just behind Cologne Cathedral, and beside the Hohenzollern Bridge, it's actually a good idea to hitting all three attractions in a row!

📍 Museum Ludwig, Heinrich-Böll-Platz, 50667 Köln, Germany

Romano-Germanic Museum

Cologne is home to many world-class museums, and one of them is the Romano-Germanic Museum. This is a must if you're keen on archaeology and Roman culture on the Rhine since the Middle Ages. [1]

Sitting next to the Cologne Cathedral, the museum is built on the very site of a 3rd-century Roman villa — in fact, the famous Dionysus mosaic is still in its original place in the basement!

The museum does a really good job at showing the daily life in Roman Cologne.

They've got everything from gravestones and portraits, to glass pottery and even medical gear (which you wouldn't really expect). I'd say you can easily spend a couple of hours checking it all out!

📍The Romano-Germanic Museum on Roncalliplatz is closed due to renovations. The exhibits are temporarily in the Belgian House.

Wallraf-Richartz Museum

If you're a fan of medieval art, you can't miss this museum. The Wallraf-Richartz is devoted entirely to European art from the 13th to the early 19th century. [2]

In fact, this brainchild of Johann Heinrich Richartz and Ferdinand Franz Wallraf boasts one of the world's largest collections of medieval paintings — including Stefan Lochner's Madonna of the Rose Bower, known as the 'Mona Lisa of Cologne'!

Not only is entry very affordable, the Wallraf-Richartz museum is HUGE.

You can spend hours admiring impressionist and neo-impressionist paintings by the likes of Monet and Renoir to Baroque, and 19th century collections including artists like van Gogh, Bonnard and Munch.

📍 Obenmarspforten 40, 50667 Köln, Germany

EL-DE Haus

A key part of Cologne's history, the EL-DE House used to be Cologne's Gestapo headquarters from 1935 to 1945.

As a matter of fact, it was the symbol of Nazi terror in the city.

Now a thought-provoking museum, it documents life under Nazi rule in Cologne from the 1920s, including  the stories of Holocaust survivors. [3]

A visit to the basement cells (where the prisoners wrote messages) is a must, as well as the bomb shelter, and the courtyard, now a memorial.

📍Appellhofpl. 23-25, 50667 Köln, Germany

Farina Fragrance Museum

The Cologne Cathedral isn't the only thing that put this city on the global map – the famous fragrance known as Eau de Cologne played a role too. 

Naturally, the Farina Fragrance Museum is devoted to the man behind it all, Giovanni Maria Farina.

Three centuries of fragrance and fragrance history can be found here. We also got to learn how they made Eau de Cologne in the past compared to today, which is pretty cool! 

Plus, you get a little bottle of the scent to take home, which was a delight, given that our tickets were already very affordable.

📍 Obenmarspforten 21, 50667 Köln, Germany

Cologne Chocolate Museum

It's easy to see why the Cologne Chocolate Museum is one of Germany's top ten museums, with hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

First of all, you get free chocolate from start to end. Of course, our kids were overjoyed.

One entire floor of the museum is like a scene straight out of Willy Wonka's chocolate-making factory too, where you can watch the intricate chocolate-making process. 

We ended the trip with a souvenir of our own, a personalized chocolate from the "chocolate bar".

📍 Am Schokoladenmuseum 1A, 50678 Köln, Germany 

Motorworld Cologne

For car enthusiasts and Formula 1 fans, Motorworld in Cologne is a dream come true.

Located at Butzweilerhof, the airport where the first test flights took place, you'll be blown away by the large number of cars on display — from classic beauties to rare finds and even F1 racing cars!

But the real highlights are the private collection of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher.

Here, you can see the karts he drove at the start of his career and even the cars that won him the F1 world champion title. And don't miss out on the racing simulator, it's a huge blast!

Entry is free, and trust me, it's worth the short drive.

📍 Butzweilerhofallee, Butzweilerstraße 35-39, 50829 Cologne, Germany

Kolumba

Did you know the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne owns an art museum? The Kolumba Museum is a must-see for those interested in religious art.

Formerly known as the Diocesan Museum, the art collection spans from the Middle Ages to present day and features a unique array of pieces. [4]

One highlight is the museum's beautifully modern architecture, featuring minimalistic spaces and lines.

This contrasts with the ruins of the former St. Kolumba church, which the museum is built above. You can view excavations of the church's Romanesque foundations, which is pretty cool.

📍Kolumbastraße 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum

If you're curious about different cultures, Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum is an ethnographic museum packed with over 65,000 objects from around the world.

Inside, you'll find fascinating exhibitions that give you a glimpse into the lives and cultures of people all over the globe.

It's actually the only museum of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia!

I'm especially impressed by how the museum provides the background behind how these objects were taken. Sure, it might not be as huge as some other museums, but the exhibits here are super detailed and well-done.

📍Cäcilienstraße 29-33, 50676 Köln, Germany

Museum Of The Cologne Carnival

The Carnival is a huge deal in Germany, and here in Cologne, it's the biggest festival of all. So, it totally makes sense that there's a museum dedicated to it—after all, Cologne is the Carnival capital!

Haus des Kölner Karnevals, or Museum of the Cologne Carnival is one of the most unique museums in Cologne.

The museum features exhibits showcasing carnival costumes, parade floats, masks, and memorabilia from throughout its history.

If you've never been to Carnival before, you should check out the float construction hall — they've got many of the wacky carnival parade floats on display. There's also a collection of carnival songs to listen to!

📍Maarweg 134, 50825 Köln, Germany

German Sports And Olympic Museum

Right next to the Chocolate Museum, you'll find the German Sports and Olympic Museum, where you can take a trip back in time through 2,500 years of sports history!

The exhibits do sort of skew towards German sporting heritage, but they do cover the early days of modern sports from the ancient Greeks to what's happening in the sports world today.

Children will love it here too; we spotted kids trying out stuff like football, table tennis, gymnastics, and even the racing bikes. So parents who want to introduce their young ones to sports, this museum is very interactive.

📍Im Zollhafen 1, 50678 Köln, Germany

Odysseum

Dubbed "the museum of adventure", this is a science museum and adventure park for children all rolled into one!

There are around 200 experience stations for play, fun, movement, and learning, and parents will love it — the museum encourages participation and hands-on activities, making it extremely suitable for kids.

My kids had a blast with the flight simulator, the water play area, climbing ropes, and the dinosaur zone.

It's only a short walk from the Köln Arcaden shopping mall, so perfect for stopping by after a shopping trip!

📍Corintostraße 1, 51103 Köln, Germany

Museum Schnütgen

For enthusiasts of medieval Christian art, Museum Schnütgen is not to be missed. Situated within the breathtaking Romanesque church St. Cäcilien (built over 800 years ago), their collection of religious art spans the medieval period to modern times.

Originating from the private collection of cathedral canon Alexander Schnütgen, the ancient church setting for this museum gives the whole experience a serene and otherworldly atmosphere — it's really something else!

📍Cäcilienstraße 29-33, 50667 Köln, Germany

Cologne Museum Of Applied Arts (MAKK)

Also known as Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln, the MAKK is for you if you're into modern design and design history!

This decorative arts museum bears an impressive collection of cool furniture and crafts from the 10th century to the present day.

It's kinda like peeking into Europe's cultural past, seeing how people used to make stuff and express themselves through art. Super interesting! In fact, you get to see why things are the way they are today.

It's a quick visit—only about 1.5 hours—but you'll come out feeling smarter and more inspired. Who knew everyday objects could be so interesting?

It's actually near other top museums in Cologne such as Wallraf-Richartz Museum and Romano-Germanic Museum, so hitting all three at one go is a breeze.

📍An d. Rechtschule 7, 50667 Köln, Germany

Museum Of East Asian Art

The Museum for East Asian Art is a legit hidden treasure that deserves more attention. It's actually Europe’s first museum of East Asian art, and its history is pretty cool.

Within its walls, it houses one of Germany's most significant collections of artistic treasures from China, Korea, and Japan — like traditional calligraphy and woodblock prints.

The museum owes its start to founder Adolf Fischer and his wife Frieda.

In fact, they were the first to see East Asian art on par with Western art. Frieda even wrote in her diary back in 1902, "It still seems bold to seek to place East Asian art on a level with European art...We are seeking to go along untrodden paths."

📍Universitätsstraße 100, 50674 Köln, Germany

Cologne Cathedral Treasury

The Cologne Cathedral Treasury is somewhat different from the others listed here, because it is located inside the iconic Cologne Cathedral.

The cathedral treasury contains some of the most important Catholic relics and artifacts dating back to the 4th century! 

These include precious ornaments, jewelry, and other items used by the church over time. You can also find medieval art pieces, such as sculptures and paintings. You'll be amazed at how well-preserved these artifacts are!

Entry to the cathedral is free, but you'll need to purchase a ticket for the treasury.

📍Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany

Insider Tips For Visiting Cologne's Museums

Best Times To Visit To Avoid Crowds

If you're looking to enjoy the museums in Cologne with fewer crowds, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Firstly, consider visiting during weekdays and outside peak tourist season, which is typically from May to September.

Another great option is attending the Museum Night event when all of the museums in the city stay open late into the night, serving drinks and snacks while playing music.

Discount Admission Tickets And Free Entry Options

Many museums in Cologne offer discounted admission tickets or free entry on certain days or times of day — so it helps keep things affordable to take note of these!

For instance, the Roman-Germanic Museum offers free admission on every first Thursday of the month from 6 pm onwards, while others like Kolumba have special reduced prices for students and seniors.

To save on ticket prices, you can consider getting the Cologne tourist card, KölnCard, which entitles you to free public transport and steep discounts on the top museums in Cologne.

Guided Tours And Workshops

I really enjoy guided tours because I just have to listen and ask questions, without needing to do the research myself. Plus, many museums offer free guided tours, or only charge a few euros, which makes it a no-brainer.

Just note that some museums, like the Romano-Germanic Museum, require visitors to book a guided tour in advance.

There are workshops too, for adults and children. For example, the Farina Fragrance Museum occasionally has educational workshops on perfumery.

Museum Shop And Dining Options

After a long day of exploring the top museums in Cologne, if you want a souvenir, most museums have gift shops with unique items related to their collections, such as books, posters, and postcards.

At the Cologne Cathedral's shop, you can find religious articles like rosary beads and crosses.

Some museums also have cafés or restaurants within their premises for convenience. For instance, the Chocolate Museum has its own café specializing in (you guessed it) delicious chocolate desserts!

Conclusion: Museums in Cologne

Cologne is home to some of the best museums in Europe. From ancient Roman artifacts to modern art collections, there is something for every type of traveler.

No visit to Cologne would be complete without seeing its most famous landmark - the magnificent Cologne Cathedral and its gorgeous treasury.

So if you're planning a trip to Germany any time soon, don't miss out on these must-see museums in Cologne!

Click here for more things to do in Cologne.

Key Takeaways

• Must-visit museums include the Romano-Germanic Museum, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, NS Documentation Centre (EL-DE Haus), Farina Fragrance Museum, and Cologne Chocolate Museum.
• The Romano-Germanic Museum and Wallraf-Richartz Museum offer visitors a glimpse into Cologne's settlement history and impressive art collections. The NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne  provides an eye-opening look at National Socialism in Germany, while the Farina Fragrance Museum takes you on a journey through the history and production of perfume.
• Other noteworthy museums include Motorworld Cologne, Museum Ludwig, Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, German Sports and Olympic Museum, Odysseum, Schnütgen Museum, and the Cologne Museum of Applied Arts (MAKK).
• Insider tips when visiting these top museums in Cologne include checking out discount admission tickets or free entry options ahead of time as well as taking advantage of guided tours or workshops offered by each museum.

FAQs

1. What are the top museums to visit in Cologne, Germany?

Some of the top museums to visit in Cologne, Germany include the Museum Ludwig, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, and the Cologne Chocolate Museum.

2. What kinds of exhibitions can I expect at these museums?

The Museum Ludwig is known for its contemporary art collection while the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum has an extensive collection of old paintings. The Cologne Chocolate Museum offers interactive exhibits about chocolate making and history.

3. How much do tickets cost for these museums in Cologne?

Ticket prices vary depending on the museum you want to visit and whether or not there are any special exhibitions happening at that time. On average, adult tickets range from €10-€15 per person.

4. Can I purchase tickets online for these museums before my visit?

Yes! Most of the major museums in Cologne offer online ticket purchasing options which can save you time waiting in line upon arrival. Be sure to check each museum's website for specific information regarding ticket purchases and reservations.