Nordtor

St. Andreas Church is a notable example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture and contains a 14th-century crypt where the scholar Albertus Magnus is buried. The interior is characterized by a series of contemporary stained-glass windows by Markus Lüpertz and features significant medieval furnishings, including 15th-century choir stalls and the gilded Maccabee Shrine.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this monumental cathedral took 632 years to complete, finally being consecrated in 1880. Cologne's Dom is the first thing you will notice when leaving through the main exit of the central station. If you don't see it, you've likely taken the back exit. If you are in good shape, you can climb the 509 stairs to the top of the south tower. The round trip takes about an hour and requires comfortable shoes, but the panoramic view is well worth the hike. Touring the cathedral is forbidden during Mass; to ensure the doors are open for visitors, check the liturgical calendar: koelner-dom.de.

The Museum of Applied Art has a collection of popular design items, as well as temporary exhibitions. The historical collections have been closed for several years due to refurbishment and new exhibition concept.

Römisch-Germanisches Museum explores the history of Roman history in Cologne and the surrounding area. The permanent exhibition is now located in the Belgian House (Cäcilienstraße 46, near Neumarkt). The exhibits of the Dionysos mosaic and Poblicius tomb are closed as of May 2022.

A museum of modern art, near the central railway station and the Cathedral hosts a worthy regular exhibition and temporary exhibitions.

The Praetorium served as the administrative headquarters of the Roman governor in Cologne, then the capital of the province of Germania Inferior. As one of the most significant Roman palaces along the Rhine, it functioned as the political and administrative center of the region for centuries. Today, visitors can explore the excavated foundations of this multi-phase structure, with the 4th-century monumental palace remains being the most prominent. The site reveals a sophisticated layout, including a central octagonal room, flanking halls, and a riverside porticus, alongside impressive archaeological finds such as remnants of marble wall cladding, mosaics, and large-scale sculptures.