Straddling the Rhine, Cologne (Köln) and Bonn deliver a perfect one-two punch of Gothic grandeur and modern culture. Cologne dazzles with its UNESCO-listed cathedral, avant‑garde art at Museum Ludwig, and a beer culture like nowhere else—Kölsch served in slim “Stangen” by brisk, blue-aproned Köbes. Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, offers leafy boulevards, Beethoven’s birthplace, and a “Museum Mile” that turns history into living memory.

These cities are neighbors—25 minutes apart by train—so you’ll spend more time exploring than commuting. Expect riverfront promenades, crane-house architecture in Cologne’s Rheinauhafen, Bonn’s pastel Old Town, and hilltop views from Drachenfels across the Rhine Valley. Food-wise, think hearty Rhineland dishes (Sauerbraten, “Himmel un Ääd,” Reibekuchen) balanced by cosmopolitan kitchens, top roasteries, and inventive cocktail bars.

Practical notes: Germany’s shops are largely closed Sundays; tip 5–10% by rounding up on card or leaving cash. Regional transit is excellent; if you’ll ride often, the Deutschlandticket (monthly, around €49) can pay off for regional trains and local networks, though subscriptions auto-renew—check terms before purchase. Carnival (Feb/early Mar) swells Cologne with parades and parties; Christmas markets (late Nov–Dec) are magical but busy—book early.

Cologne (Köln)

Cologne is equal parts cathedral city and creative playground. The Dom’s twin spires anchor a skyline that also makes room for the sleek crane houses of Rheinauhafen and colorful street art in hip Ehrenfeld. Between museum-hopping, you’ll join locals for Kölsch and Halver Hahn (rye roll with gouda) in spirited beer halls.

Top sights include the Cologne Cathedral and tower climb, Museum Ludwig’s Picassos and pop art, the Chocolate Museum on a Rhine peninsula, the Hohenzollern Bridge’s love locks, and the KölnTriangle’s panoramic viewing deck. In warm months (roughly April–October), the Cologne Cable Car glides above the river to the Rhine Park and zoo.

Where to stay: For easy sightseeing, base in Altstadt-Nord near the Dom; for boutiques and nightlife, try the Belgian Quarter; for creative vibes, Ehrenfeld. Browse stays on VRBO (Cologne) or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Cologne). Notable properties to consider (search by name): 25hours Hotel The Circle (futuristic, great views), Excelsior Hotel Ernst (classic luxury by the Dom), and Ruby Ella (retro-broadcast theme).

Getting in: Fly into Cologne Bonn (CGN), Düsseldorf (DUS), or Frankfurt (FRA). Search flights to Europe on Omio (Flights in Europe). From FRA, direct ICE trains to Köln Hbf take ~1 hour (~€30–€70); from DUS Airport, regional trains take ~40 minutes (~€12–€16). Plan trains on Omio (Trains in Europe), and budget buses on Omio (Buses in Europe).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, Kölsch Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs around the Dom’s exterior to admire its filigreed stonework, then amble to the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares. Coffee pick-me-up at Heilandt Kaffeemanufaktur (craft roastery) or The Coffee Gang, both known for meticulously dialed-in espresso.

Evening: Initiate into Cologne’s Kölsch culture at Früh am Dom or Peters Brauhaus—both lively and central. Order Kölsch (it keeps coming until you place a coaster on your glass) and try Himmel un Ääd (potato-apple mash) or crispy Reibekuchen with apple sauce. Nightcap at Seiberts Classic Bar (reservations recommended) or Spirits for award-winning cocktails; for a riverside walk, follow the promenade toward the Rheinauhafen crane houses at sunset.

Day 2: Cathedral, Museum Ludwig, Bridge & Views

Morning: Climb the Cologne Cathedral’s south tower (533 steps; weather-dependent) for city views, then explore the nave and treasury. Walk to Museum Ludwig for 20th‑century heavyweights—Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein—and cutting-edge temporary shows (plan ~2 hours).

Afternoon: Lunch at Bei Oma Kleinmann (famed schnitzel; go early or expect a wait) or Metzgerei Schmitz (salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie in the Belgian Quarter). Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge amid a sea of love locks and ride up the KölnTriangle viewing platform for a photogenic skyline shot back toward the Dom.

Evening: Do a mini brauhaus crawl: Päffgen am Friesenplatz pours a crisp, slightly hoppy Kölsch; Lommerzheim in Deutz is a cult favorite for pork chops and no-frills good times. Cocktail option: Little Link, where culinary-style infusions keep the menu inventive. Check the Kölner Philharmonie schedule if you’re in a classical mood.

Day 3: Chocolate, Rheinauhafen, NS Documentation Center, Belgian Quarter

Morning: Start with croissants and cappuccinos at Bastian’s Café & Bakery. Wander to the Chocolate Museum for cacao history, a working production line, and tastings (allow 1.5–2 hours). Continue along Rheinauhafen to admire the dramatic Kranhäuser (“crane houses”) and river views.

Afternoon: Dive into the NS-Dokumentationszentrum (EL-DE Haus), a sobering museum in the former Gestapo HQ that’s essential for context. Decompress with boutique browsing in the Belgian Quarter—stop by Heilandt or Van Dyck Rösterei for a filter coffee and people-watching on Brüsseler Platz.

Evening: Dinner with a view at NENI Köln (Middle Eastern–Mediterranean plates to share), or book Ox & Klee in Rheinauhafen for a tasting-menu splurge. End at Monkey Bar Cologne for skyline cocktails, or sample local nightlife at Gewölbe (electronic) if there’s a DJ you like.

Day 4: Brühl Palaces and Ehrenfeld Street Art

Morning: Take a short train to Brühl (12–18 minutes) to tour the UNESCO-listed Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces, masterpieces of Rococo design with ornate staircases and gardens (~€10–€14 combined; guided times vary). Return to Cologne by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Head to Ehrenfeld for a self-guided street art walk—murals bloom across side streets near Venloer Straße. Refuel at Café Sehnsucht (organic, seasonal plates) or Fette Kuh in Südstadt for a top-tier burger sourced from local producers.

Evening: Casual dinner at Brauerei zur Malzmühle (try the Rhenish Sauerbraten with raisins) or Sardinian flavors at Zippiri. If you want a big night, Bootshaus is one of Germany’s most lauded clubs; otherwise, keep it low-key with craft beers at Braustelle in Ehrenfeld.

Bonn

Elegant and understated, Bonn layers Baroque palaces with leafy promenades and a student energy that keeps cafés buzzing. This is Beethoven’s birthplace and the onetime capital of West Germany—stories told beautifully along the Museum Mile and in the streets of Südstadt lined with 19th‑century townhouses.

Highlights: Beethoven-Haus (period instruments and manuscripts), the free Haus der Geschichte (post‑1945 German history that’s genuinely engaging), Kunstmuseum Bonn and Bundeskunsthalle for art, and the Rhine meadow parks that host festivals and a beloved weekend flea market. South of town, Königswinter and the Drachenfels ridge offer the region’s iconic Rhine views.

Where to stay: Base yourself in Bonn-Zentrum for walkability, Südstadt for historic charm, or Bad Godesberg for a quieter, green feel. Browse VRBO (Bonn) or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Bonn). Look up Hotel Königshof (Rhine views), V-Hotel (forest setting near the Venusberg), and Ameron Bonn Hotel Königshof (classic riverfront).

Getting from Cologne to Bonn: Depart Cologne Hbf in the morning; frequent regional or ICE trains take ~20–30 minutes (~€7–€12). Check times and prices on Omio (Trains in Europe). If you’re on a tight budget, regional buses sometimes undercut train fares on Omio (Buses in Europe).

Day 5: Transfer to Bonn, Beethoven & the Old Town

Morning: Train to Bonn and drop bags. Grab breakfast at Black Coffee Pharmacy (specialty roasts and flaky pastries) or Café Blau (student-favorite brunch spot with hearty plates).

Afternoon: Visit Beethoven-Haus to see the composer’s birth home and an intimate collection of scores, instruments, and period rooms (plan ~1–1.5 hours). Stroll Marktplatz and the Rococo Altes Rathaus, then the Hofgarten lawn by the University’s former electoral palace.

Evening: Dinner at Em Höttche (traditional Rhenish cuisine right off the market square) or Tuscolo for crisp Roman-style pizzas and big salads. Nightcap at Bar Balthasar for serious cocktails or try Bönnsch, the city’s namesake brewpub, for a convivial pint.

Day 6: Königswinter & Drachenfels Day Trip

Morning: Ride a regional train or tram to Königswinter (15–25 minutes). Take the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway up to the summit (~€12–€14 round-trip) for sweeping views of the Siebengebirge hills and the Rhine. Visit Schloss Drachenburg, a fanciful 19th‑century villa-castle with terraces and a small museum (~€9–€12).

Afternoon: Lunch with a view near the summit café or back down in Königswinter along the riverfront—look for seasonal terraces serving Flammkuchen and local wines. In season (roughly April–October), consider a relaxed KD boat back to Bonn (~1 hour; ~€10–€15), watching castle-dotted slopes slip by.

Evening: Back in Bonn, walk the Rhine promenade at golden hour from Alter Zoll bastion southward. Dine at Wirtshaus Salvator (Bavarian-leaning comfort food) or El Tarascon (excellent steaks and Argentine sides). For dessert, hunt down EisLabor for creative gelato flavors when in season.

Day 7: Museum Mile or Gardens, Farewell

Morning: Choose your passion: Haus der Geschichte (free, immersive postwar history) or art-hop between Kunstmuseum Bonn and Bundeskunsthalle (allow 2–3 hours). Alternative in good weather: Poppelsdorf Palace and the University’s Botanical Garden (seasonal opening hours), reached via the tree-lined Poppelsdorfer Allee.

Afternoon: Brunch-lunch at Cassius Garten by the station—an easygoing vegetarian cafeteria beloved by locals for fresh salads, soups, and cakes. Pick up last souvenirs, then head to your departure point: Cologne Bonn Airport is ~25–35 minutes from Bonn by bus (SB60) or via train plus S‑Bahn; Frankfurt Airport is ~1h40 by train. Search connections on Omio (Trains in Europe) and flights on Omio (Flights in Europe).

Evening: If you have time before an evening flight, take a final Rhine-side walk in Bonn’s Rheinaue Park, especially pretty at sunset during festival season. Toast the week with one last Kölsch or a Riesling spritz.

Extra tips and seasonal notes:

• Christmas markets: Cologne hosts several themed markets (Dom, Alter Markt, Hafen)—late Nov to late Dec. Weekdays are quieter.
• Cable car & river cruises: Cologne’s cable car and many KD boats run roughly April–October; winter schedules are limited. Always check hours a day or two ahead.
• Street food and snacks: Try a fresh pretzel from a local bakery, currywurst from a stand near Neumarkt, or a slice of Käsekuchen at Café Riese on Schildergasse.
• Transit: For frequent local/regional rides, compare day tickets vs. the Deutschlandticket (monthly). Note the Deutschlandticket is not valid on ICE/IC/EC long-distance trains.

Where to book your stays: VRBO – Cologne, Hotels.com – Cologne, VRBO – Bonn, Hotels.com – Bonn.

Trains, buses, flights: Compare and book with Omio (Trains in Europe), Omio (Buses in Europe), and Omio (Flights in Europe).

This 7-day Cologne and Bonn itinerary blends spires and street art, beer halls and Beethoven, river walks and ridge-top castles—all within an easy, car-free corridor. With short hops and rich days, you’ll taste the best of the Rhineland while leaving time to linger where it feels good.