Why visit
Cologne's Gothic cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, the Rhine's busiest riverfront for beer gardens, and a carnival that rivals Rio's in intensity.
Germany at a glance
Country center
51.0°, 9.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
357,114 km²
137,882 mi²
Country population
83.3 million
233/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+49
Language
German
Demonym
German
Internet
.de
UN
Member state
ISO code
DE / DEU
Where in the world
51.0° · 9.0°
Germany
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Did you know
- Cologne Cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world at 157 m and took 632 years to build (1248 to 1880).
- Eau de Cologne was invented here in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina; "4711" is the city's oldest fragrance brand, still made on Glockengasse.
- The city throws Germany's biggest Carnival (Karneval) each year, with 1.5 million people in costume on Rose Monday.
- Germany has over 1,500 different beers and nearly 1,300 breweries.
- Berlin is 9× the size of Paris by area, with a quarter of the population.
Bordering Germany
Traveler notes
- Köln Dom climb (533 steps) for panorama
- Kölsch beer in 0.2L glasses. They keep coming
- Carnival Rosenmontag (Feb/Mar)
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Cologne
What currency is used in Cologne?
Cologne uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Germany?
The primary language is German.
What is the international calling code for Germany?
The calling code is +49.
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