Timeline
16:09
Grab a Kölsch and a light snack at Brauhaus Gaffel. It sits right next to the cathedral, serving food from 11:00 until 01:00 daily, so it is open and ready for an early evening start.
16:29
Walk to St. Gereon's Basilica. Check the official website for tour times or service restrictions before you go, as sightseeing is limited outside of religious services. This historic church with its unique decagonal dome is a quiet anchor before the main event.
16:49
Head to the Hohenzollern Bridge. Walk past the back of the Kölner Dom along a straight path; the bridge covered in padlocks will be on your right. This is your spot to watch the sun set toward the WSW.
17:14
End the evening at Brauerei Malzmühle. It is a pub visited by Bill Clinton, located near the bridge, and open until 22:00, giving you time to settle in after the sun goes down.
Local tip
The walk from the cathedral area to the bridge takes about 23 minutes on foot if you explore the surroundings, but you can cut straight to the viewpoint. If you prefer a drink closer to the bridge after sunset, Lommerzheim is also nearby and open late.
Check before you go
- St. Gereon's Basilica restricts sightseeing to times outside of religious services. Please consult the official website for public tour details or group visit registration.
- Brauhaus Gaffel is open daily from 11:00 to 01:00.
- Brauerei Malzmühle is open from 10:00 to 22:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Cologne (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).