Timeline
16:09
Walk beneath the elevated 19th-century shrine inside the Basilica of St. Severin. The late afternoon light filters through the stone, offering a quiet moment before the evening rush.
16:39
Grab a bite at Brauhaus Johann Schäfer. It is open until 22:00 on weekdays, making it the perfect spot for a pre-sunset meal before the crowds gather.
16:54
Walk to the back of the cathedral and head toward the Hohenzollern Bridge. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting a warm glow over the Rhine and the famous padlocks.
17:24
End the night at Brauhaus Gaffel, right next to the cathedral. It is open until 01:00, so you can stay as long as you like after the sun has gone down.
Local tip
The Basilica is open until 18:00 on weekdays, so you have plenty of time to explore before dinner. Check the route if you need to get from the bridge area back to the cathedral for the final drink.
Check before you go
- Brauhaus Johann Schäfer is open Mo-Fr 17:00-22:00. Ensure you arrive before 22:00.
- Brauhaus Gaffel is open Mo-Su 11:00-01:00.
Worth knowing
- Brauhaus Johann Schäfer is open at 16:39 only on Sa, Su
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Cologne (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).