Timeline
16:09
Grab a seat at Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom. Order a Kölsch and a plate of local snacks to keep your energy up. The traditional Cologne flair is perfect for settling in before the walk.
16:24
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
Walk 10 minutes to the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud. You do not need to enter the gallery. Instead, use the museum area as a quiet transition point before heading toward the river. Check the route for directions from Dom/Hauptbahnhof or Rathaus.
16:39
Walk 11 minutes northeast to the Hohenzollern Bridge. This is the Locking Bridge. Find a spot on the railings facing west. As the sun sets at 16:54, the light will hit the Rhine and the cathedral spires from the side, creating a striking silhouette against the sky.
17:09
After the light fades, head back 8 minutes to Brauhaus Gaffel. It is a beer hall right next to the cathedral that serves food and stays open until 01:00. It is the ideal place to warm up and discuss the view you just saw.
Local tip
The walk from the museum to the bridge is short but crosses busy streets. Stay alert for trams and pedestrians. Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom is open from 11:00, so you can arrive early to secure a table.
Check before you go
- Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom is open Mo-Th 11:00-23:00, Fr 11:00-24:00, Sa 10:00-24:00, PH 10:00-23:00.
- Brauhaus Gaffel is open Mo-Su 11:00-01:00.
- Sunset on 15 January is at 16:54.
Worth knowing
- Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom is open at 16:09 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Cologne (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).