Budget Travel Tips For Cologne Visitors

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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With most Britons still feeling the pinch from the recession, many are looking to cut back on luxuries such as foreign travel. However, there is no reason why you cannot have a great time abroad without breaking the bank. Here is a guide to free attractions in Cologne, Germany.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is just a stones throw from the famous Kolner Dom, and serves as both a railway bridge and a pedestrian bridge over the Rhine. From the pedestrian walkway, you can see some magnificent views of the city and the river. The bridge was rebuilt after World War II, and attached to the railings you will see lots of padlocks inscribed with names, pictures, and dates.

A wonderfully relaxing place for a summer picnic is the beautiful Botanischer Garten und Flora. The oldest park in the city, dating back to 1863, you will find green space, flowers, and rare birds in abundance, but the highlight is the collection of glasshouses housing rare and exotic plant species from around the globe.

St. Gereon Church is one of twelve major Romanesque churches in Cologne, and features some absolutely breathtaking architectural features. ...
... Here, you can also find some amazing stained glass windows and a stunning Pieta statue.

Situated near to the University of Cologne, the Aachener Weiher is a large man made pond in the centre of an attractive park. The area surrounding the Aachener Weiher is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike on warm sunny days, attracting many sunbathers and picnickers.

Set on the banks of the River Rhine, the Rheinpark is the biggest park in Cologne, and can boast colourful flowerbeds, a sculpture garden, playgrounds, footpaths, and sandy riverside beaches that are great for sunbathing on. It is also very popular with rollerbladers.

Founded in 1960, the Cologne Planetarium is a must see for anyone with an interest in exploring the cosmos. Set up in a former school building by some former students, there are two domes to this planetarium, with telescopes allowing you to photograph the skies. Courses in astronomy for kids and adults take place all year round too.

The Kolner Dom is a Gothic cathedral that took 632 years to construct, and when it was completed in 1880, it was one of the tallest buildings in the world. The building was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996. There is a simply amazing view of the city from the top of the towers, although at 157m high, it is quite a climb. Our guide to travelling to Cologne on a budget was written by Bonny Kominek, an experienced travel agent. They recommend checking the Octopus Travel website for the latest Cologne hotels and accommodation deals all year round.