Cologne on a Budget

Right now everyone's looking for ways to save a few cents, pennies or yen, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out when you travel to great cities across the world. There are plenty of top-notch things to see and do that won't cost you a thing. Here we bring you five of the top free attractions from the city of Cologne, and recommend that you try and check them out during your stay.

The Hohenzollern Bridge

Just a short walk from Cologne's famous Kölner Dom, you'll find the Hohenzollern Bridge. This bridge transports rail and pedestrian traffic across the River Rhine, but there's a lot more to it than being a mere arm of the transportation network. It was rebuilt after WWII, and from the walkways you'll get some of the best views of the city and the river. Probably the most interesting thing, however, is the large numbers of padlocks attached to the railings along the bridge. Inscribed with names, dates and pictures, it's an interesting treat to try and puzzle them out as you walk across.

The Botanischer Garten und Flora

This is Cologne's oldest city park, dating back to 1863. It's a lovely spot for a wander, filled with blossoming flowers, a multitude of tall trees and a chorus of chirping birds. Scattered around this large green area you'll also see a variety of greenhouses filled with exotic plants, along with a number of ornate fountains. If you fancy a rest, there are plenty of benches where you can sit and really take in the park's natural beauty. Open daily 8am-9pm, winter 8am-nightfall.

St. Gereon Church

One of Cologne's 12 major Romanesque churches, St. Gereon is a stunning piece of architecture, as well as being an important place of worship. There's a side altar which houses an impressive Pietà statue, as well as beautiful stained glass windows around the church. A number of musical events are held here throughout the year. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm.

The Aachener Weiher

A man-made pond, the Aachener Weiher is located very close to the city's University. Smack bang in the middle of a pretty park, the whole area is very popular with crowds of picnickers and sunbathers and so gets quite colourful and loud especially on warm, sunny days.

The Rheinpark

The Rheinpark, as the name suggests, is found along the banks of the River Rhine. It's the city's largest park area and is filled with lots of different attractions. For example, it boasts colourful flowerbeds, numerous footpaths, a sculpture garden, playgrounds and even sandy stretches of river-side beaches, perfect for sunbathing. If you're looking for something a bit more active to pass the time, this is also a top spot for rollerblading.

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