Altstadt-Nord, Cologne: Things to Do & Map

Cologne's historic old town with landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral and the Alter Markt square. The area is walkable and offers a mix of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options along streets like Breite Straße.

Museum LudwigArt Museum
Cologne CathedralCathedral
Great St Martin ChurchFamous Catholic Church

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By TripSapien · Updated October 6, 2026

Top things to do in Altstadt-Nord

Museum Ludwig
★ 4.5 · 9.6k
Art Museum★
The formerly private collection of Peter Ludwig, with paintings, ceramics, sketches & prints.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
10 AM – 6 PM
Sat
10 AM – 6 PM
Sun
10 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Cologne Cathedral
★ 4.8 · 4.2k
Cathedral★
Landmark Gothic cathedral with a huge facade, plus guided tours & Rhine views.
Every day
6 AM – 8 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Great St Martin Church
★ 4.6 · 1.7k
Famous Catholic Church★
Massive Romanesque church with a landmark tower built on top of Roman temple ruins.
Website ↗Map ↗
NS-Dokumentationszentrum
★ 4.5 · 4.0k
History Museum★
Nazi-victim memorial center in a former Gestapo headquarters with exhibits & a basement jail.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
10 AM – 6 PM
Sat
11 AM – 6 PM
Sun
11 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Wallraf-Richartz Museum
★ 4.6 · 3.5k
Art Museum★
Oldest museum in the city, home to important Gothic, Renaissance & Impressionist collections.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
10 AM – 6 PM
Sat
10 AM – 6 PM
Sun
10 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Romano-Germanic Museum
Archaeology Museum★
The museum preserves Roman Cologne objects, mosaics, glass, jewelry, tombs, and urban archaeology from Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. Its cathedral-side home has been under renovation, so check the current exhibition location.
Website ↗Map ↗
Kolumba
★ 4.5 · 1.5k
Art Museum★
Modern & classic Christian artworks in contemporary spaces amid 19th-century church remains.
Mon
12 PM – 5 PM
Tue
Closed
Wed–Fri
12 PM – 5 PM
Sat
12 PM – 5 PM
Sun
12 PM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Old Market
★ 4.5 · 14.9k
Christmas Market
Historic town square with a variety of shops, restaurants & bars, plus a famous Christmas market.
Every day
12 AM – 12 AM
Map ↗
Manga-Mafia Store
★ 4.9 · 880
Bookstore
Mon–Fri
10:30 AM – 7 PM
Sat
10 AM – 7:30 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗
Cortez Schokoladen
★ 4.8 · 320
Chocolate Shop· $$
Fashionable chocolatier crafting innovative, upscale sweets, plus cafe seating & hot chocolate.
Mon–Fri
10 AM – 6 PM
Sat
10 AM – 6 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗
St. Petersglocke
Cathedral
The largest bell in the world has been swinging high above a Cologne cathedral for almost a century

Where to eat & drink in Altstadt-Nord

taku
Michelin ★
Asian· $$$$
A classic grand hotel like the Excelsior Ernst (dating from 1863) may not be the setting you would expect for a restaurant done out in a minimalist Asian style.
Website ↗
Papa Joe's Jazz Bar
★ 4.6 · 2.8k
Live Music· €10–20
Intimate club with live bands playing traditional jazz, blues & swing music every night of the week.
Every day
7 PM – 2 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Natras Bar
★ 4.8 · 265
Hookah Bar· €10–20
Mon–Thu
1 PM – 1 AM
Fri
1 PM – 2 AM
Sat
1 PM – 2 AM
Sun
1 PM – 1 AM
Map ↗
Jameson Pub Cologne
★ 4.7 · 4.6k
Irish Pub· €20–30
Beer & whiskey, plus hearty dishes, in a traditional Irish pub with TV sports & live entertainment.
Mon–Thu
12 PM – 1 AM
Fri
12 PM – 3 AM
Sat
12 PM – 3 AM
Sun
12 PM – 1 AM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Jlöcklich Barista Café
★ 4.8 · 1.2k
Café & Bakery· €10–20
Every day
9 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗