Cologne Cathedral
Quick Facts
- Location
- Germany, Köln
- Category
- Church & Religious Site
- Duration
- 1-2 hours
- Opening Hours
- Monday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Tuesday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Wednesday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Thursday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Friday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Saturday 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 · Sunday 06:00-20:00; visits 13:30-16:30 · Last entry 17:30, or 16:15 on Sundays and holidays. The hours page has the cathedral open 06:00-20:00 daily, with sightseeing only in those windows, and points to the daily service calendar. The north transept is free for prayer, usually 06:00-20:00 on weekdays and 06:00-18:15 at weekends. The tower runs 09:00-18:00 March to October and 09:00-16:00 November to February, last entry half an hour earlier, and shuts on 1 January, the Carnival days, 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December, with the bell chamber closed until 14:00 on Sundays and holidays. The treasury keeps 10:00-18:00 with last entry 17:30.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Sightseeing ticket 12 euros, charged for tourists inside since 1 July 2026 · Student: Reduced 6 euros for pupils from 14, apprentices, students, school group companions and NRW social pass holders · Free with a disability degree of 50 percent or more, plus one companion if the card shows B. Tower 8 euros, reduced 4. Treasury 8 euros, reduced 4. Tower plus treasury 12 euros, reduced 6. The CologneCard discount covers only the treasury. Online booking opened on 15 June 2026, three months ahead at most, nine tickets per order, and the box office in the Kurienhaus at Roncalliplatz 2 works daily 09:00-17:30. A booked guided tour still needs its own admission ticket.
- Address
- Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln
- Coordinates
- 50.9413, 6.9581
Introduction
Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most famous Gothic church. Started in 1248, completed over 600 years later, it features 157 m twin spires, stained glass, Shrine of the Three Kings and 533-step tower climb — Germany's most iconic landmark. UNESCO since 1996. Richter stained glass (2007). Shrine of the Three Kings. 533 steps to South Tower for city panorama.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
| Wednesday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
| Thursday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
| Friday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
| Saturday | 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45 |
| Sunday | 06:00-20:00; visits 13:30-16:30 |
Last entry 17:30, or 16:15 on Sundays and holidays. The hours page has the cathedral open 06:00-20:00 daily, with sightseeing only in those windows, and points to the daily service calendar. The north transept is free for prayer, usually 06:00-20:00 on weekdays and 06:00-18:15 at weekends. The tower runs 09:00-18:00 March to October and 09:00-16:00 November to February, last entry half an hour earlier, and shuts on 1 January, the Carnival days, 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December, with the bell chamber closed until 14:00 on Sundays and holidays. The treasury keeps 10:00-18:00 with last entry 17:30.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Sightseeing ticket 12 euros, charged for tourists inside since 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Student | Reduced 6 euros for pupils from 14, apprentices, students, school group companions and NRW social pass holders |
| Child | Under 14 enters free |
| Free Admission | No ticket for services, prayer or lighting a candle, and Zentral-Dombau-Verein members go free; selected days open free to all, among them 1 May, 3 October, the Epiphany pilgrimage and the night of open churches |
Free with a disability degree of 50 percent or more, plus one companion if the card shows B. Tower 8 euros, reduced 4. Treasury 8 euros, reduced 4. Tower plus treasury 12 euros, reduced 6. The CologneCard discount covers only the treasury. Online booking opened on 15 June 2026, three months ahead at most, nine tickets per order, and the box office in the Kurienhaus at Roncalliplatz 2 works daily 09:00-17:30. A booked guided tour still needs its own admission ticket.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Cologne Cathedral?
Monday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Tuesday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Wednesday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Thursday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Friday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Saturday: 06:00-20:00; visits 10:00-17:45; Sunday: 06:00-20:00; visits 13:30-16:30; Last entry 17:30, or 16:15 on Sundays and holidays. The hours page has the cathedral open 06:00-20:00 daily, with sightseeing only in those windows, and points to the daily service calendar. The north transept is free for prayer, usually 06:00-20:00 on weekdays and 06:00-18:15 at weekends. The tower runs 09:00-18:00 March to October and 09:00-16:00 November to February, last entry half an hour earlier, and shuts on 1 January, the Carnival days, 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December, with the bell chamber closed until 14:00 on Sundays and holidays. The treasury keeps 10:00-18:00 with last entry 17:30.
How much is the admission for Cologne Cathedral?
Adult: Sightseeing ticket 12 euros, charged for tourists inside since 1 July 2026; Student: Reduced 6 euros for pupils from 14, apprentices, students, school group companions and NRW social pass holders; Child: Under 14 enters free; Free Admission: No ticket for services, prayer or lighting a candle, and Zentral-Dombau-Verein members go free; selected days open free to all, among them 1 May, 3 October, the Epiphany pilgrimage and the night of open churches; Free with a disability degree of 50 percent or more, plus one companion if the card shows B. Tower 8 euros, reduced 4. Treasury 8 euros, reduced 4. Tower plus treasury 12 euros, reduced 6. The CologneCard discount covers only the treasury. Online booking opened on 15 June 2026, three months ahead at most, nine tickets per order, and the box office in the Kurienhaus at Roncalliplatz 2 works daily 09:00-17:30. A booked guided tour still needs its own admission ticket.
Any practical tips for visiting Cologne Cathedral?
Church free; tower ticketed; next to Hauptbahnhof. Pair with Old Town and Ludwig Museum.
How long should I spend at Cologne Cathedral?
A typical visit takes 1-2 hours.
