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Great St. Martin Church, Cologne

Great St. Martin Church, Cologne: Our most recommended tours and activities

Cologne: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour

1. Cologne: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour

The Cologne scavenger hunt will take you past the most beautiful sights of the Rhine metropolis. Start your adventure at the main station and then head to the Cathedral, which is Cologne's landmark. Also, discover the Heinzelmännchen fountain, the old market with the town hall, the Heumarkt, the Great St. Martin church, the Rhine promenade, and much more. Your city game box contains 16 sealed and numbered envelopes, each holding riddles that need to be solved. Follow clear and precise directions and find your way to the various sights. Once you solve a riddle you will be given a number, which reveals which envelope to open next. You won’t know ahead of time in which succession the Scavenger Hunt City Game envelopes need to be opened. Have fun while you receive detailed information regarding the historical background of every attraction.

Cologne: Rhine River Cruise with Live Music

2. Cologne: Rhine River Cruise with Live Music

Enjoy the charming sights of Cologne from a heated boat on the Rhine River. Sip on a glass of Kölsch or a hot beverage as you take in the atmosphere.  View some of Cologne's most spectacular architecture, like the Groß St. Martin Church, the former Rheinau harbour with the three crane houses and, of course, Cologne Cathedral.  Listen to a musician play both traditional and modern tunes live. Drink some cold local beer, tea, or coffee.

Cologne: Private Walking Tour of City Center

3. Cologne: Private Walking Tour of City Center

Discover some of Cologne’s most relevant sites on a private walking tour in the city center. Wander along the river Rhine, gaze at the Cologne Cathedral, and cross the Hohenzollern Bridge while chatting with a local guide. Begin the tour in front of the city’s famed cathedral and take in this hallmark, historical structure that lies adjacent to the Rhine. The cathedral is the city’s second tallest building and boasts the title of UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, take the opportunity to see the Dionysus Mosaic, which dates from around A.D. 220 and is the centerpiece of the Roman-Germanic Museum. After checking out the mosaic, stroll along the Hohenzollern Bridge, which overlooks the Rhine, and snap some photos to capture this memorable experience. From the bridge, continue the tour in Cologne’s Old Town and experience its unique historical appeal. Take in the traditional old housing and local breweries, which are located directly along the Rhine. As you pass through Old Town’s narrow alleys, next stop at the Great St. Martin Church located at the city’s historical fish market. Observe the church’s distinctive design that has shaped Old Town’s skyline throughout the years. Next pass by the Willi Ostermann Fountain and then stop by the historical Cologne City Hall, famous for its Renaissance façade. After that check out the city’s largest shopping strip, Hohe Street, where everything can be found from electronics to clothes and shoes. Wrap up the walking tour by stopping at Heinzelmännchen Fountain, a monument dedicated to a local myth about little people who used to work all night so the people of Cologne could take it easy during the day.     

Cologne: Medieval Churches Private Walking Tour

4. Cologne: Medieval Churches Private Walking Tour

"They say that there are as many churches in Cologne as there are days in a year, so on this original tour we will show you the city's most historically and architecturally important sacred buildings! Discover interesting facts and legends about religion in Germany. Your 2-hour tour begins right in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, at the lively Old Market Square. This is where you will find Great St. Martin Church, one of the city’s 12 Romanesque churches. Step inside this magnificent building to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere and hear its story, from the original Roman chapel, through a Benedictine monastery, to WWII damages and reconstruction. A few steps away you will find Cologne Cathedral, the city’s most famous monument. Admire its spectacular Gothic architecture and find out why the Cathedral is important not only to Cologne’s Christians but also Jews. See also the Baroque-style Kirche Mariä Himmelfahrt and the Romanesque-style Basilica of St Ursula, which houses a shrine made of real bones. The final stop will be at the medieval Basilica of St Gereon, which has one of the largest and most beautiful domes in Europe."

Cologne: Roman History Self-Guided Audio Guide Walking Tour

5. Cologne: Roman History Self-Guided Audio Guide Walking Tour

Travel 2,000 years into the past on a self-guided walking tour of Roman Cologne, founded by Emperor Augustus himself. The city’s first 500 years of occupation by the Romans permanently shaped Cologne. On this audio guide tour, see the remnants of this ancient city that are hidden in plain sight. Begin the journey in front of the Kreuzblume beside the Cologne Cathedral, where you’ll hear about the city’s old northern gate. Along the way, check out original Roman stairs, and learn how to spot the celebrated Roman soldiers, Marsilius and Agrippa, on the Gürzenich Köln's imposing Gothic facade. The audio guide will point out the Great St Martin Church which was built in the Middle Ages on the foundations of a Roman warehouse in the former Roman temple district, St Maria im Kapitol. Find out why Die Römische Hafenstraße in Köln (a Roman harbor road) was imperfectly rebuilt in Kurt Hackenberg Platz and locate the largest Roman palace in the Rhineland. Hear about an ancient Roman sewer that survived wars, floods, and the industrial revolution, but might soon succumb to German fire protection regulations. Walk down one of the oldest continuously used roads in an urban center north of the Alps. Peer through the window of the Roman-Germanic Museum to see one of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman mosaics. Find an archaeological gem inside a metro station and learn what the 1969 moon landing has to do with the ancient Romans in Cologne. By the end of the tour, you’ll also know why the Romans founded a city so far from their home, and where to find remnants of their walls in places you may never expect. The walk through the ages comes to an end near the Ubii Monument, the oldest stone tower in Germany.

Cologne: Walking Tour of the Old Town with Local Guide

6. Cologne: Walking Tour of the Old Town with Local Guide

Go on a walking tour of Cologne’s old town and visit its most beautiful sites. Listen to your local guide tell you all about the history and culture of the city. Make stops at Neumarkt, Cologne Cathedral, Cologne City Hall, and more. Begin by meeting your guide at the Romans' Northern Gate. Head to the world-famous Cologne Cathedral. Admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the outside, as your guide tells you all about the history of the city’s landmark. Continue to explore Cologne's Roman origins, and make stops at sites such as the town hall and the Romanesque Great St. Martin Church. Learn all about the traditions that are special to Cologne, such as carnival. Find out why people from the city have a reputation for being friendly.

Exclusive Historical Walk of Cologne with a Local

7. Exclusive Historical Walk of Cologne with a Local

Experience the city of Cologne from an insider's point of view on this tour with a local guide. Take pictures of stunning locations like St. Martin's Church, Cologne Cathedral, and the Rheinauhafen waterfront complex. Start your adventure at the St. Gereon Church and walk towards the city's old fortification. Explore and take pictures of local spots and hidden gems that a typical tour won’t show you. Learn about the history of the old market and Cologne Cathedral. Then, take in the towering heights and romanesque beauty of St. Martin’s Church, a favorite landmark among the locals. End your sightseeing at the newly designed and restructured Rheinauhafen waterfront complex to explore some more of the city on your own.

Express Walk of Cologne with a Local

8. Express Walk of Cologne with a Local

Fall in love with Cologne during a short but sweet city tour with an independent local guide. Learn the most intriguing facts about the city's history, local lifestyle, and contemporary transformation. Whether you're visiting for the first or fifth time, see Cologne through the eyes of a local. Meet your guide in central Cologne and walk through the city to discover its parks, monuments, and historical architecture. See the Romanesque Great St. Martin Church with the candy-colored houses in front as you explore Cologne's historic Old Town. Then, visit the Fischmarkt, an iconic photo stop. Take advantage of your chance to get insider tips about Cologne's best cafes, restaurants, and bars, and find out how to make the most out of your stay. By seeing Cologne through the eyes of a local, discover what everyday life looks like and find out what gives the city its characteristic ambiance.

Other Sightseeing Options in Great St. Martin Church, Cologne

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What people are saying about Great St. Martin Church, Cologne

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 106 reviews

Natalia very well, very attentive to explaining to us and allowing us to take photos, she gave us important and also curious information about the city and its culture, stories and tips where to eat and drink, very good in her guide.

Jutta reported in detail and with humor. The tour was put together well and very varied. Therefore, the four teenagers in the group were happy and interested in what was happening.

We were all very happy with the tour! Our guide did a really great job. We will definitely contact you again on our next visit :)

Nice experience! Good music and nice beers. Not much to see in terms of 'sights'

Ideal for discovering the city with the children. We had lots of fun.