Frankfurt and Cologne are two of the largest cities in the western half of Germany. Both cities offer very different experiences from each other. Frankfurt is known for its impressive skyline overlooking its beautiful old town and Cologne is known for its cathedral and for having one of the oldest universities in Europe. If you are trying to decide between visiting Frankfurt or Cologne, here is the ultimate guide to which city you should visit.
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Frankfurt or Cologne Overview
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the 5th largest city in Germany with 750,000 residents. It is known as being the financial and business center for all of Germany. Frankfurt has the 3rd most skyscrapers in all of Europe, only behind Istanbul and London. Its impressive skyline has earned it the nickname the “German Manhattan”. Frankfurt is an interesting city to visit because while you’re walking the Old Town, you can see the modern skyscrapers in the background giving you an incredible perspective of how times have changed here.
Cologne
Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany with nearly 1.1 million people living here. The city has a very long history being it was founded in 38 BC. Under Roman rule, the city had nearly 40,000 inhabitants in 100-200 AD. It has been a major trading hub connecting Eastern and Western Europe for centuries. Cologne was devastated by bombing in WW2, with most of the city getting destroyed.
The city is known for having one of the most recognized cathedrals in Europe, being the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Cologne has been a center for banking since the Middle Ages and continues to be a major presence in the banking world. It is also known for being a leader in media and manufacturing. There are many universities in Cologne and the University of Cologne is one of the oldest in Europe, opening in 1388.
Places to See
Frankfurt
The Old Town, otherwise known as Altstadt, dates back to 794.
Romerberg is the central square in the Old Town.
The Frankfurt Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Gothic church. It is the largest religious building in the city.
Hauptwache is one of the most famous central squares in Frankfurt.
Main Tower is a 200m skyscraper part of Frankfurt’s skyline. You can go to the top floor for panoramic views of the city.
Cologne
Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited landmark with over 20,000 people visiting each day. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.
Brühl Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful gardens.
Great St. Martin Church was founded in 960 but was heavily damaged during WW2. It has been fully rebuilt since.
Cologne Altstadt is home to beautiful homes and the Alter Markt which is one of the premier markets in Cologne.
KölnTriangle offers an observation deck where you can get panoramic views of the city. It also has a nice riverfront area to enjoy.
Food
Frankfurt
Frankfurt, being in Germany, obviously values a good sausage. One of the most famous sausages to eat here is the Frankfurter which is a long, pork sausage. Frankfurter Rippchen is one of the most popular meals for the people of Frankfurt. It is a dish of slow-cooked pork, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut. While Munich is known for beer, Frankfurt is known for a drink called Apfelwein which is an alcoholic drink made with apples and berries. Yes, the people of Frankfurt enjoy their beer as well.
Cologne
Himmel und Erde is a traditional dish in Cologne. It is a dish of apples, potatoes, onions, and blood sausages. If you are looking for a hearty breakfast, Speckpfannkuchen, or bacon pancakes, is a popular breakfast dish here. People in Cologne love their beer, especially Kölsch beer. Kolsch originated in Cologne and can only be made within 50km of the city, in order to keep the brewing process secret and ensure quality. There are also many beer gardens within the city that would be an excellent stop to break up the day.
Getting Around
Frankfurt
Metro, bus, tram, and train are all options for public transportation here. With the cost of a single ride being 2.40 Euros, a day pass might be the most economical option. You can buy a day pass for 6.20 Euros. If you are staying in the Old Town or on the north side of the river in general, you will be able to see many of the landmarks and attractions on foot.
Cologne
Public transportation in Cologne mainly consists of a network or buses and trams. Buying tickets online will give you a 10% discount. You can also invest in the KolnCard which will give you access to public transportation and gives you up to 50% off at many of the city’s attractions. The cost for a 24-hour Cologne Card is just 9 Euros with is a fantastic bang for your buck. Biking around the city is another great way to get around Cologne. There are many bike lanes around the city and the riverfront is a great stretch to explore on a bike.
Nightlife
Frankfurt
Frankfurt has great nightlife, although not quite the caliber of Berlin or Hamburg. There are bars scattered all over the city but especially on the north side of the river. The Old Town has quite a few bars to go bar hopping. If you want to go clubbing you’re in luck because there are some really fantastic options in Frankfurt. Some of the best clubs here are Offyard, Robert Johnson, and Tanzhaus West. The Ostend district of the city has become a hub for nightlife as well.
Cologne
The city is full of bars that you can explore and go bar hopping to. There are also a lot of night clubs that you can choose from. Cologne claims to have the most clubs per capita in Germany. Ehrenfeld is one the best part of the city for finding nightclubs. Reineke Fuchs, Heinz Gaul, Gewölbe, and Artheater are some of the best clubs to experience in the city.
You should also check out Odonien just because it is such a unique venue and you have probably never seen anything like it before. The area around the cathedral is also a solid choice for a more laid back night of bars and restaurants. Overall, Cologne has an excellent nightlife scene so you’ll have no shortage of options when you’re here.
Day Trips
Frankfurt
Mannheim is home to an 18th-century palace. It is also known for the University of Mannheim.
Heidelberg is known for its beautiful setting and its old castle on the hill.
Eltz Castle is another famous German castle. It has been in the same family for 33 generations.
Cologne
Drachenburg Castle is a grand palace that was built by a wealthy banker in the late 1800s. It is located just south of Bonn.
Bonn is located just to the south of Cologne and would make an excellent day trip.
Koblenz is a city founded in 8 BC that features beautiful architecture and a gorgeous setting.
Cologne is also very close to Dusseldorf, which is another great city to explore. From Frankfurt, there are many great cities to visit within three hours like Luxembourg City or Stuttgart.
Overall
Frankfurt and Cologne are two of the biggest cities in the western half of Germany. Frankfurt is known for its impressive skyscrapers overlooking the city’s beautiful old town. Cologne is known for the Cologne Cathedral and the University of Cologne which is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The two cities are quite different from each other so you need to prioritize which aspects of a city intrigue you the most.