The colony of Claudius and the altar of the Agrippines... What associations do these words bring to mind? Ancient Romans, holy empire? No. Germany, Westphalia, the North Rhine? Warmer.
Yes, this article is about Cologne, its cathedrals, parks, art galleries and museums. And, most importantly, whether or not you should plan a trip to this ancient city in October.
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Photo: pixabay.com
Holidays in Cologne in October: pros and cons
Cologne is a city with a rich and interesting history. Founded in the first century BC, it was the capital of its region and one of its largest and most influential cities in the Middle Ages. It was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, with only the Cologne Cathedral remaining intact.
Walking around the city today, you wouldn't know that the old buildings and churches are nothing more than rebuilt replicas of the structures. The historic buildings have been carefully restored and the old town is now a cosy place with a unique atmosphere, ideal for long walks.
Cologne in October is undoubtedly a wonderful place to relax.
What are the main benefits? Based on reviews of holidays in Cologne in October, this month is ideal for travel.
- October is one of the least rainy months in the city. It is likely to be dry or almost dry and you can enjoy lots of outdoor activities.
- The heat of summer, and often September, is gone, but it's still warm and comfortable.
- Airfares are still some of the lowest of the year, so don't miss out.
- October is a time of beautiful golden autumn. The rustling golden leaves add to the charm of any city, and Cologne is no exception.
The downside of October in Cologne is that it rains occasionally.
Although there are no significant festivals in Cologne in October, you can enjoy the atmosphere without the crowds, which is more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
Weather in Cologne in October
In Germany, the weather in October and November is a typical European autumn, a bit unstable, warm if you're lucky, cool if you're not. The weather in early October is usually still sunny and warm, and even in mid-October the temperature in Cologne can rise to +23 ℃.
A T-shirt and a light sweater will suffice for a walk through the old town and the Rhine Park. This is a good time to visit the city, but at the end of October the weather in Cologne becomes cooler and rainy.
October tends to be a windier month than September. The average wind speed in October is 3.4 metres per second.
Air and water temperature
Cologne's temperate climate allows for periodic warming in November. The temperature in Cologne in October is quite high for autumn and will keep you warm as you walk around the city.
Air temperature in Cologne in October
The average temperature in Cologne in October is +14.2 ℃ during the day and +8.9 ℃ at night.
Meanwhile, the maximum daytime temperature this month was +23 ℃, according to meteorologists, and the minimum nighttime temperature dropped to +5 ℃.
Amount of precipitation
Rainfall in October is slightly lower than in September, but higher than in November. According to statistics, the city receives 41.1 mm of rainfall during the month. On average, there are four rainy days in October. It's worth packing an umbrella, but you probably won't need one.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
In October, sunny, cloudy and overcast days are about equally distributed in Cologne. The length of daylight in mid-autumn is 9.8-11.6 hours.
Tour holidays
What to do in one of Germany's oldest cities in early October? Run to the museums or stroll along the promenade? Climb to the observation deck of the cathedral or retreat to the botanical gardens?
First of all, we recommend a visit to Cologne Cathedral. The ancient temple with its distinctive silhouette has been a constant symbol of the city for hundreds of years, and the panorama from its towers is the best you'll find here.
Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in Germany and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral's treasury deserves special mention, surpassing even the Vatican's in importance.
On the site of the ancient Roman baths stands the Romanesque church of St Martin, a beautiful building that was completely destroyed during the Second World War and later rebuilt. The late-Gothic town hall and the square in front of it are also worth a visit — the building itself is beautiful and the atmosphere around it is pleasant. Cologne's central mosque is also of interest.
What is there to do in Cologne for those travelling with children?
- Younger children should definitely take a ride on the train. In mid-October, they run every 30 minutes from Cologne Cathedral Square to the Chocolate Museum and the Zoo (two different routes).
- Zoo and Chocolate Museum. The zoo is one of the oldest in Germany, and the chocolate museum is a place that appeals to children of all ages. The museum is located on an island in a building that looks a bit like a ship.
- For older children, there are other interesting museums in Cologne, such as the Perfume Museum, where you can discover the history of the famous 'Cologne water', known as cologne.
- If the weather is nice, you can visit the Botanical Gardens, take a cable car ride across the Rhine, take a walk in the Rhine Park or visit the greenhouse. Children will also enjoy the Phantasialand amusement park in the suburbs.
Active recreation
Active cyclists can take advantage of the golden days at the beginning or end of October. Bicycles can be rented at many locations around the city; you can pick up a bike at one station and return it at another. Bikes can be hired for a few hours or a few days.
Bicycle lanes make getting around the city safe and comfortable.
Other activities include Phantasialand on the outskirts of Cologne and the Blackfoot Rope Park, which offers trails of varying difficulty.
Photo: facebook.com/phantasialand
Shopping
Cologne is a big city, which means it has its own fashionable shopping street. In fact, there's more than one shopping street here; shoppers can choose between Hohestrasse or Schildergasse, where all the world's famous brands are represented.
If you want to take home a unique piece from a local designer, look no further than Breitestrasse and Ehrenstrasse.
Cologne's streets are lined with workshops producing amazing handicrafts, as well as many cosy cafes and restaurants. Take a break from shopping to sample the local cuisine.
The best souvenirs from Cologne are traditionally cologne and chocolate. The biggest shop where you can buy 'Cologne water' is on Glockenstrasse and is called '4711'. Its name comes from the famous Cologne water and also the number of the house where the perfume was first sold. Other perfumes, confectionery, special beer glasses, magnets and calendars are also sold in Cologne.
Holidays, events and festivals
October in Germany is a month of festivals. Although there are no major festivals and events in Cologne itself during this month, you can always take a bus to one of the nearby towns to see a colourful and interesting event. On the first Sunday in October, Germany celebrates Harvest Festival or Thanksgiving.
On this day, churches hold special services and people consecrate fruit and vegetables, some of which are left on the altar to thank God for the good harvest.
Even if you're not a beer lover, don't miss the famous Oktoberfest in October — the original barley beer festival, which has been running for over 200 years. The festival takes place in Munich from late September to early October and can be reached by shuttle bus.
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Photo: pixabay.com
In mid-October, Frankfurt (a two-hour drive from Cologne) hosts the largest book forum, bringing together publishers and readers from all over the world. If you are a book lover, this is a must. The range of children's literature at the fair is also very varied.
At the end of October, on the last night of the year, Cologne, like every other city in Germany, celebrates Halloween with great excitement. As far as public holidays in Cologne in October are concerned, there is also the Day of German Unity, a public holiday that falls on 3 October. It was on this day in 1990 that the unification treaty between the GDR and the FRG was signed.
Cost of vacation
If you are travelling to western Germany in the autumn, check the prices in Cologne in October to plan your budget wisely.
Airfares
Airfares to Cologne are slightly higher in October than in other autumn months. The price difference is around 4%. However, tickets are still some of the cheapest of the year and flying to Cologne in October is a bargain.
Tours, hotels
The average price of a hotel room in October, at 107 euros, is one of the lowest of the year. In September, for example, the average price of a hotel room is almost twice as high. In November, hotel room prices rise slightly but not excessively. To keep costs down, plan your holiday well in advance and book early: you can make significant savings.
Food
An inexpensive lunch for one person in Cologne costs an average of €10-15; a dinner for two (including drinks) costs €50-60.
A cup of cappuccino costs €2-3 and a bottle of beer €3. While in Cologne, be sure to try the local beer, Kölsch. This drink is brewed to a special recipe only in one region of Germany.
As an appetiser, try a traditional sandwich with bread, cheese, pickles and mustard, or roasted chestnuts.
Photo: pixabay.com
City Transport
You can buy bus tickets in Cologne for one journey (€2.3-2.8), four stops (€1.5) or one day (€6-8). They are sold at bus stops and on public transport. Taxis are metered and cost a minimum of €4-5 per trip.
A day's bicycle hire costs €14 and a ferry trip on the Rhine costs €15.
What to bring with you and what to wear
If you are travelling to Cologne in October, be aware that the weather can be very changeable. A T-shirt may be sufficient for a hot afternoon, a light sweater during the day and a warm vest or light jacket in the early morning and late afternoon.
Take an umbrella or mackintosh in case of rain and a light windbreaker for walks along the Rhine and the promenade. Shoes should be comfortable for walking.
Tips for holidays with children
The warm European autumn is ideal for holidays with children of all ages. There are plenty of things to do for young and old alike, and the school holidays are also in October.
We highly recommend a holiday in Cologne as it's both educational and fun. Whenever you're in Cologne with children, make sure you check the weather forecast and choose the right outfit.
Golden Autumn is a great time to visit this ancient and historic city. If you are interested in this destination, take a look at our collection of family hotels in Cologne. Kidpassage wishes you a safe journey and many new experiences!
