A former Roman colony, medieval capital and cultural and economic centre, Cologne is packed with museums, galleries, parks, narrow streets and architecture from every style and era. If you feel a little wanderlust, visit Europe's oldest Gothic cathedral and take a stroll along the Rhine promenade.
In this article, Kidpassage tells you how good a trip to Cologne in September is and whether you should bring the kids along.
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Photo: pixabay.com
Holidays in Cologne in September: pros and cons
Which season should you choose to visit Cologne? A hot summer, a warm mild autumn, a winter with its magical Christmas atmosphere or a gentle spring? We believe that September is one of the best months to visit Cologne. And why is that? See for yourself:
- September is the calmest and windless month of the year and there is no better time to walk around the city.
- Most of the month has sunny days.
- Temperatures in Cologne in September are still very summery, but the rainfall is much lower than in August and the chance of rain is much lower.
- September is the month with the lowest airfares. Early autumn is the best time to visit Cologne.
- Cologne is beautiful in autumn. The rustling of the leaves on the cobblestones and the cobwebs in the air add to the coziness and romance of your walks.
September holiday reviews in Cologne seem to indicate that this is an ideal month for a visit, with or without children.
On the downside, there are not many festivals to enjoy — the famous Cologne Fireworks Festival takes place in midsummer and the five-day carnival in November is still two months away. However, this is a good opportunity to soak up the city's atmosphere without the crowds.
Weather in Cologne in September
The weather in Cologne in September and October is very pleasant and relaxing. It's warm and windless, perfect for long, leisurely walks with children. While September is often cold and rainy in Eastern Europe, Cologne is beautiful in early autumn.
The weather in early September shows no sign of the recent arrival of autumn, with the streets still hot and sunny.
Even in mid-September, temperatures in Cologne can rise to +28 ℃ and you can walk around in T-shirts and light dresses. The weather in Cologne at the end of September is similarly calm and warm, with wind speeds not exceeding 3 m/s in early autumn and temperatures only dropping at night.
Air and water temperature
Cologne, like the rest of West Germany, has a temperate climate, which means that September is warm and pleasant for travellers. Temperatures in Cologne in September are more like summer than autumn, sometimes reaching +29 ℃.
Air Temperature in Cologne in September
The average temperature in the city is +19.4 ℃ during the day and +12.3 ℃ at night. The maximum air temperature, as mentioned above, tends to be +30 ℃, while the minimum night temperature is +8 ℃.
You may want to bring some warm clothes if you are going to Cologne, but you may not need them in September.
Amount of precipitation
Rainfall in September is significantly lower than in August and other summer months.
During the first month of autumn, Cologne receives 42.7 mm of rain. The number of rainy days in this month is three. The chance of getting soaked by rain in September is quite low.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The distribution of sunny, cloudy and overcast days in Cologne in September is as follows.
Almost half of the month (47%) is sunny, another 40% of the days are cloudy and 13% of the days are overcast. The length of daylight is around 12-13 hours.
Tour Holidays
The first place to start sightseeing in Cologne is, of course, the city's calling card: the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Europe's oldest Gothic cathedral. Its towers are 157 metres high and offer an unforgettable view of the city for those who dare to climb the 509 steps.
Cologne Cathedral is the only old building in the city that has remained intact since the Middle Ages. All the other buildings that make up the panorama of the old town were destroyed during the Second World War and then rebuilt. Entry to the cathedral is free.
Mid-September in Cologne is a great time for walking and exploring the city's architecture.
Another attraction is the Church of St Martin. It is a Romanesque building, built on the site of ancient Roman baths.
The town hall is also worth seeing, not only from the outside but also from the inside — the building is open to the public and interesting for its decorations, such as the sculptures of famous citizens in the ballroom.
What can you do in Cologne with your children during a family holiday at the beginning or end of September? We recommend the following options:
- Visit one of the city's two zoos, where you can hand-feed the inhabitants and simply admire the animals and birds.
- Take a ride on one of the tourist trains that run from the main square in front of Cologne Cathedral to the zoo and the Chocolate Museum, the children's train in the Rhine Park or the cable car that links the two banks of the Rhine.
- Take a tour of the city to see the Dwarf Fountain, colourful huts, fish lanterns and other lovely sights in Cologne.
- Have fun at Bubenheimer Spieleland or Phantasialand.
- Enjoy unusual museums such as the Odysseum, the Fragrance Museum or the Chocolate Museum.
- Climb to the viewing platform of Cologne Cathedral, take a ferry ride on the Rhine and visit the Cologne Glass House.
As you can see, there's plenty to do in Cologne with the kids.
Shopping
Photo: farina.org
When talking about shopping in Cologne at the beginning or end of September, the first thing to mention is Eau de Cologne, the 'water of Cologne', commonly known as cologne. Bottles of this fragrance are the city's most important souvenir and calling card.
The history of cologne goes back more than three centuries, and the secret of its production is still closely guarded.
Farina's perfume house is one of the city's landmarks, along with other popular historical sites. In addition to cologne, the European city is famous for its chocolate; dozens of varieties of sweets in a variety of flavours and shapes are sold in confectionery shops in the streets of the old town.
Beer lovers can take home the traditional "stangen", tall glasses used to drink the unique local brew, Kelsch. Clothing and shoe lovers will find a range of well-known labels in the shops on Hohestrasse.
In mid-September, it's time to stock up on the summer collections of top brands. There are also craft shops nearby where you can find something unique to take home.
Holidays, events and festivals
Looking at the calendar of events and activities, there are several dates in September:
- 22 September is the start of the Oktoberfest, the world-famous beer festival held in Munich, but which inevitably affects the whole country, including Cologne.
- September 29th is St. Michael's Day, one of the most important and obligatory festivals in Germany until the 18th century.
The festivals in Cologne in September are not very varied. The month is a kind of pause between the summer festival of Cologne Lights and the bustling autumn carnival, a quiet stop. September is a time for "osim chaim", for enjoying life as it is, and that's what makes it good.
Cost of vacation
In order to plan your holiday or travel budget, you need to know the prices of tourist services in Cologne in September. Let's have a look at the main expenses.
Airfares
September is a good time for tourists when it comes to airfares. Statistically, prices in early autumn are the lowest of the year.
Don't miss the opportunity to see Cologne Cathedral while keeping your budget to a minimum! Comparing with the coming months, flights to Cologne in September are 18% cheaper than in August and 4% cheaper than in October.
Package tours anf hotels
The cost of organised tours and hotel accommodation gradually increases in autumn compared to summer. The average price per hotel night in September is €176. This is 11% higher than in August and 30% higher than in October. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.
Food
As always, the cheapest way to eat is to cook your own food or buy street food. Dinner for two in a restaurant costs an average of €50-70; dinner for one is €15-20. The portions are huge, often more than enough for two people. A must-try street food is the local sandwich of bread, butter, gouda cheese and gherkins with onions and roasted chestnuts.
An unusual local speciality is the locals' favourite potato pancakes, Reibekuchen, which are usually eaten with apple puree.
As far as drinks are concerned, Kölsch is a light beer that is brewed only in Cologne. There is even a special agreement for this.
Car rental
Rental cars in Cologne start from €50 and parking costs from €4 per hour in the city centre and €2 per hour elsewhere. Cologne's city centre is quite compact.
The city also has a well-developed public transport network, so it is advisable to rent a car only if you plan to travel outside the city, for example to visit the Phantasialand theme park on the outskirts of Cologne.
City Transport
Single bus tickets cost between €2.30 and €2.80, so it's better to buy four-stop or day passes. A ferry ride costs €15 and a round trip on the Rhine cable car is €7.
What to bring with you and what to wear
The weather in Cologne in September is usually warm and summery, so pack accordingly. For cooler evenings and sunrises on the river, take a jumper and a light windbreaker or rain jacket in case it rains.
An umbrella is a good idea just in case - it rarely rains in September. Don't forget to pack comfortable shoes, a sun hat, a camera, a map of the city and a good mood.
Tips for holidays with children
Photo: pixabay.com
Our advice for a trip to Cologne in September comes down to this: go on holiday to Cologne with the kids in September.
The weather is still fine, the main tourist crowds have gone (the next ones won't arrive until late autumn), and there's little in the way of your family holiday.
In early autumn, you can explore the beautiful architecture, learn history with schoolchildren through the living example of the old city, expand your knowledge by visiting museums and enjoy the many activities for children of all ages that Cologne offers its visitors. One of Germany's largest and oldest cities attracts tourists from all over the world for good reason.
Cologne is a magical box that holds secrets for those who dare to come and see for themselves. Before you set off, you can take a peek into Cologne's magic box with articles about Cologne on Kidpassage.
