Spanning along the majestic Rhine River, Cologne is Germany’s fourth-largest city. Innenstadt is located at the heart of the metropolis and encompasses both its historic old town Altstadt and the Gründerzeit era new town Neustadt, as well as the district of Deutz.

Brimming with history, Innenstadt is anchored by Cologne Cathedral, a Roman Catholic monolith that towers above the city. Its twin filigree spires soar towards the sky ensure that the cathedral is celebrated as one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks. Beyond church hopping, Innenstadt offers visitors a fantastic suite of museums, mouth-watering chocolate shops, chic cafes and unique art galleries.

Innenstadt is easy to navigate, with most travellers preferring to explore the city centre by foot. The area is well-serviced by multiple railway stations, which connect it to the rest of Cologne. As well as trains, Innenstadt is also linked by both tram and U-Bahn stations. Thanks to the Cologne Ring boulevard that encircles the old town, Innenstadt is easy to access by car or taxi.

Founded by the Romans in 38 BC, Cologne is underpinned by more than 2,000 years of history. By far, one of its biggest claims to fame is eau de cologne, which is now considered a household name for men’s perfume. It was pioneered by Italian-born perfumier Johann Maria Farina in 1709, has since become a generic term used by leading fragrance companies across the globe.