Your visit to Cologne Cathedral

Opening hours

Cologne Cathedral is generally open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you would like to attend a church service at Cologne Cathedral, please consult our up-to-date Church Service Calendar before your visit for the current schedule.

Outside church service times, you are warmly invited to experience Cologne Cathedral as a place of prayer and spiritual reflection. For this purpose, you may enter the North Transept free of charge via the entrance on the side facing Cologne Central Station. This entrance is generally open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. outside service times. You are welcome to come here to pray, light a candle in front of the Schmuckmadonna, or visit our Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Tourist visits to Cologne Cathedral with a corresponding ticket (see below) are possible outside liturgical times. Visiting hours are generally:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. (last admission: 5:30 p.m.)

Sundays and Church holidays: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last admission: 4:15 p.m.)

Please note that temporary restrictions may occur at short notice due to construction work or special events. We naturally make every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum.

The Cathedral Tower is generally open:

March to October: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

November to February: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Last admission is possible up to 30 minutes before closing time.

The Treasury is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Last admission at 5.30 p.m.

Tickets for tourist visits

Tourist visits to the Cathedral are generally possible:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. (last admission: 5:30 p.m.)

Sundays and Church holidays: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last admission: 4:15 p.m.)

Please note that opening hours may occasionally be affected by church services, special events, or construction work.

Since 1 July 2026, a ticket is required for tourist visits to the interior of Cologne Cathedral.

Tickets can be purchased here.

On site: Central Ticket Office, Roncalliplatz 2, 50667 Cologne

The Central Ticket Office is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Cathedral interior, the Treasury, and the Cathedral Tower are available through the same sales channels.

Church Service hours

Church services at Cologne Cathedral are held at the following times:

Working days (Monday to Saturday):
Holy Mass: 6.30 a.m., 7.15 a.m., 8.00 a.m., 9.00 a.m., and 6.30 p.m.
Devotional Service: Monday to Friday, 6.00 p.m.

Sundays:
Holy Mass: 7.00 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 12 midday, 6.30 p.m.
Musical Evening Prayer: 5.30 p.m.

Please consult our up-to-date Church Service Calendar.

Cathedral Tower

From the viewing platform of the Cathedral’s South Tower, approximately 100 metres above ground level, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Cologne’s city centre, the River Rhine, and the surrounding region.

To reach the platform, visitors must climb 533 steps. The ascent begins with a spiral staircase leading to a height of almost 75 metres, while the final section to the viewing platform is reached via a metal staircase.

For opening hours, admission fees, and further information, please click here.

Where is the entrance to the tower?

When standing facing the main portal of the cathedral, turn to your right and walk towards Roncalliplatz. After just a few metres, you will see a flight of steps beside the south tower leading downwards. These steps are marked 'Dom-Turm / Parkhaus / Toiletten' (which means 'cathedral tower/car park/toilets'). The entrance to the tower is at the bottom of these steps.

When is the tower generally open to the public?

The Cathedral Tower is generally open during the following hours:

March to October: daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November to February: daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On what days is the tower closed?

Closed on:

New Year's Day, Women's Carnival Day (Weiberfastnacht), Carnival Saturday, Carnival Sunday, Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), November 11, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

When is last admission to the tower?

Half an hour before the tower closes.

Is there a lift?

No, for structural reasons, it is not possible to install a lift on the south tower of Cologne Cathedral. Visitors access the viewing platform via a spiral staircase and a metal staircase.

Do I have to make a booking in advance for myself/my group?

Registration is not required. However, we recommend booking online to avoid waiting times.

How much time should I plan in for a visit to the south tower of Cologne Cathedral?

It depends on how fast you can climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform (which is about 100 m above ground) and how long you want to stay on the viewing platform. We recommend that you plan in between 30 and 45 minutes.

How old does a child have to be to climb the south tower of Cologne Cathedral?

Children may visit the tower with their parents if they are able to climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform (which is about 100 m above ground) of their own accord.

When are children and young people allowed to enter the tower of Cologne Cathedral unaccompanied?

Starting from the age of 12.

Are there lockers or spaces to park buggies/prams at the entrance?

No.

Should I expect long queues/waiting periods?

Not usually, no. But on busy days when a lot of tourists want to climb the tower, there may be a wait.

Do holders of the KölnPass pay a reduced rate?

Yes.

Do holders of the KölnCard pay a reduced rate?

No.

Do members of Church or charity organisations pay a reduced rate?

No.

Do the steps leading to the viewing platform pass the cathedral bells?

Yes, visitors generally pass through Cologne Cathedral's bell chamber, which contains eight of the cathedral's 12 bells, on their way to the viewing platform. If extended bell-ringing is scheduled before a mass (for example on Sundays and feast days before 2.00 p.m.) or in the event of maintenance work, the bell chamber remains closed.

Treasury

You are warmly invited to discover the Treasury of Cologne Cathedral, located in the medieval vaulted cellars beneath the Cathedral Sacristy. Here, you can explore precious reliquaries, liturgical vessels, and textiles dating from the 4th to the 20th century.

The two-storey medieval sacristy cellar houses the insignia of the Archbishops of Cologne, as well as a remarkable collection of liturgical objects and vestments. The Relics Chamber contains the Cathedral’s most important relics.

Other rooms are dedicated to the veneration of the Magi, early medieval Frankish graves, and medieval sculptures. Temporary exhibitions are presented in the area known as the Library.

For opening hours, admission fees, and further information, please click here.

Important notices

Dear visitors to Cologne Cathedral,
We are happy to welcome you to the Cathedral St. Peter at Cologne. This cathedral was built to the glory of God and is to this day, above all, a house of prayer and worship. The cathedral protects the precious relics of the Magi. By entering the cathedral, you acknowledge the following rules.

§1 Conduct

All visitors are expected to respect the dignity of this sacred place and refrain from loud conversations, shouting, or running.

Tourist visits to the Cathedral are possible outside liturgical times. Current liturgical schedules can be found on the booking website.

Playing musical instruments or singing is not permitted outside church services.

Parents and adult companions are responsible for supervising children and young people in their care.

Visitors must respect barriers and areas that are closed to the public.

Mobile phones and similar devices must be set to silent mode. Telephone calls and video calls are not permitted inside the Cathedral.

Visitors are requested to wear clothing appropriate to the dignity of a place of worship. Shoulders and the upper body must be covered. Skirts and shorts/trousers must cover at least half of the thigh. Clothing displaying anti-religious, racist, or discriminatory messages is not permitted. Men may retain head coverings worn for religious or medical reasons.

Food and beverages must be consumed outside the Cathedral.

Smoking is prohibited throughout the Cathedral, including the use of electronic cigarettes.

Persons who are visibly intoxicated will not be admitted.

Drugs and illegal substances of any kind are prohibited.

City rallies, scavenger hunts, and similar activities may not be conducted inside the Cathedral.

§2 Photography and Filming

Photography (without flash) and video recording without additional equipment are permitted for private purposes outside church services. During services, photography and filming are only permitted from one's seat. Visitors must respect the privacy of others and refrain from directly photographing fellow visitors. Photographers and videographers must always respect the dignity of the Cathedral and comply with instructions given by Cathedral staff.

Private photo shoots are not permitted.

Photography or filming using tripods requires prior permission from the Provost of Cologne Cathedral.

The operation of model aircraft and unmanned aerial systems ("drones") is prohibited both inside Cologne Cathedral and in its surrounding grounds.

The publication of photographs or videos for non-private purposes – including commercial use or ideological/promotional purposes (also on private websites or social media platforms) – requires prior authorisation.

These provisions are excerpts from the Cathedral's regulations governing photography and filming. Please consult the complete regulations here.

§3 Luggage and and Personal Belongings

Only small bags and daypacks measuring no more than 40 × 35 × 15 cm (H × W × D) may be brought into the Cathedral, the Treasury, and the Cathedral Tower. Suitcases, cabin trolleys, hiking backpacks, and other large items of luggage are not permitted and cannot be stored on site.

Wheelchairs, walking frames, and clearly identifiable mobility aids are permitted. Other wheeled vehicles and bicycles must remain outside.

Weapons of any kind are prohibited throughout the Cathedral, including potential weapons, dangerous objects, and CS gas.

Folding chairs, stools, and similar items may not be brought into the Cathedral.

Balloons, confetti, and streamers are prohibited throughout the Cathedral.

§4 Distribution of Printed Material

The distribution of printed materials requires the express permission of the Provost of Cologne Cathedral.

§5 Animals

Animals are not permitted inside the Cathedral, with the exception of guide dogs and certified assistance dogs.

§6 Guided Tours

Guided tours of Cologne Cathedral may only be conducted by persons holding a valid Cathedral Guide Licence.

Participants in guided tours must be informed of these House Rules.

§7 Cathedral Staff and Cathedral Attendants

Instructions given by Cathedral staff and Cathedral Attendants must always be followed.

Persons who fail to comply with these House Rules or with instructions issued by staff may be required to leave the Cathedral.

Cathedral Attendants are not authorised Cathedral Guides and do not provide guided tours.

App

Download the free Cologne Cathedral app containing a spiritual tour of Cologne Cathedral: spiritual thoughts at ten different locations in the cathedral. The app also includes mass times and opening hours, information on the cathedral's works of art, topical issues, events, and much more.