Art Museums Cologne

Art museums in Cologne – hardly any other city on the Rhine has so many world-famous paintings, sculptures and design icons in such a small space. With the new 48-hour art pass, you can stroll through nine top museums for two full days without having to queue at the ticket counter every time. Rain or shine – secure your cultural time-out now and then browse through the availability overview of our Oberwinter vacation apartment!

Why the 48-hour art pass is worthwhile

The City Pass has only been offered by KölnTourismus since February 2025 and currently covers nine museums. The package pays for itself from just three admissions; you also receive a 10% discount in many museum stores. All museums are within walking distance of Cologne Cathedral – ideal for an art-filled weekend without a car. The pass also saves time: on busy weekends, the queues in front of the Museum Ludwig or the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum can easily be 30 minutes long.

Highlight museums at a glance

Museum Ludwig: Pop Art & Picasso

The Museum Ludwig is home to one of the largest pop art collections in Europe. In addition to iconic works by Warhol, it also houses Europe’s most extensive Picasso collection outside of Spain. Particularly instagrammable: Roy Lichtenstein’s “M-MAYBE” in front of the bright red wall.

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud

Lovers of the Old Masters can immerse themselves in medieval altarpieces and stroll on to Monet, Cézanne and van Gogh. A rare treasure is Monet’s “Water Lilies” in an almost uncut format.

MAKK – Museum of Applied Arts Cologne

Design fans can look forward to Bauhaus furniture, 3D-printed chairs and a new department on the subject of “Circular Design”, opening in May 2025. Particularly family-friendly: the free hands-on workshop at the weekend.

Kolumba: peace and quiet among the ruins

The building, designed by star architect Peter Zumthor, is built over the walls of a late antique church. Instead of classic permanent exhibitions, Kolumba presents a curated themed show every year, in which modern and sacred art merge.

Route, opening hours & prices

Start at the main station, leave your luggage in the locker and begin with Museum Ludwig (opening at 10 am). Continue across the Hohenzollern Bridge to the Chocolate Museum – an optional addition to the pass – before spending the afternoon at the MAKK. The 48-hour pass currently costs €24 (concessions €12) and is downloaded digitally to your smartphone. Time slot reservations are only necessary on Saturdays. Tip: On Tuesdays, many museums are open until 10 p.m. – the perfect stopgap in case of rain.

Museum Pass + Kids: How to make it suitable for families

Children under the age of 6 are generally admitted free of charge to all municipal museums. The Art Pass also includes a free rally app with quiz questions about each exhibit. Buggies for hire at the Museum Ludwig and baby changing facilities in all museums make the visit easier. For a break, we recommend the playground in Rheinauhafen – a five-minute walk from the Chocolate Museum.

From Oberwinter to Cologne: a stress-free journey

From Oberwinter station you can reach Cologne main station in 38 minutes (RE5, hourly). By car, you will need around 45 minutes in normal traffic; there are covered parking garages at Rheinauhafen with a maximum daily price of €16. If you want to travel in a CO₂-saving way, use the €49 Germany Ticket. Night owls can return comfortably with the S-Bahn at 0:32 am.

Conclusion: 48 hours of art enjoyment

Whether Impressionism, Pop Art or contemporary design – the 48-hour art pass serves up Cologne’s creative treasure troves at an all-inclusive price. Thanks to short distances, child-friendly offers and weatherproof exhibitions, it is the perfect program for city trips and rainy days alike.