Things to do in Cologne in April

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Overview

April is a good time to visit Cologne. The weather is usually moderately chilly with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 39—59°F (4—15°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Cologne during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Cologne Cathedral during the Easter season, participate in the Cologne International Film Festival, take a boat tour on the Rhine River during cherry blossom season, and more!

Cologne has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your April trip to Cologne. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to April. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Cologne in April. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout April, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in Cologne in April

Top experiences in April
Visit the Cologne Cathedral during the Easter season
The Cologne Cathedral is a stunning gothic masterpiece and during the Easter season, it is adorned with beautiful floral decorations and hosts special Easter services and events. It's a unique and spiritual experience to witness the cathedral come alive with the colors and scents of spring.
Participate in the Cologne International Film Festival
This annual event takes place in April and features a diverse selection of international films, as well as workshops, panel discussions, and special events. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema and discover new and exciting films from around the globe.
Take a boat tour on the Rhine River during cherry blossom season
In April, the cherry blossoms along the Rhine River are in full bloom, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Taking a boat tour allows you to see the cherry blossoms from a unique perspective and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the river and its surroundings.
Take a day trip to the nearby Eifel National Park to see the spring wildflowers
In April, the Eifel National Park is filled with colorful wildflowers, creating a stunning natural display. Taking a day trip to the park allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the spring season and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque surroundings.
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Holidays in Cologne in April
April
  • Palm Sunday (April 13)
  • Maundy Thursday (April 17)
  • Good Friday (April 18)
  • Easter Sunday (April 20)
  • Easter Monday (April 21)
Other notable holidays
  • Shrove Monday (March 3)
  • Carnival Tuesday (March 4)
  • Carnival / Ash Wednesday (March 5)
  • International Women's Day (March 8)
  • May Day (May 1)
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Weather in Cologne in April

Temperatures on an average day in Cologne in April

The average temperature in Cologne in April for a typical day ranges from a high of 59°F (15°C) to a low of 39°F (4°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Cologne, July, has days with highs of 77°F (25°C) and lows of 56°F (14°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 42°F (6°C) and lows of 29°F (-2°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Cologne in April based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in April
59°F
highs
39°F
lows

General weather summary

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze
Feels like
19%
Chance of rain
0.052 in
Amount
13.8 mph
Wind speed
70%
Humidity
13.8 hrs
Daylight length
6:39 AM
Sunrise
8:25 PM
Sunset
47%
Cloud cover
Sweater
What to wear
What to wear in April
With an average high of 59°F (15°C) and a low of 39°F (4°C), it generally feels moderately chilly with a gentle breeze. With that in mind, most people would dress in something moderately warm like a sweater
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Best attractions for Cologne in April

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Cologne has to offer for travelers in April, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Cologne that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Cologne for April.
Cologne Cathedral
1. Cologne Cathedral
4.8
(69672)
Cathedral
Sights & Landmarks
Landmark Gothic cathedral with a huge facade, plus guided tours & Rhine views.
Lindt Chocolate Museum
2. Lindt Chocolate Museum
4.3
(36577)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Exhibits tracing the history of chocolate, from the Aztecs to today, housed in waterside museum.
Hohenzollern Bridge
3. Hohenzollern Bridge
Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
Cologne Central Station
4. Cologne Central Station
4.0
(5506)
Transit station
Sights & Landmarks
Reconstructed & modernised train terminus for local, national & international services.
Cologne Zoological Garden
5. Cologne Zoological Garden
4.4
(30032)
Zoo
Zoos & Aquariums
Long-established zoo with elephant park, aquarium & rainforest house, plus bird shows.
Cologne Triangle
6. Cologne Triangle
4.6
(4493)
Observation deck
Sights & Landmarks
Modern office building with an upscale restaurant & an observation deck for panoramic city views.
Museum Ludwig
7. Museum Ludwig
4.5
(7381)
Modern art museum
Museums
The formerly private collection of Peter Ludwig, with paintings, ceramics, sketches & prints.
House of Studies of the Romano-Germanic Museum
8. House of Studies of the Romano-Germanic Museum
4.1
(7)
Museum
History Museums
EL-DE Haus
9. EL-DE Haus
4.5
(2911)
History museum
Museums
Nazi-victim memorial center in a former Gestapo headquarters with exhibits & a basement jail.
Old Market
10. Old Market
4.5
(12716)
Historical market square
Sights & Landmarks
Historic town square with a variety of shops, restaurants & bars, plus a famous Christmas market.
Duftmuseum im Farina Haus
11. Duftmuseum im Farina Haus
4.4
(2433)
History museum
Museums
Guided tours offered in a fragrance museum dating from 1709 where Eau de Cologne was invented.
Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln
12. Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln
4.7
(7162)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Garden with 11.5 hectares of plants from all climatic zones, plus spring blooms & greenhouses.
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
13. Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud
4.6
(2710)
Art museum
Museums
Oldest museum in the city, home to important Gothic, Renaissance & Impressionist collections.
Dufthaus 4711
14. Dufthaus 4711
4.4
(986)
Perfume store
Food & Drink
Urban flagship store of the iconic cologne house, with guided history tours & fragrance seminars.
Lanxess Arena
15. Lanxess Arena
4.5
(35825)
Arena
Sights & Landmarks
20,000-capacity indoor arena, spanned by a steel arch support, hosting sport events and concerts.
Heumarkt
16. Heumarkt
4.6
(4466)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Spacious cobblestone plaza lined with cafes & renowned for its annual Christmas market.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Cologne?

Get inspired for your trip to Cologne with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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