Day trips from Cologne
10 hidden towns and nature spots within 150 km of Cologne, picked by Europe Revealed. Sorted from nearest to furthest.
65 km01 · Hidden townMonschauSlate-and-timber houses packed along a narrow river valley in the Eifel.
Buses run from Aachen in about an hour. Easiest by car.
80 km02 · Nature spot · BelgiumHautes FagnesHigh moorland crossed by wooden boardwalks, Belgium's highest point.
Easiest by car. Buses run from Eupen and Malmedy.
80 km03 · Hidden town · NetherlandsValkenburgA hill town with a castle ruin, caves and the country's only cable car.
Trains from Maastricht take about 10 minutes.
80 km04 · Hidden town · NetherlandsThornThe 'white village', where every house was painted white.
Easiest by car or bike. Buses run from Roermond.
90 km05 · Popular townCochemA castle on a vine-covered hill above the Moselle river.
Trains from Koblenz take about 50 minutes along the river.
105 km06 · Nature spotLoreley (Rhine Gorge)A legendary slate cliff above the narrowest bend of the Rhine.
Trains run to St. Goarshausen, then a hiking path or bus goes up. Boats pass the rock daily in season.
115 km07 · Hidden townBacharachA half-timbered wine village in the castle-lined Rhine Gorge.
Trains run along the Rhine from Mainz and Koblenz. Boats stop here too.
125 km08 · Hidden town · LuxembourgViandenA fairytale castle above a river town in the Luxembourg Ardennes.
Buses run from Ettelbruck station, about 30 minutes.
125 km09 · Hidden town · BelgiumDurbuyA tiny cobbled town in the Ardennes, known for its topiary park.
Easiest by car. The nearest train station is in Barvaux, a few kilometres away.
135 km10 · Nature spot · LuxembourgMullerthalMossy sandstone gorges and forest paths, called Little Switzerland.
Buses run from Luxembourg City and Echternach.Questions
Day trips from Cologne: good to know
What are the best day trips from Cologne?
Our favourite hidden places near Cologne are Monschau (65 km), Hautes Fagnes (80 km), Valkenburg (80 km) and Thorn (80 km). All 10 are on this page, sorted by distance.
How far are these places from Cologne?
All of them are within about 150 km of Cologne in a straight line, close enough for a day trip by car, and many by train or bus too. Check each place for how to get there.