Cologne Cathedral: Self-Guided Audio Tour & Shrine Access

Walk Through 600 Years of Stone & Stories at Cologne's Cathedral

You download the Tourific app, arrive at Cologne Cathedral, and follow audio cues through 20+ stops covering the portal sculptures, stained glass, royal tombs, and the Shrine of the Three Kings. The app works offline, includes images and an interactive map, and stays on your phone for a year. You pay the €12 entry fee directly at the cathedral entrance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cologne Cathedral history and art

• Start at Cologne Cathedral entrance
• Discover cathedral's history and architecture
• Explore detailed portal reliefs
• Learn stories depicted on portals
• Enter cathedral interior
• View stained glass windows
• See sacred relics
• Visit tombs of counts and archbishops
• Understand historical significance of tombs
• Conclude tour at cathedral entrance

The experience

You're standing at the cathedral entrance on a weekday morning, and a local woman in a blue coat is pointing out the portal sculptures to her grandson. That's where your tour starts too, not with fanfare, but with the actual stones in front of you, the ones that have been telling Bible stories and medieval life since the 1300s. The Tourific app guides you through the reliefs, then inside to the stained glass, the tombs of counts and archbishops, and eventually to the Shrine of the Three Kings, the reason pilgrims have walked through these doors for centuries. It's 20-plus stops, all at your own pace, no group waiting, no guide talking over you.

The app works offline once you download it, so you're not burning data or hunting for WiFi while you're trying to read about St. Ursula's martyrdom or the Rights of the Jews plaque: a detail carved into the stone that most visitors walk past without noticing. You get images at each stop to confirm you're in the right spot, an interactive map built into the app, and the freedom to linger at the Shrine as long as you want or skip ahead if something doesn't grip you. The whole thing is yours for a year on both iOS and Android, so you can come back to Cologne in six months and pick up where you left off, or listen to it again from home.

One thing to know upfront: the audio guide doesn't include entry to the cathedral itself. Since July 2026, Cologne Cathedral charges €12 per person at the door. You buy it directly there, cash or card, takes two minutes. Worshippers get in free, but tourists need the ticket. It's a separate transaction, not bundled with the app, so budget for it when you plan your morning. The app is the storytelling layer. The cathedral is the stage.

What’s included

• Your tour includes the complete audio and written guide with 20+ stops, images to identify each location, an in-app interactive map for navigation, and offline access once downloaded.
• You get 1-year access on both iOS and Android, so you can listen anytime and revisit the tour as often as you like.
• The €12 cathedral entry fee is purchased separately at the door.
• A 100% satisfaction guarantee applies.
• If you don't love the tour, contact support for a full refund.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 8.19

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tourific

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to explore Cologne Cathedral's history and relics at their own speed without a group or a live guide: the app removes the need to book a time slot or follow someone else's rhythm, and the offline access means you're not dependent on WiFi inside the building.

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Top questions

Is the entry fee to Cologne Cathedral included in this tour?

No. The audio guide is separate from entry. You pay €12 directly at the cathedral ticket desk. Entry is free only for worshippers.

Do I need internet to use the audio tour?

No. Download the Tourific app and the tour content before you arrive, and it works completely offline.

How many stops are on this tour?

Over 20 stops, starting at the entrance portal and ending back at the grand entrance. You control the pace.

Can I use this tour more than once?

Yes. You have 1-year access on both iOS and Android, so you can listen as many times as you like.

Is Cologne Cathedral wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

How do I get access to the tour after booking?

After booking, search your email for a message from "Tourific" with access instructions. Download the Tourific app from Google Play or the App Store and follow the setup steps.

Can I bring a stroller or pram into the cathedral?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the tour.