What to do and see in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: The Best Sightseeing Tours

May 16, 2022 Timmy Ribble

North Rhine-Westphalia (German: Nordrhein-Westfalen, pronounced [ˈnɔʁtʁaɪ̯n vɛstˈfaːlən] ( listen), commonly shortened to NRW) is the most populous state of Germany, with a population of approximately 18 million, and the fourth largest by area. Its capital is Düsseldorf; the largest city is Cologne. Four of Germany's ten largest cities (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Essen) are located in this state, as well as the second largest metropolitan area on the European continent, Rhine-Ruhr.
Restaurants in North Rhine-Westphalia

1. Cologne & the Postcard Town of Monschau

Belluga Restaurant, Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 82, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Brussels City Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This fairly leisurely tour combines beautiful mountain scenery with a visit to Monschau, the picture-postcard town in the German Eifel. However, the focus of our tour is on the discovery of the historic city centre of ancient Cologne. We travel with you through history: from the Roman remains and the impressive medieval buildings we take you to modern Cologne, a most elegant shopping paradise Our guide takes you on a (very) easy walk in Monschau along the picturesque river bank from where most of the main sights can be enjoyed. During your free time you can taste the local sweet: Aachner Printen. We drive to Cologne. Apart from Christmas markets and Carnival, Cologne has so much more to offer. After lunch we start our walk at the Neumarkt in the heart of the old city. We only mention the highlights of our guided walk: the cathedral, the City Hall, the Roman walls, the Roman and Germanic museum, the beautiful banks of the Rhine and much more!

Inclusions: Professional multilingual guide, Round-trip shared transfer, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup, Hotel drop-off

Reviewed By JammieMY

A couple of lovely towns, full of history, culture, and architecture. If you're fascinated by architecture, then you'll be more than happy with your visit. And the staff of this particular tour makes your trip even more pleasant.

2. The legendary German Autobahn - experience it in one of the best limousines in the world

Heidelberg, Germany a friend in heidelberg
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

The German Autobahn is special for a number of reasons. The most famous one is the absence of a general speed limit. There are foreign visitors who dare to drive on the German Autobahn themselves, while others prefer to be driven. The name of my boutique-style chauffeur and limousine service is "a friend in heidelberg". Many guests of mine told me that this very name is the perfect choice. With me as your chauffeur, you will enjoy this trip on the German Autobahn with all comfort and in absolute style. Since I lived and worked in the US, I speak fluent English. I got my driver's license back in 1980 and have never had a single accident on the Autobahn. Therefore, you can be sure that it will be an absolutely safe ride. Your car will be a Mercedes S-Class, virtually a private jet for the road, equipped with all state-of-the-art features.

Inclusions: WiFi on board, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Parking Fees, Soda/Pop, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea, Speeding tickets bill ;-)

Exclusions: Travel exceeding the mileage allotment of 100 kilometers per hour will be charged with 1.00 € per kilometer.

Reviewed By 645bernadetter

Manfred is the BEST! He will go 'over & above' to make sure that you have the best tour possible. He is smart, interesting, fun and very knowledgeable. If we make it back to Germany, we will be sure to ask for another tour with Manfred!

3. Visit your ancestral homeland

Heidelberg, Germany a friend in heidelberg
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Thanks to the Internet genealogical research has become way easier. Nowadays you have an unparalleled opportunity to trace your roots to a certain town and to explore where your ancestors originated. You might even get lucky and meet some distant relatives. If your ancestors are from Germany, I am here to help you explore the places and points of interest related to your ancestors. Actually, a lot of Germans who emigrated came from the region I serve as a driver guide or better your "concierge on wheels". I am located in the renowned historic city of Heidelberg and my primarily geographical area of operations stretches from Frankfurt in the north, Stuttgart and Strasbourg in the south, Saarbrucken and Kaiserslautern, known as "K-town" by US army personnel, in the west and Würzburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the east. The name of my boutique-style chauffeur and limousine service is "a friend in heidelberg". Many guests of mine told me that this very name is the perfect choice. I was not only born in the famous historical city of Heidelberg and know the area extremely well, but also lived and worked in the US and hence speak fluent English. If you wish I can help you with the organization of your trip ahead of time. In contrast to the famous movie "Back to the Future", I cannot serve with a DeLorean with a built-in time machine, but offer a fully equipped first-class Mercedes S-Class limousine for travels back to one’s past.

Inclusions: WiFi on board, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Parking Fees, Soda/Pop, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Travel exceeding the mileage allotment of 20 kilometers per hour will be charged with 1.00 € per kilometer.

Reviewed By 645bernadetter

Manfred is the BEST! He will go 'over & above' to make sure that you have the best tour possible. He is smart, interesting, fun and very knowledgeable. If we make it back to Germany, we will be sure to ask for another tour with Manfred!

4. Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine

Petrusbrunnen, Papstterrasse des Kölner Doms, Roncalliplatz 2, 50667 Köln, Germany SDS Stadtführungen
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4.9 based on 85 reviews

DISCOVER UNKNOWN DETAILS OF COLOGNE Welcome to an interesting and exciting journey through 2000 years of city history - from the Roman city foundation (CCAA) Colonia to "Kölle" to today's Cologne. Discover on this special Cologne CITY TOUR not only the already obvious, but especially for visitors Cologne rather hidden and thus less known attractions of the internationally famous Rhine metropolis. "Unknown details": Experience has shown that many tour visitors - even if they live and / or work in and around Cologne - have come to know many new, previously unknown, fascinating backgrounds, places and details of Cologne on our tours ... Learn the The popular, cosmopolitan city of the cathedral can be known to us in a different way by discovering surprising and unexpected details that are only really known to a few people at the KÖLN-CITY TOUR.

Inclusions: Professional tour guide

Exclusions: We would be happy to give you recommendations on where to eat and drink, We are happy to recommend where you can buy bottled drinking water, We would be happy to give you recommendations on where to eat and drink

Reviewed By jakeyjakejake

Everything you would want for a tour full of fascinating information and humour. A personalized experience left us feeling better settled in Cologne and excited to explore some more parts of the city. Great time - I'd really recommend this experience to anyone visiting Cologne!

5. Cologne Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Willi Ostermann Brunnen, Köln-Altstadt-Nord, 50667 Cologne, Germany Willi Ostermann Brunnen, Köln-Altstadt-Nord, 50667 Cologne, Germany
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4.6 based on 13 reviews

Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see. With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay.

Inclusions: Local guide "Lokafyer", Customized private walking tour

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Tips and gratuities (optional), Optional activity costs, Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions (It’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)

6. Private-Group Bike Tour of Cologne with Guide

Gereonswall 2-4, 50668 Köln, Germany Colonia Aktiv Tours
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4.3 based on 3 reviews

On this tour our guide will be exclusively there for you and your friends, family, clubmates or colleagues. Combine classic sightseeing with a relaxing bike tour of Cologne. You will ride along a scenic route 10m (15km) that takes you to the city's highlights. See the legendary cathedral city located along the Rhine River, dating back about 2,000 years. Enjoy numerous photo stops with great panoramic views, the personalized experience only a private (group) activity provides, and commentary from your professional guide. This tour is the best and most compact way to get to know the city and asorb it's atmossphere. Bike and helmet is included.

Inclusions: Guide, Use of bicycle, Bike helmet, Rain poncho (in case of rain)

Exclusions: food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Duchess1985

Really informative and friendly guide. You see and learn things about cologne not on the usual tourist trail

7. Private Cologne Ghost Tour: Haunted City Center Exploration Game

Aachener Str. 204, 50931 Köln, Germany Questo Cologne | City Games & Tours
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4.2 based on 6 reviews

Embark on a quest around Cologne by solving clues that will take you to the most haunted places in the city, all with the help of your smartphone. Unlock new stories as you discover on your own Cologne Cathedral, Domplatte, the historic Old Town, and more. + Discover the most haunted streets, villas, and squares in the city + Find out the horror stories of the people who used to live there + Solve clues on your phone while you visit the haunted Cologne You are invited to discover the captive souls, the spirits and the mysterious skeletons of Cologne with an interactive city exploration app. Each clue will lead you from one place to another, giving you exact directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. Along the way, you’ll find horror stories that will give you the chills. Dare you go on this tour?

Inclusions: Full flexibility: start at any hour, take a break at any time and resume later, This tour is always available to book. We are open 24/7, every day of the week., This is the safest tour you can book: private, no human contact, you will avoid crowds., Play offline: you DON'T NEED an internet connection to play this city game

Exclusions: A physical tour guide

8. Cologne Sightseeing round-trip Cruise

Cologne, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt AG
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3.8 based on 106 reviews

Enjoy a one-hour panoramic Rhine River sightseeing cruise and soak in the spirit of Cologne. The Rhine River provides access to many of the city’s major attractions, such as Cologne Cathedral, and during your cruise, you'll see top sights and learn about Cologne's 2,000-year history from the onboard audio commentary. While you take in the beautiful city sights, enjoy a freshly tapped glass of Koelsch, a famous local beer available for purchase. If one hour simply isn't enough, upgrade to the two-hour nighttime cruise!

Inclusions: Mobile TourGuide with sightseeing information

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

Reviewed By amiraI5030IS

Köln is beatiful reviewing Cologne Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise is exellence

9. 11 Cologne stories - an exciting scavenger hunt

Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln, Germany townadventure - explore cities playfully
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3.0 based on 2 reviews

Discover Cologne playfully, with a scavenger hunt! You can expect a modern city rally, where you come across tricky puzzles and interesting information about Cologne's history. Feel like Sherlock Holmes and reveal the secrets of the city. Playfully gain new insights and have fun. On the approx. 2.5km long route you will learn interesting facts and myths, meet women who have shaped the development of Cologne, get to know the attractive places of the Rhine metropolis. Immediately after the start you dive into a world full of hidden clues and enigmatic pictures. At the end of each task, exciting information about the respective sights awaits you. ⭐ HIGH lights »Independence of tourist guides and groups »Only a smartphone with internet connection needed »Suitable for individuals and groups »Playful mediation of interesting contents »Informative, exciting, amusing »Already from 6 Euro per person

Inclusions: Start link to the booked tour., All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Entry cards for public institutions.

Reviewed By linushaf

We did this scavenger hunt for our office summer party and it was great fun. Tricky questions, you had to think twice, expect the unexpected and have some fun. Nothing you can do from home using google so extremely well done! You you get to see beautiful parts of Hamburg...

10. 2 Hour Evening Cruise Düsseldorf

Untere Rheinwerft 13, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany KD Day Cruises
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3.0 based on 2 reviews

Take a seat and enjoy the view of the evening Düsseldorf city panorama. When dusk gradually envelops the city, Düsseldorf exudes a very special charm. The distinctive buildings of the state capital then shine in atmospheric light and the two-hour evening trip provides wonderful views and invites you to enjoy Düsseldorf in the evening in peace.

Inclusions: Digital tour guide explains all the sights and Düsseldorf city history

Exclusions: Dinner

Reviewed By Vonkie007

I travelled from Koblenz to Bingen, it took 6 hours one way. The boat cruised very slow and although I get that this is meant to be a romantic cruise, I feel that the ship could cruise faster. If the experience was 6 hours return then I would have probably had been more pleased.

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