Cologne Cathedral opening hours at a glance
The church is open for prayer roughly from 06:00 to 20:00. A tourist visit has shorter hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:45 and on Sundays and church holidays from 13:30 to 16:30. The early opening is therefore no sign that you can look around before 10:00, and on Sundays a visit starts at 13:30.
Since 1 July 2026 the tourist visit of the interior costs admission, while prayer and services stay free. Special liturgies or building work can change the times, and the day's calendar at the entrance has the final say. Details on prices are on our Cologne Cathedral tickets page.
Visiting times by day
Regular hours in 2026. Services can close all or part of the church.
| Part of the visit | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visit, Monday to Saturday | 10:00–17:45 | 17:30 |
| Tourist visit, Sundays and church holidays | 13:30–16:30 | 16:15 |
| Church for prayer (general) | 06:00–20:00 | – |
| Treasury, daily | 10:00–18:00 | 17:30 |
| Tower, March to October | 09:00–18:00 | 30 minutes before closing |
| Tower, November to February | 09:00–16:00 | 30 minutes before closing |
The tower and the treasury follow their own seasons and closed days, not the church hours. For most visitors the easiest plan is a late-morning start on a weekday: the interior opens at 10:00, the tower is already open and the treasury follows at 10:00. On a Sunday, put the tower first and the interior after 13:30.
Our pick: when the cathedral is closed
If services keep you out, this walk covers the old town's darker history.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cologne Cathedral tickets and guided visits
Guided visits and tickets near the cathedral, with live prices and availability.
Mass times at Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom Messe)
Services are free and need no registration or ticket.
Weekdays
Mass at 06:30, 07:15, 08:00, 09:00 and 18:30. A devotion follows on Monday to Friday at 18:00.
Sundays
Mass at 07:00, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00 and 18:30. Choir prayer is at 17:30. On the first Sunday of the month the High Mass at 10:00 is partly in Latin.
What it means for a visit
During services the church is closed to sightseeing, either partly or fully. A service is no substitute for a tourist tour of the church. If you want to pray or attend Mass, no ticket and no seat reservation is needed. The day's calendar overrides these standard times.
Prayer access
A separate way in for those who come to pray.
Prayer access is through the north transept on the station side. It opens at 06:00. On weekdays it stays open until 20:00. On Saturdays and Sundays plan on 18:15, because the weekend hours can end earlier than the general church hours. The day's calendar settles it.
Tower and treasury seasons
Their own hours and their own closed days.
Tower
From March to October the tower is open from 09:00 to 18:00, from November to February from 09:00 to 16:00. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The bell chamber is closed on Sundays and holidays until 14:00. Construction work can add closures. Tower climb details
Treasury
Daily from 10:00 to 18:00, last entry 17:30. Treasury hours and tickets
Closed days for tower and treasury
New Year's Day, Weiberfastnacht, Carnival Saturday and Sunday, Rosenmontag, 11 November, 24 December, 25 December and 31 December. In 2027 Weiberfastnacht falls on 4 February and Rosenmontag on 8 February.
Which time suits your plan
The hours point to a few simple choices.
First visit on a weekday
Arrive after 10:00, when the interior and the treasury are both open. Leave the tower for later or the next morning.
Sunday visit
Come in the afternoon. The tourist visit starts at 13:30 and the last entry is 16:15, so the window is short. Do not expect a morning tour.
Prayer or Mass
Come at the Mass times, or any time during the prayer hours. No ticket is needed.
Climbing the tower
Booking online is recommended to avoid waiting. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the climb and keep the closing time of the season in mind.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with your visit.
Cologne Cathedral opening hours: frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of Cologne Cathedral?
Tourist visits run from 10:00 to 17:45 Monday to Saturday, with the last entry at 17:30. On Sundays and church holidays they run from 13:30 to 16:30, last entry 16:15. The church is open for prayer from about 06:00 to 20:00.
Can I visit the cathedral on Sunday morning?
Sunday mornings are for services. A tourist visit begins at 13:30. You can attend Mass at 07:00, 08:30, 10:00 or 12:00 without a ticket.
Is the cathedral open during Mass?
Sightseeing is partly or fully closed during services. Check the day's calendar at the entrance.
What time does the tower close?
At 18:00 from March to October and at 16:00 from November to February. The last entry is 30 minutes earlier.
When is the cathedral treasury closed?
On New Year's Day, Weiberfastnacht, Carnival Saturday and Sunday, Rosenmontag, 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December. Otherwise it is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Is this the official website of Cologne Cathedral?
No. This is an independent visitor guide and is not run by the cathedral or the cathedral chapter. For changes on the day, rely on the notices at the entrance.