Cologne Cathedral tower climb at a glance
The tower climb goes up the south tower on 533 steps to a platform at about 100 m. The exact platform height is 97.25 m. There is no lift, and there are no pram parking spaces or lockers at the tower ticket desk. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the whole climb.
The tower ticket costs €8, or €4 reduced, in 2026. A combined ticket for the tower and the Cathedral Treasury costs €12, or €6 reduced. Children up to and including 13 years pay nothing. The tower ticket does not include the interior of the cathedral, which has its own ticket.
Our picks: the tower with a guide
The four-hour private tour includes the tower ticket; on the private day, the tower is an extra option.
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.
Private Cologne day with a guide and driver
- Licensed guide
- Vehicle with driver
- Pickup in Cologne
A licensed guide and a vehicle with driver for three to seven hours. The tower climb is an option you pay separately; the KölnTriangle ticket comes with the seven-hour option.
Check availability →
Private old town tour with cathedral entry by option
- Licensed private guide
- Cathedral entry with 3 or 4 hours
- Tower ticket with 4 hours
A licensed private guide in your language. Cathedral entry comes with the three- and four-hour options, the tower ticket only with four hours; on your own, entry is €12 and the tower €8.
Check availability →Cologne Cathedral tower and guided tours
Tours of the cathedral, the roof and the excavations, with live prices and availability. The tower climb is a separate ticket, so check what each option includes.
Hours, closing days and prices
The tower follows its own season and closing days, not the opening hours of the church.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| March to October | 09:00 to 18:00 |
| November to February | 09:00 to 16:00 |
| Last entry | 30 minutes before closing |
| Closed | New Year's Day, Weiberfastnacht, carnival Saturday and Sunday, Rose Monday, 11 November, 24, 25 and 31 December |
| Bell chamber | Closed on Sundays and holidays until 14:00 |
| Adult / reduced | €8 / €4 |
| Tower and treasury together | €12 / €6 |
| Children up to and including 13 | Nothing |
Building work can close the tower on extra days, so check the current timetable before you go.
How the climb works
The tower entrance is outside on the south side, near the cathedral shop. You enter it independently of the interior ticket, so you can climb without visiting the church, and the reverse. You do not have to register for a normal tower climb. The cathedral recommends booking online to cut waiting time.
There is no lift, so the climb needs a body that can manage 533 steps, and step-free access should not be expected. The roof tour is a different product from the tower climb, with its own booking.
Children
Children up to and including 13 pay nothing. Children must be able to climb the steps themselves. From 12 years they may climb without an adult.
Bags and security
Visitors at the tower, the treasury and the cathedral should expect a bag check. Large suitcases and hiking backpacks are not allowed and cannot be stored. Keep your bag to 40 × 35 × 10 cm or smaller for the tower.
What the climb gives you
The tower is also a way to see the building from close up.
The view
On a clear day the platform looks over the Rhine and the old town. The platform is at about 100 m, while the south tower itself is 157.22 m high. The north tower is 157.18 m.
The bells
The cathedral has 12 bells. Its largest, the Petersglocke, weighs about 24 tonnes. See the facts and figures page.
A tower and treasury visit
The combination ticket at €12 (€6 reduced) fits one morning. The treasury is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Before or after
The ticket prices page shows how the tower fits with the interior visit.
Cologne Cathedral tower climb: frequently asked questions
How many steps are there to the top?
533 steps on the south tower. There is no lift.
How much does the tower climb cost?
€8 for adults and €4 reduced in 2026. The combined ticket for the tower and the treasury costs €12, or €6 reduced. Children up to and including 13 years pay nothing.
Do I need to book the tower in advance?
No registration is needed for a normal tower climb, but the cathedral recommends booking online to avoid waiting times.
How long does the climb take?
Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
Is the tower open on Sundays?
Yes, on regular days. The bell chamber stays closed on Sundays and holidays until 14:00. The tower is closed on New Year's Day, the carnival days, 11 November and 24, 25 and 31 December.
Is this the official website of the cathedral?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of Cologne Cathedral, the Cathedral Chapter, the Cathedral Workshop or Cologne Tourism, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.