Cologne Cathedral Photos: Inside, Outside & the Bridge

Photos: All taken by us on our visits
Inside: Allowed without flash or tripod
Best wide view: From Deutz, across the Rhine
Best light: Late afternoon and the blue hour

Photos inside Cologne Cathedral

The nave is 144 m long and its vault 43 m high, so the classic shot is straight down the centre towards the choir. Stand near the west doors and hold the phone upright. See what to see inside.

The nave of Cologne Cathedral, looking east to the choir windows — The nave, looking east to the choir. The vault is 43 m above the floor.

The nave of Cologne Cathedral seen from the pews, with coloured light from the windows on the pillars — The same view from the pews, with coloured light from the windows on the pillars.

Stained glass windows in the aisle of Cologne Cathedral, with a carved winged figure on a pillar — Stained glass in the aisle and a carved winged figure on a pillar. Flash is not allowed, so steady the phone on something.

Photos of the outside

The choir end, on the east side, is the most detailed part of the exterior: flying buttresses, pinnacles and the long roof, with the two west towers behind. You get this view from the path between the cathedral and Museum Ludwig, on the way to the bridge.

The choir end of Cologne Cathedral from the east, with its flying buttresses and spires — The choir end from the east. Some scaffolding is almost always up somewhere: the cathedral has its own workshop that never stops repairing the stone. · Photo: CologneCathedral.de

For the west front with both towers, go to the far side of the cathedral square, or cross the river. More spots in our Cologne Cathedral photography guide.

The Hohenzollern Bridge love locks

Five minutes from the cathedral, the railway bridge over the Rhine is covered in padlocks left by couples. Get close for the colours and engravings, then step back for the cathedral behind. Full story in our Hohenzollern Bridge guide.

Love locks on the railing of the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, under the steel arches — Locks on the railing under the steel arches.

Close-up of engraved padlocks on the Hohenzollern Bridge — Engraved locks, close up.

Padlocks layered several deep on the Hohenzollern Bridge railing — Layer upon layer of padlocks.

Can you take photos inside Cologne Cathedral?

Yes, for private use: no flash, no tripod, no drones and no staged photo shoots. Tripods need a permit. Be considerate where people are sitting quietly. Full rules on our visitor rules page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take photos inside Cologne Cathedral?

Yes. Private photos without flash and without extra equipment are allowed during tourist visiting hours. Tripods need a permit, drones are banned and staged photo shoots are not allowed.

Where is the best place to photograph Cologne Cathedral?

From across the Rhine in Deutz, on the riverside steps or the Hohenzollern Bridge, for the whole cathedral with the river. Up close, stand at the far side of the cathedral square and shoot upwards; the west front is too tall to fit from nearby.

Can I use these photos?

The photos on this page were taken by CologneCathedral.de. Please ask us before using them anywhere else.