Cologne: World War II Free Tour - Book online at Civitatis.com

Name: World War II Free Tour
Brand: Civitatis
Rating: 9.1 (121 reviews)

We didn't have high expectations, but the activity was certainly very enjoyable and fun. Nicolás contributed greatly to ...

Noelia Ruiz

Take a trip back to one of Cologne's darkest times on this Second World War free tour. We'll pass through the places that marked a before and after of the Nazi era.

Details

Duration

2 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English–speaking guide

Not included

Tips

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

If you are not able to attend the tour, please cancel your reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.

Cologne Free Walking Tour

9.1

(6,111)

Gratis

Köln Card

Free cancellation

Private Tour of Cologne

Free cancellation

Meeting point

Appellhofpl. 23-25

Where does the activity end?

Old Market Square

Reviews of our customers

9.1

Exceptional 4,306 Travelers·121 reviews

September 27, 2026
Noelia Ruiz
Mallorca, Spain
We didn't have high expectations, but the activity was certainly very enjoyable and fun. Nicolás contributed greatly to making it all possible: a very...
With friends
Is this useful?
April 27, 2026
Miriam
United Kingdom
We loved the tour! Nicolas was incredibly friendly and approachable. He knows the city and culture very well and made sure the tour was engaging while...
As a couple
Is this useful?
October 4, 2026
Cristina Nuñez Carceles
Sevilla, Spain
It was an amazing activity. Our guide, Nico, explained everything we wanted to know in great detail. He was friendly and considerate at all times, and...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 20, 2026
María Eloísa Trani Leal
Palma De Mallorca, Spain
A pleasant route, not particularly eventful. But interesting nonetheless. It overlapped somewhat with the standard route through Colonia. But from a d...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 11, 2026
Mario
Peru
Nico was an excellent guide; he made the tour enjoyable and provided us with a lot of information.
With friends
Is this useful?
September 11, 2026
Antonio Román Bernal
Madrid, Spain
Nicolás has been an excellent guide, both for his kindness and for the way he tells things. Without a doubt, highly recommended!
Is this useful?
August 24, 2026
Natalia
Spain
Very interesting and entertaining. Nico taught us many interesting facts about the city's history, and the time flew by. Highly recommended!
Is this useful?
August 21, 2026
Rodrigo Cuevas
Bogotá, Colombia
Nico was our guide for the tour in Cologne. We found him to be a guide with excellent historical knowledge, and we appreciated that he shared his pers...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 7, 2026
Jorge Pereira
Madrid, Spain
The guide clearly had all the historical facts and trivia very well prepared; you couldn't take him by surprise.
Is this useful?
August 6, 2026
Juan Antonio
Spain
It was good, maybe it lacked something more interesting in the tour, Nico was very nice and friendly.
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Take a trip back to one of Cologne's darkest times on this Second World War free tour. We'll pass through the places that marked a before and after of the Nazi era.

Tour Details

At the indicated time, we'll meet at a central point in Cologne to begin a tour that will take us on a journey through one of the darkest chapters in the city's history. Ready to learn about the impact the Second World War had on the city?

Once we're all ready, we'll embark on a tour that will follow the traces of Nazism and World War II. First of all, we'll see the exterior of the former headquarters of the Gestapo, the secret services of the Nazi regime. At this emblematic site, we'll tell you about the beginnings of this political movement in the city, which will make your hair stand on end.

From here, we'll walk to see the Deserteurdenkmal Memorial, a perfect place to honour the victims of the war and learn about soldiers who chose to leave the Hitler regime. We'll continue the free tour by visiting the former armoury in Cologne and the Edith Stein Memorial, one of the most prominent figures during this time.

Our next stop will be at the world's largest decentralised memorial. We'll pass by Cologne Cathedral to reach the memorial to the Gypsy people, another of the groups most severely affected during World War II. Afterwards, we'll head to the banks of the Rhine River, where we'll see another memorial and learn about the destruction of the city's main bridge.

We'll also talk about the concentration camps and the cruellest moments the city experienced during Nazism, such as Operation Millennium and the various bombings that ravaged its streets.

In the final stretch of the free tour, we'll walk through the Old Market Square and talk about the reconstruction of Cologne after the end of the war. We'll finish by talking about the post-war period and the division of Germany into two separate countries for decades. Then, 2 hours later, we'll say goodbye and end the tour.

Itinerary Changes

Please keep in mind that the order of the itinerary may vary.

Groups

This free tour doesn't admit groups of more than 6 people, even if they book the activity separately.

9.1

Exceptional 4,306 Travelers·121 reviews

September 27, 2026
Noelia Ruiz
Mallorca, Spain
We didn't have high expectations, but the activity was certainly very enjoyable and fun. Nicolás contributed greatly to making it all possible: a very...
With friends
Is this useful?
April 27, 2026
Miriam
United Kingdom
We loved the tour! Nicolas was incredibly friendly and approachable. He knows the city and culture very well and made sure the tour was engaging while...
As a couple
Is this useful?
October 4, 2026
Cristina Nuñez Carceles
Sevilla, Spain
It was an amazing activity. Our guide, Nico, explained everything we wanted to know in great detail. He was friendly and considerate at all times, and...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 20, 2026
María Eloísa Trani Leal
Palma De Mallorca, Spain
A pleasant route, not particularly eventful. But interesting nonetheless. It overlapped somewhat with the standard route through Colonia. But from a d...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 11, 2026
Mario
Peru
Nico was an excellent guide; he made the tour enjoyable and provided us with a lot of information.
With friends
Is this useful?
September 11, 2026
Antonio Román Bernal
Madrid, Spain
Nicolás has been an excellent guide, both for his kindness and for the way he tells things. Without a doubt, highly recommended!
Is this useful?
August 24, 2026
Natalia
Spain
Very interesting and entertaining. Nico taught us many interesting facts about the city's history, and the time flew by. Highly recommended!
Is this useful?
August 21, 2026
Rodrigo Cuevas
Bogotá, Colombia
Nico was our guide for the tour in Cologne. We found him to be a guide with excellent historical knowledge, and we appreciated that he shared his pers...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 7, 2026
Jorge Pereira
Madrid, Spain
The guide clearly had all the historical facts and trivia very well prepared; you couldn't take him by surprise.
Is this useful?
August 6, 2026
Juan Antonio
Spain
It was good, maybe it lacked something more interesting in the tour, Nico was very nice and friendly.
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Types of activities in Cologne

Guided tours and free tours

Other activities in Cologne

Cologne Free Walking Tour Köln Card Cologne Pub Crawl Cologne Public Brewhouse Tour Private Cologne Flyover Tour Boat Trip in Cologne Cologne Christmas Cruise

Take a trip back to one of Cologne's darkest times on this Second World War free tour. We'll pass through the places that marked a before and after of the Nazi era.

Tour Details

We'll also talk about the concentration camps and the cruellest moments the city experienced during Nazism, such as Operation Millennium and the various bombings that ravaged its streets.

Itinerary Changes

Please keep in mind that the order of the itinerary may vary.

Groups

This free tour doesn't admit groups of more than 6 people, even if they book the activity separately.

World War II Free Tour