DMEXCO 2027: what to do in Cologne after hours

15 to 16 September 2027 · ExpectedCologne, Germany

DMEXCO keeps attendees on the show floor all day and leaves the evenings, the day after and partners' days free. This guide covers dinners that need booking, evening outings, a companion day and the day after in Cologne.

Tours in Cologne Hotels for these dates

Airport to Koelnmesse

Cologne Bonn airport (CGN) is 15 minutes by S-Bahn; Düsseldorf (DUS) is 40 minutes by train.

Trains to Köln Messe/Deutz.

Public transport directions to Koelnmesse

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Deutz	Hotels by the Messe across the river.
Mid-range	Altstadt	Near the cathedral and beer halls.
Splurge	Domplatte	Grand hotels facing the cathedral.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Motel One Köln-Messe
Mid-range: Hotel Mondial am Dom
Splurge: Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Links search the nights from 14 September to 17 September. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual show week schedule for 15 to 16 September 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Evening one

Wednesday 15 September

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.

EveningKölsch beer tour Evening · Food · Nightlife
Brewery taverns of the old town.
EatPäffgen Old brewery tavern

Evening two

Thursday 16 September

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.

EatBelgian Quarter cafés Brunch
After darkZülpicher Strasse and the Belgian Quarter.

Companion day

Thursday 16 September

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.

Full dayRhine Valley day trip Full day · Low walking
Castles and the Loreley.

The day after the show

Friday 17 September

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.

Half-dayChocolate Museum Half day · Family · Indoor
On the river.
EatFrüh am Dom Kölsch hall by the cathedral
FreeRheinauhafen walk.

Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.

EatPäffgen Old brewery tavern

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family · Indoor

Chocolate Museum

On the river.

See times and prices

Half day · Low walking · Family

Rhine cruise

One-hour panorama cruise.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Phantasialand theme park

30 minutes south.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb

533 steps to the top.

See times and prices

Cologne Zoo.
Odysseum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Kölsch beer tour

Brewery taverns of the old town.

See times and prices

Full day · Low walking

Rhine Valley day trip

Castles and the Loreley.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Phantasialand theme park

30 minutes south.

See times and prices

After dark

Zülpicher Strasse and the Belgian Quarter.

6 tours worth booking for DMEXCO

Tour	Length	Good for
Rhine Valley day trip	Full day	Tired legs
Chocolate Museum	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Rhine cruise	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Phantasialand theme park	Full day	Families
Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Kölsch beer tour	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Früh am Dom Kölsch hall by the cathedral
Päffgen Old brewery tavern
Belgian Quarter cafés Brunch

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Chocolate Museum

On the river.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb

533 steps to the top.

See times and prices

Museum Ludwig.
Romano-Germanic Museum.

Getting around on event days

KVB trams and S-Bahn; Messe/Deutz station serves the fair.
Deutsche Bahn ICE trains link the big cities; the Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport for a monthly fee.
Trade fair and event tickets often include free local transport: check yours.

Day trips from Cologne

Bonn: 20 minutes
Düsseldorf: 25 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for DMEXCO.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is DMEXCO 2027?

The next edition is 15 to 16 September 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Koelnmesse?

Cologne Bonn airport (CGN) is 15 minutes by S-Bahn; Düsseldorf (DUS) is 40 minutes by train. Trains to Köln Messe/Deutz.

Where should I stay for DMEXCO?

For most visitors the best base is Altstadt: Near the cathedral and beer halls.

What can we do between sessions at DMEXCO?

Good short outings in Cologne include Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb, Chocolate Museum, Rhine cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near DMEXCO?

Family-friendly picks: Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb, Chocolate Museum, Rhine cruise. Cologne Zoo.

How far is Koelnmesse from Cologne centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Trains to Köln Messe/Deutz.

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