# imm cologne: what to do between sessions in Cologne

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/imm-cologne/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 18 to 23 January 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany
- **Free time:** The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Altstadt: Near the cathedral and beer halls.
- **Getting there:** Cologne Bonn airport (CGN) is 15 minutes by S-Bahn; Düsseldorf (DUS) is 40 minutes by train.
- **Weather:** In January, Cologne temperatures average about 2°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 30 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb; Rhine Valley day trip; Chocolate Museum

## Weather and what to pack

In January, Cologne temperatures average about 2°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 30 min of daylight.
- A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

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

Trains to Köln Messe/Deutz.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Deutz. Hotels by the Messe across the river.
- **mid:** Altstadt. Near the cathedral and beer halls.
- **luxury:** Domplatte. Grand hotels facing the cathedral.
- Hotels we would book: Motel One Köln-Messe (budget), Hotel Mondial am Dom (mid), Excelsior Hotel Ernst (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Monday 18 January)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Kölsch beer tour. Brewery taverns of the old town.
- Eat: Belgian Quarter cafés, Brunch

### Evening two (Tuesday 19 January)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Früh am Dom, Kölsch hall by the cathedral
- After dark: Zülpicher Strasse and the Belgian Quarter.

### Companion day (Tuesday 19 January)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Rhine Valley day trip. Castles and the Loreley.

### The day after the show (Sunday 24 January)

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.
- Half-day: Chocolate Museum. On the river.
- Eat: Päffgen, Old brewery tavern
- Free: Hohenzollern Bridge love locks and view.

### Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.
- Eat: Belgian Quarter cafés, Brunch

## Tours worth booking

- [Cologne Cathedral tour and tower climb](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Cologne%20Cathedral%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): 533 steps to the top.
- [Kölsch beer tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Cologne%20beer%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): Brewery taverns of the old town.
- [Rhine Valley day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Rhine%20Valley%20tour%20from%20Cologne&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): Castles and the Loreley.
- [Chocolate Museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chocolate%20Museum%20Cologne&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): On the river.
- [Rhine cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Cologne%20river%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): One-hour panorama cruise.
- [Phantasialand theme park](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Phantasialand%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-imm-cologne): 30 minutes south.

## Where to eat

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

## With kids

- Cologne Zoo.
- Odysseum.

## Rainy-day backups

- Museum Ludwig.
- Romano-Germanic Museum.

## Getting around

- 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.

## Questions people ask

### When is imm cologne 2027?

The next edition is 18 to 23 January 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during imm cologne?

In January, Cologne temperatures average about 2°C, with roughly 74 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 30 min of daylight.

### 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 imm cologne?

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

### What can we do between sessions at imm cologne?

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 imm cologne?

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.

More in Cologne: https://eventweekends.com/city/cologne/