Cologne: WWII History & EL-DE Haus Private Guided Tour

What was life like in Nazi-era Cologne? Uncover personal stories, tragic fates and dark history of World War II on a private tour. Optional: visit the NS Documentation Centre (EL-DE Haus) and explore the secrets of Gestapo with an Expert Guide. Choose any of these fantastic options tailored to your choice or preference: 2-hour: WWII Traces Guided Tour Uncover WWII history in Cologne's Old Town. See the iconic Cathedral, learn about the Trail of Remembrance, Stumbling Stones, and Kolumba. 4-hour: WWII Traces & EL-DE Haus Guided Tour Uncover WWII history in-depth in Cologne's Old Town and the NS Documentation Center (EL-DE Haus). See the iconic Cathedral, learn about the Trail of Remembrance and more. Uncover the dark history of Cologne’s WWII past on a private walking tour designed by Rosotravel, where a Licensed Guide will share powerful stories of destruction, survival, and remembrance. Follow traces of war that still shape the city today.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 min

   Meet your guide Kreuzblume monument in front of the entrance to Cologne Cathedral

2. 2

   Cologne Cathedral

   50 min

   Begin at the iconic Cologne Cathedral (viewed from outside only), a stunning Gothic masterpiece that miraculously survived heavy bombings and still bears bullet holes. Continue your journey along Cologne’s quiet cobblestone streets and uncover the poignant Trail of Remembrance.

3. 3

   Stolpersteine Cologne

   30 min

   Learn about the small brass Stolpersteine (Stumbling Stones) that mark the last known homes of Jewish victims, and hear their stories of loss and courage.

4. 4

   Cologne Central Station

   30 min

   See key WWII sites such as the Central Station, Hohenzollern Bridge, and the former exhibition grounds—once linked to the Auschwitz-Buchenwald subcamp—and learn about their roles during wartime. With your Private Guide, you’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace, ask questions, and focus on the aspects of history that move you most.

5. 5

   NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne

   2 hours

   Visit to the NS Documentation Center, known as the EL-DE Haus. This former Gestapo headquarters is now a chilling memorial, preserving prison cells and over 1,800 inscriptions carved by prisoners. Walk through rooms where forced laborers, political enemies, and resistance members were held and tortured, and hear how Nazi terror unfolded in Cologne. With a Licensed Guide at your side, you’ll gain a deeper, personal understanding of these harrowing events.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.