Cologne: WWII Sites With Optional EL-DE Haus Private Tour

Discovering Cologne’s poignant WWII history is an eye-opening experience. This private tour offers two options – a 2-hour or 4-hour exploration – allowing visitors to explore the city’s turbulent past at their own pace. Highlights include the renowned Cologne Cathedral, the Trail of Remembrance, and the haunting Stumbling Stones memorials. But the true centerpiece is the EL-DE House, once the Gestapo headquarters, where visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the city’s wartime struggle. With flexible booking and free cancellation, this tour provides a personalized journey through Cologne’s historical landscape.

Key Points

• Explore Cologne’s WWII history through a private tour with options for a 2-hour basic or 4-hour extended experience, starting at $198.78 per person.
• Visit the NS Documentation Center (EL-DE House), the former Gestapo headquarters, and other significant sites like Cologne Cathedral and St. Alban Church ruins.
• Discover the Trail of Remembrance and Stumbling Stones memorials, gaining insight into the Nazi regime’s terror and machinery.
• Enjoy flexible booking options, including reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the meeting point is at the Kreuzblume monument in front of Cologne Cathedral.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Duration

The WWII sites tour in Cologne offers a private exploration of the city’s historic landmarks, spanning 2 to 4 hours.

Priced from $198.78 per person, the tour allows flexible booking with a reserve now, pay later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Guests can choose between a 2-hour basic tour focused on the Old Town or an extended 4-hour option that includes a 2-hour visit to the EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters, for in-depth explanations.

The tour meets at the Kreuzblume monument in front of Cologne Cathedral and is wheelchair accessible.

Pricing and Booking Flexibility

Although the Cologne WWII Sites Tour is priced from $198.78 per person, the tour operator offers flexible booking options to accommodate travelers. Guests can reserve their spot now and pay later, providing flexibility for their schedules.

On top of that, the tour allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring peace of mind for those with uncertain plans.

Whether travelers opt for the basic 2-hour tour or the extended 4-hour option, they can expect a personalized experience led by knowledgeable guides. The private nature of the tour ensures a more in-depth exploration of Cologne’s WWII history and landmarks.

Exploring Cologne’s WWII History

How does the Cologne WWII Sites Tour explore the city’s dark past?

The tour takes visitors on a journey through Cologne’s turbulent WWII history, exploring the remnants of the Nazi regime’s terror and machinery.

Highlights include:

• Visiting the NS Documentation Center (EL-DE House), the former Gestapo headquarters, to learn about the Nazi’s chilling tactics.

• Witnessing the significant sites that bore witness to the war, such as the Cologne Cathedral, St. Alban Church ruins, and the bombed-out St. Kolumba Church.

• Discovering the Trail of Remembrance and the somber Stumbling Stones memorials, honoring the victims of the Nazi era.

Highlights of the Private Tour

Exploring the city’s WWII history, the private Cologne WWII Sites Tour offers a comprehensive look at the remnants of the Nazi regime’s terror and machinery.

Tour highlights include visiting the NS Documentation Center, the former Gestapo headquarters, to learn about the horrific Nazi occupation. Guests will also admire significant sites like the Cologne Cathedral, St. Alban Church ruins, and the Memorial Hindenburgbrücke.

The tour includes a discovery of the Trail of Remembrance and the memorial Stumbling Stones, providing a poignant reminder of the past.

For a deeper dive, the extended 4-hour option includes a visit to the EL-DE House with in-depth historical explanations.

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The EL-DE House Visit

As part of the extended 4-hour tour option, visitors delve deeper into Cologne’s WWII history with a 2-hour visit to the EL-DE House.

This former Gestapo headquarters now serves as a documentation center, offering a chilling insight into the Nazi terror machinery.

Highlights of the visit include:

• Exploring the building’s preserved basement cells and interrogation rooms

• Learning about the Gestapo’s activities and the fate of its victims through interactive exhibits

• Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the central role Cologne played in the Nazi’s regime of oppression and genocide

Significant Sites and Memorials

Beyond the chilling revelations at the EL-DE House, the Cologne WWII sites tour takes visitors on a journey through the city’s most significant historical landmarks and memorials.

Admire the towering Cologne Cathedral, whose spires remained standing despite the bombings. Explore the ruins of St. Alban Church, a haunting reminder of the destruction.

Walk across the Memorial Hindenburgbrücke, where civilians fled the advancing Allied forces. Discover the Trail of Remembrance and the Stumbling Stones, honoring those who perished under Nazi occupation.

Throughout the tour, travelers gain a deeper understanding of Cologne’s resilience in the face of wartime adversity.

Meeting Point and Accessibility

The meeting point for the Cologne WWII sites tour is the Kreuzblume monument in front of the iconic Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne WWII sites tour meets at the Kreuzblume monument in front of the iconic Cologne Cathedral.

This centralized location ensures easy access and visibility for participants. The tour is wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for travelers of all abilities.

Plus, it’s recommended to wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking through the historic Old Town district to explore the wartime sites and memorials.

• Wheelchair accessible

• Meeting point at Kreuzblume monument in front of Cologne Cathedral

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking

Customer Feedback and Ratings

Travelers have overwhelmingly praised the Cologne WWII sites tour, with an impressive 4.9-out-of-5 rating based on 18 reviews.

Guests highlight the knowledgeable and personable guides, who provide captivating insights into the city’s dark history. Many recommend the private tour format, as it allows for a more personalized experience tailored to individual interests, including a focus on Jewish history in Cologne.

The tour earns high marks for its comprehensive exploration of WWII landmarks, from the Cologne Cathedral to the sobering EL-DE House, former Gestapo headquarters.

Travelers consistently describe the tour as a must-do activity for understanding Cologne’s wartime past.

The Sum Up

This private tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Cologne’s poignant WWII history. Visitors can explore the city’s turbulent past, visiting significant sites like the EL-DE House, Cologne Cathedral, and Stumbling Stones memorials. With flexible booking options and a personalized experience, this tour provides an immersive journey through Cologne’s historical landscape, allowing guests to uncover the city’s resilience and commemorate its past.

You can check availability for your dates here: