What Exhibitions to Visit in Cologne? Ludwig and MAKK

The Ludwig Museum is considered the pinnacle of interior design among Cologne and Düsseldorf’s museums. Its avant-garde, minimalist, and high-cool design complements the museum’s pop art, abstract art, and surrealism exhibits. The interior features brick-red walls and white ceilings with excellent natural lighting, akin to the soft lighting of a photo studio, which beautifully highlights each exhibit. It is said to be one of the top museums in Europe, after Paris and Barcelona, for Picasso works. The museum is located near Cologne Cathedral; just walk straight from the cathedral to find a German-style building with a slightly curved, petal-like brick-red roof.

Now, let’s talk about MAKK. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral. Most of the photos were taken at MAKK. When I visited, admission was free, though some special floors and exhibitions require a fee. Upon entering, you’ll see a vintage Mercedes-Benz with gull-wing doors, which remains stylish today. This museum mainly exhibits modern art, including furniture, handicrafts, jewelry, porcelain, oil paintings, and sculptures. You can find many iconic designs in home furnishings, tools, and industrial design. The overall style is reminiscent of the China Design Museum at the China Academy of Art, with a Bauhaus vibe. There’s also a beautifully winding corridor with a porcelain child riding a fish.

Preparation Before Entering Museums:
German museums generally follow this process: buy tickets, store bags, and keep cameras and valuables in hand or in your clothing pockets. Bag storage either involves lockers with keys (usually requiring a 1-euro coin deposit) or, like at Ludwig, taking a card from the front desk, tapping it on the locker to store your bag, and then tapping it again to retrieve your bag and return the card.

Notes:
Most European museums, especially those with valuable collections, prohibit the use of flash photography and do not allow food or drinks inside.

Ticket Prices:
Ludwig: €12 for adults, with most exhibitions free on weekends.
MAKK: Free, with special exhibitions requiring a €4 fee.