Cologne lies on the west bank of the Rhine at an average elevation of 59 meters above sea level. The city center and famous Cathedral sit at around 57–62 m; the Cologne Lowland (Kölner Bucht) is a flat basin carved by the Rhine. Historic Rhine floods regularly inundated the old town until modern flood barriers were constructed.
That works out to roughly 194 feet above sea level. The nearby cities compared on this page average 82 m, putting Cologne about 23 m lower.
Quick Facts
| Elevation (above sea level) | 59 m |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50.9333° N, 6.9500° E |
| Country | Germany |
| Continent | Europe |
Compare elevations – nearby cities
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Düsseldorf | 42 | Germany |
| Dortmund | 94 | Germany |
| Essen | 90 | Germany |
| Frankfurt | 103 | Germany |
Cities with a similar elevation
The following cities sit at an elevation similar to Cologne (59 m above sea level):
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Mönchengladbach | 59 | Germany |
| Hanover | 58 | Germany |
| Manchester | 60 | United Kingdom |
| Magdeburg | 56 | Germany |
| Bonn | 64 | Germany |
| Münster | 68 | Germany |
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Cologne above sea level?
Cologne averages 59 m above sea level. The Rhine flows at around 37 m; the highest western districts reach about 120 m.
Is Cologne at risk of Rhine flooding?
Yes. The Rhine historically overflowed regularly. Modern flood barriers protect much of the old town, but extreme floods like 1993 and 1995 still inundate the lower districts.
How high is Cologne Cathedral?
The Cathedral sits on ground at around 62 m above sea level. Its towers rise 157 m above the ground, making the Cathedral spires approximately 219 m above sea level.