Zons: A beautiful medieval town between Cologne and Dusseldorf

This is the final part of my series on lesser-known travel destinations in Germany. While I may add more in the future, this time I’m focusing on Zons, a small town nestled between Cologne and Düsseldorf. Although overshadowed by these larger cities, Zons is well worth a visit, especially if you’re in the region and looking for a charming day trip.

Zons is an ancient town, first mentioned in documents from the 12^th century, though archaeological evidence suggests it dates back to the 7^th century. In 1372, it became a toll station for ships on the Rhine River. To protect the town and its toll station, city walls were reinforced, and Burg Friedestrom fortress was constructed. By the 15^th century, the fortress, city walls, gates, towers, and many old houses were completed—and remarkably, they remain largely intact today.

The historic core of Zons is enclosed within a rectangular city wall, stretching about 300 meters from north to south and 250 meters from east to west. Visitors can stroll along the narrow streets, explore the defense towers, or walk around the city wall, enjoying views over the Rhine floodplain. I found the city walls and massive towers particularly impressive—such robust defenses for a small town are remarkable. The fact that much of Zons has remained unchanged for over 600 years is extraordinary, especially in a region where few places preserve such medieval architecture and layouts.

Best time to visit

Summer is the ideal season to visit Zons. While other seasons are also pleasant, off-season visits may find some restaurants, cafés, or museums closed. We visited on a weekday morning and found the town quiet, with only a few locals around. On weekends or during good weather, there may be more visitors, but it’s unlikely the town will feel overcrowded.

Location and how to reach Zons

Zons is located roughly midway between Cologne and Düsseldorf on the left bank of the Rhine River. The most convenient way to reach Zons is by car. You can take the A57 (E31) freeway and exit at Dormagen (exit 25), then follow the signs to Zons. Alternatively, you can take the B9 national road towards Dormagen and follow the signs from there. A large parking lot is available just north of the historic town center.

If traveling by train, take a local train to Dormagen Bahnhof. From there, transfer to bus 875, 886/887, WE2 (weekend bus), or NE2 (night bus) towards Neuss or Nievenheim Bhf., and get off at Schlossstrasse or Zollstrasse. The bus ride takes just over 10 minutes.