Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus
Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Get a whiff of the place where Eau de Cologne was born. Learn about perfume essences and attractions and let your nose lead you thorough history. - We highly recommend booking your tickets prior to your visit. -
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Address
Neighborhood: Altstadt-Nord
How to get there
- Koln Central Station • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
880 reviews
Excellent
467
Very good
262
Average
109
Poor
27
Terrible
15
Aero3926
Midwest364 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
You can visit the shop and purchase without a tour, but the history of the place makes it much more interesting. On the tour, one also gets to smell some of the ingredients used and see parts of the building not otherwise open to the public. At the end of the tour, you are given a very small bottle of perfume (valued at about the same cost as the tour).
Written June 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane R
Barton Seagrave, UK73 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
My experience was not so good of the shop, plenty to buy and see. I was slightly disappointed in that I could not see the museum on this visit as being christmas, there was no availability. If I had known that I could have booked online before getting to Cologne I would have done so, maybe on our next visit.
We did buy some eau de cologne soap, and perfume. I also bought some zodiac perfume, very nicely wrapped up.
If I do return to Cologne, I will make sure that I visit the shop to book a tour or reserve online.
We did buy some eau de cologne soap, and perfume. I also bought some zodiac perfume, very nicely wrapped up.
If I do return to Cologne, I will make sure that I visit the shop to book a tour or reserve online.
Written December 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK22,650 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The true story behind “Eau de Cologne” is illustrated and explained in this history of the scent, and we came away with an understanding of the social desires of the time to cover odours. Many interesting stories were told by the excellent guide,Tim, some featuring Napoleon Bonaparte. We are not experts on scent and perfume, but found the tour fascinating. Well worth an hour of your time when you are in Cologne. Book in advance as this is a very popular tour.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,264 contributions
Sep 2019
This museum is dedicated John Maria Farina, his development of Cologne and the oldest fragrance factory still in use in the world. The tour has lots of information about the production of cologne from the guide and via exhibits. An interesting tour.
The museum is also part shop were you can try and by the original Eau de Cologne or some other fragrance.
I smelt Cologne in Cologne!
The museum is also part shop were you can try and by the original Eau de Cologne or some other fragrance.
I smelt Cologne in Cologne!
Written September 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Icelandic_adventurer
Iceland47 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
This is what museums should be. Places that bring history to life through the senses, with humour, engagement and entertainment. Loved it!
The museum is a tour meaning that you are guided through the house by a bloke dressed up in 17th century attire complete with wig, face powder, the lot. He plays the man from the Farina family who first created the original eau de Cologne. In the process of going through the house, you are also taken through the history of the family and the scent.
One of the cellar like rooms in the basement contains oils, perfumes and concoctions for you to smell - some of the ingredients of the perfumes. This was great fun and the people on our tour - those under 10, young students and adults - all loved it.
At the end of the tour you even get a 5ml sample of the perfume.
All in all, extremely good value for money, a brilliant way to spend an hour. I highly recommend going here. Wonderful! The museum also has the most gorgeous gift shop that is exquisitely decorated.
The museum is a tour meaning that you are guided through the house by a bloke dressed up in 17th century attire complete with wig, face powder, the lot. He plays the man from the Farina family who first created the original eau de Cologne. In the process of going through the house, you are also taken through the history of the family and the scent.
One of the cellar like rooms in the basement contains oils, perfumes and concoctions for you to smell - some of the ingredients of the perfumes. This was great fun and the people on our tour - those under 10, young students and adults - all loved it.
At the end of the tour you even get a 5ml sample of the perfume.
All in all, extremely good value for money, a brilliant way to spend an hour. I highly recommend going here. Wonderful! The museum also has the most gorgeous gift shop that is exquisitely decorated.
Written January 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SargeantKinchloe
California62 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
A tour of the original building where eau de cologne was first created and some talk about the history and process. English presentation was very good. A little distraction in going over the pre-trademark history and stealing of the name and product, but overall very good and interesting. Five euro entry fee, but you get a little bottle of their eau de cologne that is worth about that much. It was a very good use of an hour of our time.
Written September 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samcrowe
Arlington, VA115 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
I'm not that in to scents/perfumes but The Original Eau de Cologne 1709 won me over easily. We visited the Farina House and got a 1 hour tour of the history of the building and this particular scent, that put Cologne on the map and changed the perfume-industry. This scent was worn by Mozart, Voltaire, Napoleon, and virtually every European king and queen. At the end of the tour we received a small sample sized bottle of the scent, which I love! It's still made with the same recipe as the original. If you're interested in the tour (highly recommended), book in advance - there were only 2 english tours the week we were there, with limited capacity.
Interestingly, on our way to Farina House, we stopped by a nearby museum for help with directions. The guy at information recommended we go to 4711 instead, because it's much more famous. We ended up visiting it after, but were much less impressed by it. We learned more about its history from the Farina house tour (4711 was an imitator/competitor) and felt that the scent from Farina was MUCH better (I didn't like the 4711 scent).
Interestingly, on our way to Farina House, we stopped by a nearby museum for help with directions. The guy at information recommended we go to 4711 instead, because it's much more famous. We ended up visiting it after, but were much less impressed by it. We learned more about its history from the Farina house tour (4711 was an imitator/competitor) and felt that the scent from Farina was MUCH better (I didn't like the 4711 scent).
Written January 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnryantravels
London, UK7 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
As we were visiting Cologne, we figured we should take a tour of how eau de cologne was made. We inquired about the tour, times and cost - the staff were very friendly and there was no pressure to buy anything. Our tour had about 15 people in it and took about an hour. We learned the history of the House of Farina, and the background of perfumes and cologne through history. The tour takes you through a few rooms where the guide explains how cologne is made and what ingredients are used. It was actually a very thorough tour and interesting for someone who isn't necessarily into perfumes and colognes. The tour guide's English wasn't 100%, but she still covered a lot of history and facts. At the end of the tour we each received a little bottle of the original eau de cologne. Thorough tour, pretty setting and interesting history/facts. Something you need to do while in Cologne.
Written September 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohammed Hakim
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia168 contributions
We booked an English tour, it was enjoyable to do something fun and light. The guide was kind, patient and answered all of the questions of the group. Like i said it's a pleasant experience.
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsB1302
Liverpool192 contributions
This activity must be booked as is a guided tour only. Our english tour started at 4pm and lasted around an hour or so.
The guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly loves his craft. We learned about the history of the oldest fragrance in Europe and saw johann maria farina's chair, table, ledger and glasses (300 years old). We were taken into the old distillery room and smelled some fragrances used in their cologne. We also saw the old oil storage room which was really interesting but sadly couldnt go in. Unfortunately you cannot take photos anywhere in the museum but you can in the shop.
Not suitable for those using wheelchairs or not too good on their feet.
You have to leave bags and possessions in lockers as the museum itself is very small and contains lots of (expensive) glassware!
Our tickets worked out around €10 for both of us and you are given a 4ml free sample bottle each.
The guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly loves his craft. We learned about the history of the oldest fragrance in Europe and saw johann maria farina's chair, table, ledger and glasses (300 years old). We were taken into the old distillery room and smelled some fragrances used in their cologne. We also saw the old oil storage room which was really interesting but sadly couldnt go in. Unfortunately you cannot take photos anywhere in the museum but you can in the shop.
Not suitable for those using wheelchairs or not too good on their feet.
You have to leave bags and possessions in lockers as the museum itself is very small and contains lots of (expensive) glassware!
Our tickets worked out around €10 for both of us and you are given a 4ml free sample bottle each.
Written August 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peut on acheter les billets d'entrée sur place ?
Written November 28, 2019
Attention aux horaires selon la langue de la visite
Written December 7, 2019
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Sir or Madam, please have a look at our website to book a tour in Chinese. You can book your tickets online.
Written August 7, 2019
Buongiorno,
Vorremo visitare il museo il 29 dicembre di pomeriggio oppure il 2 gennaio di mattina in lingua italiana, ma non vediamo disponibilità. Grazie
Written November 30, 2018
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Sir or Madam, many thanks for your request. I can offer you a guided tour on December 30. at 11:30am. I would be glad to make a reservation for you, please tell me how many people would like to participate. Kind regards, Maria
Written December 3, 2018
Hola. Por favor, ¿podrías indicarnos cómo hacer la reserva para la visita guiada EN ESPAÑOL en el Museo del Perfume?
Por lo que estoy encontrando, solo veo en alemán e inglés.
Muchas gracias!
Un cordial saludo,
Estrella
Written April 29, 2018
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Estimada Estrella,
muchas gracias por su interés en nuestro museo. Para realizar una visita al Museo del Perfume y dado que todas las visitas son guiadas, es necesario hacer reserva previa.
Ofrecemos visitas guiadas todos los días, a cada hora y en varios idiomas. Las visitas guiadas por el museo duran aproximadamente 45 minutos y tienen capacidad limitada.
Nuestras visitas guiadas suelen agotarse rápido – por eso recomendamos a grupos e individuos comprar las entradas con antelación en linea. Por la misma razón puede ser que no vea visitas en español en ciertos días en nuestro calendario.
Saludos cordiales, Maria
Written April 30, 2018
BJR je voudrais savoir si on peut acheter des parfums au musée
Written November 23, 2017
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Rachid, many thanks for your request. You can buy our perfumes in the museum shop, which is at the entrance of the museum. Kind regards, Maria
Written November 23, 2017
Is there a museum shop that we can visit even if we do not take the tour?
If we just want to go to the museum shop, can we just walk in, or do we still need to buy tickets, reserve online, etc.?
We want to try and maybe buy bottles of cologne. Unfortunately, the 4pm (only) English tour does not fit our schedule. (Our train leaves at 5 pm.)
Also, is it worth it to just go directly to the museum shop instead? (Or is going to the shop without the tour not worth the experience?)
Written October 28, 2017
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Josella,
many thanks for your interest in our museum. You can visit the museum only with a guided tour, tickets can be bought online on our website. We offer guided tours in various languages at every full hour from 10 am to 6 pm. You can take a look at our calendar on our website to see the languages we offer for that day. Depending on the requests we receive we sometimes offer a language multiple times a day and can manage to squeeze in another tour. Please understand that depending on the reservations we already have, we can't always be flexible with the tours. You can visit the shop without visiting the museum, our staff members will always be happy to give you an insight into the history of our famous cologne. I hope this helps, please accept my apologies for the late answer. Kind regards, Maria
Written November 6, 2017
How can I cancel the ticket I have bought online? I know it is possible as it is stated on museum's website "For cancellations, please note that we apply a fee of 0,50 € per ticket".
Written April 22, 2017
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Alicja W.,
many thanks for your kind request. Of course it is possible to cancel the ticket - and we already did that for you. You will receive a seperate e-mail concerning the cancellation of your ticket and the reimbursement, of course.
We are looking forward to your visit on another day and wish you a beautiful stay in Cologne. Have a good time.
With kind regards,
Catherina
Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus
Written April 22, 2017
Can we visit the museum without taking the guided tour? We don't have much time in Cologne...
Written March 30, 2017
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Sir or Madam,
many thanks for your interest in our museum. The Fragrance Museum can only be visited within a guided tour - we have tours in various languages every day, each tour lasts about 45 minutes. You can buy tickets for our tours on our homepage. If you don't have time to visit the museum, I can still recommend you to visit our historical shop. Our friendly staff members are always happy to give a short introduction into the history of the famous Eau de Cologne.
Written March 30, 2017
DuftmuseumFarina
Cologne, Germany
Dear Ribamar, yes we are open on Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. We would recommend to make a reservation for a guided tour if you would like to visit the museum, tours start at every full hour.
Written August 29, 2016
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