Cologne Tips: Real Insider Tips from a Local

If you ask a person from Cologne why you should definitely take your next city trip to Cologne, they will reply: "Because Cologne is the most beautiful city in the world." Or in Kölsch: "Do bes en Stadt met Hätz un Siel. Hey Kölle, do bes e Jeföhl!" This statement probably sums it up best.

Even though I have to admit that when I first visited nearly 20 years ago, I stood there wondering what language the people next to me were speaking. My best friend from school, who has lived in Cologne since graduation, answered me back then: "That's Kölsch." Oh yes. I can remember it as if it were yesterday.

Several of my closest friends now live in the fourth largest city in Germany and the largest metropolis in North Rhine-Westphalia. During my regular visits to Cologne, I rarely find myself as a tourist anymore.

Still, I have decided to jot down my Cologne tips with my friends who live there. Now, mainly Hannah will share her insider tips and places in Cologne where she loves to spend her free time and what you can experience in Cologne. Have fun!

Must-see in Cologne

A trip to Cologne without having experienced the most important buildings and attractions? Not possible, except perhaps for skipping Carnival. Forgive me, as Hannah and I both flee when it comes to the 5th season. For many, it is a must-do in Cologne, for us it is more of a don't do. To each their own.

Of course, you can't come to Cologne without having seen the most famous sights. So here are the highlights.

If you want to explore Cologne on foot, I recommend my routes for discovering Cologne in one day: One Day in Cologne - the best sights & tips for your city trip

The Cologne Cathedral - Cologne's Landmark

Cologne Insider Tips — photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Cologne Tips Rhine and Cathedral — Cologne attractions for young people: View of the Cathedral from the Triangle photo by viel-unterwegs.de

You can't miss the Cathedral. If you arrive at the main train station in Cologne, you'll be right in front of it. The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest tourist attractions in Germany. Take your time to visit Germany's second tallest church.

Did you know that the Cologne Cathedral is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics, as it houses the remains of the Three Wise Men?

You can book guided tours here. I recommend climbing to the top. There are only 533 steps. However, if you're afraid of heights, you should think carefully about visiting.

The Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is truly a must-visit if it's your first time here. My Cologne friends will now roll their eyes because it's a bit overrated. You can't really sample much (anymore). On my first visit to Cologne, I was told that visiting the Chocolate Museum is a must. No excuses allowed, and before I knew it, I was inside. The museum is located in the Rheinauhafen right by the Old Town and not far from the Cologne Cathedral.

The Chocolate Museum shows you the history of cocoa and chocolate from the past to the present. Of course, you can also sample chocolate there. The museum café makes the best chocolate cake in the city, who would have thought?!

The museum also always offers a great program, especially for children. From "Make Your Own Chocolate Bar" to the "Chocolate Course" for adults - there is something to make every chocoholic happy.

Entry prices for the Chocolate Museum: Adults 9 Euro, and children under 6 years get in free.

Visit the Chocolate Museum's website

The Love Locks on the Wire Grates of the Hohenzollern Bridge

Love Locks in Cologne — Hanging love locks in Cologne on the Hohenzollern Bridge. Popular Cologne activities for young people photo by viel-unterwegs.de

This trend has now spread throughout Germany: Couples in love attach a padlock to the railing of the Hohenzollern Bridge to pledge their eternal love. They throw the corresponding key into the Rhine.

The origin of the love lock trend is not exactly clear. It is believed to have started in Italy at the Milvian Bridge in Rome.

The bridge is not far from the Cathedral.

The Rheinauhafen

Rheinauhafen Cologne photo by viel-unterwegs.de

The old Rheinauhafen is now one of the trendiest spots in Cologne. It stretches over 2 km along the Rhine shore right next to the Old Town. Here you encounter modern architecture and historic buildings.

Especially on weekends, there is a lot going on here: flea markets, joggers, inline skaters, cyclists, or strollers. You'll meet all kinds of people. Great cafés invite gatherings, especially in summer. The open-air cinema in summer is also worth a visit. If you want to find the food truck from the Cologne crime scene, you'll also find it here.

The Great Rhine Shore

Rent a bike (or bring your own) and ride along the Rhine shore. Here you can find peace from the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as great beach bars, cafés, and cozy beer gardens. However, on weekends it can get very crowded, especially on the left bank of the Rhine from the Cathedral to the Südstadt. As an alternative, take the right side of the Rhine and ride to Zündorf, then take the ferry back across with the Weiss-Zündorf Krokodil.

Tours and Activities in Cologne

If it's your first time in Cologne, I recommend the 1.5-hour city tour in Cologne with Locals. This way you can get a quick impression and overview of the history of Cologne and its people.

Culinary Tours in Cologne

Depending on which district you live in, I suggest taking a culinary tour through the neighborhoods. There is almost a tour in every district. I like the culinary tour in Südstadt.

Night Watchman Tour in Cologne

If you are a group, I recommend the private tour with the night watchman. It's really worth it!

An Original Brewery Tour in Cologne

Popular breweries in Cologne include Früh am Dom, Päffgen, Gaffel am Dom, Peters, or the Malzmühle - the oldest brewery in the Old Town.

Hotel Tips for Cologne

koeln-lindner-city-plaza-urbancologne — Street Art in Lindner City Plaza in Cologne photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Lindner City Plaza Hotel in Cologne with individual Street Art — Each artwork has a QR code. Just scan it and get more information about the artist. photo by viel-unterwegs.de

In Cologne, there are countless hotels and hostels. However, during trade fair times, it can get quite expensive. For those who do not want to rely on an AirBnB offer, I recommend these hotels/hostels.

The Lindner City Plaza at Friesenplatz has come up with something particularly special. Here you can find individually designed floors that reflect Cologne in all its facets. My favorite floor is the #urbancologne in Street Art style. In terms of location, design, and value for money, the Lindner City Plaza is simply perfect.

For those traveling on a very tight budget or looking for something truly unique, these two tips are worth checking out.

Weltempfänger Hostel - From €19, you can stay here, there are also single and double rooms.
Savoy Hotel - High-price luxury hotel, but some rooms have a whirlpool. If you want to indulge a bit, this is the place.

Insider Tips for Cologne from a Local

I moved from Heilbronn to Cologne in 2010. I lived in the city on the Rhine for 10 years, even though I originally always wanted to go to Berlin or Hamburg. Things just turn out differently than you expect.

Here I will share my personal Cologne tips, which are not always so secret.

My Restaurant Tips in Cologne

Die Fette Kuh - The most famous burger restaurant in the city. Be prepared for long wait times and very close seating if you want to eat here. But for all meat lovers, it's a must.
Karl Hermanns - More burgers. This time in a cozier version with enough seating and a real restaurant atmosphere. Best quality, rather high-end, but super delicious.
Johann Schäfer Brauhaus - The newest brewery in town. Tradition meets modernity, all with local products. Here, foodies will definitely be excited.
La Teca - Italian at its finest. A small daily menu offers absolute Italian vibes. Be sure to make a reservation.
Rich n Greens - Fresh and healthy is the motto here. Salads, wraps, and smoothies for energy while shopping.
Kintaro - In my opinion, the best sushi restaurant in Cologne. No all-you-can-eat, just exquisite cuisine from the land of the rising sun. Reservations are a must, it's relatively high-end.
The Bad Ape - A trendy concept focused on salads and sandwiches. Super friendly staff and with two locations in the city.
Kebapland - Every Cologne resident knows it, the snack bar across from the Ehrenfeld train station on Venloer Straße. There is no better place for lamb skewers, especially at 2 a.m.

These Cafés I Love to Visit in Cologne

Café Rotkehlchen - small but fine, with many veggie and vegan options.
Kaffebud - my favorite café. It's tucked away in a side street in Ehrenfeld, excellent coffee and homemade cake.
Einspänner - The best take-away coffee in Südstadt. Deli sandwiches, cake, and lemonade are also available.
Schamong - the oldest coffee roastery in Cologne. Here you can still watch the sorting of the beans.
Eisdielerin - Delicious ice cream and fresh waffles, either savory or sweet.
Herr Pimock - You can enjoy delicious food here from early to late and watch the hustle and bustle on Aachener Straße.
Hinz und Kunz - My favorite café in Lindenthal. Be sure to try the homemade lemonade or the delicious pancakes. They only serve good food from morning until late. Top!

Nightlife in Cologne? Here's the Way

In summer, life in Cologne takes place outdoors. With kiosk beer and good friends, even a park bench becomes a party location. The best streets to start the night are Aachener Straße or Zülpicher Straße. There is always something going on, whether a club, bar, or restaurant.

I can still recommend a few bars & clubs with a clear conscience.

Bumann & Sohn - A bar/club hybrid with a beer garden in summer. Just nice and relaxed.
Königsblut - A pub where art roses bloom on the ceiling and the atmosphere is very cozy.
Zum Goldenen Schuss - A popular pub in the Belgian Quarter, bursting with customers during soccer games.
Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld - A club in Ehrenfeld under the railway bridge, also hosts many concerts and has a beer garden in summer.
Reineke Fuchs - A hip club on Aachener Straße, particularly popular among electronic music lovers.
Spirits - Probably the best cocktail bar in Cologne. The bartender always knows my taste.
Rosebud - Another great cocktail bar, somewhat reminiscent of New York. It's worth arriving early.

Shopping in Cologne? Here I Like to Shop

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle on Schildergasse, give the neighboring neighborhoods a chance. In many small side streets, you'll find boutiques and stores that stand out from the crowd.

Ehrenfeld Apparel - Cool stuff for local patriots with a sense of humor. I like to gift it.
Sore Bikes - my favorite bike shop, a bit punk rock and a lot of single-speed love.
Siebter Himmel - Only beautiful things here. Books, gifts, children's toys. You can easily lose track of time while browsing.
Messerbänkchen - A small store in the Südstadt with a beautiful selection of interiors.

Every Saturday, the flea market in front of the Uni Center opens its doors. You can always grab a bargain there. Otherwise, I also recommend the flea market at Südstadion on the first Sunday of the month. During the summer months, different neighborhoods open their backyards for flea markets with a friendly, family atmosphere.

Insider Tips for Cologne

My Very Personal Tips for Cologne:

Always have enough change in your pocket for the train.
Place a beer mat on your Kölsch glass in the brewery if you don't want another one.
The fastest way is by bike.
Make sure to try Flimm and Mexikölner.
Carnival is most authentically celebrated in the Südstadt.
Relax in Volksgarten.
The best running routes are in the city forest.
Buy a beer at Becksmann at Aachener Weiher.
You can find sauna and relaxation at the Claudius Therme or Neptunbad.
Avoid Ebertplatz and Wienerplatz at night if possible.
The most beautiful lake outside the city is Otto-Maigler-See.

I wish you lots of fun discovering my adopted home.

Activities for Young People

Since I keep receiving emails asking which activities or attractions in Cologne are attractive and worth seeing for young people, here is my answer:

Rhine Cable Car: In the gondolas of the Rhine Cable Car, you can view Cologne from a different perspective. You can cross the river between Cologne Zoo and Rheinpark.
Especially popular with young people is the Cathedral peak, offering a great view of the city.
If you want a great view of the Cathedral, you should visit the rooftop terrace of the Triangle. Open until 11 p.m. in summer. Thanks to the complete glazing over 100 meters high, you get an amazing panoramic view of Cologne.
Explore street art in Ehrenfeld.
A city tour through the catacombs in Cologne. Exploring the underground is very popular with young people (and us as well).

Useful Information & Tips

Getting to Cologne

Traveling to Cologne is actually quite easy; you have the choice between car, train, airplane, or bus. If you are driving, be sure to adhere to the speed limits. Around Cologne, there are speed cameras everywhere, so save the fines for a few extra Kölsch.

WARNING: Currently, long-distance buses can only run to Leverkusen or to Cologne/Bonn Airport. If you consider this mode of transportation, be sure to plan enough time to get to the city center. Personally, I would always recommend the train, which has a good S-Bahn and U-Bahn network to take you anywhere.

Travel Guide Recommendations for Cologne

The best travel guide for Cologne is the DuMont directly. It offers many real tips for your visit to Cologne. Well organized and clearly designed. Highly recommended!

View on Amazon

Alternatively, my recommendation is the new "Best City in the World Travel Guide" for Cologne by Marco Polo. Why do I recommend this travel guide without even owning it? Because it was written by my esteemed colleague Ralf Johnen, who lives in Cologne.

What is your secret tip or things to do in Cologne?

Leave us a comment at the end of the article. We always appreciate feedback or questions.

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Cologne: Insider Tips from a Local

Insider Tips for Cologne from a Local and All the Tips You Need to Know