Anisha Riggs
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne, Germany, is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Located in the heart of the city, this vibrant and trendy district offers a unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment. Known for its hip and artsy vibe, the Belgian Quarter is home to charming boutiques, galleries, pubs, bars, and restaurants, as well as beautiful architecture and green spaces. With a variety of dining, shopping, and nightlife options, it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening. The area is easily accessible by public transport, making it convenient for locals and tourists alike to enjoy all that it has to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Heart of Cologne, Neustadt Nord, mid-west of Cologne's center city |
| Bordered by | Aachener Straße to the south, Venloer Straße to the north, inner green belt to the west, and Flandrische/Limburger Straße to the east |
| Distance from Philero Hotel Köln | 6 km |
| Centre | Brussels Square |
| Namesake | Street names referring to Belgian provinces and cities |
| Transport | Accessible by lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, and 15; Moltkestrasse is the most central stop |
| Attractions | St. Michael's Church, Stadtgarten, Frankenwerft Park, Museum Ludwig, restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, pubs |
| Events | Chic Belgique, Christmas markets, beer garden in summer |
What You'll Learn
Getting to Belgian Quarter, Cologne by train
The Belgian Quarter is an inner-city district of Cologne, Germany. The name is derived from the street names in the vicinity, referring to Belgian provinces or cities. The district is considered fashionable and is known for its wide variety of cuisine, shopping, and nightlife.
Getting to the Belgian Quarter, Cologne, by Train:
The Belgian Quarter is easily accessible by train, with multiple options available depending on your starting point. Here are some detailed instructions on how to get there by train:
- From Cologne Central Station (Köln Hbf): Take the direct train from Köln Hbf to Köln Moltkestr. These trains depart every five minutes and the journey takes approximately 5 minutes. The train service is operated by KVB Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, and you can catch the train from the Köln Neumarkt station within the central station.
- From Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN): Take the train from Köln Flughafen Köln/Bonn Flughafen Bf to Köln Hbf. These trains depart every 30 minutes and the journey takes about 15 minutes. From Köln Hbf, you can follow the instructions above to reach the Belgian Quarter. Alternatively, you can take a train from the airport to Köln Hansaring, and then take the line 15 tram from there to Köln Friesenplatz, which is located within the Belgian Quarter.
Once you arrive at your train destination, you can explore the Belgian Quarter on foot. The quarter is known for its charming streets, lined with trendy cafés, boutiques, and street art. The heart of the district is Brüsseler Platz, or Brussels Square, where you'll find the neo-Romanesque St. Michael's Church. The square is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, especially during the warmer months.
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The best restaurants and bars in Belgian Quarter, Cologne
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne is known for its creative, bohemian vibe and its hip food and shopping scene. The area is dotted with trendy cafes, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Here are some of the best places to eat and drink in the Belgian Quarter:
Restaurants
Café Belgique is a great cafe-bar located in the heart of the Belgian Quarter on Brüsseler Platz, serving coffee, brunch, and cool drinks in the evening. The cafe has a mix of modern and traditional decor, with a variety of seating options, and outdoor seating offering views of the bustling square and the neo-romantic St. Michael's Church. The menu features homemade cakes, pies, quiches, salads, wraps, and tarts, with live music and poetry readings on some evenings.
Maria Eetcafé is a popular gathering place overlooking the plaza in front of the Köln West train station. The cosy interior is decorated with a peculiar collection of Mary and baby Jesus figurines. The menu features Belgian and Dutch snacks, including thick-cut fries with Fritessaus, Frikandel (minced-meat hot dogs), Kipcorn (crispy fried chicken), and Belgian waffles for dessert. They also have over 10 Belgian beers on tap.
Hallmackenreuther is a vintage bar located directly in the centre of the quarter at Brussels square, offering a view of the Brüsseler Platz. The bar has a retro feel, as if it hasn't changed since the 1970s. The menu includes French toast and Flammkuchen, a local specialty similar to pizza but without tomato sauce and with various toppings.
Salon Schmitz is a stylish spot known for its tasty quiches, fresh salads, and cakes, as well as coffee, wine, and gelato.
Bars
Milchmädchen Bar is a great spot for breakfast, sandwiches, fresh juices, and chocolate.
Little Link is an upscale cocktail bar.
Barracuda Bar is a small bar known for its excellent mojitos.
Zum Goldenen Schuss is a casual bar that often broadcasts football.
Scheinbar is a laid-back, 70s-style cocktail bar with a chill-out atmosphere.
Sixpack is a late-night bar that stays open until 6-8 am, often with a queue to get in.
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The best shopping spots in Belgian Quarter, Cologne
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne is a trendy, creative hub, known for its food, fashion, and art. The area boasts a wide variety of shops, boutiques, ateliers, and galleries, showcasing the latest trends in design and fashion from both established and up-and-coming names. Here are some of the best shopping spots in the Belgian Quarter:
Boutique Belgique
This concept store, recommended by fashion blogger Lena Terlutter, offers a carefully curated selection of items from various designers, including Vila, Selected, Maison Scotch, and more. It is located in the heart of the Belgian Quarter, making it a convenient spot to start your shopping journey.
Magasin Populaire
Magasin Populaire is a fashion boutique that stocks hip labels from young, lesser-known designers. It is a great place to discover unique and trendy fashion pieces that you won't find anywhere else. The shop is filled with Scandi fashion and designs from brands like mbyM, Samsøe & Samsøe, and Sessùn.
Chic Belgique
Chic Belgique is not just one shop, but an interest group of boutiques that joined together to create exclusive shopping experiences. They offer everything from shoes and accessories to designer items, all carefully selected to ensure quality. The group hosts events throughout the year, such as late-night shopping and in-store events, making shopping here an experience in itself.
La Seda
La Seda is an accessories boutique that offers a beautiful selection of items. From jewellery to bags and everything in between, you are sure to find unique pieces to elevate your style.
Boutique Frau Kayser
For those looking for unique gifts, Boutique Frau Kayser is a must-visit. This gift shop offers a range of embroidered clothes, pillows, and towels, as well as extraordinary toys for children. You are sure to find something for even the most difficult person to shop for!
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne offers a diverse range of shopping experiences, from fashion boutiques to concept stores and interest groups. With its creative and trendy atmosphere, it is the perfect place to find unique items and support local designers.
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The best things to do in Belgian Quarter, Cologne
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne is a trendy, hip and creative neighbourhood with a lot to offer. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting:
Eat and Drink
The Belgian Quarter is known for its food and drink scene, with a broad spectrum of options, from Belgian food and beer to gourmet restaurants and unusual cafes.
For a taste of Belgium, Maria Eetcafé is a popular spot, serving up Belgian and Dutch snacks and over 10 Belgian beers on tap. For something sweet, try the Belgian waffles at Bru-nO, or cakes and gelato at Salon Schmitz.
If you're looking for a drink with a view, head to the kiosks around Brüsseler Platz, or try Little Link for upscale cocktails, Grünfeld for Kölsch foosball battles, or Barracuda Bar for a chilled atmosphere and great mojitos. For a late night, Sixpack stays open until 6-8am.
Explore the Street Art
The Belgian Quarter is known for its creative, bohemian vibe, with street art around every corner. Check out the banana stencil by Thomas Baumgärtel, or the 30works gallery, which showcases urban art, including murals, stencils and paste-ups. The KUNst&So gallery, dedicated to local artists, is also worth a visit.
Shop in the Boutiques
The Belgian Quarter is known for its chic boutiques and unique shopping experiences. Browse the hip fashion labels from young designers at Magasin Populaire, or check out Cologne fashion blogger Lena Terlutter's Boutique Belgique for select items from popular brands. For unique gifts, try Boutique Frau Kayser, which offers embroidered clothes, pillows, towels and toys.
Enjoy the Green Spaces
The Stadtgarten is a park located in the Belgian Quarter, offering a beer garden, restaurant and concert area. It's a great spot for a morning jog or a lazy afternoon in the sun, and it also hosts a Christmas market during the winter months.
Party and Events
The Belgian Quarter comes alive at night, with plenty of pubs, bars and clubs to choose from. For a fun party atmosphere, head to Brüsseler Platz, a popular square surrounded by kiosks selling drinks. The quarter also hosts events throughout the year, such as the Passagen Festival in January, which showcases local designers, and Le Tour Belgique in April, a weekend-long celebration of DJ sets, live concerts, art exhibitions and more.
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The history of Belgian Quarter, Cologne
The Belgian Quarter in Cologne, Germany, is known for its trendy and creative atmosphere, attracting artists, designers, and young, hip crowds. But the history of this eclectic district goes back much further than its recent popularity.
The Belgian Quarter, or "Belgisches Viertel" in German, derives its name from the streets within it that are named after Belgian provinces and cities. These include Brussels, Limburg, Lüttich (Liège), Brabant, Ghent, Antwerp, and the Flanders region. There are also a few Dutch cities among the street names, such as Maastricht Street and Utrecht Street. This unique naming convention gives the neighbourhood a Belgian flair, exuding a similar charm to Belgian fashion capitals.
At the heart of the Belgian Quarter is the Brüsseler Platz, or Brussels Square, which serves as a popular open-air meeting place for young people. The square is dominated by the neo-Romanesque St Michael's Church, the third-largest church in Cologne. Built between 1902 and 1906, the church stands as a testament to the neighbourhood's architectural significance.
The Belgian Quarter's reputation as a creative hub is not a new phenomenon. The area has long been a gathering place for artists, musicians, designers, and publishers. The mix of old and new buildings throughout the quarter reflects the blend of historical charm and modern innovation that characterises the neighbourhood.
In recent years, the Belgian Quarter has gained recognition as one of the most liveable and fashionable neighbourhoods in Cologne. The July 2010 issue of the lifestyle magazine Prinz declared it the most liveable neighbourhood in the city, citing its high-quality leisure activities, restaurant density, and safety. The area boasts a wide variety of cuisine, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and cafés, catering to both locals and tourists alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The Belgian Quarter is located in the heart of Cologne, in Neustadt Nord. It's a small area in the mid-west of Cologne's city centre, accessible by lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, and 15. The most central stop may be Moltkestrasse.
The Belgian Quarter is known for its hip and artsy vibe, with plenty of unique boutiques, clothing stores, art galleries, and street art to explore. It's also a great place to find stylish design pieces, unique gifts, and trendy pubs, bars, and restaurants. The area is especially popular for its non-mainstream food and shopping offerings.
Some popular spots in the Belgian Quarter include Brussels Square (Brüsseler Platz), St. Michael's Church, Stadtgarten (a park and concert venue), and Frankenwerft Park. For food and drinks, try Hallmackenreuther, Milchmädchen Bar, Stadtgarten, Cafécafé, or Bar Schmitz.
The Belgian Quarter derives its name from the street names that refer to Belgian provinces and cities. For example, Brussels Square, Antwerp Street, and Flanders Street.
The Belgian Quarter is a great area to stroll and wander, especially in spring, summer, and before Christmas. You can explore the neighbourhood on your own or join one of the many guided tours available, such as street art tours, food tours, or special courtyard tours.
