Cologne's Best-Kept Secrets: A Local's Guide

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a vibrant, diverse cultural hub with a rich history. Known for its gothic cathedral, carnival, and love of football, the city also boasts a thriving food scene, unique shopping districts, and beautiful parks.

With 86 official neighbourhoods, or 'Veedels', each with its own distinct character, Cologne offers a range of experiences, from the hip Ehrenfeld district with its street art and vintage shops to the quaint corners of the Belgian Quarter. The city also has a strong community culture, with public gathering spaces like Rathenauplatz, a leafy park that serves as a neighbourhood hangout and meeting point.

Whether you're looking for culinary delights, hidden gems, or local hotspots, Cologne has something for everyone.

Neighbourhood gathering points

Cologne has 86 official neighbourhoods, or 'Veedels' as they are known in the local Kölsch dialect. Each neighbourhood has its own unique character and vibe, and locals are proud of where they live. One of the best ways to get to know the local culture is to explore the different corners of the city. Here are some of the top neighbourhood gathering points in Cologne:

Rathenauplatz

Rathenauplatz is a park full of leafy trees, mainly used as a neighbourhood hangout and meeting point. It's also a popular spot for viewing international football events and has a boules field. The local community takes great care of the public garden, which includes a book-swap shelf. It's a welcoming spot to settle down with a snack and a drink and enjoy an evening with friends.

Wilhemplatz

Wilhemplatz is a lively city square located in the trendy Nippes neighbourhood. It hosts unique markets all year round, with vendors selling fresh produce, cheeses, bakery items, and more. On certain weekends, it transforms into a vibrant flea market, offering trinkets, souvenirs, and quirky items at great prices.

Ehrenstrasse

Ehrenstrasse is a beautiful shopping street that blends traditional family-owned shops with chic and fashionable stores. It's located just 1.3 km west of the Cologne Cathedral. The street is always decorated for the season, making it a lovely spot to sip a coffee at an outdoor cafe or take a leisurely stroll. Stop by Zimmermann Bakery or Café Waschsalon for a light snack, then browse stores like MAC, Adidas, and Scotch & Soda.

Rhein-Center Köln

Rhein-Center Köln is a shopping mall just off Aachener Strasse in the neighbourhood of Weiden, west of Cologne's city centre. It features a variety of name-brand stores, such as Zara, TK Maxx, and Levi's, as well as a full-service grocery store and pharmacy. The mall also offers amenities like massage chairs, a playground, lockers, and a pack station for shipping your goods home.

Köln Arcaden

Köln Arcaden is a large shopping mall with over 110 stores, ranging from high-end designer shops to grocery stores and small boutiques. It's located in a busy local neighbourhood across the Rhine River, just a few blocks east of Pyramidenpark. You'll find well-known stores like H&M, Pull&Bear, and Orsay, as well as grocery stores and pharmacies. The onsite food court has over 15 dining options, including Ciao Bella, Burger King, and Subway.

Postcard-perfect spots

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a picturesque city with a vibrant culture and a deep local history. The city has a lot to offer, from its picturesque riverside promenades to its claim to the title of "Italy's northernmost city". Here are some postcard-perfect spots to capture the beauty of Cologne:

KölnTriangle

The KölnTriangle skyscraper offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Rhine River, the Dom (Cologne Cathedral), the old city, and the rest of the cityscape. The viewing platform at the top also provides information on the various sights across the city, making it a perfect spot for capturing the essence of Cologne in a single frame.

Rathenauplatz

Rathenauplatz is a park that serves as a neighbourhood gathering point for locals. It is full of tall, leafy trees and is often used as a meeting place and a public viewing spot for international football events. The community takes great care of this public garden, which includes a book-swap shelf. It's a welcoming spot to relax and enjoy an evening with snacks from the surrounding shops and restaurants.

W. Königs Postkartenladen

Germany's biggest treasure trove of postcards can be found at W. Königs Postkartenladen. This shop opened its doors in 1981 and now stocks about 50,000 postcards. The second floor is a true treasure trove, with hundreds of postcards, new and old, designed by acclaimed artists from around the world. It's the perfect place to find a unique souvenir to remember your trip by.

Kölner Weinkeller

For wine lovers, Kölner Weinkeller is a must-visit. This beautifully designed wine shop offers an extensive selection of wines, from rare and expensive bottles to unique, affordable finds. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help you find your new favourite wine. It's a great spot to capture the essence of Cologne's culinary culture.

The Rhine River

No visit to Cologne is complete without spending time along the Rhine River. Take a stroll along the river, starting from the Cathedral, and enjoy the greenery and riverside promenades. The Rhine is an integral part of Cologne's landscape and offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

The Botanical Garden

Cologne's botanical garden, known as Flora, is a must-visit for nature lovers. Located next to the zoo, this beautiful park features open-air sculptures and is free to enter. It's the perfect spot to relax and admire the natural beauty that Cologne has to offer.

Whether you're capturing the cityscape from above or immersing yourself in the local culture, these spots will provide you with postcard-perfect memories of your time in Cologne.

Local eateries

Bei Oma Kleinmann

Recommended by locals, this restaurant is known for its schnitzel, with one local stating that it is the place to go when you're "really hungry" because their schnitzels are "just huge". It also offers a few vegetarian options and weekly seasonal specials. It is so popular that you may want to make a reservation.

Gilden in Zims

For those looking to taste authentic German food, Gilden in Zims serves wonderful traditional and modern dishes. A special mention goes to their Pork Knuckle (Schweinshaxe), served with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut pickled cabbage.

Eatsu

With thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok, as well as 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, Eatsu is one of the best places to go for sushi and Japanese cuisine. The menu includes items like tuna rolls, dragon rolls, and beef tataki, as well as many vegan and vegetarian options.

Van Dyck

Located in Ehrenfeld, Cologne's hipster district, Van Dyck is said to be the city's best espresso bar.

Café Rotkehlchen

Also in Ehrenfeld, Café Rotkehlchen offers tasty breakfast and cake in a delightfully branded setting.

Kebapland

Tucked under the train tracks in Ehrenfeld, Kebapland is a no-frills joint with some of the best kebab and döner in Cologne.

WALLCZKA

Also in Ehrenfeld, WALLCZKA offers a swanky minimalist interior and a globally-inspired, refined menu.

Die Fette Kuh

Die Fette Kuh in Südstadt is regularly rated as having one of the best burgers in Cologne.

Pottkind

An intimate and cozy fine dining restaurant, Pottkind is perfect for a date night or special occasion.

Johann Schäfer

If you're looking for a break from Kölsch beer but still want a brewery experience, check out Johann Schäfer in Südstadt. This microbrewery offers a varying selection of beers, including a house-brewed Pils and Hell.

Schmitz & Nittenwilm

To sample some of Cologne's pastries, head to the nearest Schmitz & Nittenwilm bakery. Favourites include the Marzipanstriezel, a braided pastry filled with marzipan with a hint of lemon and almonds on top.

Best views

Cologne is a 2,000-year-old city in Germany, known for its gothic cathedral, carnival, and love of football. It is also worth visiting for its vibrant food culture.

If you're looking for the best views in the city, head to the KölnTriangle, a skyscraper on the Rhine. It offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of the river, the cathedral, the old city, and other areas of Cologne. The viewing platform at the top also provides information on the sights you can see across the city.

For another amazing view, visit the restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower, which is Cologne's highest restaurant. The restaurant serves three, four, or five-course meals, each with a vegetarian or vegan option, and boasts amazing views of the city, the bridge, and the beautiful architecture. Be sure to book in advance, as it's a popular spot.

If you're looking for more places to visit in Cologne, the Belgian Quarter is a trendy neighbourhood with a quirky, offbeat vibe. It's known for its independently owned fashion boutiques, gift shops, and street art.

For a glimpse of a more residential area, head to Südstadt, which translates to 'south city'. This neighbourhood has a local feel, with a mix of families, retirees, and young couples. The centre of Südstadt is Chlodwigplatz, a large public square that hosts a weekly farmer's market and a charming Christmas market in December.

Finally, if you're looking to explore outside of the city, locals recommend visiting Königswinter, which is easily accessible by train or ferry. You can also hike to the top of Drachenfels for the best view over the Rhine.

Shopping destinations

Cologne is a great city for shopping, with everything from shopping malls, outlet stores, and famous streets to small boutiques, vintage shops, and local markets.

Innenstadt

The Innenstadt is the most famous place for shopping in Cologne. Here, you'll find trendy shops from large fashion retailers and department stores. The largest part of this shopping area is pedestrian-only, so you can browse in peace. Shop in Schildergasse, Höhe Strasse, or explore Neumarkt Square. These bustling shopping streets are just a 10-minute walk from Cologne Hauptbahnhof station.

Belgian Quarter

For trendy and small fashion boutiques, head to the urban district of Belgian Quarter. Wander around the lively streets near Brüsseler Platz, such as Maastrichter Strasse and Brussler Strasse, which are named after Dutch and Belgian cities. Here, you'll find not just trendy fashion boutiques but also pleasant cafes, trendy bars, and inviting restaurants. If you're an interior design lover, check out concept store How We Live, the home furnishing shop Schee, or Granit for Swedish design.

Ehrenfeld

If you're looking for unique shops with an unconventional offering, Ehrenfeld is the place to go. Once a working-class area with metal factories, Ehrenfeld is now full of artists and creative entrepreneurs. You'll find quirky boutiques, nostalgic bookstores, inviting pubs, and hip pop-up stores. While shopping, admire the street art on the walls of the former factories or sip coffee at one of the many hip coffee bars.

Shopping Malls

If you're looking to escape the weather, Cologne has plenty of indoor shopping centres to choose from.

#### Neumarkt Galerie

Neumarkt Galerie is a large and modern shopping centre located on Schildergasse, one of the busiest shopping streets in the city. You can spot it from afar by the upside-down ice-cream cone on its roof. It's home to well-known stores like Primark, Claire's, Flying Tiger, and Rituals, as well as Cologne's largest bookstore, Mayersche.

#### Opern Passagen

A short walk from Neumarkt Galerie, you'll find Opern Passagen, a smaller, more chic department store. Here, you can shop at jewellers, flower shops, and boutiques with elegant women's fashion.

#### Köln Arcaden

Köln Arcaden is a large shopping mall with over 110 stores, ranging from high-end designer shops to grocery stores and small boutiques. It's located in a busy local neighbourhood across the Rhine River. You'll find well-known stores like H&M, Pull&Bear, Orsay, and Tally Weijl, as well as grocery and pharmacy options. The onsite food court has over 15 restaurants and fast-food franchises.

#### Rhein-Center Köln

Rhein-Center Köln is a shopping mall just off Aachener Strasse in Weiden, a neighbourhood west of Cologne's city centre. It has a full-service grocery store, a pharmacy, and a variety of name-brand stores, such as Zara, TK Maxx, and Levi's. Rhein-Center Köln also offers amenities like massage chairs, a playground, lockers, and a pack station for shipping your goods home.

Local Gems

For a unique shopping experience, check out these local spots:

• Bäckerei Zimmermann for authentic German bread.
• Buchhandlung Walther König for a wide selection of books.
• Kölner Weinkeller, a striking wine store with an old-fashioned ambience and a wide selection of wines.
• Galeria Kaufhof, a five-storey department store with designer clothes, home decor, and traditional German souvenirs. It also features a cafeteria-style food market.
• Hohe Strasse, home to souvenir shops and high-end brands, including jewellery, house decor, and accessories.

Frequently asked questions