Cologne Travel Guide - Wiki Travel

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Cologne has an excellent public transport network consisting of trams, local trains and buses. Bicycles are aavailable for hire on the northern side of the Hauptbahnhof. Local transport systems rarely provide announcein English, but network maps are commonly available to assist with your journey. Those wishing to explore away from the central city should plan their journey and potential connections before leaving. The KVB (KöVerkehrs-Betriebe) website [2] (http://www.kvb-koeln.de/german/home/) is a good source of public transpinformation.

Climate

The climate of north-western Germany is changeable, with seasonal changes and day-to-day weather oftencomparable to that of the United Kingdom or Northern France. Travellers to Cologne can expect the hottesof the year to be July (in July 2010 the temperatures were above 30 degrees for several days) , the coldest iJanuary (temperature hovering around the freezing mark) and the month with the most precipitation is June.

TalkGerman is of course the language of this city but it is very easy to find information in French and English, als

sometimes in Spanish and Japanese. Due to a large number of immigrants, Turkish, Polish and Russian are awidely spoken. Announcements in the main train station ( Hauptbahnhof ) are in German, French and English.

Get inBy bus

Cologne has an (inter)national bus station ( ZOB); it is located at Breslauer Platz on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof [3] (http://www.deutsche-touring.de/010_linie_bild/016koeln.gif) . Direct daily buses to Serbalternate daily buses to Montenegro.

By plane

Cologne Bonn Airport(IATA: CGN), [4] (http://www.koeln-bonn-airport.de/index.php?lang=2) , hainternational and domestic flights and is a hub for the low cost airlines Germanwings [5](http://www.germanwings.com) and TUIfly [6] (http://www.flytui.co.uk) . The airport is approximatelyminutes byS-Bahn (local train) to the center of Cologne. S-Bahn fare (ticket zone 1b) is currently €2.4one-way.

Düsseldorf International Airport (IATA: DUS), [7] (http://www.duesseldorf-international.de/) TheDüsseldorf airport offers many intercontinental connections. Train ride from the airport train station toCologne central station takes about 40 minutes.

Frankfurt Rhein Main International Airport (IATA: FRA), [8] (http://www.frankfurt-airport.de/) is tlargest airport in Germany, served by all major international airlines. ICE (InterCityExpress) high speeconnect Frankfurt Airport and Cologne central station in less than one hour. Standard one way fare isyou book your Deutsche Bahn train ticket online[9] (http://www.bahn.de) three days before your depto Cologne, there are a limited number of seats at a reduced price of 30-50%. If you pay full price yonot have to take a specific train, but discounted tickets are restricted to the train on your reservation.Note:

21/12/2010 Cologne travel guide - Wikitravel

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Central Railway Station

Trains via Koblenz, which use the slower, yet extremely scenic route along the Rhine Valley are also 3cheaper. The ICE train takes about one hour, the slower more scenic route takes about two hours.

By train

Cologne is served by two major train stations -KölnHauptbahnhof [10]

(http://www.bahnhof.de/site/bahnhoefe/de/west/koeln/koeln__hbf.html) andKöln-Deutz.

Cologne is linked with Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris by Thalys and ICE High Speed trains. Additionally, tFrankfurt airport (IATA:FRA) has direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.

By car

As of January 1, 2008, Cologne requires all cars to have a "Low Emissions" sticker in order to drive aroundcity center (Low Emission Zone, "Umweltzone"). Information on obtaining a sticker (which must be done at several weeks in advance) is available here [11] (http://www.stadt-koeln.de/en/lowemissionzone/index.html)

Plenty of motorways (Autobahns A1, A4, A3, A57, A555) lead to Cologne. During rush hour the streets arheavily congested, also due to massive construction of a new subway tunnel Nord-Süd Stadtbahn, crossing city centre.

For cheap parking, with quick connections to central cologne, use park and ride ("park und ride"). At somestations, parking is free when you present a validated transit ticket on exit. More info can be found here [12(http://nicecity.de/english/arrival_car.htm) .

Find a street map, also showing where you can switch into a KVB subway, S-Bahn or Bus here [13]

(http://www.hot-maps.de/europe/germany/nrw/cologne/homeen.html) .

Get aroundCologne has a very good subway/tram and bus network "KVB" (Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe); one- and threepasses are available. The tickets are valid for subway, tram and regional train within the VRS-network. Tripsthe city limits require zone 1b tickets. For short trips of up to 4 stops on subway, tram or bus there is also thslightly cheaper "Kurzstrecke" (short trip ticket). A map of the network should be found at any station, and oKölner Verkehrsbetriebe cologne station maps are available online here [14] (http://www.kvb-koeln.de/stad.





Cologne'ssubway and tram-system, or U-Bahn, is a mixture between both systems: A subway line can go ostreet-level and end up as a tram or vice versa. There are vending machines or ticket-offices at larger stationtrains and buses also have vending-machines. See the public bus, tram and subway-company KVB [15](http://www.kvb-koeln.de/german/fahrplan/linienplan.html) for printable maps of the bus/tram/subway system[16] (http://www.kvb-koeln.de/stadtplan) for their official street map of Cologne.

Regional Trains are known as "S-Bahn", "Regional-Bahn" and "Regional Express". Not all the trains have tvending-machines so remember to buy a ticket at the station.

Cologne has, like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, aCall A Bike- System. After you sign up to the system, use ycredit-card to pay per minute, and you can pick up or drop off one of the silver-red bikes anywhere in the chere [17] (http://www.callabike.de/-S:4OBx49:dn@1wdNNaVeGnNNNNOhM/konzern/holding/db_rent/dbag_60_cab_engl.shtml) for details

But, on the whole, the centre of Cologne is notthat big for a city of one million. It is entirely feasible to walk frone end of the centre, say, the Rudolfplatz, to the other end, say, the Dom , on foot in half an hour. On the otherhand, a trip by subway/tram line 13, which encircles the larger part of the town, takes close to 3/4 of an housites attractive to tourists are located inside the #13 line's track or immediate outside it, and most sights are l

within walking distance in the inner city).Student Travel Tip: Student travel can be very cheap to and from Cologne, as well as the surrounding areaGerman rail company (DB: Deutsche Bahn) offer a 'Schoene Ferien Ticket' during student holiday times andfree travel throughout Northrhein Westphalia on local buses, trams, U-Bahn and some trains. Prices range fraround €48 for summer holidays to €16 for Easter holidays, but prices can change year-on-year.

The ticket is available to anyone with valid student identification (student union card, enrolement card etc.) apersonal identification (passport, driving licence etc.). Note: the ticket is only valid for student holiday datesNorthrhein Westphalia and the ticket is not valid for high speed express trains. Visit/contact Deutsche Bahn (http://www.bahn.de/) for more information before travelling to Germany.

SeeKölner Dom, (U-Bahn: Dom / Hbf ), [19] (http://www.koelner-dom.de) . Monday - Sunday: 6.00 - 1Protected by UNESCO [20] (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/292) , Cologne'sDomis the first sight you wilnotice when taking the main exit from the central station. (If you don't see it, you've taken the back exyou are in good shape, take the 509 stairs to the top of the south tower. It takes about an hour, so wecomfortable shoes, but it's worth the hike. Touring the Cathedral is forbidden during Mass. Entry intocathedral is free but you will be asked for a donation. Admission to the tower costs (regular/reduced) €2.50/€1.50. Admission to the treasury costs (regular/reduced): €4/€2, however, a combined ticket gyou admission to the treasury and tower can be purchased for (regular/reduced): €5/€2.50.edit

Die Kölner Synagoge, Roonstraße 50 (U-Bahn: Zülpicher Platz ), +49/(0)221/921560-0 (fax:+49/(0)221/921560-9), [21] (http://www.sgk.de/) . Thesynagogueis notable for its architecture thatlooks, well, right out of Gotham City. The Torah within the synagogue was rescued by a Catholic prieanother synagogue as it was being burned during Nazi rule. In August of 2005 Pope Benedict XVI visthe synagogue, becoming the second pope to ever visit a synagogue.edit

Veedel - City Quarters. Cologne is well known for its "Veedel" or traditional neighborhoods. Here, m





Kölner Dom

notably in the bohemian Agnesviertel , you can findindependent designers, bookshops, bars, and art galleries.There are also historical monuments, such as the North CityGate or Eigelsteintorburg in the Agnesviertel, very near toFort X , built to protect the city from French attacks, and

Agneskirche , a late neo-gothic church on the boulevardesque Neusserstrasse . Neusserstrasse also has a yoga school, an

Aikido school, a great japanese restaurant, a well-stockedbookshop, and a range of pubs. Nearby you will find the AlteFeuerwache , where there are regular exhibitions on politicaltopics and a surreal flea market every four weeks in summer.Opposite Alte Feuerwache is the Artclub , with regularexhibitions of contemporary art, and on Ebertplatz there is acinema (Metropolis) which shows English language films in theoriginal. On nearby Lübeckerstrasse, you will find theuncompromisingly ArtyFilmpalette cinema. To round off atrip to the Agnesviertel, you might like a kölsch in the

Lapidarium (right beside the North City Gate) or a coffee inCafe Schmitz , Cologne's grooviest poser hangout (they alsodo a great breakfast.) All of these great places are within ashort walk of Ebertplatz U-Bahn. Other "Veedel" include Ehrenfeld , Nippes , and the historicalSüdstadt .

Agnesviertel, (U-Bahn: Ebertplatz (Agnesviertel) Körnerstrasse (Ehrenfeld) Chlodwigplatz(Südstadt) ). edit

12 Romanesque Churches: St. Kunibert (with wonderful stained glass windows), St. Severin, St. MaLyskirchen, St. Andreas, St. Aposteln, St. Gereon, St. Ursula, St. Pantaleon, St. Maria im Kapitol, GMartin, St. Georg and St. Cäcilien

Parks : Cologne has 2 park areas (Grüngürtel ) encircling the city (immediately outside the medieval citylimits) and nearly the entire town, respectively, which were set aside as public recreation areas after WWar I. The innerGrüngürtel is probably more easy to reach for tourists who only stay a few days. Monotably areVolksgarten , Hiroshima-Nagasaki- (colloquially known as Aachener-Weiher- ) andStadtgarten parks where thousands of people come together to enjoy the sun, play and barbecue whweather is fine. All these parks have an associated beer garden. Be aware to dispose any packaging,charcoal etc into the wastebins (which are unfortunately few and far between), as the city has begun temploy anti-littering patrols that will levy a stiff fine on anyone seen littering. Metro: Eifelplatz forVolksgarten, Universitätsstraße for Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park, Hans-Böckler-Platz/Bahnhof West forStadtgarten.

Museums and Galleries

Cologne has one of the world's best collections of museums and galleries for a city of its size. As well as womuseums of art and archaeology, Köln boasts two museums of ecclesiastical art, both housed in architecturastunning buildings. There is also an ethnographic museum, a chocolate museum, the German Sport Museumabundance of Roman remains. One can purchase a MuseumsCard from one of the municipal museums (suc





first five listed below). The family card, which costs approximately €20, entitles 2 adults and 2 children (undfree admission to each of the municipal museums during two consecutive opening days. On its first day of vacan also be used as a ticket on all buses and trams on the local transportation system VRS.

Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1 (U-Bahn: Dom/Hbf ), +49/(0)221/221-26165([email protected] , fax: +49/(0)221/221-24114), [22] (http://www.museenkoeln.de/museum-ludwig/) . A museum of modern art, near central station and the Dom hosts a worthy regular exhibitionwell as temporary exhibitions.edit

Museum für Angewandte Kunst, An der Rechtschule (U-Bahn: Dom/Hauptbahnhof ),+49/(0)221/221-23860 ([email protected] , fax: +49/(0)221/221-23885), [23](http://www.museenkoeln.de/english/museum-fuer-angewandte-kunst/) . Tuesday - Sunday: 11PM – Museum für Angewandte Kunst has a collection of popular design items, as well as temporary exhibitAdmission: Regular: € 4.20, Reduced: € 2.60.edit

Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Martinstraße 39 (U-Bahn: Dom/Hauptbahnhof plus 10 minutes walk,Tram Heumarkt, Bus Rathaus or Gürzenich ), +49/(0)221/221-27694 ([email protected] , fax:+49/(0)221/221-22629), [24] (http://www.museenkoeln.de/english/wallraf-richartz-museum/) . Thu 18PM, Wed-Fri 10PM - 6PM, Sat-Sun 11PM - 6 p.pm.. The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is an art gallea collection of fine art from the medieval period to the early twentieth century. Admission: (permanentcollection and special exhibition) € 9,-/reduced € 6,-.edit

Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Roncalliplatz 4 ( Adjacent to the Cathedral's right side from itsmain facade. ), +49/(0)221/221-22304 ([email protected] , fax:+49/(0)221/221-24030), [25] (http://www.museenkoeln.de/english/roemisch-germanisches-museum/Tuesday - Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM. Römisch-Germanisches Museum explores the history of Roman hin Cologne and the surrounding area. The museum's tour guides are exceptionally dull and can make a

seem like it lasted just as long as the Roman empire. If you can, wander around the museum by yoursAdmission: €6.45 or €7.45 including admission to the praetorium (an excavation of various buildings)edit

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum für Völkerkunde , Ubierring 45 (U-Bahn: Ubierring ),+49/(0)221/336940 ([email protected] , fax: +49/(0)221/3369410), [26](http://www.museenkoeln.de/english/rautenstrauch-joest-museum/) . Tuesday to Friday: 10PM – 4PMSaturday and Sunday: 11PM – 4PM. North Rhine-Westphalia's only ethnological museum, it has a fincollection of Amerindian and Australian-Polynesian artifacts. Admission (including temporary exhibitsRegular: €4, Reduced: €3.edit

Kolumba, Kolumbastraße 4 - 50667 Köln, [27] (http://www.kolumba.de/) . An architectural wonderfeast for the senses; this museum, built in concordance with the ancient foundations of the shrine of mathe rubble contains a selection of historical and contemporary religious art. Worth visiting just to explospiritually inspiring spaces and the beautiful walkway through the ruins of the past .edit

Schokoladenmuseum Köln GmbH, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, D-50678 Cologne, [28](http://www.schokoladenmuseum.de/index_e.html) . Opening hours: Tues. to Fri. 10PM to 6PM Sat.holidays* 11PM to 7PM closed on Mondays (* see visitors' information) Last admittance one hour bclosing. Chocolate Museum in Cologne. It's a short visit but very interesting exhibits.edit





COLOUR Cologne party at the 2008Cologne Pride

DoCologne's strong side is its cultural life. For latest information on what is happening around in town, get the"StadtRevue" (2 Euro), "Kölner" (1 Euro) or "Live" (Free). See also the official website [29](http://www.koeln.de/en/) .

Karneval The biggest festivity in Cologne is the Winter carnival (orFastelovend ) in February. According

the official Cologne tourism website (see Futher Information section): "Its highlight is the street carnivaplace from Weiberfastnacht (the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, traditionally the day on which womtake control of the city) to Karnevalsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday). On Rosenmontag (Shrove Monday)than one and a half million people line Cologne's streets to watch the parade with the mad triad – the farmer, and virgin – every year." Dates for Carneval: 2008 Jan 31st to Feb 05th, 2009 Feb 19th to F24th, 2010 Feb 11th to Feb 16th

Cologne Gay Pride (Christopher Street Day) [30](http://www.colognepride.de) ; Cologne Pride is a large gaypride festival held in Cologne annually on the Heumarkt

square. The event showcases music, a candle light vigilremembering those with HIV/AIDS, and on the final day of the festival a large parade is held. Recently, up to a millionpeople have attended the events.

Kölner Seilbahn; Riehler Straße 180; Phone:+49 221-547-4183 (Line open until 6 PM); [31] (http://www.koelner-seilbahn.de/english/index.html) ; Hours: April - October 10AM - 6 PM; Take a ride with the Aerial tramway acrossRhine river, Germany's only cablecar crossing a river! Price:Adults: One way - €3.80, Return trip - €5.50, Children (Aged 4 - 12): One way - €2.20, Return trip

The Zoo; Riehler Straße 173; Phone:+49 221-7785 - 0; Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ; [32] (http://www.zoo-koeln.de) ; Hours:Summer: 9 AM - 6 PM,Winter: 9 AM - 5 PM,

Aquarium: 9 AM - 6 PM; Admission: Adults: €13, Teenagers (Aged 14 - 17): €8.50Children (Aged upto 14): €6Phantasialand -Berggeiststr. 31-41 (In the town of Brühl); Telephone+49 ; Hours: 9 Am - 8 PM, Rideopen at 10 AM, Ticket office closes at 4 PM; - Phantasialand is a fun place for children and has somerides for adults too. Even theColorado Adventure roller coaster is sponsored by Michael Jackson.Admission:Children: (Up to one meter in height) - Free,Children: (Between one meter and 1.45 meter27.50, Adults: €31, Senior citizens: € 21, Two day passes available.

Unsichtbar, "Unsichtbar" is a play of words. Literally it means "invisible", but the suffix "bar" also refebeing a bar. You will get your private butler, who is a blind person, and you eat in total darkness. [33](http://www.unsicht-bar-koeln.de/unsicht-bar-koeln-v2/de/html/home_1.html) Im Stavenhof 5-7, neaHansaring and Ebertplatz, open 1800-0000. You can choose your meal in a showroom and then youpersonal blind butler will lead you to the dark room where you have to smell, feel, maybe touch and ocourse eat your meal, but you won't see it. You'll have to refer to your butler about everything, whetheto the bathroom or refilling your glass. You are not allowed to smoke, use a cellphone or do anything





that could lighten up the room. The food on your plate is explained to you by using a clock-like system"beans are on three o'clock"). It's an excursion into the world of blind people, who are supported thisand a really good restaurant, too. For weekends you have to book around 13 weeks in advance, but the week you'll get a free table (with a little luck).

Claudius Therme, Sachsenbergstraße 1, Telefon: (0221) 981440, [34] (http://www.claudius-therme.de/index_en.htm) . 09.00-24.00. Just below the Kölner Seilbahn is the Claudius Therme. Spevery relaxing few hours unwinding in both indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, cold plunge pools, etc. Sareas are naturist (not clothing optional). Towels are available to rent and food and drink is served onOne nice option is to take the Kölner Seilbahn to the Therme and return by bus (directly in front of ento Köln Deutz Station where you can catch U-Bahn back to the City Centre.edit

Metropolis Cinema, Ebertplatz 19, Telefon: (0221) 722436, [35] (http://www.metropolis-koeln.de15.00-24.00. If you want to go to the movies while visiting Cologne and you don't know German, thicinema for you. In the evenings it shows movies in their native language, but mostly English.edit

Tourist office

Cologne Tourist Office; Unter Fettenhennen 19 (Directly opposite the front entrance of the cathedralPhone:+49 221-221304 00; [36] (http://www.koelntourismus.de/) ; Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM PM, Saturday & Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM. Take the U-Bahn to 'Dom/Hbf'.

The Cologne Tourist Office offers a wealth of information for the traveller who wishes to fill their itinerary wiactivities around the city. Ask about guide books that are available, most of which provide invaluable informfor free. [37] (http://www.cityinfo-koeln.de/)

Tours

KD Rhine River Cruise; Frankenwerft 35; Phone:+49 221-208 83 18; [38] (http://www.k-d.com/) ;Departure times: Daily: 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM; Köln-Düsseldorf offers cruises of Rhine river around the Cologne area with an explanation of landmarks. €6.80Stattreisen e.V.; Phone +49 221-7325113; [39] (http://www.stattreisen-koeln.de/) ; this non-profitorganization offers excellent tours of Cologne, led by volunteers. The prices are moderate and there islist of tours, including (besides the more regular tours)Koelsch tours (for testing the breweries) or langualessons in the local dialect (again, in a brewery). Ask for English tours, some guides are willing to connormally German tour in English.Rickshaws: environmentally friendly city tours;[40] (http://www.koeln-rikscha.de) ; Rickshaws areexotic and environmentally friendly tricycles, that bring slowly and safely their passengers to their destBy Rickshaw you will discover Cologne’s points of interest in a comfortable way.

Spa and Massage

Beauty and spa treatments are popular in Cologne.

Just be aware that in typical German style, all sauna areas (referred to as "Saunalandschaften", i.e. Saunalandscapes) are mixed (apart from the odd "Damentag") and that bathing costumes are banned from them fohygienic reasons. Yup. Starkers, everybody. Do take a bathrobe (to keep you from the cold outside the sau





and a large towel (to put under you in the saunas, no sweating on the wood, please) with you, though. Do nhasty conclusions either : mixed nudity does not make those places dens of sin, quite in the contrary. Nudity considered as the only appropriate outfit in saunas, and it all happens in a disciplined, wholesome, safe andrespectful atmosphere. Possibly one of the highest forms of German civilisation one can experience. Gawkebathing costume-wearers will be expelled by the staff without qualms, so don't even think you can get away playing the tourist who didn't know, it won't make a difference. That very matter-of factly, uneroticised apprmixed nudity may well turn out to be a revelation to many visitors open-minded enough to give it a try and gthe flow. You've been warned !

Sauna

Claudius Therme [41] (http://www.claudiustherme.de) Large spa with pool and lots of different saun(indoors and outdoors) next to the Rhine, north of Deutz.Mauritius Therme [42] (http://www.mauritius-ht.de) Decent Saunalanschaft in an hotel south of NeuNeptunbad [43] (http://www.neptunbad.de) , located in the popular area of Ehrenfeld in an old renovbath, to which an attractive "sauna landscape" in japanese style on two levels has been added. Also acomprehensive fitness center.Mediterana [44] (http://www.mediterana.de) , 11 saunas and a huge pool, in Bergisch Gladbach, EasCologneSaunas in public swimming pools[45] (http://www.koelnbaeder.de) Some of the public swimming pomanaged by the Cologne city council, notably Agrippabad, do have small Saunalandschaften too, all fa Damentag (ladies only day)

Massage

Ananda [46] (http://www.tantramassage.de) , Tantra massage, an open minded and liberal attitude esbecause the massages includes sexually sensitive body parts, however, no sexual services are given byemployees.Samudra [47] (http://www.samudra-cologne.de) , floating tanks and wellness massages

BuyRecords

There is an abundance of record stores in Cologne, but most are hidden in non-tourist quarters.

For a mainstream record store, go toSaturn, which hosts the "world's largest CD collection", as they q

on their store windows. It's huge, and to pre-listen a record, you just have to hold it under one of the mscanners spread throughout the shop. Always worth a visit. Subway and Regional Train from central sHansaring. Does not take credit cards.

Independent record stores are spread around Saturn: Cross the street for 2nd hand and punk, follow "Ring" (boulevard) north, and you will find Jazz, Electro and HipHop atSchallschockrecord store. Famoalternative music-storeNormal is south of Saturn, as well asUnderdog Record Store (specialized inAlternative Rock, Emo, Garage and related matters) Subway and Regional Train from central station:HansaringFor electronic music, get off at Friesenplatz, and go togroove attack in Maastrichter street. Also famous





Kompakt record store. Both are connected to a label sharing the name, and putting out fine Germanelectronic music. Subway: Friesenplatz

Books

"Mayersche" and "Thalia" at Neumarkt are the biggest bookstores, you will find anything you want.On "Ehrenstraße", you will find cheap and arty books, take a look at "Buchhandlung König" at the ea

end, buy art books at well known "Taschen" at the corner of Ehrenstraße and the Ring.Travel books are bought best at "Gleumes", between Zülpicher Platz and Rudolfplatz. They have onlyand travel books, but these from around the world.BOOKS IN ENGLISH! - "English Books and Tea", Auf dem Rothenberg 9a, in the heart of the old tstocks a wide range of new and secondhand books in English. It also offers a choice of teas andconversation and invaluable tourist orientation - all in English.

EatCologne has a wide variety of restaurants, both German and otherwise, as a glance in the colored pages of ttelephone book will illustrate.

Traditional Scene

One can eat pretty well in most traditional-style Kölsch restaurants, and in fact as a visitor, you should try sothe local food, which is quite rustic, but tasty, hearty fare.

The brewery taps (Früh, Sion, Pfaffen, Malzmühle etc. in the old town south of the Dom) are worth taking nto that respect, although they tend to be expensive for what you get.

Places out of the way such as Schreckenskammer and Max Stark [48] (http://www.max-stark.de/) (north oftrain station, the former being within crawling distance of the Station Backpackers Hostel), Päffgen (Friesenand both of Cologne independent brewpubs (Hellers Brauhaus [49] (http://www.hellers-brauhaus.de/) onRoonstrasse and Braustelle [50] (http://www.braustelle.com) in Ehrenfeld) offer cheaper, better food that thtown tourist traps. Besides, most of these places have tons of atmosphere, which doesn't hurt ! You may alsexperience the deadly dry wit of theKöbes (traditional name of the blue-clad waiters) in most of those places. happens to you, don't get upset, just enter the game, send the Köbes packing with a dig and a smile and youright.

You'll mostly find typical Rheinland dishes in those traditional Kneipen. Classics include :

- Halver Hahn : nice big slab of dutch gouda with a rye roll ( Röggelchen )

- Himmel und Äd mit Flönz : fried black pudding with mashed potatoes ("earth"), apple sauce ("heaven") anonions.

- Soorbrode / Sauerbraten : joint marinated in vinegar with raisins, usually served with red cabbage and a kl(potato dumpling). The joint may be beef or horsemeat, so you may want to ask first...

- Dicke Bunne mit Speck : boiled white beans with hefty boiled bacon slices on top.





- Schweinshaxe (grilled); Hämchen (cooked): pig's leg, usually a bit of a monster (ranges from 600 to 1400 including the bone)

- Rievekoochen / Reibekuchen : flat fried potato cakes usually on offer once a week, and served with a varisweet or savoury toppings, which may include apple sauce, Rübenkraut (the beet-sourced equivalent to blatreacle) or smoked salmon with horseradish cream.

Ethnic Scene

If you are looking for a snack, you can either head for one of the Turkish, Arabic or Asian places, or you cause of the traditional fast food places like Mc Donalds, Burger King etc. Italian restaurants in Cologne seemattempt to aim for a higher quality than in the UK, though it is debatable whether they achieve it, and whetheprices (often 150-200% of UK prices) are justified. There are several Indian restaurants across the city, whserve a fair fare, though the visiting Brit may be slightly disappointed to find that German 'curry culture' is ratto that of the UK in the 1960s: menus are neither large and varied, nor regionalised and specialist, and althoingredients are fresh, the food without exception appears to be tamed-down for the conservative German paand the cooks are rather hesistant to spice it up even if you ask for it. "Clay Oven" (Luxemburger Straße neaSüdbahnhof) and "Bombay" (near Eifelstraße tram station) do make a vindaloo that will satisfy the most hardcustomer, though. More recently, Japanese and Thai restaurants have become more common; both are quiteexpensive.

Budget

Hauptbahnhof - The ground floor of the central train station has a good number of cheap eateries, whinclude Pizza Hut to kiosks selling sausages.Falafel Habibi located on Zülpicher Straße. They have two stores, which serve the same food (thougsweetmeats may vary).There is an abundance of Döner Kebap and similar takeaways around the town. Generally a lot of Turkish snack bar-style places can be found just north of the main station at Eigelstein, around ZülpichPlatz and in the Belgisches Viertel , with some excellent Lebanese and Persian takeaways further downZülpicher Straße towards Südbahnhof. Probably best now (though expensive) isOruc Döner onKyffhäuserstraße (near Barbarossaplatz); while the kebap is quite good though not outstanding, their fbaked pide bread is famous all over town. There are lots of Turkish restaurants and takeaways withinKalk

Mülheim and (mainly restaurants) in the Belgisches Viertel .Borsalino, an Italian-style restaurant located on Zülpicher Straße close to Zülpicher Platz.[51](http://www.restaurant-borsalino.de/) Very affordable prices.Don Camillo, Hildeboldplatz 1a; phone 0221-138551; a small italian tabula calde style restaurant. Co

from Hohenzollenring , head into Breite Straße/Ehrenstraße and take the first road to the left.Buffet Chang [52] (http://www.dumont-carre.de/dc/docs/293) - Large, clean and tasty Chinese style(all you can eat for 6.50 Euro) on the top floor of DuMont Carré shopping mall, in the middle of theshopping district on Breite Straße. Open from 11.00 - 21.00 (Sundays and holidays 12.00 - 19.00). Agood underground car park with reasonable hourly rates and discounts for microcars such as Smart aMini.Mama Mia, Alte Gasse 26, Phone [0] 221 / 11347, italian food, not too hungry person 10-15 Euro/personEllopia , Carmerstrasse 106, Phone [0] 221 / 14198, deutsches Essen, you get served for 5-10 Europerson





Mid-range

El Inca, Görresstrasse 2, near Rathenauplatz.[53] (http://www.el-inca.de/) Latin-american restaurant1800-2400.Johnny Turista , Rathenauplatz. Easy-going pub/restaurant offering snacks, hot dishes and a daily chaselection of tapas; prices are lower than in most tapas bars.Selam, Ehrenfeldgürtel 91 (tram station Venloer Straße/Gürtel) [54] (http://www.selam-restaurant.de/

Ethiopian restaurant, opens 5 PM Tu-Fr and from 4 PM on weekends, closed on Mondays. Good seof mild and spicy Ethiopian dishes served on the traditional plate of injera bread.Farmer's Steakhouses with several branches on the Ring (near Friesenplatz), Wallrafplatz (near the Doff Hohe Straße), Kreuzgasse (off Schildergasse shopping street). At Lunchtime they usually have a spthat will give you a square meal for 6-7 Euro.pepe, Spanish style food, tapas and cocktails [55] (http://www.pepe.de/spanisch.html) Antwerpener 63, near Stadtgarten and west of Friesenplatz, open 1800-0200. Big plates for hungry eaters, cool crUsually booked out after 1900, make a reservation by phone or e-mail the day before.

Splurge

Landhaus Kuckuck, Olympiaweg 2, near Müngersdorfer Stadion (Aachener Straße).[56](http://www.landhaus-kuckuck.de/) Exquisite German, but also international meals, open Tuesday - S1200-2300 - Sunday 1200-1800.Fischers Weingenuss & Tafelfreuden, Hohenstaufenring 53, between Zülpicher Platz andRudolfplatz.[57] (http://www.fischers-wein.com/) Exquisite french-like and modern food, great arrangof wine and cheese. After noon you can get (quite) cheap 2-way dishes of the day including water or of wine. You have to book (quite early) in advance and a menu will be created on your wishes.

DrinkTypical Cologne beer is called "Kölsch" and served in bars around town in small glasses, called "Stangen", oThat way the beer is always fresh and cold. Don't worry, waiters will be fast to bring you a new one once yoone is (almost) finished. In more traditional bars and especially the breweries, the waiter (called "Köbes" in llanguage) will even hand you a fresh Kölsch without being asked, so it is easy to lose track of how much yoHe will put a pencil line on your coaster for each beer that you drank, this will be the basis for your bill, so dlose it! To stop the beer from coming, put the coaster on top of your empty glass.

If you buy bottled Kölsch, take either "Reissdorf", "Früh", "Gaffel" or "Mühlen", which are rated highest by C

citizens. Those looking for a beer with a little more bitterness might like to try Küppers (there are about 30 mbrands).

There are so many bars and pubs to choose from that you could spend most of the night going from one barnext. A really great bar is the Irish Pub, Flanagan's, in Altstadt located down below a building. Almost everyspeaks English in there if that's what you are looking for, and they have a really great Karaoke night on SundThe clientele is very friendly. For a comprehensive list, see [58] (http://www.cologne-in.de/kneipen/) , bars lthe right.

For traditional breweries, head to the Altstadt around the Dom, where the "Früh Kölsch" brewery is tauthentic place, famous both with visitors and locals. You will find a younger crowd at "Hellers Brauha





Roonstraße, near metro station Zülpicher Platz or "Brauhaus Pütz" on Engelbertstraße close to RudolfFurthermore the "Päffgen", on the all-bar street Friesenstraße close to the Friesenplatz, and the "Mühlnear Heumarkt are traditional brewery pubs but less touristy than the "Früh". Also recommended is S(http://www.sion.de) , which is a lesser known brand, but hailed to be very good, although some beerenthusiasts have found it lacking character from 2007 on. Most Altstadt pubs are somewhat scorned "tourist traps" by locals, however: prices here are usually higher than e.g. on Zülpicher Straße.

There are a lot of modern bars and lounges all around town. More mainstream ones are on ZülpicherFor something more independent and funky on this street, try Umbruch (funky) or Stiefel (punky). ThBudget on Aachener Straße next to Moltkestraße metro is a nice, unassuming, punky bar which featufine selection of drinks and often hosts concerts, poetry or cabaret sessions.

A lot of stylish places are in the so-called Belgian quarter between Aachener Straße and the Ring, e.gfamous M20 or the Hallmackenreuther.

Cafe Oscar (Oscar Bar & Cafe ), Hohenstaufenring 25 (at the Zulpicher Platz S-Bahn stop ). AwesomeItalian restaurant that has a long running special of cheap cocktails after 5PM most nights, and pizza / dishes for €3-4 daily before 6PM. Great place for lunch or an early dinner, and also a good base to ka night out. Staff are very friendly and generally speak English, and the food is excellent, as are the co edit

Kölsch

Früh am Dom; Am Hof 12 – 14 (Just south of the cathedral, behind the Domhotel); Phone:+49 221-261- 211; [60] (http://www.frueh.de/main.html) . Früh am Dom is a great place to try the local Kölsch bre

Brauhaus Gaffel; Alter Markt 20-22; Phone:+49 221-257 7692; [61] (http://www.gaffel-haus.de/) ;

Hours: Daily: 11 AM - 1 AM;Brauhaus Sion, Unter Taschenmacher 5 ( Altstadt ), +49 (0221) - 257 85 40, [62] (http://www.sion. edit

Brauerei Päffgen, Friesenstraße 64-66 [63] (http://www.paeffgen-koelsch.de/)

Brauerei Malzmühle, Heumarkt 6 [64] (http://www.muehlenkoelsch.de/en/brewhouse.php) ; Hours: Daily: 10 AM - 10 PM; (visited by Bill Clinton)

Lommerzheim, Siegesstrasse 18 in Köln-Deutz (across the railway bridge) [65](http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lommerzheim)

Club

"Bar Orange" - on Sudermannplatz, near Ebertplatz. Great atmosphere and great cocktails, or just a and a lively chat with Milan, the resident philosopher, or Rainer and Arash, experts on local goings on

Blue Lounge Party [66] (http://www.blue-lounge.com/party/party.html) , every third Saturday, at the Bürgerhaus Stollwerck in Dreikönigenstrasse 23. Starts at 2200, tickets 5 €. Percussion-, brazil-, bal





and deep house, techno, trance. A must for people who like this kind of music.

#TAUSEND Bar[67] (http://www.tausendbar.de/) , Aachener Strasse 57 (Moltkestraße metro): varevents & music, nice bar styled by a group of designers

Bodycheck Party [68] (http://www.bodycheckparty.de/) , every second Saturday at theFilmhaus Kölnon Maybachstrasse 111, metro station Hansaring . House, techno, always very good video projections.3Klang [69] (http://www.artheater.de/) , on Ehrenfeldgürtel 127, metro stationVenloer Str./Gürtel . Everythird Friday, 2200-0500.Blue Lounge Bar[70] (http://www.blue-lounge.com/) , on Mathiasstrasse, lesbian bar. Off-shoot of tvery successful party mentioned above.Basswerk Session[71] (http://www.basswerk.de) , bi-monthly, the second Saturday atGEBÄUDE 9[72] (http://www.gebaeude9.de) , Deutz-Mülheimer Strasse 127-129 (tram 3 or 4, stop atKölnMesse/Osthallen), 2300--0500. Long-running and popular drum 'n' bass party in a defunct funkyfactory hall. Resident DJs often invite renowned guest DJs from the international d'n'b fringe. Alternatmonthly with the similar "Phonogenic" party in the same venue.Art Of House Party [73] (http://www.art-of-house.de/) once a month, the second or third Saturday a

Stadtgarten in Venloer Strasse 40 (Hans-Böckler Platz metro): nice and really crowded house Party, around 25.Funky Chicken Club [74] (http://www.funkychicken.de/) , every Tuesday atThe O directly at Rudolfpla(Rudolfplatz metro): legendary Cologne House Party since 13 years in beautiful venue, always crowdgood House and Electronic Music.Apropo* [75] (http://www.club-apropo.de/) , good Partys on Fridays and Saturdays with Soul, FunkDisco and Hip Hop in a cosy venue located in Im Dau 17 (Ulrepforte or Severinstrasse metro) easy gfrom 20 years on.Underground* [76] (http://www.underground-cologne.de/) on Vogelsanger Str. 200,metro stationVenloer Str./Gürtel . Famous for concerts and partys with Rock, Metal, Punk and alternative music. Gvary between 15 and 45.Alter Wartesaal* [77] (http://www.wartesaal.de/) nifty bar and disco right beside the central station:various events & exclusive PartiesDie Werkstatt* [78] (http://www.werkstatt-koeln.de/) Houses clubs and concerts in an industrial areEhrenfeld.Agenda Suicide Club* [79] (http://www.myspace.com/agenda_suicide_club) Monthly club, moves aa lot. Plays acid, electro, indie and much more.

SleepBudget

Meininger City Hostel* [80] (http://www.meininger-hotels.com) , Engelbertstr. 33-35 (near ZülpichePlatz). The Urban Travellers Home.Station Hostel[81] (http://www.hostel-cologne.de) , Marzellenstrasse 40-48 (Across from the mainstation). Basic rooms and facilities and the breakfast is extra but good value none the less. They also hstorage lockers (deposit) if you want to keep your valuables somewhere safe.Jugendherberge Köln-Deutz, Siegesstrasse 5; Phone:+49 221-814711; Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ;[82] (http://www.hihostels.com/).





Hostel 404[83] (http://www.404-hostel.de/html/start_eng.html) , Neusser Strasse 404.Black Sheep Hostel[84] (http://www.blacksheephostel.com) , Barbarossaplatz 1 (four stops by sub16/18 to Barbarossaplatz; ticket:Kurzstrecke ). Individually, creative new hostel in the middle of nightlifesmall breakfast included.Weltempfänger Venloer Str. 196 (Next to Piusstrasse subway station)

Located in a relaxed and bohemian neighbourhood, the hostel has got a nice bar and friendly staff.

Mid-range

Esplanade Hotel, Hohenstaufenring 56, Phone:+49 -221-9215570, "[email protected]"[85](http://www.hotelesplanade.com). This privately-run, 3-star hotel is conveniently located in the heartCologne, 2 kilometres from the famous cathedral and a 10-minute walk from Friesenstrasse with its livpubs and clubs. single room from € 90,90; double room from € 120,20 (per night incl. breakfast buffe

Holiday Inn Cologne-Bonn Airport, Waldstrasse 255, Phone:+49 -2203-5610,[86](http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/hd/cgnge). Within walking distance of the airport (unless you h

a lot of luggage), but they run a shuttle. Sometimes you can find a decently-priced room here when prtown go through the roof. Nothing (but the airport) in walking distance. €99- €250

Four Points by Sheraton Central Köln; Breslauer Platz 2; Phone:+49 221-16510; Fax:+49 221-1651333; [87] (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/) ; Price: €70 - €200+

Drei Könige am Dom; Marzellenstrasse 58 - 60, 50668 Köln ; [88](http://www.bookings.net/hotel/de/dreikoenigekoln.en.html?aid=308088) ; Price: €85,-

Cologne Marriott; Johannisstrasse 76-80; Phone:+49 221-942220; [89](http://www.colognemarriott.com/) ; €81 - €385Ibis Koeln Leverkusen; Lichstrasse 72; Phone:+49 214-830290; [90](http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/2090/fiche_hotel.shtml) ; €59 -

Königshof Swiss Quality Hotel, Richartzstrasse 14-16, D-50667, +49 (0) 221 257 87 71([email protected] , fax: +49 (0)221 257 87 6 2), [91](http://www.swissqualityhotels.com/hotels/Germany/Koeln/koenigshof/index.asp?_lang=en) . Three ssituated 500m away from the railway station in the city center and 13km from the airport. Double roo €121 (2009). edit

SplurgeCologne Marriott, Johannisstrasse 76-80, +49 221 942220. A short walk from the railway station,Cologne Marriott is surprisingly small, modern, and personal. Rooms are not huge, but they're immacuand well appointed. Fou, the in-house "crazy brasserie", serves great breakfasts and casual French, wexcellent Executive floor lounge with breakfast, dinner and drinks is worth paying the extra for. €130 edit

Hilton Cologne, Marzellenstrasse 13-17 (200 m from central station ), Phone:+49 -221-130710; [92](http://www.hilton.com/) . Modern Hilton hotel in the center of the city, convenient for sightseeing. Pri





through the roof during trade fairs in Deutz. €115 - €400.

Hyatt Regency Cologne, Kennedy-Ufer 2A (in the old town ), +49 (0)221 828 1234([email protected] ), [93] (http://cologne.regency.hyatt.com) . 5 star hotel. 306 rooms and suites withviews of the River Rhine. Host to gourmet restaurant "Graugans", 13 conference rooms and a spa.edit

Im Wasserturm ; Kaygasse 2; Phone:+49 221-200 80; [94] (http://www.hotel-im-wasserturm.de/) . Aluxury hotel built inside of a 130 year old water tower. It has a designer interiour and a rooftop restaurwith panoramic views. Price: €180 - €840 per night

Le Meridien Dom, Domkloster 2a, +49 (221) 20240 (fax: +49 (221) 2024444), [95](http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1855) . €130per night.. edit

Savoy, [96] (http://www.savoy-koeln.de/index1.html) . A family run 5 star hotel with a huge spa areavery nice rooftop bar. It's very close to the main station (Exit Breslauer Platz, Turn left, approx. 100 mhas very good weekend offers. Known as the place of choice for many (German and international)celebrities.

Camping

Campingplatz Stadt Köln A Rhineside camping site with a view of the Dom and city centre, the low dof the nearby highway bridge does distract from the otherwise peaceful locality. It is right by a cycle awalking trail into the city and is an ideal family site (although there aren't many activities for children), are very reasonable and the owner speaks english. Getting to the site is a little difficult, take the tram/trRodenkirchen and walk over the bridge, when on the other side turn downriver and the campsite is onright, there is a restaurant nearby more information (also in English) [97] (http://www.camping-koeln.d

Camping Berger [98] (http://www.camping-berger-koeln.de/) - another Rhine-side camping site, neapublic transport. with 125 spaces, a supermarket, playground and restaurant. Rates are reasonable (€adult per night)

Stay safeCriminal activity in Cologne is similar to other big cities. Tourists should take normal safety precautions, partin the city centre, where pickpockets are known to be active. Also, be careful on the Ring, which is full of clnight-time crowds in the streets. During both day and night, it is advisable to be careful in outlying neighbourlike Chorweiler, Porz, Seeberg, Ostheim, Bocklemünd, Ossendorf, and Vingst. In general, avoid getting intoand stay away from drunk people.

CopeReligious services

Holy mass in Catholic churches near to the central station:

Dom, Domkloster 3 (next to the central station). [99] (http://www.koelner-dom.de/) Sun: 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 17:00, 18:30; Mon-Sat: 6:30, 7:15, 8:00, 9:00, 18:30





St. Andreas, Komödienstr. 8.[100] (http://www.sankt-andreas.de/main.php/12) Sun: 9:00, 11:00, 18Mon-Fri: 12:05; Sat: 9:00, 17:00

St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, Marzellenstr. 26.[101] (http://www.willkommeninkoeln.de/11sight/sight19d.Sun: 11:00; Wed, Thu: 10:30; Sat: 17:00, 18:30

Minoritenkirche, Kolpingplatz 5. Sun: 9:00, 11:00, 16:00; Tue-Fri: 9:00

Get outBonn, the former capital of West Germany is located due south and easy to reach by train or S-Bahn.Brühl, almost a suburb of Cologne, contains the Augustusburg Palace which has been placed on theUNESCO World Heritage List. The palace is one of the key works of Balthasar Neuman, and contaiof the finest Rococco interiors in the world, the highlight being the main staircase. Also in the grounds magnificent hunting Lodge of Falkenslust. Brühl can be easily reached by train in around 20 minutes frCologne. The theme park of Phantasialand is also in Brühl.Düsseldorf

Königswinter A small town reachable by train.Ruhr (Ruhrgebiet) If you are interested in heavy industry this might be a worthwhile trip. It is located a100 km north of Cologne. The region, which was the center of montan (coal and steel) industry in Geris going through a structural transformation and proudly presents its industrial past on the Industrial HeTrail [102] (http://www.route-industriekultur.de/media/downloads/RouteAllgemein/Entdeckerpass200.Zülpich -- a small town southwest of Cologne dating from Roman times. It has a newly opened museucentered on Roman baths and bathing culture. It is also a gateway to the forested hills of the Eifel regi

International

Due to Cologne's proximity to the German/Belgian/Dutch border weekend trips to foreign destinations are earrange. Thalys operates high speed trains to Paris and Brussels, and Deutsche Bahn to Amsterdam, makingcity only a few hours away.

This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, qualityinformation including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrivaland departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star !

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