Hostelworld Guide for Cologne

The Gothic Kölner Dom Cathedral towers over Cologne, a city found in the west of Germany along thebanks of the River Rhine. Home to around a million people, Cologne boasts a large number of top

attractions, from modern art galleries to a chocolate museum. Here you'll also come across innumerablebars and restaurants, perfect to revive yourself in after a long day of sightseeing. The city centre is quite

compact, so lots of places are reachable on foot, but never fear, if your feet need a rest there's also atop-notch public transport system. With numerous delights and a welcoming atmosphere, it's no surprise

that Cologne is a firm favourite with visitors from around the globe.

In this Guide...

Useful InformationAfter Dark

Places to EatTop Attractions

Budget TipsWhere to Shop

The Essentials Climate

Getting There

By plane: When arriving by plane, chances areyou'll end up at either Cologne Bonn Airport orDüsseldorf International Airport, both short trainrides from the city centre.

By train: Intercity railway services terminate in KölnHauptbahnhof. Trains run on a large number ofnational routes from here, with high speed servicesheading to c i t ies around Europe, inc lud ingAmsterdam, Brussels and Paris.

By bus: Cologne's international bus station can befound beside the Hauptbahnhof on Breslauer Platz.Eurolines services operate from here to a variety ofcities across Europe.

Getting Around

On foot: Lots of the main attractions are in closeproximity to each other; however, you will mostlikely have to use public transport at some stageduring your trip.

By train: A light rail service of S-Bahn and U-Bahnt ra i ns runs ac ross t he c i t y bo th ove r andunderground. One day passes are available and arepretty good value.

By bicycle: Bicycles are a popular way to getaround Cologne. Try the Call A Bike service. Theseare city bikes that can be picked up and dropped offat various points throughout the city.

Useful Phrases

Hello: HalloGoodbye: TschüssPlease: BitteThank you: Vielen DankYou're welcome: Gern geschehenYes: JaNo: NeinOf course: NatürlichExcuse me: EntschuldigungHow are you?: Wie geht es dir?Open: GeöffnetClosed: GeschlossenWhat is your name?: Wie heisst du?My name is...: Ich heisse...How much?: Wie teuer ist es?May I have the bill?: Kann ich die rechnunghaben?

Cologne has a temperate climate, which means ittends to see mild winters and warm summers. Julyand August are usually the warmest months, withtemperatures averaging out at around 19˚C. Themost sunshine can be seen in June, which getsabout 7 hours of sunlight each day. In the winter,temperatures hover around 1˚C to 2˚C and Januaryis generally the coldest month. Cologne also getsquite a bit of rain throughout the year. Most of thisprecipitation falls between June and August.

Good to know...

Language: German.Currency: Euro.Electricity: 220 Volts, AC/50Hz.Area code: +49 (Germany), 0221 (Cologne).Emergency codes: Ambulance/Fire 112, Police110.Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT +1).Central Post Office: WDR Arkaden ShoppingMall, Breite Strasse 6-26.Main tourist office: Köln Tourismus ServiceCentre, Kardinal Höffner-Platz 1.

Embassies and Consulates

UK: +49 (0)30 204570**USA: +49 (0)211 7888927*Canada: +49 (0)211 172170*Australia: +49 (0)30 880088**South Africa: +49 (0)30 220730**Ireland: +49 (0)30 220720**Spain: +49 (0)30 211 439080*Italy: +49 (0)30 254400**New Zealand: +49 (0)30 206210**France: +49 (0)211 8285460*

*Consulates in Düsseldorf**Embassies in Berlin

Hostelworld Guide for Cologne www.hostelworld.com

Cheap Eats After Dark

Café Rico, Mittelstraße 31-33, Innenstadt Thechilled vibe and funky interior of this café bar makesit the perfect choice for some breakfast. Offeringcroissants, cheeses, meats, juices, coffees, teasand energy drinks, here you can ease your way intothe day. Open Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thurs-Fri10am-2am, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-8pm.

Alex, Friesenplatz, Altstadt Nord If you're lookingfor somewhere to grab a bite at lunchtime, Alex isan excellent choice. Sit outside at one of themultitude of tables to enjoy the bustling square thatsurrounds this popular gastro-bar, which offersbaguettes, wraps, pasta, schnitzel and more. OpenMon-Fri 9am-1am, Sat-Sun 9am-3am.

El Gato, Engelbertstraße 31a, Innenstadt Servinga m ix o f Mex ican and Amer ican d ishes a treasonable prices, El Gato is quite a busy spot.Here you can enjoy your meal surrounded by coolTex-Mex themed paintings in the big, bright diningroom. Complimentary nachos and salsa are anespecially tasty treat. Open daily 5pm-11.30pm.

Tempting local cuisine

Ständige Vertretung, Frankenwerft 31-33,Altstadt Nord A great place to try out localdishes, this restaurant looks out at the Rhine.It's a cute spot with plenty of tables inside andoutside. Soups, salads, pasta dishes andCologne favourites such as 'Halver Hahn'(pictured) are all offered. Open Mon-Thurs11am-12am, Fri-Sun 11am-2am.

Borsalino, Zülpicher Straße 7, Zülpicher Youwon't be hungry after a trip to Borsalino, thanks tolarge, filling portions of hearty Italian fare includinga wide variety of pizzas and pasta dishes. Afterordering, delicious doughy bread is deposited atyour table by the friendly, English-speaking staff.Open Sun-Thurs 8am-1am, Fri-Sat 8am-3am.

Kölner Philharmonie, Bischofsgartenstraße 1,Altstadt Nord In operation since 1986, the KölnerPhilharmonie makes its home in the beautifulconcert hall beside the Cathedral. All types ofmusic, from classical to jazz, are performed here,with concerts taking place almost every day. Checkwebsite for event schedule.

Cubana, Barbarossaplatz 5, Zülpicher With ahappy hour stretching from 8pm to 1am, Cubana isthe top choice for cheap, lip-smacking cocktails. Sitout under the large umbrellas to enjoy the warmsummer nights and buzzing conversation or relaxinside in the flickering candlelight around thespacious bar. Open Sun-Thurs 10am-1am, Fri-Sat10am-3am.

Gay/Lesbian Cologne

With its large gay population, vibrant scene andhugely popular pride festival, it's no wonder thatCologne is referred to as the gay and lesbiancapital of Germany. Some venues to check outinclude the Blue Lounge Tanzbar(Mathiasstraße 4-6), Clip (Marsilstein 29) andIron Bar (Schaafenstraße 45).

Low Budget, Aachener Straße 47, Altstadt NordHolding much more than you would first expect, thisnightspot offers 30 different types of whiskey, thefamous local Kölsch beer and more. Famed for itsopen mic nights, you can prop yourself up on astool underneath the low-hanging lights and listento the varied music. Open Mon-Thurs 8pm-2am,Fri-Sat 8pm-4am, closed Sun.

Gilbert's Pinte, Engelbertstraße 1, InnenstadtFilled with cute little touches like the light-strungtrees surrounding it, this bar is a great choice ifyou're looking for somewhere chilled to relax with abeer. From Kölsch to Kilkenny, it offers a wideselection of beers and liquors, along with red andwhite wines and cocktai ls. Pr ices are real lyreasonable and service is nicely prompt. OpenSun-Thurs 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm-3am, Sat 3pm-3am.

Blue Shell, Luxemburger Straße 32, ZülpicherThe p lace to go in Cologne i f you ' re of theindie-rock or punk persuasion, it's no wonder thatthe Blue Shell has been in operation for over 25years. It hosts live music acts, a free movie nightand a monthly poetry slam. Small and loud, thefriendly crowd packs the bar's dance floor as adifferent DJ provides the music each night. OpenSun-Thurs 8pm-2am, Fri-Sat 8pm-4.30am; entryfees for gig nights vary.

Don't Miss Mark Your Calendar

Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), Am Domhof,Aldstadt Nord A Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedralis Cologne's most notable attract ion and i tsnumerous spires tower over the city. Constructionof this giant church took 600 years. Inside you'll seemarvellous examples of stained glass, tombs ofarchbishops past and much more. Open daily6am-7.30pm; admission free.

Oompa loompa doompadee doo

Schokoladenmuseum, Rheinauhafen 1a,Altstadt Sud You'll feel like you've won yourvery own golden ticket as you wander aroundand witness the creation of deliciouschocolates. Equally educational and enticing,here you'll learn the history of this beloved treat.Open Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-7pm,closed Mon; admission €7.50.

Kölner Seilbahn, Riehler Straße 180, Riehl Forsomething a little different, why not take a trip onthe cable rai lway that crosses the Rhine. Inoperation for around 50 years, it's still going strongtoday and is a very popular way to see Cologne,offering stunning views from the cable cars. OpenApr-Oct 10am-5.45pm; admission €6 for return trip.

Museum Ludwig, Bichofsgartenstraße 1,Aldstadt Nord Founded in 1976, this expansivemodern art museum spreads out over five differentf loors. With both permanent and temporaryexhibitions, it includes paintings, sculpture andvideo installations. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm,closed Mon; admission €9.

Köln Triangle, Ottoplatz 1, Deutz One of the bestways to get a bird's-eye view of Cologne, the KölnTriangle Tower viewing platform is over 100 metrestall or 29 stories high. Opened in 2006, it allowsvisitors to experience a striking panoramic view ofthe city below. Open daily Apr-Oct 9am-10pm,Nov-Mar 9am-6pm; admission €3.

February - Rosenmontag Part of Cologne'sfamous Carnival celebrations, Rosenmontag sees ahuge number of people take to the streets of thecity to watch a colourful parade of floats andperformers.

March - lit.COLOGNE Europe's largest literaturefestival, lit.COLOGNE encompasses a variety ofdifferent events such as multilingual readings andexhibits. Authors from around the world take part.

April - Art Cologne On the go for over 40 years,this festival lasts for five days. The event allowsgalleries and artists from around the world toshowcase thei r ar t . This inc ludes paint ing,sculpture, photography, video and more.

July - Christopher Street Day (CSD) A hugelyimportant event for Cologne's gay and lesbiancommunity, this festival includes a colourful parade,numerous parties and a fair, along with a variety ofdiscussion sessions.

July - Kölner Lichter or 'Cologne Lights' Eachyear hundreds of thousands of people enjoy thisspectacle of musical fireworks. The show can bew a t c h e d f r o m t h e b a n k s o f t h e R h i n e , o ralternatively from the river itself.

September/October - Köln Comedy FestivalDuring this festival of laughs, comics from Germanyand all over the world perform at a number ofdifferent venues across the city.

October - InterKulturelle Woche Köln Over thecourse of this festival's two-week run, a hugenumber of events take place with the aim being topromote cultural awareness and tolerance.

November - Long Museum Night On this night,museums and galleries across the city open theirdoors to the public free of charge. Other eventstake place too, including readings and musicalperformances.

November-December - Cologne ChristmasMarkets Over 160 stal ls sel l their wares atCologne's popular annual Christmas markets. Alongwith vendors offering handmade gifts and traditionalfood, there's also various Christmas-themed eventsand lots of twinkling lights to enjoy.

November-February - Cologne Carnival Takingplace across a few months, this incredibly popularfestival includes everything from street parties toparades to musical performances and much more.

Hostelworld Guide for Cologne www.hostelworld.com

Neighbourhood Watch Retail Therapy

Deutz Found across the Rhine from the centre ofCologne, you'll see some of the best views of thecathedral from this neighbourhood. There's a lot tosee and do here too, including a plethora of cafés,bars and stores. Definitely worth a visit, even to justspend some t ime stro l l ing along the pret ty,tree-lined streets.

Altstadt Nord One of the most important areas ofCologne, Altstadt Nord is home to the city's mainattraction, the Kölner Dom. You can also visit someof the city's top museums and galleries, includingt h e L u d w i g M u s e u m a n d t h eRömisch-Germanisches Museum. Add to thattop-notch shopping and a select ion of greateateries, and you'll see why this district is sopopular.

A quaint affair

Brühl A mere 20 minutes by S-Bahn will takeyou from Cologne to the picturesque town ofBrühl. Wander down the narrow, cobbledstreets and you'll find many hidden delights,including St. Margareta Cathedral and theimpressive Augustusburg Palace. At the Palace,you'll also find the beautiful SchlossparkAugustusburg with its gardens and fountains.

Innenstadt Shopping is the name of the game int h i s p a r t o f C o l o g n e . F r o m s t r e e t s l i k eSchi ldergasse and Hohe St raße f i l led wi thinnumerable stores both local and international, todepartment stores like the Galeria Kaufhof and theNeumarkt Galerie, this is the place to go if you wantto spend, spend, spend. You'll also find lots ofcafés, bars and restaurants, perfect if you need abreak from the stores.

Riehl In this area, north of the city centre, you'llcome across many attract ions. Pop into theBotanischer Garten und Flora for a stroll, then nextdoor you'll find Cologne's Zoo and Aquarium. Ashort walk will bring you to the Kölner Seilbahn, thecable car line spanning the Rhine.

Neumarkt Galerie, Richmodstraße 8, InnenstadtUnder the domed roof of this shopping centre, you'llfind around 70 different shops selling everythingfrom jewellery to sports equipment. The busy centreis unmistakable, thanks to the upside downice-cream cone sticking from the side of the roof.Open Sat-Thurs 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-9pm.

Ehrenstraße, Altstadt Nord Cologne's slightlymore alternative shopping street, Ehrenstraße ishome to many clothes stores like American Apparelwhich is popular with younger shoppers. Join thecrowds wandering along this narrow street to takein the colourful shop fronts and spend a euro ortwo.

Schildergasse, Innenstadt Another one ofC o l o g n e ' s f a m o u s s h o p p i n g s t r e t c h e s ,Schildergasse welcomes crowds of people everyday, here to check out the multitude of stores liningboth sides of the street. German brands such as theKämpgen shoe store rub shoulders with well-knownnames from around the world like the United Colorsof Benetton and C&A.

Department store darling

Galeria Kaufhof, Hohe Straße 41-53,Innenstadt Spread out over 6 floors, this largedepartment store sells clothing, electricalappliances, household goods, shoes, jewellery,and more besides. Many fragrant counters offerbig name brand cosmetics and perfumes. OpenMon-Thurs 9am-8pm, Fri 9.30am-9pm, Sat9am-8pm.

Hohe Straße, Innenstadt All along this winding,pedestrianised street you'll find a huge number ofstores, both local favourites and top internationalbrands. It's a great place to check out if you'relooking for clothes, shoes, jewellery, electronicgoods, household items and cosmetics. Shopsinclude H&M, Zara, New Yorker, Esprit, Fossil,Lush and Swatch.

Cologne for Free A Day in Cologne...

Wander through the Botanischer Garten undFlora The oldest park in the city, Cologne's botanicgardens date back to 1863. Listen to the birdschirping and smell the flowers in the air as youwander around this expansive green area. Thereare plenty of benches scattered around, giving youthe opportunity to sit and take in the surroundingbeauty. Open daily 8am-9pm, winter 8am-nightfall.

And the bridge, it shines

Stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge Meremoments from the cathedral, this bridgetransports rail and pedestrian traffic across theRiver Rhine. Most interesting of all are thenumerous padlocks attached along the bridge.Inscribed with names, dates and pictures, it's areal treat to wander along and check them out.

Take a walk around the Aachener WeiherLocated close to the university, the AachenerWeiher is a manmade pond found in the middle of apretty, open park area. Popular with crowds ofpeople, it's a great spot to head on a sunny day ifyou don't mind sharing it with students, picnickersand the occasional duck.

Have a look inside St. Gereon Church One ofCologne's 12 major Romanesque churches, St.Gereon is a stunning piece of architecture and animportant place of worship. A side altar houses animpressive Pietà statue and beautiful stained glasswindows grace the church walls. Musical events areheld here throughout the year. Open Mon-Sat10am-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm.

Check out the Rheinpark Cologne's largest parkarea, the Rheinpark, as the name suggests, isfound along the banks of the River Rhine. Filledwith attractions aplenty, it boasts playground areasand sandy stretches of river-side beaches. Perfectfor a chilled day of sunbathing, it's also a great spotfor rollerblading if you seek more active pursuits.

Begin your day in Cologne by having a relaxedbreakfast at Café Rico on Mittelstraße.

Once you've eaten, head into the Altstadt Nord areaand visit Cologne's world-renowned cathedral(above).

Around this area you can also visit the LudwigMuseum and the Römisch-Germanisches Museum.

Have lunch at one of the cafés in Altstadt, many ofwhich offer traditional dishes like the popular HalverHahn.

Stroll over the Hohenzollern Bridge, taking the timeto check out the locks decorating the railings, andthen visit the Köln Tower for stunning views of thecity.

C r o s s t h e r i v e r a g a i n t o g e t t o t h eSchokoladenmuseum, which boasts innumerablechocolatey delights.

Wander around Cologne's main shopping areaconsisting of Hohe Straße and Schildergasse, andcheck out the whole host of stores lining thesestreets.

Head over towards Zülpicher Straße, where you'llcome across lots of great restaurants, such as theItalian eatery Borsalino.

If it's cheap cocktails you fancy, check out Cubanaon Barbarossaplatz, where you can sit outside andchill.

For something a bit livelier, make the short trip toLuxemburger Straße and the Blue Shell, where youcan headbang the night away out on the floor.

Hostelworld Guide for Cologne www.hostelworld.com