Cologne

1. FC Köln

Die Geißböcke ("The Billy Goats") were promoted in 2025 and now play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. The stadium has a capacity of 46,000 and in 2024 hosted matches in the UEFA Finals. The women's team play in their top tier at Franz-Kremer-Stadion, capacity 15,000.

A-Musik

A widely renowned collection of experimental music and niche music

Agnesviertel

In the bohemian Agnesviertel, you can find independent designers, bookshops, bars, and art galleries. There are also historical monuments, such as the North City Gate or Eigelsteintorburg in the Agnesviertel, very near to Fort 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 Japanese restaurant, a well-stocked bookshop, and a range of pubs. Nearby you will find the Alte Feuerwache, where there are regular exhibitions on political topics and a surreal flea market every four weeks in summer. Opposite Alte Feuerwache is the Artclub, with regular exhibitions of contemporary art, and on Ebertplatz there is a cinema (Metropolis) which shows films in the original (mostly English, but sometimes also French or Spanish). On nearby Lübecker Straße, you will find the uncompromisingly Arty Filmpalette cinema. To round off a trip to the Agnesviertel, you might like a kölsch in the Lapidarium (right beside the North City Gate) or a coffee in Cafe Schmitz, Cologne's grooviest poser hangout (they also do a great breakfast.) All of these great places are within a short walk of Ebertplatz U-Bahn.

Alter Wartesaal

Wartesaal am Dom

Nifty bar and disco beside the central station: various events & exclusive parties.

Ananda Tantra Massage and Coaching

Tantra massage, coaching and workshops, an open minded and liberal attitude essential because the massages include sexually sensitive body parts, however, no sexual services are given by the team of 30 female and male employees.

Daily 09:00-21:00

Aqualand

Water park with water slides, pools, saunas and a wellness area.

Artheater

Ehrenfeld club. Not a great building but the clubbing area is fine. Club books good DJs and artists. In walking distance of Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld.

Bahnhof Köln-Deutz

The historic building of the station now known as Köln Messe/Deutz is an interesting piece of architectural heritage many visitors to Cologne miss as they exit the station on the fairgrounds side.

Basilica of St. Cunibert

St. Kunibert's Church

St. Kunibert is the youngest of Cologne’s 12 Romanesque churches, famous for the Kunibertuspütz. According to local legend, Cologne’s babies are born in this crypt well rather than being delivered by the stork. The church is a treasure trove of medieval art, housing the city's oldest stained-glass windows (c. 1230) and the golden shrines of Saint Kunibert and the Ewaldi brothers.

Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow

Basilica of St. Severin

St. Severin' is the second tallest of Cologne's Romanesque churches (79 m), dedicated to the patron saint of rain who is said to protect the city from drought. Visitors can walk beneath the elevated 19th-century shrine to receive a "blessing from above." The church is a treasure trove for history buffs, housing the largest preserved medieval silk fabric in the world (4th–10th century) and a crypt built over ancient Roman burial sites.

Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00; Sat 10:00-13:00; Sun 13:00-17:00

Basilica of St. Ursula

One of Germany's oldest continuously used churches, with origins dating back to the Roman era. It is best known for the "Golden Chamber," a historic ossuary, and its significance as a site of pilgrimage. Access for sightseeing is limited to times outside of services; for guided tour schedules and group reservations, please visit the official website.

Closed · opens 3 pm tomorrow

Basilica of the Holy Apostles

St. Aposteln

A Romanesque basilica featuring a cloverleaf-shaped choir and a 67-meter-high west tower. Sightseeing is only possible outside of service hours. Group tours must be arranged in advance via the parish office; information on public guided tours is available on their website.

Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00 Sun 09:00-17:00

Blue Shell

Small old dance and night club, loud and crowded. Rock concerts, music contests, poetry slams, parties, bar sounds.

Bootshaus

Serious clubbing. In an old harbor storage facility, but very modern inside. One of Germany's top clubs.

Borsalino

An Italian-style restaurant on Zülpicher Straße close to Zülpicher Platz. Very affordable prices.

Cafe Goldmund

A very cozy corner-café with all walls lined with bookshelves. You can buy every (second hand) book after you finished flipping through it while you enjoyed your drinks for a small tip. Also hosts small music and poetry events.

Claudius Therme

Large spa with pool and lots of different saunas (indoors and outdoors) next to the Rhine, north of Deutz.

Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld & YUCA („Your Urban Club of Arts“)

Club complex in Ehrenfeld. Parties and concerts. Devoted to a variety of international styles including hip-hop, jazz and Latin music.

Club Subway

Various parties from Hip Hop, Electro to Indie music with a hip but laid back audience (Moltkestraße metro - next to Rudolfplatz).

Cologne City Museum

Kölnisches Stadtmuseum

Shows exhibits and works of art on the history of the city of Cologne from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Tue 10:00 to 20:00, Wed-Sun 10:00 - 17:00, every 1st Thu of each month: 10:00 - 22:00·€5, concession €3

Curry B.

Very tasty currywurst with fries. Very pleasant place for a quick bite.

Da Nino

A real insider tip for super delicious and authentic pizza. Authentic Italian dishes. Cool place, lovely staff.

Deutzer Freiheit

The main shopping street of Deutz, with not only retail opportunities but also many historic buildings along the way.

Die Kölner Synagoge

Roonstrasse Synagogue

The Cologne Synagogue is architecturally striking for its dark, monumental style. Its Torah scroll has a significant history, having been rescued by a Catholic priest from another synagogue during the Nazi era. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI visited the site, marking only the second time in history that a pope had visited a synagogue. Guided tours are available; please consult the official website for schedules and booking information.

€5

Dreikönigenpförtchen

One of the best-hidden gems of Cologne, the small yet ornate gothic gate once led to an "immunity" belonging to the convent based at the St. Maria im Kapitol.

ESSO Station An der Kölnarena

You may wonder what's so special about a gas station, but you will understand once you see its 1950s architecture with the unique structured roof and learn that it is the oldest gas station in Cologne in continuous operation.

Em Strüßje

Typical Cologne restaurant. Potato salad like grandma used to make. Really welcoming.

Falafel Habibi

Very authentic small Lebanese restaurant with traditional dishes. Kind staff. Delicious food. Good vibes. They have two stores, which serve the same food (though sweetmeats may vary).

Flora and Botanical Garden

Cologne Botanical garden. The tropical house and the cactus houses are being rebuilt as of Oct 2024.

08:00-sunset·Free

Former franciscan convent with St. Marien church

Nestled inconspicuously between contemporary residential buildings is this impressive complex with gothic-inspired decorations