The climate of northwestern Germany is changeable, with seasonal changes and day-to-day weather often comparable to that of south-east [wiki=64f607906be7598a02d75dbc1e979662]England[/wiki] or [wiki=541b27463fd0e615f311d8261762b5b4]Northern France[/wiki]. Travellers to Cologne can expect the hottest time of the year to be July (in July 2010, temperatures were above 30°C for several days), the coldest is January (temperature hovering around freezing) and the month with the most precipitation is June.
Cologne has an (inter)national bus station (ZOB) at Breslauer Platz on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof, providing international bus lines [url=http://www.eurolines.de/International-Bus-Lines.3.0.html?&L=1]Direct daily buses[/url] to [wiki=2ff6e535bd2f100979a171ad430e642b]Serbia[/wiki] or [wiki=424214945ba5615eca039bfe5d731c09]Denmark[/wiki].
Since 2013 there are a lot of new national bus lines connecting Cologne with nearly every big city in Germany, e.g. www.fernbus.de, www.postbus.de and others. These lines sometimes use the ZOB, and sometimes use the new national bus station in Deutz, Gummersbacher Str. There are plans of moving all the (inter)national buses out of the city to a new airport bus station.
[url=http://www.koeln-bonn-airport.de/index.php?id=1&lang=2&L=1]Cologne Bonn Airport[/url] handles international and domestic flights and is a hub for the low cost airlines [url=http://www.germanwings.com]Germanwings[/url] and [url=http://www.flytui.co.uk]TUIfly[/url]. The airport is approximately 15 min by S-Bahn (local train) to the centre of Cologne. S-Bahn fare (ticket zone 1b) is currently €2.70 one-way.
*[url=http://www.dus.com/dus_en/]Düsseldorf International Airport[/url] offers many intercontinental connections. Train ride from the airport train station to Cologne central station takes about 40 min.
*[url=http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/content/frankfurt_airport/en.html]Frankfurt Rhein Main International Airport[/url] is the largest airport in Germany, served by all major international airlines. ICE (InterCityExpress) high speed trains connect Frankfurt Airport and Cologne central station in less than one hour. Standard one way fare is €58. If you book your DB train ticket [url=http://www.bahn.de]online[/url] three days before your departure to Cologne, there are a limited number of seats at a reduced price of 30-50%. If you pay full price you do not have to take a specific train, but discounted tickets are restricted to the train on your reservation. Trains via Koblenz, which use the slower, yet extremely scenic route along the [wiki=8f2d1faa039ca0c3afe8cbb7fa94287c]Rhine[/wiki] Valley, are also 30% cheaper. The ICE train takes about one hour, the slower more scenic route takes about two hours.
Cologne is served by two major train stations - [url=http://www.bahnhof.de/?lang=en#station/19262]Köln Hauptbahnhof[/url] and [url=http://www.bahnhof.de/?lang=en#station/19271]Köln-Deutz[/url].
Cologne is linked with [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki], and [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki] by Thalys and ICE High Speed trains. Additionally, [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki] airport (IATA:FRA) has direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.
Cologne requires all cars to have a "Low Emissions" sticker in order to drive around in the city centre (Low Emission Zone, "Umweltzone"). Information on obtaining a sticker (which must be done at least several weeks in advance) is available [url=http://www.stadt-koeln.de/leben-in-koeln/umwelt-tiere/luft-umweltzone/wo-bekomme-ich-eine-feinstaubplakette]here[/url].
Plenty of motorways (Autobahns A1, A4, A3, A57, A555) lead to Cologne. During rush hour the streets are heavily congested, also due to massive construction of a new subway tunnel Nord-Süd Stadtbahn, crossing half the city centre.
For cheap parking, with quick connections to central cologne, use park and ride ("park und ride"). At some stations, parking is [url=http://nicecity.de/english/arrival_car.htm]free when you present a validated transit ticket on exit[/url].
A [url=http://www.hot-maps.de/europe/germany/nrw/cologne/homeen.html]street map[/url], also showing where you can switch into a KVB subway, S-Bahn or Bus.
Cologne has one of the world's best collections of museums and galleries for a city of its size. As well as world class museums of art and archaeology, Cologne boasts two museums of ecclesiastical art, both housed in architecturally stunning buildings. There is also an ethnographic museum, a chocolate museum, the German Sport Museum and an abundance of Roman remains. One can purchase a MuseumsCard from one of the municipal museums (such as the first five listed below). The family card, which costs approximately €28, entitles 2 adults and 2 children (under 18) free admission to each of the municipal museums during two consecutive opening days. On its first day of validity, it can also be used as a ticket on all buses and trams on the local transportation system VRS.
*
A museum of modern art, near central station and the Dom hosts a worthy regular exhibition, as well as temporary exhibitions.
* Museum für Angewandte Kunst has a collection of popular design items, as well as temporary exhibitions.
*
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is an art gallery with a collection of fine art from the medieval period to the early twentieth century.
*
Römisch-Germanisches Museum explores the history of Roman history in Cologne and the surrounding area. The museum's tour guides are exceptionally dull and can make any visit seem like it lasted just as long as the Roman empire. If you can, wander around the museum by yourself. [url=http://www.museenkoeln.de/homepage/default.asp?s=169]Info: english[/url]
*
North Rhine-Westphalia's only ethnological museum, it has a fine collection of Amerindian and Australian-Polynesian artifacts.
* Religious and sacred art mostly from the Middle Ages, located in a large building from 2010 that also incorporates the former church of St Cäcilia.
* A Christian art museum. An architectural wonder and a feast for the senses; this museum, built in concordance with the ancient foundations of the shrine of mary in the rubble contains a selection of historical and contemporary religious art. Worth visiting just to explore the spiritually inspiring spaces and the beautiful walkway through the ruins of the past .
* NS-Dokumentationszentrum [url=http://www.museenkoeln.de/homepage/default.asp?s=172](Documentation center for the National Socialism)[/url]
* Chocolate Museum in Cologne. It's a short visit but very interesting exhibits.
[url=http://www.koelntourismus.de/]Cologne Tourist Office[/url], Unter Fettenhennen 19 (Directly opposite the front entrance of the cathedral); ☎ +49 221 2213-0400; M-F 09:00-22:00, Sa-Su 10:00-18:00. 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 with activities around the city. Ask about guide books that are available, most of which provide invaluable information for free. [http://www.cityinfo-koeln.de/]
KD Rhine River Cruise; Frankenwerft 35; Phone: +49 221-208 83 18; [url=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 the Rhine river around the Cologne area with an explanation of landmarks. €6.80
* Stattreisen e.V.; Phone +49 221-7325113; [url=http://www.stattreisen-koeln.de/[/url].]This non-profit organization offers excellent tours of Cologne, led by volunteers. The prices are moderate and there is a huge list of tours, including (besides the more regular tours) Koelsch tours (for testing the breweries) or language lessons in the local dialect (again, in a brewery). Ask for English tours, some guides are willing to conduct a normally German tour in English.
* Rickshaws: environmentally friendly city tours;[url=http://www.koeln-rikscha.de[/url];[url=http://www.rikolonia.de].]Rickshaws]are exotic and environmentally friendly tricycles, that slowly and safely bring their passengers to their destination. By Rickshaw you will discover Cologne’s points of interest in a comfortable way.
* Freewalk Cologne: This is a guided free walking tour in Cologne off the average tourist paths, led by real locals.;[http://freewalkcologne.com[/url[/url]. Departure times of German and English tours: "Daily:" 12:11 PM, 4:11 PM starting from Eigelstein Torburg. Spanish and Turkish tours are available on request.
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. Sauna landscapes) are mixed (apart from the odd Damentag) and that bathing costumes are banned from them for hygienic reasons. Yup. Starkers, everybody.
Do take a bathrobe (to keep you from the cold outside the saunas) and a large towel (to put under you in the saunas, no sweating on the wood, please) with you, though.
Do not draw hasty conclusions either: mixed nudity does not make those places dens of sin, quite the contrary. Nudity is considered as the only appropriate outfit in saunas, and it all happens in a disciplined, wholesome, safe and respectful atmosphere. Possibly one of the highest forms of German civilisation one can experience.
Gawkers and bathing costume-wearers will be expelled by the staff without qualms, so don't even think you can get away with playing the tourist who didn't know, it won't make a difference.
That very matter-of factly, unerotic approach to mixed nudity may well turn out to be a revelation to many visitors open-minded enough to give it a try and go with the flow.
You've been warned!
Sauna:
*Claudius Therme [url=http://www.claudiustherme.de]]Large spa with pool and lots of different saunas (indoors and outdoors) next to the Rhine, north of Deutz.
*Mauritius Therme [url=http://www.mauritius-ht.de[/url]]Decent Saunalanschaft in an hotel south of Neumarkt.
*Mediterana [url=http://www.mediterana.de[/url],]11 saunas and a huge pool, in Bergisch Gladbach, East of Cologne.
*monte mare [url=http://www.monte-mare.de[/url]]Spa and many differnet saunas (indoor and outdoor) In Rheinbach (South-West of Cologne), Reichshof (East of Cologne), Bedburg (West of Cologne).
*Neptunbad [url=http://www.neptunbad.de[/url],]located in the popular area of Ehrenfeld in an old renovated bath, to which an attractive "sauna landscape" in Japanese style on two levels has been added. Also a comprehensive fitness center.
*Saunas in public swimming pools [url=http://www.koelnbaeder.de[/url]]Some of the public swimming pools managed by the Cologne city council, notably Agrippabad, do have small Saunalandschaften too, all featuring a Damentag (ladies only day).
Massage:
*Ananda [url=http://www.tantramassage.de[/url],]Tantra massage, an open minded and liberal attitude essential because the massages include sexually sensitive body parts, however, no sexual services are given by the employees.
*Sukon - Thai Art Of Massage [http://www.sukon.de/index_e.htm[/url], Traditional Thai Massage - Institute, located in the city center. Thai native Massage- Therapists practise in the 160m² thai-styled studio original Royal Massage, Aromaoilmassage and Footmassage. This place does NOT offer any erotic massages.
There is an abundance of record stores in Cologne, but most are hidden in non-tourist quarters.
*For a mainstream record store, go to Saturn, which hosts the "world's largest CD collection", as they quote on their store windows. It's huge, and to pre-listen a record, you just have to hold it under one of the many scanners spread throughout the shop. Always worth a visit. Subway and Regional Train from central station: Hansaring. Does not take credit cards.
*Independent record stores are spread around Cologne: Cross the street for 2nd hand and punk, follow the "Ring" (boulevard) north, and you will find Jazz, Electro and HipHop at Schallschock record store. Famous alternative music-store Normal is south of Saturn, as well as Underdog Record Store (specialized in Alternative Rock, Emo, Garage and related matters) Subway and Regional Train from central station: Hansaring
*For electronic music, get off at Friesenplatz, and go to groove attack in Maastrichter street. Also famous is Kompakt record store. Both are connected to a label sharing the name, and putting out fine German electronic music. Subway: Friesenplatz
Skating became very popular and there are many skaters in Cologne.
*Made In in Hahnen street, close to Rudolfplatz. The interior of the shop is kept very classic with many tasteful details including artistic handpaintings on the walls. To this day Made In offers a wide variety of streetwear and skate goods as well as several exclusive labels and items , you will rarely find anywhere else.
*Concrete Wave in Venloer street, close to the Subway station Leyendecker street. This shop is more specialized on actual skateboards. Specialists will give you advice for decks, trucks and wheels. You can also relax and chat while having a drink in the café that is located in the store too.
"Mayersche" and "Thalia" at Neumarkt are the biggest bookstores, you will find anything you want, but mostly in German.
*On "Ehrenstraße", you will find cheap and arty books, take a look at "Buchhandlung König" at the eastern 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 only maps and travel books, but these from around the world.
*"Presse & Buch Ludwig am Bahnhof", a small chain of three bookshops in the basement of the main train station, stocking bestsellers in English and also newspapers and magazines in many other languages.
*"VUB Print Media ", Meister-Ekkehart-Straße 1, close to the university. All kind of academic and specialist books, but also novels in different languages.
Basic Organic Supermarket, Hohenstaufenring 28, Zülpicher Platz. Large supermarket selling all kinds of organic food and cosmetics, a big choice of everything, and a lot of vegetarian and vegan supplies available.
There are also Organic Supermarkets in Deutz (Deutzer Freiheit) and Neustadt-Nord (Venloerstraße/Hans-Böckler-Platz).
*Goldene Zeiten, Weyerstraße 63, close to Barbarossaplatz. A small vegan shop selling a choice of vegan food. Opposite, there is also a vegan shoe shop. Quite expensive compared to usual shops.
One can eat pretty well in most traditional-style Kölsch restaurants, and in fact as a visitor, you should try some of the 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 note of to that respect, although they tend to be expensive for what you get.
Places out of the way such as Schreckenskammer and Max Stark [url=http://www.max-stark.de/]](north of the train station, the former being within crawling distance of the Station Backpackers Hostel), Päffgen (Friesenstrasse) and both of Cologne independent brewpubs (Hellers Brauhaus [url=http://www.hellers-brauhaus.de/[/url]]on Roonstrasse and Braustelle [url=http://www.braustelle.com[/url]]in Ehrenfeld) offer cheaper, better food that the old town tourist traps. Besides, most of these places have tons of atmosphere, which doesn't hurt !
You may also experience the deadly dry wit of the Köbes (traditional name of the blue-clad waiters) in most of those places. If it happens to you, don't get upset, just enter the game, send the Köbes packing with a dig and a smile and you'll be all right.
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 blood sausage with mashed potatoes ("earth"), apple sauce ("heaven") and fried onions.
- Soorbrode / Sauerbraten : joint marinated in vinegar with raisins, usually served with red cabbage and a kloss (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 g, including the bone)
- Rievekoochen / Reibekuchen : flat fried potato cakes usually on offer once a week, and served with a variety of sweet or savoury toppings, which may include apple sauce, Rübenkraut (the beet-sourced equivalent to black treacle) or smoked salmon with horseradish cream.
The Mustard museum [http://www.senfmuehle-koeln.de/[/url] (located just across the Chocolate museum) featuring a very short free exhibition about mustard is a great place for a stop by visit. For 2-2.5€ you can get a sausage to try one, several, or all 9 mustard types available for tasting.
If you are looking for a snack, you can head for one of the Middle-Eastern or Asian places. Italian restaurants in Cologne seem to attempt to aim for a higher quality than in the UK, though it is debatable whether they achieve it, and whether their prices (often 150-200% of UK prices) are justified. There are several Indian restaurants across the city, which serve a fair fare, though the visiting Brit may be slightly disappointed to find that German 'curry culture' is rather akin to that of the UK in the 1960s: menus are neither large and varied, nor regionalised and specialist, and although ingredients are fresh, the food without exception appears to be tamed-down for the conservative German palate and the cooks are rather hesistant to spice it up even if you ask for it. "Clay Oven" (Luxemburger Straße near Südbahnhof) and "Bombay" (near Eifelstraße tram station) do make a vindaloo that will satisfy the most hardy customer. More recently, Japanese and Thai restaurants have become more common; both are quite expensive.
Hauptbahnhof - The ground floor of the central train station has a good number of cheap eateries, which include Pizza Hut to kiosks selling sausages.
*Falafel Habibi located on Zülpicher Straße. They have two stores, which serve the same food (though sweetmeats may vary).
*There is an abundance of Döner Kebab 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 Zülpicher Platz and in the Kwartier Latäng, with some excellent Lebanese and Persian takeaways further down Zülpicher Straße towards Südbahnhof. Probably best now (though expensive) is Oruc Döner on Kyffhäuserstraße (near Barbarossaplatz); while the kebab is quite good though not outstanding, their freshly baked pide bread is famous all over town. There are lots of Turkish restaurants and takeaways within Kalk, Mülheim and (mainly restaurants) in the Belgisches Viertel.
*Borsalino, an Italian-style restaurant located on Zülpicher Straße close to Zülpicher Platz.[url=http://www.restaurant-borsalino.de/]]Very affordable prices.
*Don Camillo, Hildeboldplatz 1a; phone 0221-138551; a small italian tabula calde style restaurant. Coming from Hohenzollenring, head into Breite Straße/Ehrenstraße and take the first road to the left.
* Mama Mia, Alte Gasse 26, Phone [0[/url] 221 / 11347, Italian food, not too hungry person 10-15 Euro/ person
* Ellopia , Carmerstrasse 106, Phone [0] 221 / 14198, German food, you get served for 5-10 Euro/ person
* Lu, Hohenstaufenring 21 (between Barbarossaplatz and Zülpicher Platz), Phone (0) 221 54 813 457, Vietnamese food for around 10€/person, relaxed atmosphere and light interior, vegetarian and vegan dishes available (not specifically marked).
El Inca, Görresstrasse 2, near Rathenauplatz.[url=http://www.el-inca.de/]]Latin-american restaurant, open 1800-2400.
*Johnny Turista, Rathenauplatz. Easy-going pub/restaurant offering snacks, hot dishes and a daily changing selection of tapas; prices are lower than in most tapas bars.
*Selam, Ehrenfeldgürtel 91 (tram station Venloer Straße/Gürtel) [url=http://www.selam-restaurant.de/[/url]]Ethiopian restaurant, opens 5 PM Tu-Fr and from 4 PM on weekends, closed on Mondays. Good selection of 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 Dom, off Hohe Straße), Kreuzgasse (off Schildergasse shopping street). At Lunchtime they usually have a special, that will give you a square meal for 6-7 Euro.
*pepe, Spanish style food, tapas and cocktails [url=http://www.pepe.de/spanisch.html[/url]] Antwerpener Straße 63, near Stadtgarten and west of Friesenplatz, open 1800-0200, cool crowd. Usually booked out after 1900, make a reservation by phone or e-mail the day before.
*Unsichtbar, "Unsichtbar" is a play of words. Literally it means "invisible", but the suffix "bar" also refers to being a bar. You will get your private butler, who is a blind person, and you eat in total darkness. [http://www.unsicht-bar-koeln.de/unsicht-bar-koeln-v2/de/html/home_1.html[/url] Im Stavenhof 5-7, near Hansaring and Ebertplatz, open 1800-0000. You can choose your meal in a showroom and then your personal blind butler will lead you to the dark room where you have to smell, feel, maybe touch and of course eat your meal, but you won't see it. You'll have to refer to your butler about everything, whether going to the bathroom or refilling your glass. You are not allowed to smoke, use a cellphone or do anything else that could lighten up the room. The food on your plate is explained to you by using a clock-like system (e.g. "beans are on three o'clock"). It's an excursion into the world of blind people, who are supported this way, and a really good restaurant, too. For weekends you have to book around 13 weeks in advance, but during the week you'll get a free table (with a little luck).
Landhaus Kuckuck, Olympiaweg 2, near Müngersdorfer Stadion (Aachener Straße).[url=http://www.landhaus-kuckuck.de/]]Exquisite German, but also international meals, open Tuesday - Saturday 1200-2300 - Sunday 1200-1800.
*Fischers Weingenuss & Tafelfreuden, Hohenstaufenring 53, between Zülpicher Platz and Rudolfplatz.[http://www.fischers-wein.com/[/url] Exquisite french-like and modern food, great arrangements of wine and cheese. After noon you can get (quite) cheap 2-way dishes of the day including water or a glass of wine. You have to book (quite early) in advance and a menu will be created on your wishes.
Signor Verde, Otto-Fischer-Straße 1, at trainstation Köln Süd.[url=http://signorverde.wordpress.com/]]A vegan restaurant and coffee bar, offering baguettes and small dishes, plus a daily dish and soup, cakes and salads, and vegan doner kebab every thursday. Dishes about 4 - 6€.
*Basic Organic Supermarket, Zülpicher Platz. A large organic supermarket that also features a small restaurant offering a vegan burger and a few vegetarian dishes. Hot chocolate with soy milk is available. The burger is about €3,50.
*Osho's Place, Venloer Straße 5 - 7, close to Friesenplatz.[url=http://www.oshos-place.de/[/url]]A vegetarian restaurant adjacent to a yoga studio, offering a buffet and dishes. A full plate from the buffet is about €8.
*Well Being, Brabanter Straße 9.[http://wellbeing-koeln.de/[/url] Vegan Vietnamese restaurant, dishes about 8 - 10€.
*Grünlilie, Wyertal 15, Vegetarian organic restaurant, European dishes.
Früh am Dom; Am Hof 12 - 14 (Just south of the cathedral, behind the Domhotel); Phone: +49 221-2613 - 211; [url=http://www.frueh.de/main.html].]Früh am Dom is a great place to try the local Kölsch brew.
*Brauhaus Gaffel; Alter Markt 20-22; Phone: +49 221-257 7692; [url=http://www.gaffel-haus.de/[/url];]Hours: Daily: 11 AM - 1 AM;
*
*Brauerei Päffgen, Friesenstraße 64-66 [http://www.paeffgen-koelsch.de/[/url]
*Brauerei Malzmühle, Heumarkt 6 [url=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) [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lommerzheim[/url]
*Ausschank Pfaffen Brauerei Max Päffgen, Heumarkt 62 [http://www.max-paeffgen.de]
"Bar Orange" - on Sudermannplatz, near Ebertplatz. Great atmosphere and great cocktails, or just a beer and a lively chat with Milan, the resident philosopher, or Rainer and Arash, experts on local goings on.
*Blue Lounge Party [url=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-, balearic- and deep house, techno, trance. A must for people who like this kind of music.
*#TAUSEND Bar [url=http://www.tausendbar.de/][/url[/url], Aachener Strasse 57 (Moltkestraße metro): various events & music, nice bar styled by design students from the Köln International School of Design (KISD).
*Bodycheck Party [url=http://www.bodycheckparty.de/],]every second Saturday at the Filmhaus Köln on Maybachstrasse 111, metro station Hansaring. House, techno, always very good video projections.
*3Klang [url=http://www.artheater.de/[/url],]on Ehrenfeldgürtel 127, metro station Venloer Str./Gürtel. Every third Friday, 2200-0500.
*Blue Lounge Bar [url=http://www.blue-lounge.com/[/url],]on Mathiasstrasse, lesbian bar. Off-shoot of the very successful party mentioned above.
*Basswerk Session [url=http://www.basswerk.de[/url],]bi-monthly, the second Saturday at GEBÄUDE 9 [url=http://www.gebaeude9.de[/url],]Deutz-Mülheimer Strasse 127-129 (tram 3 or 4, stop at KölnMesse/Osthallen), 2300--0500. Long-running and popular drum 'n' bass party in a defunct funky factory hall. Resident DJs often invite renowned guest DJs from the international d'n'b fringe. Alternates bi-monthly with the similar "Phonogenic" party in the same venue.
*Art Of House Party [url=http://www.art-of-house.de/][/url[/url] once a month, the second or third Saturday at Stadtgarten in Venloer Strasse 40 (Hans-Böckler Platz metro): nice and really crowded house Party, guests around 25.
*Funky Chicken Club [url=http://www.funkychicken.de/],]every Friday at Opernterassen next to the opera (Appellhofplatz metro): Cologne House Party since 16 years in a beautiful venue, always crowded, good House and Electronic Music.
*Apropo* [url=http://www.club-apropo.de/[/url],]good Partys on Fridays and Saturdays with Soul, Funk, Disco and Hip Hop in a cosy venue located in Im Dau 17 (Ulrepforte or Severinstrasse metro) easy guests from 20 years on.
*Sixpack* The place to be in 2011! Located in the vibrant Belgisches Viertel (Aachener Strasse 33 - next to Rudolfplatz) you should be aware to wait long or even get rejected especially at a late hour. Mixed music from Electro to Indie with a huge variety of bottled beer.
*Subway* [url=http://www.subway-der-club.de/[/url],]various parties from Hip Hop, Electro to Indie music with a hip but laid back audience (Moltkestrasse metro - next to Rudolfplatz).
*Underground* [url=http://www.underground-cologne.de/[/url]]on Vogelsanger Str. 200, metro station Venloer Str./Gürtel. Famous for concerts and partys with Rock, Metal, Punk and alternative music. Guests vary between 15 and 45.
*Alter Wartesaal* [url=http://www.wartesaal.de/[/url]]nifty bar and disco right beside the central station: various events & exclusive Parties
*Die Werkstatt* [http://www.werkstatt-koeln.de/[/url] Houses clubs and concerts in an industrial area in Ehrenfeld.
*Agenda Suicide Club* Monthly club, moves around a lot. Plays acid, electro, indie and much more.
Station Hostel, Marzellenstrasse 40-48 (across from the main station). Basic rooms and facilities and the breakfast is extra but good value none the less. They also have storage lockers (deposit) if you want to keep your valuables somewhere safe.
*Jugendherberge Köln-Deutz, Siegesstrasse 5; Phone: +49 221-814711; Email: [mailto:koeln-deutz@jugendherberge.de koeln-deutz@jugendherberge.de].
*Hostel 404 [http://www.404-hostel.de/html/start_eng.html] , Neusser Strasse 404.
*Black Sheep Hostel , Barbarossaplatz 1 (four stops by subway 16/18 to Barbarossaplatz; ticket:Kurzstrecke). Creative new hostel in the middle of nightlife - small 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.
AMERON Hotel Ascot Cologne , Hohenstaufenring 95-97, Phone: +49 221-9529650, "info@hotel-ascot.de" . This 4-star hotel is located in the city centre, not far away from the cathedral and a 5-minutes walk from the Friesen quarter. Single room from €80 double room from €100 (per night incl. breakfast buffet)
* Esplanade Hotel, Hohenstaufenring 56, Phone: +49 221-9215570, "info@hotelesplanade.de". This privately-run, 3-star hotel is located 2 kilometres from the cathedral and a 10-minute walk from Friesenstrasse. single room from €90; double room from €120 (per night incl. breakfast buffet)
* Holiday Inn Cologne-Bonn Airport], Waldstrasse 255, Phone: +49 2203-5610. Within walking distance of the airport (unless you have a lot of luggage), but they run a shuttle. Sometimes you can find a decently-priced room here when prices in town go through the roof. Nothing (but the airport) in walking distance. €99- €250
* Few steps away from the main tourist attractions. Enjoy relaxing on the hotel terrace or spending time in the specialized ‘relaxation area’.
*Wyndham Koeln; Breslauer Platz 2, Altstadt; Phone: +49 221-16510; Fax: +49 221-1651333; Price: €70 - €200+
*Drei Könige am Dom; Marzellenstrasse 58 - 60; Price: €85
*Cologne Marriott'; Johannisstrasse 76-80; Phone: +49 221-942220; €81 - €385
* Three star hotel situated 500m away from the railway station and 13 km from the airport. Double room from €121 (2009).
A short walk from the railway station, the Cologne Marriott is surprisingly small, modern, and personal. Rooms are not huge, but they're immaculate and well appointed. Fou, the in-house "crazy brasserie", serves great breakfasts and casual French, while the excellent Executive floor lounge with breakfast, dinner and drinks is worth paying the extra for.
*Hilton Cologne, Marzellenstrasse 13-17 (200 m from central station), Phone: +49 221-130710; [url=http://www.hilton.com/].]Modern Hilton hotel in the centre, convenient for sightseeing. Prices go through the roof during trade fairs in Deutz. €115 - €400.
* 5 star hotel. 306 rooms and suites with views of the River Rhine. Host to gourmet restaurant "Graugans", 13 conference rooms and a spa.
*Im Wasserturm; Kaygasse 2; Phone: +49 221-200 80; [url=http://www.hotel-im-wasserturm.de/[/url].]A luxury hotel built inside of a 130 year old water tower. It has a designer interior and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. Price: €180 - €840 per night
*
* Restaurant, bar, gym, spa.
*Savoy, [http://www.savoy-koeln.de/index1.html[/url]. A family run 5 star hotel with a huge spa area and a very nice rooftop bar. It's very close to the main station (exit Breslauer Platz, turn left, approx. 100 m) and has very good weekend offers. Known as the place of choice for many (German and international) celebrities.
Campingplatz der Stadt Köln [url=http://www.camping-koeln.de/]]- Rhineside camping site with a view of the Dom and city centre, the low drone of the nearby highway bridge does distract from the otherwise peaceful locality. It is right by a cycle and walking trail into the city and is an ideal family site (although there aren't many activities for children), rates are very reasonable and the owner speaks English. Getting to the site is a little difficult, take the tram/train to Rodenkirchen and walk over the bridge, when on the other side turn downriver and the campsite is on the right, there is a restaurant nearby. Adult €6,50.
*Camping Berger [http://www.camping-berger-koeln.de/[/url] - another Rhine-side camping site, nearer public transport. With 125 spaces, supermarket, playground and a restaurant. Rates are reasonable (€7.50 for adult per night).
Holy mass in Catholic churches near to the central station:
* Dom, Domkloster 3 (next to the central station). [url=http://www.koelner-dom.de/]]Sun: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 17:00, 18:30; Mon-Sat: 6:30, 7:15, 8:00, 9:00, 18:30
* St. Andreas, Komödienstr. 8.[url=http://www.sankt-andreas.de/main.php/12[/url]]Sun: 9:00, 11:00, 18:00; Mon-Fri: 12:05; Sat: 9:00, 17:00
* St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, Marzellenstr. 26.[http://www.willkommeninkoeln.de/11sight/sight19d.htm[/url] 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
http://www.cologne.de/
Due to Cologne's proximity to the German/Belgian/Dutch border weekend trips to foreign destinations are easy to arrange. Thalys operates high speed trains to [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki] and [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki], and Deutsche Bahn to [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], making each city only a few hours away. You can also travel to [wiki=fbd67929262943f070acb32df45c4040]Maastricht[/wiki] (a city in the Netherlands with a beautiful city centre where the Maastricht Treaty of the European Union was signed in 1992) for a low cost by taking a train to [wiki=f1ef0ef1eaa60c0aeff7203df96508fd]Aachen[/wiki] then by bus to Maastricht - See: [wiki=f1ef0ef1eaa60c0aeff7203df96508fd]Aachen (From_The_Netherlands)[/wiki] for details. For the bus (no.50) to Maastricht the stop can be found at this location [http://m.google.co.uk/u/m/dmPa3X]
[wiki=0d82a4191ac4e02bfb5c1022d9ed99d2]de:Köln[/wiki]
[wiki=5fc57e9b4fbcd9c8e086bb6c013bb01b]es:Colonia[/wiki]
[wiki=4546b2603829e0548cc1d0d06d756e0d]fi:Köln[/wiki]
[wiki=eaa13c2a390fa50326075042fdf00332]fr:Cologne[/wiki]
[wiki=473370d0629009719d10bc6f054a282e]it:Colonia[/wiki]
[wiki=79729302175043368ff1bf7ae67e5e0e]ja:ケルン[/wiki]
[wiki=692272a2c37434b076d84dcbc961d879]nl:Keulen[/wiki]
[wiki=1cfff09314ecf6f6b5340cf74ee01df0]pl:Kolonia[/wiki]
[wiki=703e960989f923117e5b7b7edffb3c7d]pt:Colônia[/wiki]
[wiki=c503b7ab927810d23ce75b3e5ae95d8e]ro:Köln[/wiki]
[wiki=a1e56d5ef4d5ae2cbf3a9367199d9166]sv:Köln[/wiki]
[wiki=4f14fcd0f82b021006a111bf2849ae6e]wts:Category:Cologne[/wiki]
[[WikiPedia:Cologne]]
[wiki=b4da89d394f104b10383a05b11919dd7]Dmoz:Europe/Germany/States/North_Rhine-Westphalia/Localities/Cologne/[/wiki]
[wiki=53dbe5b22991925ec608c4e26c7e5b8e]World66:europe/germany/northrhinewestphalia/cologne[/wiki]