Cologne - any advice?

[Austrian Gull]

If you've any interest in modern history, go to Bonn for a day.

The Haus der Geschichte (History of West Germany) is brilliant.

Have to say I was not overbothered by Cologne - much preferred Düsseldorf. A brilliant city for a raucous night out.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Definitely go to the cathedral (the Dom) as it houses my favourite ever piece of art: Gerhard Richter's "symphony of light."

There's also a cool little crossroads with three bars on it. One is housed in an old pharmacy. Ill find out the address for you today.

 

[loco61]

yes the dom is a must and a trip down the rhine to bonn not a bad idea
but carnival is crazy, if you around on the thursday "weiberfastnacht" make sure you get up early ,
the party starts before breakfast
on monday..."rosenmontag" find yourself a good place to enjoy the procession from
the only alternative is to get out of town!
have you booked a hotel, prices will be higher for that weekend

 

[les dynam]

Loads of footy within easy reach of cologne. dortmund is about 1 hour on the train (i think?) to experience the biggest and best tarrace in european football for example. great train connections from cologne. dusseldorf. leverkusen etc etc. check out the fixtures for the weekend sir.

 

[brighton_girl87]

Loads of footy within easy reach of cologne. dortmund is about 1 hour on the train (i think?) to experience the biggest and best tarrace in european football for example. great train connections from cologne. dusseldorf. leverkusen etc etc. check out the fixtures for the weekend sir.

Ah cool, I shall have to check the trains out.

 

[Storer 68]

There are many bars and Brauhäuser in Köln, including many where you can sit outside overlooking the Rhine or the market squares in the touristy Altstadt. My favourite was Päffgen (Friesenstrasse 64), a roomy, relaxed Hausbrauerei (brewpub) about 5-10 minutes from the Dom by foot. It is popular with the locals and is outside of the main tourist trap, serving excellent food and their own, pleasingly hoppy Päffgen Kölsch. There's a leafy, walled Biergarten at the rear and their Himmel un Äd was sublime

 

[Storer 68]

Ah cool, I shall have to check the trains out.

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml

 

[Tooting Gull]

It's pretty easy to have a good time in Cologne. Lots of Brauhaus activity, eat and drink well, get out and about in those old streets down by the river, walk all the way up the Dom, boat trip, football in the city or nearby. Sorted.

And don't bother buying any original Cologne from that shop for the other half, it might be a nice idea but she'll hate it, and it will still be standing unused five years later in the bathroom.