Five Things We Love About Cologne

Berlin might be the default destination of choice for most gay travellers visiting Germany, but Germany is a huge country. Cities like Frankfurt and Munich are great to explore and have excellent gay scenes.

A favourite of ours is the city of Cologne (Köln), one of the oldest and most historic in Germany. We visited Cologne in December 2015 and fell in love with the city. Why?

A big gay scene

Cologne's large gay scene spans two districts and has plenty of gay venues in between. There are dozens of gay bars, clubs, and saunas here with something to entertain everyone.

Cologne’s main gay area is near Rudolfplatz, the so-called ‘Bermuda Triangle’. You’ll find an excellent selection of gay bars, clubs, and shops, with an electric nightlife 7 days a week.

Exile and Die Mumu are top picks for the younger crowd. Those wanting to relax and make friends with guys of all ages should check out Ruhrpott or ExCorner.

There are also plenty of gay venues in the Old Town including Station 2B, Cologne’s largest cruise club and bar, plus Sauna Vulcanas, the oldest gay sauna in the city.

Terrific tourist sites

Despite much of the city being flattened during WW2, there are plenty of impressive historical sights to see - some dating back to Roman times. The highlight has to be the Kölner Dom, a gothic cathedral that takes pride of place in the city’s landscape.

The art museums are also pretty spectacular; we recommend the Museum Ludwig and Schnutgen Museum for any fans of modern and religious masterpieces.

Scenic river

The majestic Rhine River runs through the city, offering a fantastic opportunity to see Cologne from a different viewing point.

Boat trips run almost every day, but it's best to try to pick a sunny day. Head to the Rheingarten area to see the different sailing options.

Comfortable, value-for-money hotels

Cologne has an excellent selection of mid-range & luxury hotels at very affordable prices - arguably offering better value for money than similar hotels in Berlin. Our top picks include Steigenberger Hotel Koln, a stone’s throw away from the main gay nightlife, plus the fashionable HOPPER Hotel et cetera. 

Check out our full list of recommended hotels here.

Shopping heaven

From local boutiques to big-brand names, if you count retail therapy as one of your hobbies then you’ll love Cologne.

The main shopping parade stretches from outside the Cathedral on Hohe Straße, winding all the way down to Neumarkt. There are plenty of interesting food and drink options located along the way too.