Five quiet corners of Cologne

Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany, is where I had the privilege to learn and appreciate more than the Dom, Kölsch and fragrances. During my 3 month internship in Cologne I tried to see as much of the city as possible, in which I think I have succeeded. In this blog I will show you 5 great things to do or to visit during your stay in Cologne. If you follow one of CYHIT tours you will see all the places this beautiful city is known for.

Cologne by night

What is better than Cologne during the day? Cologne at night! When the sun sets behind the cathedral and all the lights turn on we can start enjoying the amazing nightlife of Cologne. Take a peaceful evening walk at the Rhine promenade and enjoy the views on the illuminated Hohenzollern Bridge and the DOM Cathedral. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxed evening walk or ready to dive into the city’s vibrant nightlife, Cologne has it all. From cozy bars to stylish cocktail lounges and energetic nightclubs, there’s no shortage of places to keep the night going. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with Cologne after dark!

Grüngürtel

The Grüngürtel (Green Belt) is a 7 kilometer-long park that separates the city center and the suburbs. There are many peaceful spots in the Grüngürtel where you can have a picnic and lay low. Grab some local treats from one of the nearby markets or cafés and enjoy a relaxed meal surrounded by nature. My favorite spot here is the Aachener Weiher. It’s got a great view of the telecom tower and there are some great beer gardens nearby where you can enjoy some classic German dishes and, of course, plenty of Kölsch!

Lindenthal

Lindenthal is one of the suburbs of Cologne and my personal favorite, it’s more local and less busy! The Dürener Straße is one of the main streets in Lindenthal with lots of small stores, cafes and restaurants. The Stadtwald located in Lindenthal is a big park, perfect for jogging, cycling or just a peaceful walk to get your steps in. If you don’t feel like being on land, enjoy floating on the Kahnweiher pond. Here you can rent pedal boats and glide on the water while enjoying the view.

Felsengarten

Cologne is an active city, so no wonder sometimes people want to escape the madness and enjoy some time for rest. While Cologne has a lot of parks, my favorite place to go to is the Felsengarten. This wonderful park can be easily labeled as a small forest and it is just outside of Cologne. Felsengarten is not widely known actually, not even by some locals of the city. So, enjoy a peaceful and uncrowded atmosphere while you are there. The Felsengarten is named after some impressive rock formations in the forest. These formations in combination with all the beautiful plants and green ferns gives me the feeling of being in a jungle, the jungle of Cologne!  

To get there – Just take Tramline 7 to Stüttgenhof, it only takes 15 minutes from Rudolfplatz. You will find a lot of hiking or cycling trails through some beautiful wooded areas.

Chlodwigplatz

The Chlodwigplatz is a small square in the south of the old town of Cologne. It is surrounded by a variety of cafés, bars and restaurants. During the day you can enjoy a cup of coffee with a nice German lunch. In the evening, it becomes a popular spot for drinks at local bars. The Severinstraße, which leads from Chlodwigplatz, is filled with shops, boutiques and local stores. In the middle of the square you can see the old Severinstorburg, one of the old city gates of Cologne. Sometimes, local events like carnaval in February or Christmas markets in December take place here.