Guide to Cologne
A Local Guide to Cologne
Discover Cologne beyond the postcard
Cologne is famous for its Cathedral, the Rhine and its colourful Old Town — but there is much more to discover.
From neighbourhood cafés and local breweries to museums, parks, shopping streets and evenings by the Rhine, Cologne is a city best experienced at an easy pace.
We've put together a few ideas to help you make the most of your stay at Élevé Home.
Start with the Cologne classics
Cologne Cathedral & Old Town
No first visit to Cologne is complete without seeing the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom).
Step inside the Cathedral, explore the streets of the Old Town and continue towards the Rhine. The area around the river is ideal for walking, stopping for a drink or simply watching the boats pass.
Nearby you'll also find museums, historic squares and some of Cologne's traditional breweries.
Perfect for: First-time visitors · Architecture · History · Photography
Walk along the Rhine
The Rhine is part of everyday life in Cologne.
Walk along the river from the Old Town, cross the Hohenzollern Bridge and look back towards one of the city's most recognisable views — the Cathedral rising behind Cologne's skyline.
Continue along the opposite bank for a relaxed walk with views across the river.
Perfect for: Walking · Sunset · Photography · A relaxed afternoon
Experience Cologne's neighbourhoods
Belgian Quarter
For boutiques, cafés, restaurants and nightlife, head to the Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel).
The streets around Brüsseler Platz are filled with independent shops, bars and places to eat. During the day, it's a great area for coffee and shopping; in the evening, it becomes one of Cologne's livelier neighbourhoods.
Perfect for: Cafés · Shopping · Dinner · Drinks · Nightlife
Lindenthal & Sülz
You don't need to travel into the centre to experience Cologne.
Around Élevé Home, Lindenthal and neighbouring Sülz offer cafés, bakeries, restaurants and local shops alongside leafy residential streets.
It's a good place to start the morning with coffee, enjoy breakfast or find somewhere for a relaxed dinner after a day in the city.
This is Cologne at a more local pace.
Perfect for: Breakfast · Cafés · Local life · Relaxed evenings
Discover Cologne's green side
Decksteiner Weiher & the Green Belt
One of the advantages of staying in Lindenthal is being close to Cologne's extensive green spaces.
Decksteiner Weiher and the surrounding Green Belt offer paths through trees and alongside the water, with plenty of space for walking, running and cycling.
It's particularly enjoyable when you want a break from sightseeing or simply a quiet morning outdoors.
Perfect for: Walking · Running · Cycling · Picnics · Relaxing
Aachener Weiher & Hiroshima-Nagasaki Park
Closer to the centre, Aachener Weiher is a popular meeting place surrounded by green space.
On warm days you'll find Cologne residents relaxing on the grass, meeting friends or enjoying the evening outdoors.
From here, it's easy to continue towards the Belgian Quarter.
Perfect for: Sunny afternoons · Picnics · People watching
Culture & museums
Museum Ludwig
Located beside Cologne Cathedral, Museum Ludwig is one of the city's best-known museums and particularly worthwhile if you enjoy modern and contemporary art.
Its collection includes Pop Art, Picasso and other major works of twentieth-century art.
Wallraf-Richartz Museum
For something more classical, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum houses an important collection of European painting spanning several centuries.
Chocolate Museum
Sitting directly on the Rhine, Cologne's Chocolate Museum is one of the city's most popular attractions and an especially good option for families.
Combine it with a walk along the Rheinauhafen and Cologne's distinctive Kranhäuser buildings.
Cologne with children
Cologne works particularly well for a family city break.
Alongside the Chocolate Museum, consider:
Cologne Zoo
One of Germany's oldest zoological gardens and an easy way to spend several hours with children.
Odysseum
An interactive science and adventure museum designed around exploring and experimenting — particularly useful when the weather isn't cooperating.
Flora & Botanical Garden
Next to the zoo, the Botanical Garden provides a beautiful and quieter addition to a day in this part of Cologne.
Tip: Combining the Zoo and Flora makes for an easy family day without crossing the city several times.
Football, concerts & events
RheinEnergieSTADION
Home of 1. FC Köln, RheinEnergieSTADION hosts Bundesliga football as well as major concerts and events.
Even if you're not attending a match, football is a significant part of Cologne's identity — something you'll quickly notice around the city.
LANXESS arena
Across the Rhine in Deutz, the LANXESS arena hosts international concerts, sporting events and shows throughout the year.
If you're visiting Cologne specifically for an event, Élevé Home provides a quieter place to return to afterwards.
Koelnmesse
Cologne is also one of Germany's major trade-fair cities.
Koelnmesse hosts international exhibitions and events throughout the year, making Élevé Home suitable for guests combining business in Cologne with a more residential place to stay.
Eat & drink like a local
Try a Kölsch
Kölsch is more than Cologne's local beer — it's part of the city's culture.
Traditional breweries serve Kölsch in small 0.2-litre glasses, continuously replacing them until you signal that you've had enough by placing your coaster on top of the glass.
For a classic Cologne experience, spend an evening in one of the traditional breweries around the Old Town.
Try Cologne's local dishes
Look out for traditional dishes such as Himmel un Ääd, Halver Hahn and Rheinischer Sauerbraten.
And don't be surprised by the name Halver Hahn: despite translating literally as “half a chicken”, there's no chicken involved.
Shopping in Cologne
For major brands and city-centre shopping, explore Schildergasse and Hohe Straße.
For something more independent, head towards the Belgian Quarter and Ehrenstraße, where you'll find boutiques, smaller brands, cafés and restaurants.
Closer to Élevé Home, Dürener Straße offers a more neighbourhood-oriented mix of shops, cafés and places to eat.
If you only have one day in Cologne
Start the morning at Cologne Cathedral, then explore the Old Town and walk along the Rhine.
Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge for the view back towards the Cathedral before returning to the city centre.
After lunch, choose between Museum Ludwig, the Chocolate Museum or some shopping.
Later in the afternoon, head towards the Belgian Quarter, perhaps stopping at Aachener Weiher along the way.
Have dinner or a Kölsch in the city before returning to the quieter surroundings of Lindenthal.
If you have a weekend
Day 1 — Classic Cologne
Cathedral → Old Town → Rhine → Hohenzollern Bridge → Museum or Chocolate Museum → traditional Cologne dinner
Day 2 — Live like a local
Breakfast in Lindenthal or Sülz → walk around Decksteiner Weiher → Belgian Quarter → shopping and cafés → dinner and drinks
This combination gives you both sides of Cologne: its famous landmarks and the neighbourhood life that makes the city enjoyable to live in.
Our Cologne
The best trips aren't always about seeing the most places.
Have a coffee in a neighbourhood café. Walk through the park. Sit beside the Rhine. Try a Kölsch. Explore a street you hadn't planned to visit.
And when you're ready to slow down, come home to Élevé Home in Cologne-Lindenthal.
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Have a question or looking for a particular recommendation? Just ask us — we're happy to help you discover Cologne.