Gay Travel Guide Cologne (Köln)

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About Cologne and its gay life

Cologne

Cologne (Köln) is called the ›most southern city of Germany‹ by some people though it is situated in Germany's northern part. That is partly because the Cologne people tend to be more easy-going and approachable than in other big German cities. (Also, they like to imitate the Southern European lifestyle – as soon as two sun-rays hit the city you will see some tables outside in front of many cafes and bars.)

Cologne had been extensively destroyed during the last war. And the paradigm of the first after-war and ›Wirtschaftswunder‹ decades to replace everything old by something new unfortunately did the rest to prevent Cologne from becoming one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Germany. For the sight-seeing traveller it hasn't much to offer besides the Cathedral, an UNESCO World Heritage site, a wide range of high quality art galleries and museums, and a few other attractions.

But Cologne covers this downside gracefully with its more friendly and easy-going atmosphere. As one result Cologne became the gay capital of the western part of Germany. Its big rival in the East, Berlin, is bigger, more dynamic and vibrant, which makes the Cologne gay scene look more provincial but also more familiar and warmer.

The Gay City Map shows two major gay areas in Cologne. Many of the cafes, bars and clubs around Rudolfplatz have started during the last 10 years and have a rather modern style. Traditional pubs and bars for mixed ages are located mainly in the Old Town at and around Old Market (Alter Markt); and the Southern Old Town (Altstadt-Süd) has most of the Cruising and Fetish bars and clubs.

Cologne has probably the gay scene with the highest musclemania infection rate in Germany. Our Clubs page tells you where all those hard won muscles can be seen and shown.

If you like your travel destinations crowded and with a million people partying on the streets and in the pubs then the Carnival in winter and the Gay Pride (CSD) in summer are made for you. More information on these events on our Tips page.

Travel tip for Cologne

Still looking for a flight to Cologne? The German low-cost airline TUIfly offers flights between Cologne and Bilbao, Birmingham, Graz, Grenoble, Manchester, Naples, Pisa, Tel Aviv, Valencia, Venice, and several other cities within Germany and Europe.