Local guides
by diocletianvs
I was very happy when I went to Cologne because I had a great guide - Sabsi. She is not even local here, but as soon as she heard I'm coming to Cologne she started planning and even learning things because she knew I wouldn't be happy with the usual "This is an interesting house from I don't know when and built by I don't know who - but there is a nice bar on the ground floor".
Sabsi waited for me at the airport, reserved our seats in restaurants, gave me maps and drove me around for two days. Which wasn't easy at all since I had some things on my list of Must see places that she never heard of. But at least I hope it was an interesting visit to Cologne for her too.
Thank you Sabs!
Jazz Records
by pieter_jan_v about Ohrenspitzen
Ohrenspitzen is a small shop, hidden in a "hof" at the Aachenerstrasse.
The majority of the inventory are jazzz records, but other records can be found too.
There's just 1 case with 45ers.
Bicycle station
by Nemorino
Photos:
1. Bicycle station underneath the tracks
2. Bicycle parking on two levels
3. In the bicycle station
4. Repair shop
The bicycle station is located right underneath the tracks of the main railroad station, but unfortunately it is at the back of the station and somewhat hard to find.
When you leave the main station you have to turn left, then left again and walk through a tunnel underneath the tracks, then right to reach the bicycle station.
It's worth looking for, though, because they have bicycles for rent and also provide safe and dry bicycle parking for commuters and others who want to leave their bikes at the station while they go off on the train somewhere.
The Catholic charitable organization "In Via" (third photo) cooperates with the bicycle station to provide on-the-job training in bicycle repairs for school dropouts and unemployed young people.
Breslauer Platz, 50667 Köln
GPS 50°56'31.49" North; 6°57'38.60" East
Beer Garden at Mulheim
by SWFC_Fan about Biergarten am Wiener Platz
Biergarten am Wiener Platz is a German beer garden which is located in the centre of Wiener Platz square in the suburb of Mulheim.
To get here from Cologne city centre, take the Stadtbahn (tram numbers 17, 18 or 19) to Mulheim Wienerplatz station and upon exiting the station you'll find yourself on Wienerplatz. I was actually staying at a hotel in Mulheim, so this beer garden was just a 1 minute walk from my hotel.
Despite its proximity to my hotel, I only actually visited once during my stay in Cologne. However, I passed it at least twice a day and it was almost always busy with people (mainly locals rather than tourists) enjoying a beer or traditional German food in the sun.
The food menu isn't particularly extensive.....just a few German meat dishes such as schnitzel and various sausages.....but most people seemed to be there just to enjoy their beer and listen to the live music. On the occasion that I visited there was a German guy singing what sounded like traditional beer hall songs against upbeat backing music.
There were other drinks available (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), but beer was by far the most popular choice. Amongst the options are the local Kolsch beer and German schwarz- and weiss-biers.
I ordered a 500ml Erdinger weissbier at a cost of 3.10 Euros.
A good place for a beer in the sun if you are in Mulheim. Not worth making a special effort to get to if you're not already in Mulheim!
Right as you come outside of...
by Venturingnow
Right as you come outside of the train station doors, you are standing in the shadow of Cologne's most famous sight, the Dom. It's absolutely massive, nicely carved and detailed, and just plain beautiful.
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Land Train Stop At Tourist Office
Church bells
Photo by edjumari
Lift and stretch
