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Cologne Local Customs
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Cologne Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Cologne. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Cologne locals.
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Gepäck Schliessfach Automat
  • Tip Rating:
    • diocletianvs
  • Updated By diocletianvs on November 22, 2004
  • Cologne Page by diocletianvs
    • Luggage Machine - Cologne
    Luggage Machine
    by diocletianvs
    I am known as person that gives names to devices and is often caught talking to computers, toasters or coffee machines. People usually find this weird.

    But not people that ever left their luggage at Cologne train station.

    Of course, there are no counters and no people. If you follow the sign saying 'Gepäck / Luggage' you'll find only cold and efficient luggage machine. You insert a coin (3 Eur for 24 hours) and the door will open for your bag. Then the door will close, you'll hear your bag going somewhere deep under and you'll get a small ticket with a magnetic stripe that says:

    'You have just left your bag to the mercy of the stupid machine. Now, if you want your bag back please turn back. What you'll see right outside the train station is the huge Cologne Cathedral. Now choose the Saint you trust and pray 3 HolyMary's for the well being of your dear bag'.

    I took the instructions seriously, prayed to Santa Ursula and even lit a candle inside the Cathedral.

    In the evening The Machine was satisfied and retuned me the same bag I left earlier, saying: Vielen Dank, you are a good Christian!

    There were some bad Christians next to me that were now talking to the Machine ;)

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    BAP
  • Tip Rating:
    • Gili_S
  • Updated By Gili_S on May 8, 2004
  • Cologne Page by Gili_S
    • BAP - Cologne
    BAP
    by Gili_S
    I cannot really explain much about BAP, you need to be local to understand, but anyhow, this is a local rock group, they have been playing for more then 20 years now and they are obviously pure German band, or, to be correct, Koelsch band.
    Few of their CDs are classics and "Verdamp lang her" is something that will always stay in my memory.

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  • Website: http://www.bap.de/
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    Rockpalast
  • Tip Rating:
    • croisbeauty
  • Updated By croisbeauty on October 6, 2006
  • Cologne Page by croisbeauty
    • Rockpalast - Cologne
    Rockpalast
    by croisbeauty, 3 more photos
    Rockpalast is the best known concert hall in Cologne but also, famous in whole of Germany and abroad. It is situated right next to the Hauptbanhof and a foot of the Dom. You can't miss it, easy to find and recognizable for its tent-shape rooftop seen from the far distance.
    The most popular rock stars and bands, from all over the world, held their concerts here. If lucky, you may watch some of them in live concert during your stay in Cologne.

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    Pencil marks on beermats
  • Tip Rating:
    • BillNJ
  • Updated By BillNJ on May 30, 2008
  • Cologne Page by BillNJ
    • Cologne Local Customs
    by BillNJ
    In the pubs and beerhouses of Cologne, the Köbes (waiters) generally make pencil marks on your beermat to indicate how many glasses of Kölsch you have had. Also, the Köbes will generally keep bringing you a new glass of Kölsch to replace your empty glass until you place your beermat on top of your glass to indicate that you are finished.

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    WC (Water Closet) Is Designation for Rest Rooms
  • Tip Rating:
    • BillNJ
  • Updated By BillNJ on May 29, 2008
  • Cologne Page by BillNJ
    • In Germany, you won't see signs for rest rooms. Instead, look for signs for WC which stands for Water Closet. Be sure to note that Herren refers to men and Damen refers to women.

    Also, it is a good idea to carry some pocket change with you at all times because public toilets in Germany are generally not free. For instance, it costs 0.70 Euro to use the Herren WC at the Cologne Hauptbahnhof.

    On the positive side, the WC's in Germany are generally clean and well-maintained.

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    Usages of the German word "bitte"
  • Tip Rating:
    • BillNJ
  • Updated By BillNJ on May 29, 2008
  • Cologne Page by BillNJ
    • This tip is for visitors to Germany who are beginners in the German language like me. While in Germany, you will often hear the word "bitte". The link included with this tip instructs on the common usages of the term "bitte" in German.

    Before visiting Cologne, it would be helpful if you could master the following phrase: "Ich möchte ein Kölsch, bitte." In this phrase, "bitte" means "please".

  • Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/lj/language_notes/bitte.shtml
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    Kölsch is Köln
  • Tip Rating:
    • richiecdisc
  • Updated By richiecdisc on June 14, 2007
  • Cologne Page by richiecdisc
    • hoisting the barrels at Früh am Dom - Cologne
    hoisting the barrels at
    Früh am Dom
    by richiecdisc
    Cologne's German name is Köln and its namesake beer is Kölsch. There were once 20 breweries in the city but the number has dwindled with big brewery takeovers. In 1985, they got together and created an appellation that stated that the Kölsch had to be brewed within the city limits (though some long time producers were grandfathered in) and that the beer had to be served in the traditional .2 liter glass known locally as Stange. It is a long cylindrical glass that affords great head retention. These glasses are placed in a circular tray called a Kranz which is carried by Köbes, the local name by waiters. These are always men. The Köbes are quite efficient and you'll not be long without a beer despite their small size and I find you drink even more quickly than when the glasses are bigger. The best varieties are served via gravity dispense which means there is no additional carbon dioxide infused to impart an artificial bitter flavor or carbonation. The small wooden kegs are quite traditional and add to the timeless air to the best pubs. These are sometimes hoisted from the cellar via a pulley system like at Früh am Dom and it's quite a production to watch as the eager patrons wait for the next barrel to be tapped with a small wooden hammer. Many breweries are doing away with wooden barrels. It is hard to find one in Munich for example other than at Augustiner but the Cologne breweries should be commended for thus far trying to buck this trend. They make the kegs smaller to ensure freshness to the highly perishable beer form. Kölsch is an ale which means it is top fermented. It is related though not so much in taste to rival Düsseldorf's Altbier. It is golden in color with a fruity dry palate and quite easy to quaff. By all means try one and make sure it's from the wood!

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    Bier Museum
  • Tip Rating:
    • croisbeauty
  • Updated By croisbeauty on October 9, 2006
  • Cologne Page by croisbeauty
    • Bier Museum - Cologne
    Bier Museum
    by croisbeauty
    Well, I wasn't surprise because it could be expected to see the Bier Museum in the town of bier. It is situated in the old core of the town and, of course, surrounded by the number of other breweries. I suppose it is a must see for all bier lovers but am not the one.

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    Local guides
  • Tip Rating:
    • diocletianvs
  • By diocletianvs on April 24, 2005
  • Cologne Page by diocletianvs
    • Sabsi in action - Cologne
    Sabsi in action
    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!

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  • Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/14849/
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    Früh
  • Tip Rating:
    • Gili_S
  • By Gili_S on December 13, 2004
  • Cologne Page by Gili_S
    • Cologne Local Customs
    by Gili_S
    This is one of the most popular beers here, it is made in a local brewery in the city centre. I must say that I am a not a big fun of this beer, I think it will taste a lot better on a hot summer day by the river. Next time in Köln in the summer then.

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  • Website: www.frueh.de
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    More Cologne Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 174 - Photos: 170
    Things To Do
    Tips: 752 - Photos: 1,054    		Nightlife
    Tips: 89 - Photos: 75
    Transportation
    Tips: 163 - Photos: 150    		Restaurants
    Tips: 196 - Photos: 186
    Shopping
    Tips: 65 - Photos: 69    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 73 - Photos: 88
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 25 - Photos: 15    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 31 - Photos: 15
    Local Customs
    Tips: 88 - Photos: 87    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 7
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 11    		General Tips
    Tips: 187 - Photos: 173
    Flights
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 0
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