Cologne Tourist Traps

In a square outside of the Cathedral, there are some guys in elaborate costumes who are meant to symbolize the three Magi (Wise Men) who visited Jesus upon His birth with gifts. For a donation, you can have your picture with one of them. I think the guy in gold is pretty cool.

Unique Suggestions: If you decide to have your photo with one of the three Magi, it is important to smile!

Fun Alternatives: For free, you can always have your photo taken with the statues of the famous puppet characters, Tünnes and Schäl, in the Alter Markt.

A mini yellow coloured train disappearing near the Cathedral looked like a tourist trap to me. Its too small a train to be comfortable to sit and it is supposed to take tourists across some important tourist attractions in the city. I certainly don't think its worth the hype.

Let us be honest: VT is about candid opinions, and - touristwise - I think Cologne is a bit overrated. I like to visit Cologne: The Cathedral is a must-see-once-in-a-lifetime-sight, there are many other remarkable sights and activities, interesting and unusual museums, fine restaurants/bars, but all in all, I like Munich, Berlin and Hamburg much better. Why is that ?

I guess the reason for my initial disappointment is that if you expect a truly historic city (one of the oldest cities in Germany, dating back to Roman times, a political, religious and mercantile center in the Middle Ages), one is a bit disappointed of how few isolated historic remnants remain. And what has been reconstructed is often not reconstructed as it once was but only as to indicated how the style and proportions once looked like (for example Martinswinkel). This is due partly to the destructions of WW2, partly because of reckless city planning.

This should not distract you from a visit, but keep in mind that there might be less left of historic Cologne than you would expect from reading tourist brochures.

After a lot of disappointing experiences I would advise you not to go to any of the big name brewery pubs for eating out -- too often have I gotten dishes where you could exactly tell that they are coming straight out of the microwave oven.

Also avoid the restaurants on the Rhinefront promenade.

Unique Suggestions: Of course going to a Brewery pub is part of the Cologne experience -- just have a quick Döner or Bratwurst elsewhere -- why pay 10 EUR and more inside the brewery for something that costs 2,50 EUR from the bratwurst stand in the street? Once your stomach is silenced, you can order some finger food or pretzels to go along with the Kölsch.

The Rhine quays below the Dome are wonderful with their bars where you can sit and watch river barges and people. Just please don't eat here unless you're recommended a particular place as the quays are lined with restaurants trying to pack the tourists in and serving a mish-mash of cuisines making the food nothing particular in any cooking style. Service is also often poor and you can wait forever for a dry schnitzel which you then pay a fortune for.

Unique Suggestions: Pick a place with ONE food style.

Fun Alternatives: Just a few blocks away from the river you get much better nosh.

You´ll find many street ticket sellers around the campside and close to the main entrance.
DON´T BUY THEM THE TICKETS!! Actually, better if you don´t talk to them.
Buy the tickets ONLY in official places, otherwise you could be buying false tickets and you´ll lose between 90-100€.

"Echt Koelnisch Wasser 4711" Everyone knows it. And many tourists buy it. Honestly I hate its smell. But get your own impression. You can buy it everywhere in downtown. The original 4711-Shop is near Neumarkt and Apellhofplatz by the opera house.

One for the ladies really..........................or the gay couple!

...and think that Cologne is just at one side of the Rhine river. When you stay at the Dome side, you will miss many things about Cologne.

Go to the other side of Rhne river (there is a footpath at the trainbridge) and discover a huge cosy beergarden in front of a large hotel, monumental buildings, nice statues and Rhineparc!