The pine trees in Dünnwald always remind me of my teenage summers in the south of France, especially the familiar smell of the trees. Indeed, you feel far away from the big city buzz, even if it is only for a couple of hours. That is why the Waldfreibad is one of my favorite places for a hot summer’s day in Cologne.

The “forest swimming pool”, as the literal translation goes, offers one large (heated) pool for swimming and two smaller pools and a big water slide, all surrounded by trees. In general, the place is very family-friendly, but you will always find a quiet place for yourself to read a book underneath the pines. If you’re an active summer person, there is a beach volleyball field.

It’s also great for a weekend escape that you can spend at a camping ground next to the pool. They also host some good open-air concerts during summer, so it might be worth it to check the website.