Discover our locals' 139 hidden gems in Cologne

Los geht's! Join us to explore Cologne's hidden treasures with Spotted by Locals! From secret breweries in Ehrenfeld to quaint corners in the Belgisches Viertel, our Spotters share their favourite spots, helping you experience the city's true character.

Search *

City guides by those who know Cologne best!

Travel Guides by these Cologne Locals!

Our Cologne Cityguide - Made by Locals

Know your way in Cologne like a local!

Spotted by Locals

✓ Discover Cologne through the eyes of a local!

✓ Hidden gems that can’t be found in traditional guidebooks

✓ Our locals share their personal favorite spots in Cologne

Check out our latest hidden gems in Cologne

Things to do in Cologne

Lichtspiele Kalk Cologne

Lichtspiele Kalk

Enjoy classic movies!

Lichtspiele Kalk is an independent cinema with an 87-seat screening room and it shows not only contemporary movies but also children’s and classic movies.

008-ticket
Cinema

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025

St. Aposteln

Colourful frescoes in the old town

What struck me the most were the frescoes in the three apse ceilings by Hermann Gottfried. These powerful frescoes bring colors and dynamism to the church.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025

Dellbrücker Heide

A small nature reserve

To maintain this habitat open and thus preserve the associated species - there is a shepherd with goats and sheep. There are also free tours you can join!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025

Knippschild Werk 2

Gastropub in Köln Dellbrück

Knippschild Werk 2 is a rather small family-run restaurant with 30 seats inside and 18 seats in the biergarten, and multiple kinds of Schnitzel!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025

Rail museum Thielenbruch

Historic tramways

In this museum, you can see more than 20 tramways, a model railway, historical props of the Cologne tramway, and technical objects.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025
La Vincaillerie Cologne

La Vincaillerie

Natural Wines in Ehrenfeld

La Vincaillerie offers natural wines from all over Europe, including Austria, France, Georgia, and Germany. And you can rent the store for private events!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jul 10, 2025
Kunstbruder Cologne

Kunstbruder

The restaurant in an art gallery

"Kunstbruder" in Cologne is a restaurant inside a street art gallery! I love their varied, international menu -- I always get something different...

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lea

Renner

Jul 10, 2025

My Shoemaker in Riehl

Support local craftsmen

Moving within your city means you can explore new neighborhoods. My new shoemaker in Cologne did a very good job fixing an old leather bag...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Julia

Krakau

Jul 7, 2025
Perlenfischer Cologne

Perlenfischer

Beautiful gifts and stamps

Perlenfischer is a beautiful corner store has specialized in rubber stamps: flowers and leaves, fruits, animals, graphic shapes, or whole letterings.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Julia

Krakau

Jul 5, 2025

Ährensache Biobäckerei

Holweide organic bakery

My favorite breads from Ährensache Biobäckerei are the Überraschungsbrot (literally the “surprise bread”) and the vegan Dinkel-Kamut Hefebrot Mohn.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jun 30, 2025

Alte Metzgerei

Best burgers in Dellbrück

At Alte Metzgerei the burgers and burritos are made from regional products and contain a 150g homemade patty made from 100% responsibly raised beef.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jun 30, 2025

o.k.-international

From abroad to Neustadt-Nord

o.k.-international was founded in 1997 and there you will find objects from everyday life that Lukas Plum found abroad (e.g. in Cambodia or Turkmenistan).

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Justine

Vandendorpe

Jun 30, 2025

Heading to Cologne?

139 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Going to Cologne?

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

What to expect?

Authentic & Unbiased Content

Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!

Go off the Beaten Path Gems

We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.

Responsible Travel

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

Hi! Nice to meet you.

We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.

Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.

With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
Filters
Price
Price