Discover our locals' 138 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.
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Things to do in Cologne
I Siciliani
"La Dolce Vita" in Cologne
"I Siciliani" in Cologne is an authentic place that'll remind you of Italy & Sicily - but the reason I come back on a regular basis are the tasty arancini!
by
Lea
Renner
Pizzeria Totò e Peppino
Attention, pizza lovers!
"Pizzeria Totò e Peppino" in Cologne is for you if you like delicious Neapolitan pizza, 'pizza bianca' or even fried pizza, the classic Naples specialty...
by
Lea
Renner
Kalscheurer Weiher
Rowing boats and picnic place
"Kalscheurer Weiher" Cologne is a pond with a boat rental and a small kiosk in Cologne's outer green belt. For me, this place feels so down-to-earth...
by
Julia
Krakau
Holm Kaffeerösterei Café
Warmth in Lindenthal
The atmosphere is both minimalist and warm, and there is a good selection of drinks and pastries such as tartelettes, carrot cake and cinnamon buns.
by
Justine
Vandendorpe
Impact Café
Fairtrade coffee in Sülz
The Impact Café is a cosy café where you can enjoy pastries such as cinnamon rolls, not-too-sweet hot chocolate, homemade iced teas and, of course, coffee.
by
Justine
Vandendorpe
Köski
Τhe "royal" Büdchen
Köski in Cologne is a real gem. Charlotte has taken this Büdchen, or kiosk, and made it into something else. I want to buy something every time I visit.
by
Julia
Krakau
Büdchen am Nikolausplatz
A personal story
"Büdchen am Nikolausplatz" is the Büdchen I work at in Cologne. That's right - I'm selling sweets, ice-cream and coffee, and I couldn't be happier!
by
Julia
Krakau
Manufactum Warenhaus
Sustainability meets design
Manufactum Warenhaus Cologne is a aesthetic design shop that all of my friends love, from designers, architects, to lawyers and teachers.
by
Gol
Ebrahimpour-Mirzaie
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Home of the Schnitzel
"Bei Oma Kleinmann" is one of my favourite restaurants in Cologne. I make sure to go there when I am really hungry, because their Schnitzels are just huge.
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Nextbike/KVB-Rad
I want to ride a bicycle
"Nextbike/KVB-Rad" is a bike sharing system in Cologne that's integrated with KVB, the mass transit system. Just 1€/hour - that's it!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Bona'me
Our house!
"Bona'me" is a Kurdish restaurant in Cologne that means 'our house', and it does look like that. It has a delicious self-service concept with many dishes!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
RheinEnergieStadion
A stadium like a living room
"RheinEnergieStadion" in Cologne is the home stadium for FC Köln - I love going there for games with some friends with a bratwurst and a delicious Kölsch!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
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What to do in Cologne?
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138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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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
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.
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