I recently rediscovered Cologne's botanical garden. What I found boring as a kid nowadays seems like a perfect place for me: a beautiful park with fountains and flowerbeds, tropical glasshouses and fancy trees and plants. Have you ever expected an alley of palm trees in Cologne?
I like beautiful spots that have the opportunity to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat. And thankfully there is a wonderful café at the west wing of the "Flora", the most prestigious building in the park. Dank Augusta is a small kiosk located on a huge terrace which can provide you with everything you need for a great picnic: choose your drinks, your salad, your cake, and the friendly staff will hand you out a picnic basket with your delicacies. Then you just have to pick a seat: perhaps at one of the bigger picnic tables or at a romantic spot for two overlooking the gardens.
By the way, the café's name "Dank Augusta" means "Thanks to Augusta". In the middle of the 19th century, Augusta was married to the German Emperor William I. She had a reputation for being very liberal and self-confident and when she took over the patronage of the botanical gardens she wanted it to be open to all citizens, regardless of their social class - something that was not self-evident at the time. A bust in the garden of the flora is still reminiscent of Augusta. Why don't you try to find it?
Find your way with 139 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
"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
Manufactum Warenhaus Cologne is a aesthetic design shop that all of my friends love, from designers, architects, to lawyers and teachers.
by
Museum Ludwig is a must for art lovers! It houses an important collection of modern and contemporary art: Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns...
by
Eisenwaren Edmund Bosen in Cologne is a small hardware shop that's been closed since 1998. Look through the window at a world frozen in time...
by
Meister Gerhard am Rathenauplatz is one of my favorite restaurants for the evening in Cologne. Always a good choice for good Mediterranean tapas.
by
"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
"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
"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
"Music Store" Cologne: only the biggest one in Europe! They don't only have 3-4 guitars - they even have a bistro, because you'll want to stay long here.
by
"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
"Wo ist Tom?" is more than just a great cafe in Cologne. Its food menu is ridiculously extensive, and I love how it also does social work!
by
139 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 139 Insider Tips