Koln_Bonn City Guide

Page 4

Köln and Bonn City Guide

City Profiles

Köln

Central Cologne/Altstadt

The “Altstadt” (the old part of the city) is famous as the tourist area of Cologne. A lot of bars,

restaurants offering regional dishes and sights such as the Cathedral, the Gürzenich (a festival

hall), the Historic City Hall and many museums are located in this area.

The district is situated around the Cathedral and central station (Hauptbahnhof) with easy

access to the famous pedestrian shopping areas such as the Schildergasse, Hohe Straße,

Breite Straße and Richmond Straße. Various squares are located in the “Altstadt” e.g.

Altermarkt and Heumarkt. At the Heumarkt the kickoff for the carnival season takes place every

year on the 11

November at 11:11am.

Nippes/Mauenheim

Nippes/Mauenheim is a northern suburb of Cologne and founded at the turn of the 19

century

to the 20

century. The main street “Neusser Straße” offers very good shopping facilities and

there is a food and vegetable market on the Wilhelmsplatz every day (except Sundays). Parks

and green areas are easily accessible; however, the parking situation is difficult. Nippes is a

very lively area of Cologne with multi-cultural atmosphere. Tram lines: number 12/15

Weidenpesch

Weidenpesch is located in the northern part of the city, north of the neighborhood of Nippes

and south of Niehl. There are plenty of shopping facilities on the Niehler Straße, Friedrich-Karl-

Straße, Neusser Straße or in Nippes. The Cologne Horse Race Track is located in

Weidenpesch where races take place on Sundays. Weidenpesch is also the old customs

border of Cologne and you will find the oldest pub of the city “Alte Zollgrenze” on Neusser

Straße – the legend says that Napoleon dined there! Tram lines: number 12/15

Riehl

Riehl is located close to the city but it is also a very green area due to the nearby zoo, the river

Rhine and the Botanic Garden of Cologne. It is a very good and wealthy neighborhood. The

buildings are designed in a very mixed style.

Shopping facilities are on the main street of Riehl, the Stammheimer Straße (e.g.,

supermarkets, butchers, bakeries, drugstore) and various “Kölsch” (special local beer) pubs

and restaurants. There is a market along the Riehler Gürtel every Wednesday and Friday

where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Tram lines: number 17, 18 and 19

Neustadt Nord

The so-called Neustadt Nord (“new city north”) is located north of the Aachener Straße, parallel

to the Grüngürtel and the Rhine. It is one of the most popular living areas of Cologne, where

expatriates and locals live next to each other (Belgisches Viertel, Friesenviertel and

Agnesviertel). It is a very pleasant area with plenty of galleries, small shops, trendy bars and

restaurants. The rental price range is on the upper end.

On the one hand, it is very close to the busy shopping area in the Ehrenstraße, on the other

hand it also offers access to open spaces like the Grüngürtel (green area) and Stadtgarten

(“municipal park”) which offer possibilities for relaxation, strolls and sports.