Rhine-Area City Guide

Page 5

Fit for Germany – Rhein Area

City Profiles

Köln

Central Köln/Altstadt

The “Altstadt” (the old part of the city) is famous as the tourist area of Köln. 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 Str., Breite

Str. and Richmond Str. 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

November at 11:11am.

Nippes/Mauenheim

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

century to

the 20

century. The main street “Neusser Str.” 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 Köln with multi-cultural atmosphere. The commuting time to Ford Niehl/Merkenich

is with approx. 15 – 20 minutes drive within short distance. Tram lines: number 12/15 (Number

12 goes to Ford Niehl and Merkenich)

Weidenpesch

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

and south of Niehl. The distance to the Ford site is approx. 4 to 5 kilometers.

There are plenty of shopping facilities on the Niehler Str., Friedrich-Karl-Str., Neusser Str. or

in Nippes. The Köln Horse Race Track is located in Weidenpesch where races take place on

Sundays. Weidenpesch is also the old customs border of Köln and you will find the oldest pub

of the city “Alte Zollgrenze” on Neusser Str. – the legend says that Napoleon dined there.

The city center is approx. 6 kilometers away. This neighborhood offers easy access to the Ford

site. Tram lines: number 12 or 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 Köln. 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 Str. (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.

There is easy access to the Ford site (approx. 10 – 15 minutes drive). Tram line: number 17,

18 and 19

Neustadt Nord

The so-called Neustadt Nord (“new city north”) is located north of the Aachener Str. parallel to

the Grüngürtel and the Rhine. It is one of the most popular living areas of Köln, 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.