Cologne is world-famous for its cathedral and Carnival. In addition to a vibrant media sector, the city is a centre of the automobile manufacturing industry. It’s also where many different people and cultures meet. Life in Cologne has a very special feel. Despite its size, you never feel like a number.
Facts
1,087,863 Inhabitants ¹
102,977 Students ²
9 Higher education institutions ²
WELCOME TO COLOGNE
Cologne is the home of the Cologne Cathedral and Carnival. With just over one million inhabitants, it’s the fourth largest city in Germany. The metropolis, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is colourful, cosmopolitan and flashy. Cologne is a huge venue for the most diverse trends in music, culture, partying, sports and media. It’s a booming city, yet you never get the feeling that you are completely anonymous. Because deep down, Cologne is still a village.
Cologne is host to a number of important trade fairs and is a centre of automobile production, insurance companies, retail and media. Two of the largest TV broadcasters in Germany are located there – RTL and WDR. Thanks to its large train station and airport (Cologne-Bonn), you can quickly reach Cologne from other cities in Germany and abroad.
Cologne is over 2,000 years old. The city’s landmark is the world-famous Cologne Cathedral which is said to contain the remains of the “Three Kings”, the Holy Magi. Built in the Gothic style, the cathedral is over 700 years old and is the third tallest church in the world! If you make it up the 533 steps to the top spire, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Cologne and the Rhine River.
The love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge in front of the main train station have also become quite famous. Couples in love attach padlocks to the railing of the bridge as a symbol of their love. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of colourful locks adorn the bridge!
Cologne is situated in the Rhineland – a region along the Rhine River. Rhinelanders are known for their especially open-minded and friendly manner. The locals absolutely love their city – be it for its beer (called “Kölsch”) or football club, the 1. FC Köln. There are countless songs about Cologne which the locals endearingly call “Kölle”.
The atmosphere in town comes to a boil at Carnival, the so-called fifth season of the year. The season begins on 11 November at 11:11 am every year with a large programme in the city. The crowning conclusion takes place in February on Rose Monday when Cologne hosts the world-famous Carnival street parade. Young and old party together, dressed up in the craziest costumes you could imagine, yelling at the top of their voices “Kölle Alaaf” (Cologne is the best!) and “Lang lebe Köln” (Long live Cologne!).
Tip
Go on a shopping tour through the Belgian Quarter and then spend the rest of the day with friends and a cold drink on Brüsseler Platz.
Cologne is an important venue of the fine arts. There are many and numerous galleries which exhibit art by both prominent artists of the past and up-and-coming artists of today.
Interview
GABRIELA FROM BRAZIL
LIVING IN COLOGNE
Cologne is a vibrant city where you don’t have to worry about being bored. But because its popularity is growing, life in Cologne is not exactly cheap. The rental prices are very high in the districts which are especially popular with students, like the historic part of town (Altstadt) and the districts to the south, Neustadt, Sülz and the Belgian Quarter. You can find more affordable accommodation in Ehrenfeld or Nippes, which have become more popular among students in recent years, or on the other side of the Rhine in Mülheim or Kalk. Thanks to its well-developed transportation network, you can reach the centre of town relatively quickly.
If you want to go out, you should meet at Zülpicher Strasse, where you’ll find one bar after another, and the “Belgian Quarter“. The Belgian Quarter has become Cologne’s trendy district thanks in part to its small and extraordinary designer shops. It’s also a popular meeting place for night owls. On Brüsseler Platz you’ll find many students sitting outside. Aachener Strasse, about five minutes away, is also filled with popular student bars in which you can enjoy a drink and have a relaxing evening, playing table tennis or simply listening to music dished up by various DJs.
There are places to party all around Aachener Strasse and the Belgian Quarter. If you’re not in the mood for swanky clubs, then Ehrenfeld is the place to go – Cologne’s more alternative, hip quarter.
There are numerous parks and greens around the city where you can barbecue, picnic or hang out with friends on warm summer evenings, e.g. at the “Rheinpark“ between Mülheim and Deutz, or the centrally located “Volksgarten“ and “Stadtgarten“. One of the best-known festivals in Cologne is the Summerjam, which is held at Fühlinger Lake every year and draws reggae fans from around the region and entire country.
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