Dom/Hbf – Lines 5, 16, 18
Zoo/Flora – Line 18
Heumarkt – Lines 1, 7, 9
Heumarkt – Lines 1, 7, 9
Severinstrasse – Lines 3, 4
No
guide to Cologne would be complete without a few paragraphs on the
river that runs through it, and through much of the country, from
North to South. It runs by many other cities, such as Frankfurt, and
much of the country's wine is made of grapes harvested from its
banks.
An
obvious tourist attraction, as it is, there are plenty of things to
do along the Rhine:
First
of all, the Rhine is a wonderfully picturesque location, and perfect
for walks and picnics. If you're a picnic lover, the most notable
location, other than several grassy spots overlooking the Rhine
itself, would be Tanzbrunnen Park. Whilst nearer the Köln
Messe/Deutz station, it is actually easier to access on foot. And
the walk itself is enjoyable enough to be worthwhile. From Dom/Hbf,
cross over the railway bridge and admire the engraved padlocks that
have been left as love momentos. Then you can simply follow the path
along the river that runs to the left. The park is enormous so,
although popular, you won't have any difficulties finding a quiet
spot. It is also a popular concert venue during the summer months.
On
your journey back towards the Cathedral, it is also worth stopping
off at the Oasis Restaurant on Kennedy Ufer (just before the railway
bridge) for a well-deserved ice-cream and, if well timed, a glorious
sunset behind the Altstadt.
If
beer gardens are more your thing, you will be pleased to note that
the Altstadt, centre of the city's finest, oldest
architecture, also backs onto the Rhine (Heumarkt)
so there are multiple idyllic locations for a cold drink on a
sunny day. A cold glass of kölsch, the local
tipple, can also be enjoyed on one of the many regular boat trips
down the Rhein. These can be taken on various types of vessel, with
or without tour guide, as per your preference.
But all of these are tips that you could get from any guide book
worth its salt. My own personal tip, is to explore the east bank of
the rhine, heading over the Railway bridge and following the
banks/paths past the Deutzer and Severins bridges almost as far as
Poll and then crossing over the next available railway bridge and
walking back towards the cathedral on the other side. The vista is
not so noteworthy, but you will see a new perspective of the city
that is lost to most people.
Other Nearby Attractions
Chocolate Museum
Severinstrasse – Linie 3, 4
I have to admit that I didn't immediately see the appeal of the
chocolate museum. What is there really to know about chocolate ?
Upon visiting I was pleasantly surprised. Not only are there
extensive exhibitions on cocoa plants, how chocolate is made and the
politics of fair trade chocolate, and a gift shop filled with …
chocolate, there are also extensive areas of the museum dedicated to
memorabilia and historical marketing.
DO NOT MISS : the Chocolate Cinema – a room showing how
television advertising for chocolate has changed over the decades ;
from the chauvinistic approach, to the feminist. The adverts are
played on loop and are often very amusing.
Kölner
Zoo
Zoo/Flora – Linie 18
Basically, it is just a zoo – nothing wrong with that, zoos are
fun. What makes this one worth a visit, however, is that fact that
during the summer months special evenings are often set aside where
the zoo, and the accompanying Seilbahn (cable car over the Rhine) are
open until midnight. Granted, at this time many of the animals are
already asleep, but special lighting is set up to afford a glance and
those animals which are usually more timid or nocturnal. There zoo
also use these evenings as an occasion to showcase global cuisine and
entertainment. I myself was treated to native music and dancing from
somewhere in South America. On a warm summers night this is quite a
special treat.
THE RHINE
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