Cologne Solo Travel Guide: Ultimate 2025 Tips

Heading to Cologne? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!

QUICK FACTS

The fourth largest city in Germany, Cologne is home to 1.2 million people.
A major cultural centre of the Rhineland, with the famous Cologne Cathedral and hundreds of museums and art galleries.
Known as the carnival capital of Germany and refers to festivals as the “fifth season.”
Almost completely destroyed in World War II, the city has undergone a facelift and showcases contrasts from pre-war to modern architecture.
Nickname: The Holy City.

Currency: Euro (EUR).
Spoken languages: primarily German. English is increasingly being spoken by youth, who study it as a foreign language at school.
Best time to visit: from May to September to take advantage of the pleasant weather and long hours of daylight. Autumn (September to November) can also be a pleasant time to visit, with fewer crowds and beautiful fall colors.
While the Christmas season is a spectacle to behold due to the festive atmosphere, the sun sets as early at 3 PM.
Great festival to catch: Carnival (usually in February or March) features parades, costumes, and street parties.
Arriving via airport: Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is connected to the city centre with the Intercity-Express rail and bus line #161. Tickets are charged based on distance and can be bought on board or at dedicated machines at the arrivals hall.
– Taxis cost €30-50.
Consider getting a prepaid SIM card for your phone at the airport or local shops to stay connected during your trip. Major providers include Vodafone and Telekom.

Best hostel for solo travelers: Die Wohngemeinschaft.
– Just a short walk from the train station, this is a relaxed place with clean rooms, modern facilities, and a friendly atmosphere. Everything is big – from the beds to the bathrooms.
– As a bonus, free coffee and tea.
– Book ahead to reserve your spot!
The city centre offers an excellent variety of cheap accommodation, ranging from hostels to guesthouses. With dining, shopping and sightseeing just a stone’s throw away, the area is the perfect choice for those looking to be central.
In Neustadt-Nord, the scene is just as lively but decidedly more modern, ideal for those looking to experience Cologne’s avant-garde lifestyle.

Cologne is a very walkable city, so you may only need to use public transport occasionally. Get the DB Navigator mobile app to quickly find the fastest and cheapest route from Point A to Point B.
KVB operates the public transportation network, which consists of the bus, tram, metro and rail system. Tickets are available for short-haul rides, urban-zone only and regional use. Check out the latest fares and information here.
KölnCard combines unlimited travel on public urban transport with up to 50% discount at major attractions and participating outlets. A 24-hour card costs €13.50 for adults, while a 48-hour pass is €22.50.
– More information on the official website.
KölnCard holders can also benefit from using the regional train services which are efficient and reliable, with trains running frequently. The KVB app provides real-time updates on the transportation schedules.
Taxis are expensive and only recommended if you’re really tight on time. Charges are higher for night-time service and Sundays and holidays. Dial +49 221 2882 to book (English available), or use their app at taxi.eu (same service, same prices).
Bike rental: available via the KVB-Rad bike-sharing system.
e-Scooter rental: download the Lime or TIER apps.

Drinking age is 18, and last call is at 5 AM.
Nightlife doesn’t get going until late – don’t be surprised if places are quiet before midnight.
Zülpicher Platz is a great area to start your night (lots of active venues).
Night clubs: Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld (aka CBE), Gewölbe, Reineke Fuchs, Helios 37, Veedel Club, and Bootshaus (consistently ranked as one of the world’s best).
Great bars for solo travelers: The Copper Pot ($), Expat Cafe, Station Bar, Subway – Musikbar (live music).
Live music: Papa Joe’s Jazz Bar.

Cologne Cathedral is the undisputed star attraction of the city, a Gothic masterpiece that took nearly six centuries to finish.
Museum Ludwig houses the largest collection of Picasso’s artwork as well as modern art from masters such as Warhol and Dali.
Praetorium holds the relics to the ancient Roman settlement, including the well-preserved structure of the Roman governor’s office.
Kölntriangle is a prominent landmark that affords the best 360º views of the city.
Stop by the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum).
History buffs should check out the EL-DE Haus, a former Gestapo headquarters now serving as a memorial and documentation center.
Day trip ideas: Cologne’s central location makes it easy to explore nearby cities like Bonn and Düsseldorf. Frequent train services cover these routes.

Take the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine River and admire the love locks that couples have chained to the fencing as a symbol of their commitment.
Rheinauhafen (or Rheinau harbor) offers a romantic stroll in view of the river, perfect especially at sundown. Cafés and restaurants along the way provide excellent nourishment.
Botanical Gardens Flora features a series of varied gardens kept in meticulous condition.
Sculpture Park along the Rhine for art enthusiasts.
Looking for a free walking tour? Check out Freewalk Cologne (departs daily at 12:11 PM).

Great restaurants to try: Bei Oma Kleinmann ($$ – Schnitzels!), Max Stark ($$ – Colognian), Restaurant núria ($$ – Middle Eastern), Schelds em Oellig ($$ – European), Adana Et Restaurant (Turkish), Bagatelle (French-style tapas), Bulgogi Haus ($$ – Korean), Nobiko ($ – Japanese vegan), Tsukiji, Fasika ($$ – Ethiopian), Villa Kalka (cafe with great desserts).
Where to find good cheap eats: Kwartier Lateng and Barbarossaplatz (near the university) are excellent haunts for cheap, tasty food on the go.
Good place to try traditional cuisine: Früh am Dom.
Kölsch is the city’s signature beer, a must-try at any of the brewery taverns around Alter Markt.
Café Reichard (near the Cathedral) is a great spot for coffee and cake with a view.

For local artisan goods and souvenirs, check out the shops in the Old Town (Altstadt) and the Schildergasse shopping street, one of Germany’s busiest shopping areas.
Tap water is safe to drink in Cologne.
Germans value punctuality, so be sure to arrive on time for any meetings or tours. Learning a few basic German phrases goes a long way!
Dangerous areas: Cologne is generally very safe – the only real source of trouble is from drunken brawls that take place outside bars at night. Keep your valuables close and avoid dark alleys late at night.
Pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas and on public transport – watch your belongings at all times.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days