Gay Cologne: The Complete LGBTQ+ Travel Guide. When it comes to gay travel hotspots in Europe, I am a little embarrassed to say that is has taken me up until now to experience, what is often dubbed ‘the gayest city in Germany’, the very beautiful and welcoming Cologne.
Like many other gay friendly cities in Germany, I have only ever heard incredibly positive things about Cologne and the fact that it is also host to one of the largest pride celebrations in Europe further piqued my interest to visit!
I spent 4 nights experiencing gay Cologne during October experiencing as much of the city as possible, from its culinary delights (including one of the best meals I have had in a while), to its main attractions and of course it’s vibrant and super friendly gay nightlife and wider LGBTQ+ scene.
I then returned again to experience Cologne Pride which was insane, between these two visits I have a lot of gay travel tips for Cologne to share with you.
Allow me to share my gay guide to Cologne in partnership with Visit Cologne to help you plan your next trip to this city.
Is Cologne Gay Friendly?
Is Cologne gay friendly? To the residents of Cologne this might seem an unusual question to ask. In short, the answer is a resounding yes!
Like other popular cities in Germany, you can rest assured that Cologne will welcome you with open arms as an LGBTQ+ traveller.
Perhaps most reassuring of all was to learn that Cologne could indeed be one of the gayest cities in Germany with 10.6% of its population identifying as LGBTQ+, compared to the countries average of 6.9% – clearly in Cologne you will be in good company.
LGBTQ+ rights in Germany are strong and continue to progress making the country very safe for LGBTQ+ travellers.
Where is the Gay Area of Cologne?
The main gay area in Cologne is Schaafenstraße where you will find the most popular gays bars, the area is also referred to as the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ – a place to go and get lost!
Equally, there is a well-established gay area in the Old Town. Here you can find Colognes oldest gay bar/gay cruising bar, Pullermanns. Perhaps start the night in the Bermuda Triangle and end your night in the Old Town.
However, with Cologne being such an open and welcoming city please don’t feel restricted to these areas, you can expect to find LGBTQ+ friendly establishments dotted all over the city.
Gay Hotels and Gay-Friendly Hotels in Cologne
You will be welcomed wherever you stay in Cologne, but like any city, over time, certain places become more popular with LGBTQ+ travellers or go the extra mile to make sure their guests know they are welcome.
I stayed at the Wasserturm Hotel and can not speak highly enough about it. I have also provided some other suggestions below.
Wasserturm Hotel Cologne, Curio Collection by Hilton
Once Europe’s highest water tower, the Wasserturm Hotel is now a 5* luxury property perfectly located in the heart of the city within walking distance or a short metro ride to most attractions.
The hotel is incredibly stylish and as it is housed in an old water tower, is architecturally stunning no matter where you wander.
I was fortunate enough to stay in one of the beautiful duplex suites and could have happily lived in that room, my mouth did drop when I first walked in. Equally all levels of rooms are beautifully decorated.
And as a cherry on top, almost literally, you will find one of Colognes most popular rooftop terrace bars on the 11th floor of the hotel – Bar Botanik. I highly recommend their cosmopolitan and espresso martini.
P.s it is part of booking.coms Travel Proud programmes meaning it has done extra work to make sure it is providing the best welcome possible to its LGBTQ+ guests.
Other hotel suggestions
During my queer walking tour of the city, my guide pointed out some other gay popular or gay owned hotels. Use the links below to take a look at:
- Maison Marsil – gay owned boutique hotel.
- Dorint Hotels & Resorts – popular with LGBTQ+ travellers and I was very happy to see them flying a pride flag outside their reception.
- Maritim Hotel Cologne – popular due to its location next to Heumarkt Square where the stages and acts for pride are hosted.
Gay Bars in Cologne
The gay bar scene in Cologne was one of the friendliest I have ever experienced. As a gay solo traveller, I cannot emphasise enough how important and appreciated this was. I spent less than 5 minutes in the first bar before people casually struck up conversation.
With the main gay areas of Cologne being Schaafenstraße and the Old Town I have organised the gay bars below by area for ease. Gay cruising bars are in a separate section below.
There are a couple of other bars scattered elsewhere in the city but the ones I have listed will be the most popular and busy for you to visit:
Gay Bars in Schaafenstraße/Bermuda Triangle
This is where I chose to start my night and I am very happy that I did. There are 6 gay bars here and one cruising bar (listed in the next section):
- ExCorner – lively, colourful and friendly would be the three words I would use to describe this bar. The place was full when I arrived around 22:30 so it definitely seemed like the place to be.
- Exile on Main Street – head to Exile for DJs, drag queens, quiz nights and even some bitchy bingo if you are in the mood.
- Iron Cocktail Lounge – if you are feeling classy and have had you fill of German beer, head to Iron Cocktail Lounge to see what cocktails the bartenders have on offer.
- Die Mumu – located between ExCorner and Iron bar, head to Die Mumu for some pop and dance music and typically, a younger crowd. You will also find a big coat check station next to this bar.
- Schampanja – this is a particularly small gay bar where you might want to enjoy a glass of bubbles…
- Nachteule – another gay bar popular with the younger crowd with events like Twinkyween coming up for Halloween. Expect some pop music, cheap drinks offers and possibly dancing on the bar if it really gets wild!
Gay Bars in the Old Town
The general vibe with the gay area of the Old Town is that the bars attract an overall more mature crowd than Schaafenstraße. Take the time to check out:
- My Lord by Olli – a small intimate gay bar in the Old Town with music and affordable prices.
- 3B (Bearded Bear Bar) – the clue is in the name, a gay bar in the old town popular with bears, but of course open to the whole community.
- Baustelle 4U – a ‘construction site style’ men’s only bar. It reminds me of Construction in Maspalomas!
- Barcelon – a welcoming gay bar in the old town popular with locals and serving some Mediterranean vibes! They have outdoor seating in the summer.
Gay Cruising Bars in Cologne
The gay cruising bar culture in Germany is, dare I say, one of the most notorious. Certainly, one of the most open scenes which caters to different ages and tastes. Take a look at:
- Kinkz (Schaafenstraße) – the name says it all. This bar is popular with the leather crowd and has the usual spaces for this type of bar.
- Pullermanns (Old Town) – Colognes oldest gay bar and gay cruising bar dating back to 1972! They have themed nights for different interests and encourage you to embrace what you enjoy, wear what makes you feel good. Some theme nights are enforced so check ahead of time.
- Deck 5 (Old Town) – this is another late night cruising bar in Cologne.
Gay Events & Parties in Cologne
Cologne Pride
With over 1.4 million attending Cologne Pride, this is one of the largest prides in Europe and one to be added to any gay traveller’s bucket list (it is certainly on mine!).
Cologne Pride runs over two weeks in July with the final weekend being the main weekend and CSD Street Party – this is where you can enjoy three different stages of entertainment over the final three days. Normally the stages are at Heumarkt, Alter Markt and Gurzenich so perhaps plan to stay near one of these areas.
One thing that I loved learning about during my queer walking tour in Cologne, was that they don’t use the term ‘pride parade’ here, they call this the CSD Demonstration – because we can never forget that pride is also a protest, not just a celebration.
To find out the schedule for next year, head to the Cologne Pride website.
Carnival
If you love a huge 6-day street party then you might want to plan a trip for Cologne Carnival.
Carnival itself is not an LGBTQ+ specific event, but you can be sure that any big event in Cologne with spectacular parties and costumes is going to attract LGBTQ+ tourists and locals alike.
However, if you want to experience the gay side of Carnival to the maximum, then take a look at what events 5exy Party Cologne are running as during the final weekend of Carnival they host huge gay circuit parties!
Sexy Party Cologne
If you follow me over on Instagram, you will know that I love a good circuit party and here in Cologne, that is what Sexy Party Cologne delivers.
I have followed their account for years and have seen that they run epic (and sometimes a little naughty) events throughout the year and especially during Carnival and Pride.
I finally attended during Cologne Pride and I have to say, it is an absolute must. It seems wild I arrived and rode carnival rides, then went into the many party rooms and then there were other rooms that were unusually low lit!
Backstage Diaries
If you are looking for a queer night out, this is it. Backstage diaries was on during my visit so I made sure to get tickets in advance (you can queue and buy on the door but I would not recommend doing that, book ahead instead).
The event is held at Artheater which it split into different areas depending on music preference. I started upstairs in the pop room and finished downstairs in the techno room. They also had live performances on throughout the night.
And again, I really want to drill home this point, Cologne is super friendly. I was on my own in the queue and made a friend who then offered to give me a tour of the club and inside another group offered for me to dance with them, I really appreciated this and had a great time!
Gay Saunas in Cologne
Cologne might have you spoilt for choice when it comes to gay saunas with three on offer. However, take note of the below as they do typically have different crowds so bear that in mind to see which best suits you:
- Phoenix – Phoenix sauna is known for having the youngest crowd out of the three (but of course always a mix). It has regular themed events, wellness evenings and all the facilities you would expect in any gay sauna. In terms of an outdoor area, it has a terrace with outdoor seating for the summer and a ‘café’ style area. Like Babylon (which I mention next) it has a lot of space to chill and socialise compared to some saunas that exclusively focus on simply getting it on etc.
- Babylon Sauna – in terms of crowd, typically a little older than Phoenix but still mixed. I think this might be one of the nicest saunas I have seen, they have a huge area downstairs but what it has that is unique is an outdoor pool area and large, modern, well-lit bar. I can see that people would genuinely come here and socialise and relax (as well as the extra-curricular). I need to go back to try one of their summer pool parties!
- Vulcanus – Colognes oldest gay sauna attracting the more mature crowd, found in the Old Town.
Things to do in Cologne for Gay Travellers
As tempting as it might be to fill your time with the wonderful LGBTQ+ scene in Cologne, you have to make sure to spend time exploring the city itself.
The city has some spectacular sights such as the Cologne Cathedral, it’s centred around the River Rhine for riverside walks and is very walkable (or very short metro journeys).
In particular, try and visit/do as many of the below as possible:
Queer Walking Tour
This is going to be my number one recommendation. On my first morning I was joined by local guide Till, who took me on a queer walking tour of the city.
This was perfect for me to get acquainted with the layout or the city, understand where the gay areas were, which places I might want to visit and also to learn about LGBTQ+ history in Cologne by visiting some of the monuments dedicated to the community.
To book a tour head to the Visit Cologne website, you may need to email to request this specific tour depending on the time of year.
Visit Cologne Cathedral
As soon as you search for ‘Cologne’, this is the image you will see.
Colognes Cathedral is a gothic masterpiece and an iconic part of the city. The cathedral took over seven centuries to build, starting in 1248 and being completed in 1880.
You can visit the cathedral for free and if you would like to climb the tower you can pay €6. The cathedral is closed during mass so make sure to check the mass times and FAQ here.
Walk around the Flora and Botanical Gardens
In each city I visit, I always make time to visit its green spaces so when the sun came out during my time, this is where I headed.
The gardens are free to visit and are home to around 12,000 plant species, many different garden landscapes, waterfalls, ponds and fountains. If the weather is good and you want a moment to relax, this is a great option, they also have a café on site.
I have mentioned this as a starting point for the next few activities which you can do in order from the Flora and Botanical Gardens.
Ride the Cable Car over the River Rhine
Whilst you may be able to ascend the tower in the cathedral, the best views of the city and the cathedral itself are seen from a little further above and away.
Take the cable car from the zoo (which is next to the Flora and Botanical Gardens), up high across the River Rhine over to the Rheinpark for beautiful panoramic views of Cologne.
The cable car has been running since 1957 and is penned as quite a romantic thing to do whilst you are in the city, people have even legally married in the six-minute journey across the Rhine.
It only operates between March and the end of October so I was lucky to have this experience. I also combined this activity with the Flora and Botanical Gardens, the Cologne Triangle (below) and a walk over Hohenzollern bridge.
Cologne Triangle
I do love to walk and walk to experience a city, but the best views are always from above.
For just €5 you can head up to the observation deck of the Cologne Triangle for 360-degree views of the city below.
The Cologne Triangle is on the east side of the river so you can take in views of the River Rhine, Hohenzollern Bridge and the Cologne Cathedral all in one (it might suit anyone that feels uneasy in a cable car).
After you have been up the Cologne Triangle, you can go straight to the next activity…
Walk over Hohenzollern Bridge and see all the love locks
Another iconic image that will come up when you search for ‘Cologne’ will be the Hohenzollern Bridge and its 1000s of love locks.
If you exit the Cologne Triangle and walk towards the bridge you will find a great photo spot (pictured above).
Take a stroll across the bridge and if you like, add your own love lock. Once on the other side you will find yourself in front of Ludwig Museum or if you turn left, a nice outdoor area with water features and the Pink Triangle monument (LGBTQ+ monument for those that were persecuted).
Visit one of Colognes many Museums
If you are a museum buff then you could easily spend a day or two enjoying the museums in Cologne. In particular take a look at:
- Ludwig Museum – most notable for its Pop Art collection, the Ludwig Museum was founded in 1976 and is home to the third largest Picasso collection. Whilst not on display during my visit I am told it occasionally has LGBTQ+ themed displays/collections.
- Kölnisches Stadtmuseum – if you prefer an interactive style of museum and want to learn more about Cologne, the Cologne history museum has collections dating back to the Middle Ages right up to present day.
- Chocolate Museum – quite different to the above, if you want a sweet experience head to the Chocolate Museum to learn more about the 3000-year history of chocolate and maybe even have a taste.
There are in fact over twenty museums in Cologne, if you would like an extensive list you can find out more on the Visit Cologne website.
Walk the city, in particular the Old Town, Belgian Quarter and Ehrenfeld
If you ever travel with me then you will need to get your walking boots on because I will never back down on this point – the best way to really see and experience a city is to walk it!
Cologne is made up of some very distinct districts, some of which are ever changing. In particular the Old Town for its colourful buildings and narrow streets, Ehrenfeld for its street art and hipster vibe and the Belgian Quarter for its small boutiques and cafes.
You can self-explore or look at booking at tour with Visit Cologne here .
Where to eat in Cologne?
I loved the diversity in the culinary experiences I had during my trip to Cologne, from fine dining experiences to hearty dumplings in an old brewery, Cologne has a little bit of everything.
I ate at (and can recommend) the following places in Cologne.
- Sahila – this was one of the best fine dining and wine pairing experiences I have had in a long time. Brought to you by Colognes first and only female Michelin-starred chef, Sahila is nearby the Wasserturm Hotel and offers a 6 or 7 course innovative, unique and flavourful dining experience. Book in advance!
- Tanica – If Italian is to your taste, Tanica is one of six Italian restaurants owned by Massimo in Cologne. I highly recommend the lasagne; they also do a truffle pasta which would have been my second choice.
- Ludwig im Museum – this is a great spot for lunch, perhaps after the Cologne Triangle and walking back across Hohenzollern Bridge. I enjoyed some beefs cheeks for my lunch, they have a good range of tasty and comforting options.
- Braustelle – a very casual, low key local Brewery in Ehrenfeld. If you come here make sure you have an appetite, I tried the dumplings (spinach, cheese and ham) and could not finish the portion! If you are a beer drinker then this is also a great option.
- Johann Schäfer – this was a very cute place for my final meal. A much more modern version of a brewhouse with a warm ambience and some good steak as well as vegetarian options. This restaurant is based in the south of Cologne so would give you an opportunity to explore another area.
Practical tips for visiting Cologne
- Koln Card – honesty a no brainer, this gets you free public transport, discounted admission to museums, discounts on tours and so on (for as little as €9 – worth the transport alone). Get yours here.
- Arrival by train – Cologne is very accessible by train, if you arrive by train, you will find yourself right in the city centre and can start your trip straight away. I travelled from London by the Eurostar.
- Arrival by air – You will arrive into Cologne Bonn Airport and from there can take public transport to Cologne Central Station in less than 20 minutes.
- Language – the language is German and whilst you will get by with English, like anywhere you travel, attempting the basics will go a long way. Some menus were only available in German so have Google Translate handy (use the photo option to take a photo of the menu to translate).
- Card/cash – this felt mixed, I managed to use card in most places but I am told to check first, it is recommended to have a little cash with you also.
Wrap Up
Visiting Cologne in October has given me a taste and I am definitely keen to experience more. With one of the biggest prides in Europe I think it would be rude for me not to return.
I am always looking for cities that have a great gay scene, where I can relax, be myself and be surrounded by warm and welcoming people; and Cologne delivered just that.