Cologne in the Rain: Don't Let It Get You Down
Tach,
When people think of Cologne, they usually picture carnival, sunshine on the Rhine, and packed beer gardens.
But the Rhineland can also be quite gray. When I first started traveling to Cologne regularly, I initially thought that the proverbial Rhineland cheerfulness disappeared in the rain. Not at all. I quickly learned that people from Cologne don't let the weather spoil their mood. You shouldn't either. Cologne has a very special charm in the rain. People huddle closer together in the pubs. The city simply feels less hectic. Here are my personal tips for spending gray days in the cathedral city without getting into a bad mood.
Cologne Cathedral and Treasury
Of course, the cathedral is a must, even though admission now costs 12 EUR. The only problem is that when it rains, everyone rushes in and out again. Take your time to appreciate the details, too. The light coming through the Richter window, with its 11000 squares in 72 colors, for example, looks almost mystical under a gray sky.
If you really want to immerse yourself, go to the cathedral treasury or the excavations beneath the cathedral. It's utterly quiet and dry down there. You practically walk through the centuries. A perfect shelter from the weather.
Museum Ludwig
Directly behind the cathedral, Museum Ludwig becomes wonderfully colorful. Even if you're not a huge art nerd, the enormous pop art collection is so vibrantly colorful that you immediately forget the gray sky. We've already lost ourselves in front of the large Picasso paintings for hours. The architecture is spacious and doesn't echo much. Simply a very relaxing place.
Chocolate Museum
It's touristy, that's true. But when there's cold, wet wind, there's hardly anything better than the chocolate fountain there. You can smell the chocolate as soon as you enter. We don't necessarily go there to read all the texts. We'd rather treat ourselves to a huge slice of chocolate cake with a view of the Rhine in the café. You sit in the warmth behind glass and watch the ships struggle against the current. A truly lovely place to relax.
Päffgen or Malzmühle Brewery
For me, this is the epitome of Cologne in the rain. Find yourself a traditional brewery. I like Päffgen on Friesenstraße or Malzmühle at Heumarkt. Squeeze onto one of the wooden tables and simply wait until the Köbes serves you a Kölsch without asking.
It's loud, it's warm, and it smells of roast meat and beer. The weather outside doesn't matter at all. Here, you'll strike up a conversation with the people at the table, whether you want to or not.
Claudius Therme
When city life gets too stressful for us, we escape to Claudius Therme in Rheinpark. The best part is lying in the warm outdoor pool while steam rises around you. You get this perfect view of the cathedral on the opposite bank of the Rhine. When cold raindrops land on your nose, the water feels even warmer.
TimeRide at Alter Markt
We only discovered this on our last visit, and we were genuinely amazed. TimeRide is located at Alter Markt. You sit in a replica of an old streetcar and put on a VR headset. Then you travel through Cologne around 1900. You can look around and see what the city looked like before it was destroyed. Since you're sitting indoors anyway, it's a good alternative to a wet city tour.
Farina Fragrance Museum
Many people think of 4711 when they think of Cologne. True insiders, however, know that the real Eau de Cologne comes from Farina. The Fragrance Museum opposite City Hall is very small. You learn how perfume used to be made there. A very sensual experience. And afterward, you definitely smell better than wet asphalt.
Belgian Quarter
Forget the overcrowded Hohe Straße. When it rains, we retreat to the Belgian Quarter around Brüsseler Platz. There are countless small boutiques and record stores here that you can quickly duck into. In between, a round of café hopping is highly recommended. My favorite is Salon Schmitz. It's a wonderful place to watch people outside struggling with their umbrellas while you sip a cappuccino.
EL-DE House
A serious recommendation, but one that's worth it. The NS Documentation Center in EL-DE House really gets under your skin. This was the Gestapo headquarters, and you can visit the old prison cells in the basement. Inscriptions left by prisoners can still be seen on the walls. It's distressing, but incredibly important. Given the seriousness of the subject, you should allow yourself time and quiet. That's often easier on a rainy day.
Kolumba Museum
The art museum of the Archdiocese is a true architectural masterpiece by Peter Zumthor. It was built directly on top of ruins. Inside, it is incredibly quiet, minimalist, and bright. Even when a storm is raging outside, this place radiates immense tranquility. For us, it's one of the most beautiful interiors in Cologne.
Flora
Cologne also has a place for tropical plant fans: the greenhouses at Flora. The beautiful palm house has been renovated. You stroll among exotic plants, and it's warm and humid. A perfect short vacation when the drizzle starts getting on your nerves. Admission to the park is even free.
Metropolis or Cinenova
When nothing else works, the cinema helps. Metropolis at Ebertplatz shows many films in their original language, which we really like. Or go to Cinenova in Ehrenfeld. It's an arthouse cinema with a very cozy atmosphere and a good restaurant attached, where we always enjoy stopping in. No comparison to impersonal huge cinema halls.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Cologne may not be architecturally flawless. But the city has a huge heart that beats even in the rain. So don't lock yourself in your hotel room. Go out, drink a Kölsch, and take it like the people of Cologne do. “Et kütt wie et kütt.”
Looking for a keepsake of your time on the Rhine or a suitable gift? Feel free to take a look at our understated pieces of jewelry.
Here you'll find our Cologne collection:
Rings with the Cologne skyline
Necklaces with a Cologne motif
Do you have a personal favorite place in Cologne for when the weather isn't cooperating? Simply share your personal tips in the comments.
👇
Recent Articles
