Rheinpark

The Rheinpark is a large public park on the Rhine's east bank in Cologne's Deutz district, along Kennedy-Ufer in North Rhine-Westphalia. The grounds were reshaped for the 1957 Bundesgartenschau, the national garden show, and they remain one of the city's favourite green spaces. Broad lawns slope toward the river, and flower beds, tree groves, water features and winding paths fill the area, with open meadows that suit picnics, sunbathing, and ball games. Along the water, the park offers wide views across to the Altstadt, with the cathedral spires visible above the skyline, and these views are a main reason that visitors cross the river. The Tanzbrunnen, a landmark fountain and open-air stage, hosts concerts and events in summer, and the Deutz station of the Rheinseilbahn cable car stands at the park's northern end, linking it to the zoo on the west bank. The park is free and open daily during daylight hours. Visitors usually spend one to two hours walking, relaxing and photographing, and more on warm days. It is most attractive from May to September, when the flower beds are in bloom and the lawns fill with families, joggers and cyclists; weekday mornings are quiet, while sunny weekends and event days are the busiest. Autumn colour and winter frost also bring a quieter beauty. Good photo angles include the riverside path facing the cathedral, the meadows with the skyline behind, and the cable car crossing overhead. Köln Messe/Deutz station is about ten minutes away on foot, and the park combines easily with the Rheinboulevard and a walk across the Hohenzollernbrücke.