Köln (Cologne) travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
4711 Eau de Cologne
The original Koeln fragrance, sold in the 4711 house shop and in department stores; a small bottle costs about EUR 10-25 (~$11.50-28.75).
Where: 4711 House, Glockengasse 4711; Farina-Haus, Obenmarspforten 21
Farina Eau de Cologne
The oldest eau de cologne, made since 1709 by the Farina family; bottles start at about EUR 20 (~$23.00).
Where: Farina-Haus, Obenmarspforten 21
Koelsch Stangen and Brauhaus merchandise
Branded 0.2 l Stangen glasses and beer trays from the Brauhäuser; a set costs about EUR 10-20 (~$11.50-23.00).
Where: Brauhaus shops, Altstadt souvenir stores
Chocolate from the Schokoladenmuseum
Lindt-made chocolate and gifts from the museum shop; bars from about EUR 3 (~$3.45).
Where: Schokoladenmuseum shop, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a
Dom keepsakes
Cathedral replicas, postcards and Dombauhütte souvenirs that help fund the cathedral's upkeep.
Where: Dom-Shop at Domkloster and Hohe Straße shops
Printen and Lebkuchen
Spiced gingerbread, a Rhineland Christmas specialty; a bag costs about EUR 5-10 (~$5.75-11.50).
Where: Christmas markets, bakeries on Hohe Straße
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Weihnachtsmarkt am Koelner Dom
The best-known of Koeln's Christmas markets, set against the cathedral facade, with wooden stalls selling ornaments, Glühwein and food. Free to enter.
Where: Innenstadt, in front of the cathedral
Hours: 2026 listed as 16 November-23 December; Sun-Wed 11AM-9PM, Thu-Fri to 10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM (confirm on weihnachtsmarkt-koelner-dom.de)
Heinzels Wintermärchen
A themed Christmas market on Heumarkt with an ice rink, food stalls and handmade crafts, open longer than the other markets.
Where: Altstadt, Heumarkt
Hours: 2026 listed as 23 November-10 January 2027 (confirm on heumarkt.de)
Nikolausdorf am Rudolfplatz
A Christmas village at Rudolfplatz with wooden huts, a stage and a children's programme; quieter than the cathedral market.
Where: Belgisches Viertel edge, Rudolfplatz
Hours: 2026 listed as 16 November-23 December; stage from 6PM daily, closed 22 November (confirm on the market website)
Wochenmarkt Wilhelmplatz Nippes
One of Koeln's weekly food markets, in the Nippes quarter, with stalls for local vegetables, bread, sausages and cheese. Take S-Bahn to Köln-Nippes.
Where: Nippes, north of the Innenstadt
Hours: Mon-Fri until 1PM, Sat until 2:30PM (confirm on koeln.de)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Schildergasse and Hohe Straße
The two main pedestrian shopping streets running between Neumarkt and the cathedral, lined with department stores, fashion chains and electronics shops.
Best for: High-street fashion, department stores and souvenirs
Ehrenstraße and Rudolfplatz
Independent boutiques, concept stores and designer labels between Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz.
Best for: Independent fashion and design
Belgisches Viertel
Small boutiques, vintage shops, galleries and cafes around Brüsseler Platz and Antwerpener Straße.
Best for: Vintage, local labels and design shops
Severinsviertel (Südstadt)
Neighbourhood shops and delicatessens along Severinstraße and Chlodwigplatz, in the old Roman quarter south of the Altstadt.
Best for: Delicatessen, bookshops and local gifts
Venloer Straße (Ehrenfeld)
A multicultural shopping street with Turkish grocers, record shops, second-hand stores and street-art galleries.
Best for: Groceries, vintage and music
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Neumarkt Galerie
Central shopping centre on Neumarkt with fashion, electronics and a food court.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Koeln Arcaden
Large mall in Kalk on the east bank with supermarkets, fashion and a cinema.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Rhein-Center
Large suburban mall at Weiden with 130 shops, reached by tram line 1.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in shops and malls are fixed; do not haggle.
Bargaining is accepted only at flea markets such as the Flohmarkt Nippes or the Galopprennbahn market: offer about 70-80 percent of the asking price politely.
At Christmas markets, prices are fixed; the Glühwein mug deposit (about EUR 3-4 / ~$3.45-4.60) is refunded when the mug is returned to any stall of the same market.
Ask 'Geht da noch was?' (Is there still room on the price?) at antique and second-hand stalls.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Overview: German retail runs on fixed prices, receipts and strict opening hours.
Items:
- Custom
- Sunday closure
- Description
- Shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays; only shops at the Hauptbahnhof and petrol stations stay open.
- Custom
- Cash still matters
- Description
- Many Brauhäuser, market stalls and small shops accept only cash or a German girocard; carry some euros.
- Custom
- Deposit (Pfand)
- Description
- Bottles and cans carry a EUR 0.08-0.25 deposit; return them to supermarket machines for a voucher.
- Custom
- Tax-free shopping
- Description
- Non-EU visitors can reclaim VAT (19 percent) on purchases over about EUR 50 with a form from the store; get it stamped at customs when leaving the EU.
- Custom
- Bags
- Description
- Plastic bags cost about EUR 0.20-0.50; bring a cloth bag for market shopping.