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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.

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.

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).

    gay koln

    Certainly, one of the most open scenes which caters to different ages and tastes. As one result Cologne became the gay capital of the western part of Germany. For late-night ragers, centuries-old sights, charming traditions, garden delights, and community-based celebrations all year round, visit the riverside German city of Cologne!

Cologne Gay Travel Guide 2025

Upcoming Events in Cologne

|  12 – 18 February 2026

Cologne Street Carnival 2026: The mad days in Cologne last for 6 days and start on ›Weiberfastnacht‹ – the Thursday before Carnival Monday.

Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) is in a class of its own. Its big rival in the East, Berlin, is bigger, more dynamic and vibrant, which makes the Cologne gay scene look more provincial – but Cologne is also more familiar and warmer. A much more modern version of a brewhouse with a warm ambience and some good steak as well as vegetarian options.

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.

    Alter Markt (Old Market) and Rudolfplatz offer Cologne’s most spectacular sights, dining, and nightlife. This region not only offers stunning natural beauty but also a chance to explore the rich wine culture of Germany.

    Cologne, with its eclectic mix of historical depth, artistic vibrancy, and LGBTQ+ friendliness, offers a uniquely enriching experience.

    I can see that people would genuinely come here and socialise and relax (as well as the extra-curricular). Sunday afternoon sees the school group and borough parades, but the highlight of the Cologne Carnival is the kilometre-long procession on ›Rosenmontag‹ (Rose Monday). This event originally began as a Christopher Street Day (CSD) pride celebration after the Stonewall Riots.

    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.

    But Cologne more than compensates for this with its more friendly and easy-going atmosphere.

    Cologne had been extensively destroyed during World War II. And the paradigm of the first after-war and ›Wirtschaftswunder‹ decades to replace everything old by something new unfortunately did the rest to prevent Cologne from becoming one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Germany. The more, the merrier in Cologne: the city is known for its 12 Romanesque churches in Altstadt (Old Town).

    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.

      Our Cologne gay maps show two major gay areas in Cologne: Many of the cafes, bars and clubs around Rudolfplatz have a rather modern style.

      If you like your travel destinations crowded and with a million people partying on the streets and in the pubs, then the Carnival in winter and the Cologne Gay Pride in summer are made for you.