Gay Guide Köln

Cologne Gay Pride on July 9th, 2017, will probably be one of the largest gay pride celebrations in Germany, but it's not necessarily the high point of the city's party calendar. This is because Cologne - including gay Cologne - celebrates its famous carnival in February, when virtually the whole city joins in the fun - approximately 1 million inhabitants. Local gay life centres on two, almost neighbouring districts. The stretch of old town between "Heumarkt" and "Alter Markt" features bars for a more mature crowd and the leather and fetish scene, whereas the area around Rudolfplatz caters to a younger, trendier clientele. Cologne can get very crowded at weekends, but during the week some bars are empty sometimes almost. Cologne's not very numerous but impressive tourist attractions include the cathedral, a splendidly atmospheric Gothic building, and a number of Romanesque churches of great art historical interest. Culture oriented visitors will also greatly enjoy the rich offer of museums (including the fantastic Museum Ludwig) and private galleries the city's international reputation as an important art location lives on.