Cologne Germany -- 18 Insider Tips Would you like to know what the real interesting sights in Cologne Germany are? In this two-part article, I am going to let you know about 18 of my good ones. If you would like to know something about Cologne Germany and its history, visit the Cologne link at the end of this article for information about that. In this two-part article I'll give you 18 insider tips of Cologne - short and sweet - so that you can print them out and easily scour the sights and restaurants. First, once you arrive in the city, go to the tourist office. It's located at Cologne Cathedral in a street called "Unter Fettenhennen" (under fat hen ;-). Now, shall we get started? Great! Sightseeing and Culture 1. The city hall (Hansasaal) was built in 1330. Its Renaissance arcade (16th century) and tower (15th century) had been added later. The building complex suffered extensive damage during World War 2 and underwent reconstruction until 1972. It's located at Alter Markt. 2. The City Gates are awesome. Three of the total of twelve city gates from the mediaeval city fortifications (1180 - 1220) have been preserved and are still used today for various purposes. Just look for the Severinstor, the Eigelsteintor and the Hahnentor. The smaller Ulrepforte and restored sections of the city walls are to be found along the Sachsenring circular boulevard. Also, all of them have a U-Bahn stop. 3. The 4711 House, the new Gothic head office of the famous "Eau de Cologne" manufacturer with a carillon that chimes every hour, is located opposite the opera in Glockengasse. The number "4711" refers to house-numbering system adopted by the French occupying power in 1795. For greater clarity, all private houses were numbered sequentially from 1 - 7 404. 4. The Cologne gardens (Flora/Zoo) were landscaped in 1863 according to designs by Peter Josef Lenné and Joseph Maria Olbrich. It further contains an botanical garden, which was added in 1914. The site was destroyed during World War 2. Once it was completely restored, it now has a stock of plants including approx. 12 000 species. Cologne Zoo is located directly adjacent to the gardens. 5. Cologne cathedral with its two spires 157 m. in height, has been the city's most famous landmark for centuries and the most well-known architectural monument in Germany. It took 632 years (!) until construction of the largest German cathedral was completed. Visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne-cathedral.html for further information and some images of Cologne Cathedral. 6. Cologne Germany is a city of churches. As in no other German city, twelve large Roman collegiate and monastery and convent churches are located in the confined area within the boundaries of the mediaeval city wall, churches which rank among the most important in Western Europe. 7. Shopping Passages -- Cologne has some; I am just going to tell about two of them. The Neumarkt Passage, located at Neumarkt, and the Olivandenhof, located right between Neumarkt and Breite Strasse. In this glitter world, you are going to find stores with clothes, foods, non-food, many taverns and pubs, etc. Just a good time to take a loooong rest... ;-) By the way, right at Neumarkt starts Germany's most visited shopping mile -- the Schildergasse. Hourly 17,760 people come in flocks through this "street." 8. Okay, this now is outside Cologne, but definitely worth a day trip. The amusement park located near Cologne is called Phantasialand. It offers a wide selection of attractions, ranging from the old Berlin steam roundabout, including a wild-water course and extending to the Space-Center, which draw several million visitors every year to the southern gates of Cologne. Children in particular love the fantastic world with its many adventures. Phantasialand is open daily between April 1st and October 31st. TOP 10 Bars and Restaurants 9. The proven best restaurant in Cologne Germany is the Boersen-Restaurant (Stock-Market Restaurant), located in a street called Unter Sachsenhausen No. 10-26. It consists of the Restaurant Maitre, the Boersen-Stube, Boersen-Schaenke, and several meeting rooms. Yummy! 10. Three Frenchmen created this terrific restaurant called "Le Moissonnier," located in Krefelder Str. 25. Once you enter this "ta vern," you'll feel the spirit the three chiefs spray throughout the rooms. 11. When Bruno Spatola, Chief of the restaurant "Da Bruno," opened his restaurant in the mid-90's, he didn't think it would become that great success. Even a South-German newspaper is considering Da Bruno as "The Best Italian of Germany." You find this exquisite gourmet temple in Suerther Hauptstrasse 157 in the district Suerth. 12. Cologne's smallest restaurant "Capricorn [i] Aries Restaurant" is located in the heart of the southern part of the city (Altenburgerstrasse 34). It was built in a monument-protected house in modern-elegant ambience. Rewarded with a Michelin star, Klaus Jaquemod cooks fine French cuisine. The area is being held completely in white, contains four tables for maximally 16 guests, and, at late hour, it uses a special light system to change itself into different colors. Awesome. 13. The "Vintage" is a restaurant, in which you can enjoy more than 600 (!) high-quality wines at reasonable prices in a pleasant atmosphere with good cuisine for large and small hunger. You can buy the wines of your favours. The kitchen has been awarded several times as one of the TOP ones in Cologne Germany and Germany wide. You find it in downtown, Pfeilstrasse 31. 14. Excelsior Hotel Ernst, located right nearby Cologne Cathedral in Trankgasse 1, is a 5-Star Hotel. It contains the Hanse Stube, which is famous for its innovative French cuisine and culinary finesse. In the taku, Japanese cuisine in the tradition of Asian culinary art and hospitality is going to be served. Further the Piano Bar, in which you can easily relax and forget about the daily routine. 15. Not to injustice, the "Bizim" is considered as "The Noble Turk" of Cologne Germany. Faraway of Doener and Lamacun (usual meals at Turkish snack bars), their menu proves how variously the Turkish cuisine can be. Hint: a punctual table reservation is absolutely necessary! The Bizim is located in Weidengasse 47, and considered as an insider tip. 16. The "Gaffel Haus," located at Alter Markt 20, is considered as a place at which the culture of hospitality is maintained. In the last 600 years, Cologne became the scene for liberty and democracy; and the Gaffel House shows some historical facts as it was the tradition house for Cologne's Gaffel. 17. Whether you would like to dance, watch other people, or relax in a beer garden with up to 1,200 people (!), the "Herbrand's" is definitely a place where you can forget the everyday life. Located in district Ehrenfeld, Herbrandstrasse 21, you will like the architectural building and surrounding. 18. Stroll through the traditional Muehlengasse in old town of Cologne Germany, and take a rest in "Peters Brauhaus" (Peter's Brewing House). Fine brewing atmosphere mixed with traditional Cologne cuisine let you easily relax after heavy sightseeing Now, visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne.html for further information, and for some pictures of Cologne Germany. Best regards, Marcus Hochstadt © Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com All Rights Reserved About the Author: Marcus Hochstadt has a high interest in helping you gain the delightful form of a smart travel to and through Germany. On http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/german-cities-and-towns.html he covers many other German cities and towns and gives you additional insider tips.