Cologne Local Insights Cultural Walking Tour

Cologne is best explored through the eyes of locals. Much of what makes this city special can't be found wandering alone. This tour reveals what makes Cologne the most beloved city in Germany. Experience the Kölner Gefühl—the Cologne Feeling—that makes this city unique. From love for the Cathedral, beer, and Karneval, to tragic pasts and construction issues, discover the true essence of Cologne. Starting outside the Old Town, we'll show you both the proud, popular side and the hidden, sometimes overlooked aspects of local life. Beyond the main stops, explore all facets of Cologne. By the end, you'll understand this quirky city better, loving it for what it is and appreciating its history. Join us and fall in love with Kölle for yourself.

Meeting Point

Eigelstein-Torburg

Eigelstein 135, 50668 Köln, Germany

You can find your guide near the famous Northern Medieval gate of Cologne's old city wall! They'll be wearing a nametag and a smile ready to greet you!

What's included:

• Local Tourguide with Deep Love and Knowledge of Cologne
• Online Booking Fee (the price you pay online is to handle the booking process)
• Local Tips and Recommendations from Years of Experience

Not included:

• Gratuaties - Tips are welcome and expected - Pay-What-You-Want! - Most people leave 10€ to 20€ pp

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Eigelstein Torburg

Eigelstein 135, Cologne, 50668, North Rhine-Westphalia

Here, at our Medieval starting point, you'll meet your tour group! Here you'll meet your guide and get introduced to that group that you'll spend the next hours with.
We'll kick off the tour with some information about how Cologne came to be in the first place. From its Germanic Tribe and Roman routes to its strong Medieval past, we'll get into the essentials.
We'll also begin opening up the culture of Cologne for you, helping you understand why this city feels more Italian at times then it has ever felt German. Let's get into that Cologne Feeling!

Begin to learn the background of Germany's most unique city. Get to know the origin of the "most Northern city in Italy" through our Roman routes to our laid-back attitude and culture. We'll show you a few hidden spots along the way.

20 minutes

Lapidarium

Eigelstein 118, Cologne, 50668, North Rhine-Westphalia

In front of one of our favorite, local bars, we'll talk about some unfortunate boating in Cologne's past before exploring the history of Cologne's Iconic Crest. Learn about our colors, our patron saint and the reasoning behind our religious past.
We'll also take some time to answer that one question everyone who gets to know a local wants to ask: Why do the people in Cologne love their city so very much?

20 minutes

Weidengasse

Weidengasse, 50 Köln, Germany

It wouldn't be a trip through the Eigelstein Quarter without a stop at one of the capitals of Cologne's Diversity: Little Ankara.
We'll take about how Cologne went from being almost wiped from the earth and abandoned to becoming the most diverse city in Germany.

In the heart of one of the communities that helped us rebuild from the ashes, let's talk about how our Germany's darkest period left us looking like a strange architectual mess but also gave us a heart of gold you won't find elsewhere in the country.

15 minutes

St. Maria Himmelfahrt

Marzellenstr. 26, Cologne, 50668, North Rhine-Westphalia

Let's take a little time to check out one of Cologne's hidden gems, the beautiful, multi-styled, Italian church in Cologne's Old Town that often gets overlooked.
After a quick stop to discuss the art history of Cologne, we'll visit the interior of this beautiful church for a quick look at one of the most beautiful church interiors in the city and give you a glimpse into what rebuilding Cologne looked like!

15 minutes

Cologne Cathedral

Domkloster 4, Cologne, 50667, North Rhine-Westphalia

Of course it wouldn't be Cologne if we didn't talk about the history of our most important building. Go through the story of the Cathedral step by step and decide for yourself why this building defines so much of the city and its people.
You can't leave Cologne without getting to know this church better!

15 minutes

Roncalliplatz

Roncalliplatz, Cologne, 50667, North Rhine-Westphalia

Continuing our stories of the Dom to learn about some of its special features and its not so special surroundings as we explain some of the buildings that crowd the Cathedral.
From the top to the bottom, we'll get into the details on the church like the windows, doors, gargoyles, roof and more before giving you the hints on how to visit before waving goodbye to the Dom for our tour.

15 minutes

Old Market

Alter Markt 18, 50667 Köln, Germany

Cologne is full of hidden figures and meanings. We've got you covered. From here we'll give you a timeline of the city and show you when rivalries and animosity lead to obsceneties that can still be seen in our city center today.

20 minutes

Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen

Köln-Altstadt-Nord, 50667 Cologne, Germany

While visiting Cologne's most famous songwriter and hear his impact on Kölle, let's dive into our fifth season. Hear the importance of this period in our year and learn a few songs and dances as well while you're at it.
Karneval is a very individual experience. We'll give you all the need-to-knows and then let our expert storytellers take over, letting you in behind the scenes on their time spent in the largest Karneval in Europe and one of the biggest parties on the continent.

Karneval can show you the best of Cologne. We'll make sure you know why!

We'll end our tour here, centered in the Old Town where you can make your way to your next stop in our city with a fresh list of exclusive recommendations, deciding here the final worth of your tour!

15 minutes