Welcome to Cologne

Every year, Germany’s biggest high-altitude fireworks display, “Kölner Lichter,” transforms Cologne into a breathtaking ocean of colors. Dieter Jacobi/KölnTourismus GmbH

Every year, Germany’s biggest high-altitude fireworks display, “Kölner Lichter,” transforms Cologne into a breathtaking ocean of colors. Photo credit: Dieter Jacobi/KölnTourismus GmbH

Get ready to peruse the halls of Interzum during the day and enjoy some of the sites, tastes and beauty of this German city during off-hours

Consider this your crash course in what to see and do in Cologne, Germany.

This month, many members of the bedding industry will be destined for Cologne to take part in the world’s largest furniture components show, Interzum Cologne, which runs May 21-24. The show occurs every two years.

Whether you are journeying to Cologne for the first or 15th time, it never hurts to brush up on fun things to do while there.

First, a quick rundown of the show:

• In 2017, Interzum had 1,732 exhibitors, from 60 countries — the vast majority of whom (1,364) came from outside Germany.

• The Koelnmesse Exhibit Complex, which houses the trade fair, covers 187,400 square meters (2 million square feet). It’s huge.

• In 2017, Interzum Cologne brought in 69,000 visitors from 152 countries.

This exhibition might be large — from the exhibitors showing off machinery and components to the number of people flowing through the halls — but the connections made are one-on-one. Enjoy the time you have there to ask questions, see the latest components and machines, visit colleagues and take the time to make new connections.

Take a break during Interzum Cologne to enjoy this outdoor plaza at the Cologne Exhibit Complex. Photo credit: Koelnmesse GmbH

Outside of the show, you can be as busy or quiet as you like. Cologne has a little bit of everything — from ancient artifacts to modern designer boutiques.

Curating culture

Situated along the Rhine River, Cologne is Germany’s oldest major city, with more than a million residents. No matter where you go near the river, one dramatic sight is part of the skyline — the Cologne Cathedral or the Dom.

Its history dates back to A.D. 1248, when the first stone was laid. At 157 meters (516 feet) tall, the Dom is the second-tallest church in Europe and third-tallest in the world. Inside, stained-glass windows — including one by Cologne artist Gerhard Richter — add color to soaring archways. In addition to the impressiveness of the 2,415-square-meter (26,000-square-foot) space, visitors come to see the Golden Shrine of the Three Magi, which is said to hold the bones of the three wise men who visited Jesus after his birth.

If you can’t get enough of old churches, you can check out any of the large 12 Romanesque churches, built between A.D. 1150 and A.D. 1250, which are found within a semicircle of the city center.

For a different learning experience, Cologne’s Old Town has a number of museums, ranging from the Museum Ludwig (which has the largest pop art collection outside of the United States) to the Wallraf Richartz Museum with its medieval and impressionistic paintings. There also is the Farina Fragrance Museum, home to — you guessed it — perfumes, with particular attention paid to the production and history of eau de cologne. If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to check out the Chocolate Museum. Interested in sports? There’s the German Sports and Olympic Museum. Traveling with kids? The Odysseum provides science and fun for the whole family.

Cologne Cathedral, or the Dom, attracts numerous visitors each day. With the building’s impressive Gothic architecture, the shrine of the Three Wise Men, the outstanding stained-glass windows and the many other important works of art, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1996. The window in this picture was designed by the artist Gerhard Richter in 2007. Photo credit: Axel Schulten/KölnTourismus GmbH

To people watch or soak in the sun, enjoy the Rheinauhafen, Cologne’s waterfront district. People stroll, ride bikes and picnic in this picturesque area. As you near the Hohenzollern Bridge, you’ll see locks covering the sides, the result of couples placing padlocks on the railings and throwing keys into the river, symbolizing everlasting love.

Want to kick up your heels and enjoy the sites from a river view? According to Cologne.de, hour-long harbor tours take visitors past the Dom, Old Town, the Chocolate Museum, the German Sports and Olympics Museum and end at the former fishing village of Rodenkirchen with all its dining options.

Time to eat

Let’s talk about dining. Sushi, curry, pasta and other international foods easily can be found in Cologne. But to experience German culture, you can seek out brauhäuser, or brewery restaurants, in the city center. According to the Cologne Tourist Board, Cologne’s oldest brauhäuser include Brauhaus Sion on Unter Taschenmacher, which first opened in 1511, the Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh near the cathedral and the Brauerei Päffgen on the Friesenstraße.

When ordering “halve hahn” (literal translation: half rooster), tourists should not expect a chicken dish to be served. What you will get is a rye bun with a thick slice of Dutch cheese (mostly Gouda), butter and mustard. Photo credit: Andreas Möltgen/KölnTourismus GmbH

You can’t talk about breweries without mentioning kölsch — the local top-fermented beer. Special to Cologne, kölsch is light and contains less sugar and malt than other types of beer.

The Cologne Tourist Board also names two local food specialties on its list of 11 reasons to visit Cologne. “Halver hahn,” which translates to “half rooster,” contains no chicken — only a rye roll with butter, mustard and Dutch cheese. “Himmel un äd,” which means “heaven and earth,” includes black pudding, fried onions, mashed potatoes and applesauce. Food trucks also offer “Rievkooche” (potato fritters), which are served with cranberry preserves or applesauce.

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, never fear. Cologne is home to 10 Michelin-starred restaurants: Le Moissonnier, Ox & Klee, Maître im Landhaus Kuckuck, Maximilian Lorenz, Ristorante Alfredo, La Société, Taku, maiBeck, NeoBiota and Zur Tant.

What did you bring me?

In addition to visiting all the historic and delicious places in Cologne, tourists also have plenty of shopping areas to keep them busy. The most popular shopping streets are Schildergasse and Hohe Straße. At their intersection stands one of the largest department stores in Europe, the Glaeria Kaufhof. With 115,000 square feet of shopping, you’re sure to find something.

A large number of designers have established themselves in the Belgian Quarter, where they offer clothing, jewelry and accessories in small shops that are off the beaten path. Photo credit: Dieter Jacobi/KölnTourismus GmbH

If you prefer a more laid-back vibe, the nearby Belgian Quarter offers “high-quality off-mainstream fashion and designer labels,” the tourism board notes. “Often housed in historic buildings, which adorn the streets, the extravagant rooms alone are a must-see.”

Getting around

Many sites are within walking distance of the Rhine and Old Town. However, if you’d like to travel farther afield, mass transit will be your friend. The central train station is adjacent to the cathedral and will take you from a full day at Interzum to wherever you want to go. DB Navigator or Citymapper are helpful apps to have on your phone. Both allow you to navigate multiple connections and station platforms, check schedules, find out about delays and alternate routes, and more.

The Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne is a destination for lovers. Thousands of individually decorated “love locks” now decorate the bridge over the Rhine. Photo credit: Dieter Jacobi/KölnTourismus GmbH

Speaking of apps, take a minute and download Google Translate or iTranslate if you don’t speak German. Many people in Cologne speak English so language isn’t much of a problem, but it’s a good idea to have this app handy for voice and text translation or for taking photos and getting a translation of the words in the photo (think all-German menus). TripAdvisor is another useful app to have to locate places or restaurants to visit, along with reviews.

Find more information at the official Cologne tourism bureau.

Viel glück! (Good luck!)

ISPA Members on the Show Floor

The International Sleep Products Association encourages you to visit these ISPA member companies exhibiting at Interzum Cologne in Halls 7.1, 9.1, 11.1 and 11.2.

Note: All information for this paid special section has been provided by the companies. BedTimes does not endorse companies, products or services. List as of 4/17/19

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