City in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Cologne for solo travelers
Is Cologne good for solo travel?
The Rhine's big, friendly city, with its twin-spired cathedral, Kölsch beer, museums and famous Carnival. Easy to meet people; the center is cheap to tour but hotels spike during trade fairs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable. Carnival and the Ringe at night can bring groping and heavy drinking, so stay in groups and use taxis late. |
How to meet people in Cologne
Kölsch halls with shared tables, hostels in the Altstadt, Internations and Meetup events, running groups on the Rhine, and Carnival parties.
Good things to do alone
- Climb the cathedral tower early
- Drink Kölsch in a traditional brewery hall
- Walk the Rhine promenade at sunset
- Ride the Rhine cable car
- Day trip to Bonn or Düsseldorf
Where to stay in Cologne
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Altstadt-Nord and Altstadt-Süd | First-timers: cathedral, Kölsch halls, museums |
| Belgisches Viertel | Cafés, bars, boutiques; young and lively |
| Ehrenfeld | Creative, multicultural, cheaper long stays |
| Südstadt | Relaxed, local, Rhine walks; good for long stays |
| Deutz | Quiet, near the trade fair and Rhine views |
Solo travel across Germany
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Munich | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hamburg | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cologne | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Dresden | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Heidelberg | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Düsseldorf | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Leipzig | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Black Forest | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Freiburg | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Frankfurt | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Stuttgart | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nuremberg | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Rothenburg ob der Tauber | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bremen | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Cologne good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). The Rhine's big, friendly city, with its twin-spired cathedral, Kölsch beer, museums and famous Carnival.
How do you meet people in Cologne?
Kölsch halls with shared tables, hostels in the Altstadt, Internations and Meetup events, running groups on the Rhine, and Carnival parties. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Cologne?
Widely spoken.
Is Cologne safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable. Carnival and the Ringe at night can bring groping and heavy drinking, so stay in groups and use taxis late.
More about Cologne
Going to Cologne solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.