Cologne has plenty of shopping streets, malls and markets for you to spend your hard-earned dollars (or euros). Everything from fashionable boutiques to antiques can be found here. Let’s take a Cologne shopping trip through some of these popular places.
Shopping Tip
Most German shops aren’t open on Sundays, so if you’re visiting just for the weekend, be sure to get your purchases made on Saturday! Hours are generally Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 am to 8 pm.
The Must-Buy
Cologne is the city of… cologne. A monk created the first concoction with rosemary, lavender and some citrus fruit and combined it with alcohol. 4711 Original Eau de Cologne is what is believed to be the original recipe. The number comes from the housing system of Napoleon’s occupying soldiers in 1810. And eau de cologne is simply the French translation of “water from Cologne.”
Hohe Straße and Schildergasse
These streets are the Fifth Avenue of Cologne shopping. You can find your way here by heading to the Cathedral at Wallrafplatz. The area is completely pedestrianized, so as you stroll down this one-kilometer (0.6 mi) stretch, you’ll pass house wares centers and children’s toy stores, clothes boutiques and jewelry shops. The Galeria Kaufhof (41 Hohe Straße), a large department store, is a must.
Breite Straße and Ehrenstraße
Not far from Hohe Straße , you can find loads of leather goods and collector’s items like stamps and coins. This is also the place to go for some bohemian and avant-garde fashions, like French Connection UK (Ehrenstraße 72).
Mittelstraße and Pfeilstraße
The former red-light district of Pfeilstraße is now the stop for designer fashions such as Lips Mode (Pfeilstraße 39-43). Mittelstraße provides some more down-to-earth knits and textiles, and also jewelry and shoes. Cerruti 1881 (Mittelstraße 34) and Uli Knecht (Mittelstraße 1) are popular choices.
St.-Apern-Straße and Auf Dem Berlich
Looking for some antiques or artsy decorations? Go no further than this district. You’ll also find Cologne’s Sotheby’s branch here.
Neumarkt Galerie
If you’re a bona-fide shopaholic, then you certainly must visit the Neumarkt. This expansive complex, instantly recognizable by the upside-down ice cream cone on the roof, is an aesthetically-pleasing shopping mall. Half-art, half-commerce, the beautifully-decorated interior surrounds you as you investigate its fashion-filled shops. Some big names to be found at Neumarkt are Sinn Leffers, the Mayersche book store and Karstadt Sport.
