Cologne has got the second largest LGBT+ community of Germany after Berlin. The gay visitor can enjoy a vast amount of gay bars, clubs, dance parties and saunas. Cologne Gay pride, the CSD Christopher Street Day is one of the biggest prides in Europe.
Curious about the local gay sauna? Check here for places, their facilities and best hours to go.
Gay saunas
Book your hotel near Rudolfplatz. In this area most of the bars and saunas are located. At night you can return to your hotel in a short walking distance.
Also good to stay is the Alt Stadt, the old part of the city. Here the hotels are a bit more expansive. See our for suggestions and a map of hotels near the gay places.
300+ rooms
Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts
more hotels: booking.com
Cologne is situated at the River Rhine. The city's famous Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is one of the well-known and dominant landmarks in the city, which was almost completely destroyed during WWII. Cologne has one of the biggest gay communities in Germany. Cologne is Germany's gay party capital. The city hosts some of the most well-known party brands. The gay visitor can also enjoy a vast amount of gay bars, cafés and clubs. Berlin is more famous for it's leather and fetish parties and events.
Cologne has several popular gay bars, and they are located close to each other on Schaafenstrasse. There are several dance parties which are held monthly or couple of times a year. There are also some gay saunas.
When parties are you thing, have a look at our gay party agenda first before you book. They are not on every weekend.
On the non party weekends, the bars and gay saunas usually more busy.
Cologne is also famous for its yearly Cologne Gay Pride - CSD one of the biggest gay prides in Europe. And don't forget the traditional Carnaval! This also attracts a lot of gay guys.
In November and December Cologne is very popular for its Christmas markets.
Düsseldorf might be better known for art and Altbier, but it has a gay scene that punches above its weight. Bars and clubs cluster around the Old Town, mixing Rhineland charm with late-night chaos. Pride here, dubbed Christopher Street Day, turns the city into a rainbow carnival on the Rhine.
30 km from Cologne
Düsseldorf guide
Antwerp may be Belgium’s fashion capital, but it also struts confidently as a gay destination. The Red Light District doubles as the city’s gay village, with bars, clubs, and saunas clustered together. Add a lively Pride, a stylish crowd, and enough beer to sink a ship, Antwerp is small, chic, and never dull.
180 km from Cologne
Antwerp guide
Brussels may be the EU’s buttoned-up capital by day, but after dark it swaps politics for parties. Around Rue du Marché au Charbon, gay bars spill onto cobbled streets, from cozy cafés to cruisey basements. Add Belgian beer, drag flair, and a Pride that punches above its weight—Brussels surprises.
180 km from Cologne
Brussels guide
Rotterdam was completely destroyed during World War II. So there are hardly any historic buildings left. So the city is very different from Amsterdam. It has many modern buildings and bridges. The gay scene is quite small.
200 km from Cologne
Rotterdam guide
Amsterdam is a beautiful historic city. The historic canals and canal houses are a must visit. Amsterdam has many world famous museums, the Red Light district and much more. The gay night-life is quite extensive for a small city as it is.
210 km from Cologne
Amsterdam guide
Hamburg brings a salty edge to Germany’s gay map, with St. Georg as the lively queer quarter and the Reeperbahn offering nightlife that’s anything but shy. From leather bars to drag shows, the city thrives on variety. Pride, or Christopher Street Day, packs the harbour with rainbows, proving Hamburg loves a spectacle.
360 km from Cologne
Hamburg guide
