Gay Travel To Cologne, Germany

Cologne, host to the 2010 Gay Games, is the fourth largest city in Germany.  It is located in the northern part of the country.  The city has given itself the nickname of the gay party capital of Germany, and it is a designation that is well earned.

As a tourist attraction, Cologne is best known for its famous Gothic Cathedral and historical museums bridging its Roman and mideval past with its ultra-modern present.  While not the tourist destination that either Munich or Berlin is, Cologne still offers plenty for the sightseers.

In the region known as North Rhine Westphalia, Cologne is also a bustling port (inland) and industrial city for those of you who enjoy browsing the blue collar offerings.  And, of course, beer is the drink of choice.

The selection of gay venues is extensive and varied.

There are gay bars, such as...

• Bastard coffee shop

• dance bar the Blue Lounge

• Clip, popular with the younger crowd

• Ex- Corner one of the oldest gay bars in the city

• Gloria, another older location which has a "theatre" in back

• Marsil a cocktail bar and gay hotel and

• Boners, a cruisy bar with dark rooms

The city also has gay saunas, including Phonix (popular with a younger crowd) and the Babylon (recall the bar in the U.S. series, "Queer As Folk."

All things considered, you should find Cologne a welcoming destination during your visit to the Gay Games or on your grand European tour.

By the way, Amsterdam is a short drive to the north, Brussels to the west or Munich to the south.

For addresses of the gay attractions, you might want to visit this site.