Rheinpark

Relaxation with a view of the Cathedral

The Rheinpark was created in 1957 on 48 hectares of rubble and debris from World War II and thus contributed — as perhaps no other park in Cologne — to the dawn of a new era as a colourful new kind of inspiration. 4.3 million people visited the Bundesgartenschau (National Garden Show) in Cologne. Even West Germany’s first president and chancellor, Theodor Heuss and Konrad Adenauer, were there when the new park and its highlights were opened. Many of these highlights still exist today — or have recently been reopened.

With its large green spaces, water features — including 14 listed ornamental fountains — trees, flower beds, benches, a playground, a youth centre and many paths, the Rheinpark is now a popular place to go for Cologne residents or visitors. This is especially the case, of course, on beautiful days in spring, summer and autumn.

A park close to the city centre and with 1950s flair

In terms of garden architecture, the Rheinpark reflects the 1950s and has a floodplain landscape character, featuring willows, poplars, a waterside promenade, meadows and unobstructed lines of sight. The park has played host to two National Garden Shows, in 1957 and 1971. In 2007, it was even named “Germany’s Most Beautiful Park”. The park is further enhanced by a play hill landscape, sculptures and a Mediterranean garden.

Chilling, skating, strolling, playing

With its 40 hectares, the Rheinpark caters to a wide variety of interests. You can go for a walk here as well as relax from the city tour on a bench or on the meadow with a picnic blanket, do sports, go with the kids to the big playground, do inline skating, go to the skate park under the Zoobrücke, have a meal, drink coffee in the ‘50s-style café or just have a good time — whether you are an adult, a teenager or a child.

Taking a narrow gauge railway through the Rheinpark

There’s even a train that chugs through the park in 20 minutes, during which it stops at three stations, passes numerous railroad crossings, and covers just 2 kilometres. The Rheinpark's narrow gauge railway is one of two transportation highlights that have helped shape the park since it opened in 1957. The other highlight is the cable car that connects the zoo and the Rheinpark by air. Both are modes of transportation.

First a Porsche, later a Wild West train

In 1957, the narrow gauge railway was still running on a 381 mm gauge, today it is 600 mm. In addition to the old legendary Porsche locomotive from 1971 and a historic Diema locomotive, which take over on special occasions, the carriages are mainly pulled through the meadows and flower beds of the Rheinpark by “Wild West” locomotives.

The Rheinpark Café: built in 1957, reopened in 2022

In 1957, a café was also opened in the Rheinpark, designed in the 1950s style by star architect Rambald von Steinbüchel-Rheinwall. Since 1989, the building has been listed as a historical monument. After 30 years of vacancy, the Park-Café was reopened in 2022 after refurbishment. It revives the style of the 1950s: with a sun deck, glass house and beer garden.

The Tanzbrunnen event location — along with a beer garden and a beach club

Adjacent to the Rheinpark is probably Cologne’s best-known open-air stage: Tanzbrunnen, a star wave tent that stands like an island on a fountain. Numerous events are regularly held here, such as the Amphi Festival. The grounds include the “Rheinterrassen” beer garden and the “km 689 Cologne Beach Club” — named after kilometre 689 of the River Rhine.