Rheinuferfest Köln

Cologne on the Rhine

Cologne and the Rhine are inseparably linked. The Rhine promenade between the old town and Deutz – an approximately 1.5-kilometer-long riverside promenade from the Hohenzollern Bridge southwards to the Bastei and beyond – is one of Germany's most beautiful city promenades. With views of the Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, and the Rheinpark on the opposite bank, it has a daily café atmosphere. Once a year in July, this atmosphere intensifies into the Rheinuferfest: the promenade becomes a market, a walk becomes a stroll between stalls.

Artisans Instead of Mass-Produced Goods

The Rheinuferfest has a clear profile: regional sustainable craftsmanship. Those who exhibit here make it themselves – that is the admission criterion. Specifically, this means: handmade natural soaps from Rhenish organic manufactories, self-sewn bags made of leather, fabric, and recycled materials, unique jewelry made of silver, wood, and glass, ceramics, wood carvings, handmade cosmetics, bookbinding, textile printing. Those looking for souvenirs will be happy here – those expecting plastic kitsch will be disappointed. That's exactly what makes the market so popular.

Rhenish Gastronomy

The food and drink offerings are classically Rhenish: flame salmon grilled directly on a wooden board, Rievkooche (potato pancakes) fresh from the pan, Bratwurst (sausage) made from pork and vegetarian alternatives, along with the obligatory Kölsch – the open, slender beer served in 0.2-liter glasses, making Cologne the only major city in the world with waiters who count the tally marks on the beer coaster. Wine from regional vintners and fresh juices are also available.

Course of the Promenade

From Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer at the Hohenzollern Bridge, the market extends south past the Hyatt, the Rheingärten, the Heinrich-Böll-Platz, the Museum Ludwig with the Philharmonie, to the Bastei. Stalls are arranged loosely along the entire route, with benches and tables in between for resting. The view to the other side of the Rhine – towards Tanzbrunnen, Rheinpark, KölnTriangle, and the sculpture 'The Broken Bridge Arches' – is a constant companion on the walk.

Cologne Around the Rheinuferfest

Visitors to the festival can easily combine it with a tour of Cologne: the Cologne Cathedral is directly at the festival entrance, the Chocolate Museum a few hundred meters further south, the Museum Ludwig and the Philharmonie along the promenade. Those who want to cross the Rhine can use the Hohenzollern Bridge (pedestrian/cycle path) to get to Deutz.