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 (4 - 6 Jul 2025), the CSD Christopher Street Day is one of the biggest prides in Europe.
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.
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 hotel page for suggestions and a map of hotels near the gay places.
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 (4 - 6 Jul 2025) 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.
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