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For whatever reason, you’ve decided to swap the Carioca charms of Copacabana for the cosmopolitan charisma of Cologne. Maybe those flights were a little too far for your purse-strings to stretch. Maybe your samba hips aren’t what they once were. Or maybe you’ve been there, done that and want to experience a new take on Carnival.
Whatever your story is, the good news is that Cologne is every bit as Bacchanal, boisterous and downright decadent when it comes to Carnival as Rio de Janeiro – or any other global city, for that matter… Before you go, however, you should take at least a cursory glance over the information below to ensure you get the utmost out of your Karneval experience.
Find a place to lay your luscious locks
First and foremost, you’re going to need to sort accommodation. Of course, partying all night and sleeping under a park bench sounds romantic in theory, but when the morning sun hits your bleary eyes, you’re going to need a place to crawl away from the world. Plus, the authorities don’t take too kindly to overseas vagabonds. Airbnb and booking.com are the obvious choices, especially since the latter often allows you to book without paying a penny and cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
Learn the local lingo
The actual dialect of Cologne is unsurprisingly called Kölsch, which differs from standard German in pronunciation and certain vocabulary. However, locals will all speak the ‘official’ language of the land, as well, and it’s a good idea to brush up on some key phrases. CityLit offer crash courses in European languages, which provide a great way to get your head around the basics of a tongue if you are in a hurry. And if all else fails, just shout out “Kölle Alaaf!” indiscriminately, which roughly translates as “Long live Cologne!” The locals will love you for it.
Dress to impress
Let’s get one thing straight – you’re definitely going to need a costume. Outlandish attire and colourful garbs are the order of the week during Karneval, and many bars won’t even let you inside their raucous interiors without your own wacky getup. A novelty hat or over-sized pair of glasses, or a dash of face paint or hair dye can do the trick – so make sure you glam up and fit in.
Laminate that itinerary
Well, of course, don’t do that – half the fun of Carnival is going with the flow. Having said that, it’s a good idea to have a general grasp of the programme of events so that you can at least somewhat plan your adventure. This is especially true on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), when the celebration reaches its climax in a four-hour-long parade of costumes and floats. Try and get yourself a good spot in a bar (preferably a rooftop one) at least two hours before the spectacle kicks off so that you’ll have a perfect view of all of the action.
Know your locales
Depending on what kind of a party you’re looking for, you should tailor your whereabouts accordingly. The Altstadt (Old Town) on the Rhine, for example, is saturated with tourists – you’ll certainly have a good time, but it might not be the most authentic. For something more traditionally Germanic, head to Südstadt or Zülpicher Strasse, where you’ll be in among the lively local activity. Also, if you want to soak up some atmosphere before getting too merry, hit the streets early – by mid-afternoon, most party-goers will be well into the flow.
