10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Cologne

The Köln Arcaden is a large shopping mall featuring over 110 stories ranging from high-end designer shops to supermarkets and small boutiques. It’s in a busy local neighbourhood across the Rhine River, just a few blocks east of Pyramidenpark.

Shop at well-known stores like H&M, Pull&Bear, Orsay, and Tally Weijl. Head to Rewe or DM if you need essentials like groceries and toiletries. Köln Arcaden’s onsite food court has over 15 restaurants and fast-food franchises, including Ciao Bella, Burger King, Subway, and Nordsee.

Rhein-Center Köln is a shopping mall just off Aachener Strasse in Weiden, a neighbourhood west of Cologne’s city centre. Like many malls in Germany, it has a Rewe full-service grocery store and DM Pharmacy. You can also find a variety of name-brand stores, such as Zara, TK Maxx, and Levi’s.

Rhein-Center Köln offers more than just shops and restaurants. It has many great amenities like massage chairs, a playground, lockers, and even a pack station if you want to ship your goods home directly from the mall.

NEUMARKT Galerie is conveniently a few steps from the Neumarkt transit stop in central Cologne. This mall is quite hard to miss – the building is crowned with a roof shaped like an overturned ice cream cone.

NEUMARKT Galerie features well-known stores like Primark, Claire’s, Flying Tiger, and Rituals. It also has a full food court in the basement. With 3 separate entrances on the main level and an underground entrance from the U-Bahn, this mall is convenient to navigate and a great place to escape the cold or rainy weather.

Schildergasse is one of the most popular shopping streets in Cologne. This pedestrianised thoroughfare has an amazing variety of shops, from name-brand stores to small boutiques and local souvenir shops.

You can check out large department stores like Galeria Kaufhof and unique German clothing shops like Peek & Cloppenburg. Schildergasse is a great place to spend an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing in Cologne. Some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Weltstadthaus, are on this street.

Wilhemplatz is a beautiful square in Cologne that hosts unique markets all year round. Located in the trendy Nippes neighbourhood, this shopping area is a favourite hangout spot for locals and travellers looking to shop for interesting goods.

A busy market takes place in the square from Mondays to Saturdays. Vendors sell affordable and farm-fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as cheeses and baked goods. On certain weekends, Wilhemplatz is transformed into a vibrant flea market. It’s a great place to purchase trinkets, souvenirs, and quirky items at great prices.

Ehrenstrasse is a beautiful shopping street that blends traditional family-owned shops with chic and fashionable stores. It sits in the inner ring of Cologne’s city centre, just 1.3 km west of the Cologne Cathedral.

The street itself is always decorated for the season, making it a great place to sip on a coffee at an outdoor cafe or enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll past historic buildings. Stop by Zimmermann Bakery or Café Waschsalon for a light snack in the morning, then head to stores like MAC, Adidas, and Scotch & Soda.

Galeria Kaufhof is a 5-storey department store at the end of Schildergasse in Cologne. Each floor hosts amazing finds like designer clothes, home decor, and even traditional German souvenirs. Its standout feature is the cafeteria-style Markethalle, where you can enjoy an amazing buffet of hot and cold food.

If you happen to be in Cologne during the holidays, make sure to stop by the storefront to see beautiful Christmas decorations on full display. Galeria Kaufhof is just 600 metres south of the Cologne Cathedral.

Hohe Strasse is known as the shopping mile of Cologne. Located just a few blocks west of the Rhine River, this street runs from Schildergasse in the south to Wallrafplatz at the stunning Cologne Cathedral in the north. You can’t miss it, especially when sightseeing in the city centre.

Hohe Strasse boasts various luxury brands like Michael Kors, Bvlgari, and Yves Rocher. As a result, it’s one of the most popular streets for high-end shopping in Cologne.

Kölner Weinkeller is a beautifully designed wine shop in Cologne. It’s known for its extensive selection of wines, from rare and expensive bottles to unique affordable finds.

Kölner Weinkeller regularly offers different wine tastings, so you can try a new varietal while browsing the aisles. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, so feel free to ask for recommendations. The wine store is around 5 km west of Cologne’s city centre, near the popular Melaten-Friedhof park.

Opern Passagen is a large indoor shopping centre in central Cologne. It has an elevated, contemporary design, making it a great option if you’re looking to escape dreary weather or want a place to enjoy unique shopping. The complex is just a 5-minute walk north of NEUMARKT Galerie.

Opern Passagen has many different and unique shops you might not find in most Cologne malls. Highlights include the original Aue de Cologne perfume shop, a Bechstein piano manufacturer, the Villeroy & Boch porcelain shop, and the Dill & Chamomile home goods store. Stop by the Heinemann bakery to indulge in a freshly baked croissant.