Schwimmbad Rhein-Sommergarten
A former swimming pool in Cologne's north, reinvented as a beer garden right on the Rhine riverbank since 1996 – with a playground next door and views over the water.
On the grounds of a swimming pool that closed in 1986 in Cologne's north, a beer garden now throws open its doors – with views over the Rhine and a menu ranging from Cologne classics to seasonal dishes.
At a Glance
- Type
- Beer garden (no reservations accepted)
- Location
- An der Schanz 2a, 50735 Cologne (northern Cologne), directly on the Rhine riverbank
- History
- Swimming pool closed 1986, reopened as a beer garden in 1996
- Opening hours
- Tuesday–Sunday from 1:00 pm (seasonal and weather-dependent); closed on Mondays
- Highlight
- Situated in the former entertainment district colloquially known as the "Goldene Ecke" ("Golden Corner")
- Ideal for
- Families (playground right next door), groups; easily reached on foot, by bike, or by U-Bahn (Line 18, Boltensternstraße stop)
History of the Site
The grounds were once part of the Riehl entertainment district in northern Cologne, affectionately nicknamed the "Goldene Ecke" ("Golden Corner") by locals. The open-air swimming pool on the site closed its gates in 1986. Ten years later, in 1996, the area was given a new lease of life as the "Schwimmbad Rhein-Sommergarten" beer garden.
Food & Drink
The menu features hearty, typically Cologne-style dishes alongside salads, daily specials, and seasonal fare. Hellers Kölsch is among the beers on tap. Guests with food allergies or intolerances are welcome to ask the staff about individual ingredients.
Getting There
The most pleasant approach is along the Rhine riverbank – on foot, by bike, or on inline skates. By public transport, the nearest stop is Boltensternstraße on U-Bahn Line 18. Drivers can use the car park at the Axa high-rise on Niederländer Ufer or the car park in front of the youth hostel.
Map
Blue dots: other places nearby — tap to explore.
Address
An d. Schanz 2a
50735 Köln
Hours
Di: 13:00–23:00
Mi: 13:00–23:00
Do: 13:00–23:00
Fr: 13:00–23:00
Sa: 13:00–23:00
So: 13:00–23:00
Contact
You might also like — related or nearby
Comments
- Loading comments…
Sources & links
- Official website
- Official Instagram (@hellerskoeln)
- Official website (retrieved 2026-06-24)
- Google Maps (retrieved 2026-06-24)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-25
How this page is made
This page draws on open sources — Wikipedia, Wikidata, official websites and the city’s open data. Every statement is checked against the sources linked here, and pages are refreshed regularly.
Spotted a mistake anyway? Tell us below — we read every submission.