If you are a traveler who loves to shop while in Europe, Germany is one of the best countries to go shopping with a wide variety of popular and trustworthy brands.The shopping experience in Cologne is nothing compared to the other cities in Germany, with many local specialties to try and buy, from traditional German fragrances to locally brewed beer. Discover the unique shopping experiences in the metropolitan city Cologne!
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Shopping street Hohestrasße
Lying in the middle of Cologne’s center, Hohestrasße is the longest shopping street in the city where you can get all kinds of things, ranging from fabulous clothes and expensive electronic devices, to cheap-eats and small low-priced souvenirs. It is Cologne’s oldest and busiest pedestrian zone spanning up to approximately 680 meters (2230 ft). If you are a low-budget traveler, grab a small portion of German fries for 2 to 3 USD after going on a shopping spree at Primark - a retail clothing store chain known for their low prices.
Eau de Cologne & Farina Museum
It’s a must-do to at least check the stores and museums of Cologne’s most famous fragrances of more than 200 years - Farina and 4711 Houses. In the early 18th century, Johann Maria Farina invented a fragrance called Eau de Cologne that has become incredibly popular, and can now be found today in the Farina House .
Located on Openmrs Pforten 21, the Farina House also offers a museum tour nowadays, with their in-house guide and you must register in advance. Farina has just released its latest collection inspired by the 12 zodiac signs.
The famous fragrance 4711
4711 is another traditional German fragrance invented by Mäurer & Wirtz, and has been produced since 1799. The two firms originally producing both Eau de Cologne and 4711 fragrances were in dispute during the 19th century for the confusion between their perfumes and authorization. Nowadays, 4711 and the Farina House are famous worldwide for their separate fragrances and museums.
Currently, the 4711 flagship store offers a massive collection of the original and latest 4711 fragrances that have been globally famous since 1792. Interestingly, there’s a tiny tap of pouring perfume for customers to test on the first floor. There’s also a small-sized museum upstairs that exhibits the story of how the famous fragrance was founded and developed through time.
Christmas shopping is a must!
Germans are obsessed with Christmas shopping, not only at the Christmas markets opened in almost every city in Germany, but also at local stores and shopping malls. Buying small decorations, presents for friends and family, and even culinary specialties (gluhwein, bread, cookies) is a typical must-do for Germans, and certainly a must-try for tourists and international citizens in Cologne, as well as other cities in Germany. There are usually big sale seasons towards the end of Christmas (December - January), and during the transition of seasons.
Don’t forget to buy lots of beer
Cologne is also famous for its Kolsch beer originally brewed in the Cologne metropolitan area. It’s light, pale in colour, and typically served in a small glass of 200-300 milliliters. Go to a local grocery store, or do a pub-crawl on your own around the Old Town to taste up to a dozen different types of Kolsch beer in Cologne!
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