Hi Hivefriends,

how are you? Today I want to show you another sight in Cologne from which you have a very nice view of Cologne. It was the most beautiful view I've had of Cologne so far. However, there are still a few spots I would like to visit, such as the Karstadt multi-storey car park near the Cologne Cathedral, from where you should have a beautiful view of the Cathedral - I'm curious! What is very important to me when looking at Cologne is to see the Cologne Cathedral. And at best also the Cologne TV tower or the Rhine.

Kölntriangle is known for its viewing platform, it offers one of the most beautiful views over Cologne

The place I want to tell you more about today has all three: it's about the Cologne Triangle.
The Kölntriangle skyscraper stands directly opposite Cologne Cathedral, near the Hohenzollern Bridge. It is the second tallest skyscraper in the right bank of the Rhine in Cologne (the rather "unpopular" part on the opposite side of the Rhine from Cologne Cathedral). Anyway, the right side of the Rhine used to be not so popular, but now more and more students are moving here, also because rents in Cologne are getting more expensive and the right side of the Rhine is still a bit cheaper.

The Cologne Triangle was completed in only two years, between 2004 and 2006. Even on the opposite side of the Rhine at the cathedral, it catches the eye as a tall building.
I heard about the Triangle from a friend who had already enjoyed the view from the top and was thrilled. The Kölntriangle is known for its viewing platform. It is said that it offers one of the most beautiful views over Cologne.

On the way to the Triangle

We started at Cologne Central station

On the right bank of the Rhine opposite the Cathedral

Such a beautiful photo, i love this one a lot!

A terrace in the open air on the 29th floor

The building project is said to have been very demanding. One of the reasons for this was the height: the building is 103.20 metres high. The viewing platform is located on the 29th floor. The platform is a terrace in the open air, so to speak, and there are glass walls through which you can enjoy the view. The glass walls are so high that you can only take photos or videos through them, but this should be fine, the glass walls were very clean.

There are 565 steps to the top, but don't worry, there is a lift. You can only get to the viewing platform by lift, you can't use the stairs. The lift is almost neon green in colour. I liked it very much. The staircase is also in this colour. After taking the lift to the top, you have to go up a few more steps via a staircase and then you are already on the platform.

Me on the Viewing platform

A 360 degree view

A 360 degree view

What I really liked and where there is a big plus point for the sight is that the platform has a 360 degree view. You come out in the middle of the platform and directly in front is the cathedral opposite with the adjacent Hohenzollern Bridge. There is also enough space so that even with larger crowds the platform doesn't "clog up". We were there around 4 pm. I can definitely recommend visiting the platform at sunset with a clear conscience. Unfortunately, it is not open at sunrise in the morning. The Kölntriangle opens every day at 12 noon and closes every day at 8 pm.

Here you can see the station Köln Messe/Deutz. It is located one station before the Dom main station. To get to the main station, the train only crosses the Hohenzollern Bridge, the green bridge with the many tracks that you can see clearly in the pictures. The Deutsche Bahn station is located in the Deutz district of Cologne on the right bank of the Rhine, right next to the Cologne Triangle, so to speak. The station forecourt is called Ottoplatz.
The Köln Messe/Deutz station is also a tower station: trains are routed via the elevated section over the Hohenzollern Bridge to Cologne Central Station. A direct connection for passengers changing trains to Cologne Central Station with a cable car over the Rhine is always under discussion. I'm very curious if something like this will ever happen, or as long as I live in Cologne, I'd love it!

If you keep to the right after leaving the stairwell, you will have a good view of Deutz station. Keep walking and you will see the Lanxess Arena. The view of the cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge is definitely the best, and the sun is on this side at this time of day. I can definitely recommend this platform, I will definitely come back to watch the sunset. Students also get a discount here. Adults and young people normally pay 5.00 € per person, pupils and students and groups of 5 or more pay 4 €.

Where the name Cologne Triangle comes from

The name Kölntriangle comes from the ground plan of the high-rise building. As you might imagine, it is shaped like a triangle. The ground plan also has curved edges and is thus very similar to a Reuleaux triangle. While the Cologne Triangle was being built, UNESCO was considering putting Cologne Cathedral on its Red List of World Heritage in Danger. This consideration was reinforced by the construction of the Triangle.

The Cologne Triangle is also very well known as it is: In 2006, 2007 2010 and 2017, castings of Deutschland sucht den Superstar took place there. Maybe you know the German programme of Dieter Bohlen, who is looking for a new music superstar. However, I can't recommend it, unless you are really bored;) However, more "serious" things have been filmed, such as several WDR crime scenes. WDR regularly reports on the Cologne Lights from the viewing platform.

I hope you enjoyed my post about the Cologne Triangel and that I may have inspired you to visit the Triangel on your next visit to Cologne. Even though there's nothing up there except the view (no bar, at least not in winter), it's definitely worth taking a look. I don't think Cologne has that many good vantage points, but this is definitely one of them.
Feel free to write your feedback in the comments. See you next time!