Campsite “Stadt Köln” in Poll

Downriver, on the east bank in Poll, is a slightly smaller campsite by the name of Stadt Köln. The journey there is already a pleasure in itself ¬¬– the path winds its way through the lush green meadows and offers great view of the Cathedral and the “crane houses” on the other side of the river. Proprietor Astrid Eckardt gives me a warm welcome. It’s a quiet period, and because the campsite isn’t one of the largest, there’s barely any permanent residents. Also, I am told, a group of Scandinavian ice hockey fans who were here for the world championships have just departed. As with all of Cologne’s campsites, the spots fill up very quickly during major events such as gamescom, Kölner Lichter or Christopher Street Day. The campers come from all over the place; some are drop-ins, like the cyclists who stop off here on their way up or down the river. The site is dotted with large trees and the motorway isn’t far away, although the noise is manageable. The campsite is removed from the riverside only by a cycle path, with plenty of lounging space on the grassy banks on the water. There’s a kiosk on site selling fresh rolls or a full breakfast in the morning, plus coffee and cake in the afternoon – excellent! Just a stone’s throw away is a restaurant plus beer garden. A few hundred yards in the other direction is Poller Strandbar, a superb beach club that I’ve previously written about (→ Cologne’s off to the beach). Just grab one of the campsite’s rental bikes and you’re there in a jiffy.

Campingplatz Stadt Köln