Berlin and Cologne, the two beautiful cities in Germany, are the perfect holiday destination for any LGBTQ+ couple who wants to experience history, art, and great nightlife. This four-day tour guide leads you through more of Germany’s gay-friendly destinations starting from the vibrant Berlin to the Rhine-side beauty of Cologne. Whether you are an art lover, a history lover, or a party animal looking for where to have the best parties, this well-researched plan is perfect for you. It is time to prepare to dive into a world where people do not reject one another and every second spent with a life companion is a second to cherish.
Day 1: Arrival in Berlin
Check-In and First Impressions
Your gay couple getaway weekend starts immediately after you land in the busy city that is Berlin. Upon arrival, proceed to check into one of the LGBTQ+ welcoming establishments in the city. This is true for Axel Hotel Berlin and The Pink Pillow Berlin Collection which are both friendly and popular hotels, situated in the best places. After arriving, therefore, there are several things that one needs to do in order to kick-start the Berlin experience.
Breakfast at Romeo & Romeo
Romeo & Romeo is a restaurant where clients can have breakfast.
Start your first morning in Berlin bright and early with some breakfast at Romeo & Romeo, an endearing café located in the Schöneberg district that is inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. This is an ideal place to grab a cup of coffee and start the day with a cup of coffee to match the local atmosphere. Take a cup of coffee and a croissant and perhaps over-hear interesting discussions with some of the locals and get pointers for the area.
The Heart of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ Scene
After breakfast, go out for a walk and visit the lively Schöneberg district which has been the heart of the gay culture in Berlin. The first place you should visit is the Schwules Museum, the only museum in Berlin focusing on the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community. Explore the galleries where one is able to learn about the achievements and ordeals of the community throughout the years.
Lunch and Relaxation at Café Berio
For lunch go to Café Berio as you approach midday. It is one of the most famous places for the representatives of the LGBTQ+ community that serves delicious meals and has a friendly staff. No matter whether you crave something as light as a salad or as filling as a German specialty you will always find something to your taste. A particular delight of the café is the rather spacious and sunny outdoor terraces which allow guests to enjoy the spirit of the district.
Afternoon at the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery
After lunch, it’s high time to plunge into the history of Berlin and get acquainted with the most interesting moments of the city’s past. Go for a sightseeing tour of the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery. This is an art gallery in the form of walls, some of which were painted on the remnants of the Berlin Wall and others depict freedom, equality, and human rights. As you walk along the 1.3-kilometer stretch, you’ll encounter powerful artwork that serves as a testament to Berlin’s journey from division to unity.
Dinner and Nightlife
For dinner, head to The Berlin Soulfood Restaurant after the sun has gone down. This restaurant is famous for providing its visitors with delicious meals and being a home-like place where one can have a tasty meal. Enjoy meals that will replenish you and help you digest the information you’ve received while strolling through Berlin on the first day.
End your night at SchwuZ a popular club in Berlin that is well-known for being an LGBTQ+ friendly venue. SchwuZ is the best example of Berlin’s nightlife due to its crowd of various sexual orientations, themed parties, and performances of drag queens.
Day 2: Arts, Culture, and Scenic Spots
Breakfast at Betty F***
Start your second day in Berlin with breakfast at Betty F*** – the café, which embodies the spirit of the city and welcomes everyone. Savor a good meal in this type of atmosphere, to be stocked for the day of visiting various attractions.
Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag
After breakfast, head to two of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks: the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag have become an integral part of Berlin today. The Brandenburg Gate which was once the symbol of division has now become a symbol of unity of Germany. Before going in, take your time to enjoy the building’s neoclassical facade and the history embedded in it. Then go to the Reichstag building that houses the Parliament of Germany. It is also possible to tour the building with guides and also see the glass dome of the building.
A Cozy Lunch at House of Small Wonder
For lunch, it’s possible to visit the place with the extraordinary atmosphere of House of Small Wonder. The café is proud to be friendly to the LGBTQ+ community and shares a great selection of Japanese and American food with a beautiful view of the plants. This is the best place for you to relax and ponder over what you have come across in the morning adventure.
Afternoon at Museum Island
Spend your afternoon discovering the Museum Island, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and home to five of the most famous museums in the world. First, the Pergamon Museum is well known for the monumental reconstructions of great buildings of antiquity. Next, head to the Neues Museum, which houses the famous bust of Nefertiti, and a myriad of Egyptian treasures.
Dinner at Zsa Zsa Burger
For dinner, you can indulge yourself with delicious burgers at Zsa Zsa Burger. This restaurant is Gay friendly and provides nonconventional and high-quality burgers with different toppings. This is a cozy and rather elegant place to taste a good meal and discuss the impressions of the day spent in the cultural program.
Can’t get enough of Berlin? It’s one of our favourite cities and top destinations. Check out the write up on this fabulous city
Day 3: A Day Trip to Cologne
Early Start
The third day starts with the train trip from Berlin to Cologne. The journey takes about 4 hours and you are provided with an opportunity to have a cup of coffee and biscuits on board while observing the beautiful sceneries that are associated with Germany.
Exploring Cologne’s LGBTQ+ Scene
When you get to Cologne, start your experience with the lively gay nightlife. Go to the districts of Rudolfplatz and the well-known Heumarkt which are both known for their gay friendly environment. These neighborhoods are characterized by rainbow flags, welcoming cafes, and boutique shops.
Lunch at Café Rico
For lunch visit Café Rico, which is friendly for people with disabilities and famous for its tasty dishes. It is also a nice place to grab a bite while watching the local LGBTQ+ people and if you are friendly, chatting with them. It was nice to find that this café is truly warm-hearted as the people of Cologne are known for.
Afternoon at Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge
Finally, after lunch, it is time to visit some of the most popular places of interest in Cologne. Begin with the breathtaking Cologne Cathedral, which is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and a fine example of Gothic architecture. Spend as much time as you can to appreciate the design, the height, and the feeling of antiquity coming from the building.
Evening in Cologne
For dinner, go to Die Fette Kuh, especially when the night begins to set in. It is also an openly LGBTQ+ welcoming restaurant that has received much attention for its good, fresh burgers. It is ideal for lunch when on a sightseeing spree and before you hit the clubs in Cologne.
If you want to check out the best of the LGBTQ+ scene in Cologne then it is time to visit ExCorner. It is a famous bar which provides people with an opportunity to have a great time and meet new friends. Savor creative and delicious cocktails, meet people from Cologne and other tourists, and get the night vibe of the city.
Day 4: Farewell to Germany
Return to Berlin and Brunch
Your last day is as follows: A train ride back to Berlin. Once you get there, have breakfast at ‘What do you fancy love’, a youth-friendly and welcoming café. This place is as hipster as the rest of the places you visited and also helps in giving you a chance to ponder over the hectic tour that you have been on while having a meal.
Relaxation at Tiergarten
After the brunch, it will be great to take a walk to the Tiergarten – the central park in Berlin. It is a very large piece of land that is covered with vegetation, and it serves as a place of solace away from the busy city. Take a nature walk on its maze-like trails, take a ride in a paddle boat on either of the two beautiful lakes or just choose a place to sit and watch the wonders of nature.
When in Tiergarten, use the opportunity to see one of Berlin’s attractions that is the Siegessäule (Victory Column). Climb further to get an excellent view of the park and the exterior view of the city in case you are within the Berlin area.
Shopping at KaDeWe
For some swift shopping and a true taste of opulence, there is Germany’s second-largest department store, Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe). Stroll through its wide array of exquisite clothing, exquisite gourmet, and other exclusive novelty items. If you are not here to make a purchase, then just browsing through this legendary shop is a delight.
Farewell Dinner at The Reed
On the last evening of your getaway weekend, the Reed offers you an exquisite venue to have your last dinner. This is a chic restaurant, with a modern and lively atmosphere and it has a varied menu that makes you taste the best of Berlin. So, this is the best place to tell the tales of the best moments of the trip and perhaps, discuss the next journey.
Final Drinks at The Green Door
The Berlin and Cologne trip should be concluded with a cocktail in The Green Door, a Berliner cocktail bar. As a sophisticated cocktail bar, which has a speakeasy feel to it, it will be the perfect place to congratulate yourself on having an amazing weekend with friends, as well as the interesting things that you have witnessed.
Conclusion
When your gay couple getaway weekend in Berlin and Cologne is over, your personal development, cross-cultural perspectives, and friendly welcome will be enhanced. From the active LGBTQ+ communities to the rich history and great food, this trip has been a great mix of leisure and adventure with love and self-acceptance. This is the itinerary we would like to propose for your consideration and for which we hope you create memories and, who knows, plan your next trip to Germany’s welcoming cities.
For more destination guides tailored to LGBTQ+ travelers, be sure to check out other articles on Gay Couple Getaway. Whether you’re seeking romantic escapes, cultural immersions, or vibrant nightlife, our site is your go-to resource for planning unforgettable journeys that celebrate love in all its forms.
