PHOTO: © Samy Lück
Pedal Boating in Cologne
Heading out on the water on a beautiful, sunny day with friends, family, or a date—that sounds great, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, the lakes around Cologne are a bit farther away. And if you don’t have a car right now or don’t feel like taking a long bike ride, getting there might be a bit of a challenge. But luckily, there’s a super cute alternative: paddle boating! 🌞 In Cologne, you can rent paddle boats at various ponds and just go with the flow. It’s perfect for clearing your head and paddling around a bit! You don’t need any special skills or complicated gear—just the desire to get outside and maybe have a race or two. 👀
We'll show you which ponds in the city offer pedal boat rentals, how much they cost, and what you should keep in mind. You'll find everything you need for your next trip out on the water 🔽 here 🔽.
Volksgarten Köln
© Symbolbild Martins Cardoso // Unsplash
50677 Köln
There’s a pedal boat rental at the Volksgarten where you can get out on the water: it’s super relaxing and a nice change of pace from just lying around. Here, for €6 (plus a €4 deposit), you can take the boat out for 30 minutes and explore the lake 🚤. If you get hungry afterward, the HELLERS beer garden right on site is the perfect place to go.
All infos for the locationBootsverleih am Kahnweiher
© Alice Schmunk
50935 Köln
Will it be the flamingo, or maybe the unicorn? Here you have your pick of Cologne’s most colorful pedal boats! The Kahnweiher pond in the Stadtwald offers the perfect green backdrop for paddling alongside a few ducks in a bright pink flamingo pedal boat. Prices here range (depending on the boat and duration) from €8 to €24. 🦩🦄
All infos for the locationDecksteiner Weiher
© Symbolbild Jason Leung // Unsplash
The Decksteiner Weiher is a popular spot for pedal boating in Cologne, and the rental shop right on the lake makes it super easy. Just show up, pick out a pedal boat, and off you go! The prices are fair: 30 minutes costs just €6—that’s really not much for a little fun on the water. So it’s perfect if you just want to take a quick spin or if it’s your first time paddle boating and you want to see if you even like it. 🌊 The Decksteiner Weiher itself is also absolutely beautiful: peaceful, green, and just the right place to unwind. All around it, there’s space to lie down, have a picnic, or just hang out.
All infos for the locationKalscheurer Weiher
© Alice Schmunk
50969 Köln
The kiosk and boat rental at Kalscheurer Weiher in Klettenbergpark offers both rowboats and pedal boats. You can grab a quick, tasty drink at the kiosk and then enjoy it while you’re out on the water! Prices range from €5 to €7 for 30 minutes, depending on the boat. 🚣
All infos for the locationBiergarten und Bootsverleih Blücherpark
© Raphael Bernhart auf Unsplash
In our opinion, Blücherpark in Cologne is underrated: a green oasis between Neuehrenfeld and Bilderstöckchen where you can get away from it all and enjoy nature. You can’t rent a pedal boat here, but you can rent a paddleboat and drift across the pond! For just €5, you can rent a boat for 30 minutes and, after your paddle, treat yourself to a cool drink in the beer garden. 🛶
All infos for the locationFrequently Asked Questions About Pedal Boating in Cologne
1. How much does it cost to rent a pedal boat in Cologne?
You can easily rent pedal boats for just a few euros! The price is usually calculated per 30 minutes and averages between 5 and 10 euros per boat in Cologne (not per person!). So it’s definitely worth it if you’re looking for an affordable activity. 💰
2. Where can you find the nicest pedal boats in Cologne?
If you’d like to cruise across the lake not just in a simple pedal boat, but in a Tucan or a Drachen, then the boat rentals at Decksteiner Weiher and Kahnweiher in the Stadtwald are especially exciting for you. Here you’ll find the most colorful boats in Cologne! 🐉🦩
3. Can I still go paddle boating in Cologne even if the weather is bad?
Unfortunately, most boat rental stations are closed when the weather is bad. That’s why the pedal boat season is mainly limited to the summer months. Most boat rental places open in April/May and close in the fall (September/October), depending on the weather. 🌦️