I am Matthias, co-founder of Freewalk Cologne. The history of Freewalk is connected to the Couchsurfing community — a community where you offer your couch for free to guests from across the world. I was showing guests the city from my perspective since January 2014.

As a real Kolsche (grown up in Cologne) I am passionate and knowledgeable about my city. Like the Cologne people, I love to encourage others to love our city as well.

My name is Florian and like Matthias, I am one of the founders of Freewalk Cologne. I have worked all over the world and it was normal for me to never stay in one place for long. When I came to Cologne by accident in 2011, a change began in me that today fulfils me both privately and professionally.

I found my home in Cologne and feel like an echte immi. I also founded a family here and the next generations will definitely be echt kolsch.

If you have been in Europe long enough to know about Free Walking Tours, you know that there is no better way to explore a city than with one of the locals. That has always been my experience and that is why I got involved in Cologne — to show you the city the way we see it.

I am from Buffalo, New York originally, a small town with an atmosphere similar to Cologne: good beer, good friends and a love for our city. After managing a hostel for three years in Cape Town, I came up to Cologne for what was only supposed to be one month and I never left. I have been here since November 2016 and between the people, the river, the Dom and the feeling in the city, I do not know when I will ever leave.

Come jump on one of my tours so I can show you Cologne from the perspective of a professional Cologne Imitator.

Even though Cologne is the best city in Germany — and maybe the world — it can sometimes be difficult during a short visit to truly feel the good vibe of the city.

Being able to do these tours is not all about giving our guests facts about the city, but about making them fall in love with it, just as most of us have.

Hi, I am Amber from Canada!

I wanted to become a tour guide because I have always loved learning the history of a place and sharing that knowledge with others. There is something incredibly rewarding about helping people connect with a city's story and seeing their curiosity grow.

When I first arrived in Cologne, I immediately fell in love with the city — its rich history, the relaxed vibe, the warm and welcoming atmosphere of its people. Being a tour guide gives me the chance to share everything I love about Cologne, from its historic landmarks to its hidden gems.

Hello! My name is Alba and I come from Murcia, Spain. After dedicating my whole academic life to the study of languages and having lived in several different cities, life eventually brought me to Cologne — a city I had already been visiting for around two years.

A new city means new adventures, and, as we all know, the best way to experience the vibe and history of a city is to walk through it.

Working with Freewalk Cologne has given me the wonderful opportunity to share just how deeply interesting and diverse this city is. I hope that everyone who joins the tour falls in love with it as much as I did!

I am Alina, a true Kolsch girl: born and raised in Cologne. And like all true locals, there is nothing we love more than our city — and all we really want is to show everyone just how beautiful it is.

My mission is to convince you that there is nothing better than walking into the city over the Deutz Bridge, taking in the view of the Kranhauser and the majestic Cathedral, or strolling through your favourite Veedel on a sunny day, or listening to the old folks chatting in their real, heartfelt Kolsch dialect while you grab fresh bread from the bakery in the morning.

I want every one of my guests to understand that Cologne is not just a place — it is a feeling. And you simply cannot explain why, during Carnival, we all tear up as we stand arm in arm, singing En unserm Veedel by the Black Foss.

Hey folks, I am Annika and I wanted to move and live in Cologne since I was 8 years old. After living on 2 continents, in 3 countries and in total 10 different cities, I am very glad we got our happy ending.

What I love about Cologne is its warm and easy-going atmosphere. The people here are whole-hearted, generous and they know how to celebrate life. Come join me on a tour full of Cologne stories, favourite spots and a proper glass of Kolsch in the end.

Hello everyone! My name is Caroline. Although I was born and raised near Washington D.C. in the United States, I spent most of my academic career at universities across Ireland and Scotland studying medieval history. In a story as old as time, I moved to Germany for love — and Cologne immediately felt like home.

Working as a tour guide has always been an unfulfilled dream of mine. Having taken tours in all the major cities I visited throughout the world, I always enjoyed seeing the ways in which legend and history, the past and the present, come together within a city's landscape.

I cannot wait to share the fascinating — and spooky — stories of Cologne with all of you!

I have always loved history and connecting with people. Since I am currently working from home for about 99 percent of the time, I have been looking for a meaningful way to get out more.

Some years ago, I worked as a camp counsellor at a summer camp and had such a wonderful time teaching. So I thought that working as a tour guide combines a little bit of everything I enjoy.

I am happy to give a glimpse of the spirit and history of Cologne because we are a city which has a lot to offer. Sometimes it seems we are a bit under the radar compared to other big German cities, but the vibe in Cologne makes it unique, welcoming and special in many ways. As a studied historian i learned Cologne was the center of trade, religion and cultural development throughout times. It doesn‘t just stand out today as capital of Carnival, it also standed out since in history for being strong and independent.

I want to become a tour guide because I have grown to deeply appreciate the beauty of my hometown, Cologne — something I once overlooked. In the past few years I started exploring the city more intentionally, and each area revealed its own character, energy and story.

Walking through the streets and discovering the layers of history, art and culture that make Cologne unique has become a real passion of mine. I want to share that sense of discovery with visitors and help them experience the city the way a local sees it.

As a music artist and entertainer, being in front of and leading large groups of people has always come naturally to me. I am also one of the thousands of residents who live in and enjoy this city but originate from somewhere else.

I appreciate the rich and layered history of Cologne and how it does not shy away from how things were previously in order to get where it is today. I also thoroughly enjoy the Kolsch culture and that Cologne has its own genre of music that is exclusive and unique to the region.

With an interest and appreciation for my adopted city, mixed with my experience in performing, being a tour guide is an organic role that helps create long-lasting impressions of this uniquely special city.

Hello! My name is Lorena Molina and I am an art historian from Colombia.

My studies focus on religious imagery from the Middle Ages through to the Baroque era, but I am truly open to always learning something new — which is exactly why I came to Germany to pursue my master's degree.

Tour guiding is incredibly stimulating for me because connecting with new people, narratives, experiences and stories is the true key to learning. I have been building that connection throughout my career working in museums, galleries and bookstores. Knowledge is created in community, so I love being moved collectively by different points of view. Exploring Cologne through its history, architecture, art and fun facts makes every visit so much more rewarding.

I hope we get to work together and, of course, learn more about different cultures.

I have been living here since 2013 and at first, I was too focused on my studies to see what a gem I live in. But then I had a remarkable experience living in Mexico, and both Mexico and Cologne became my chosen homes.

We describe Cologne with the saying do bes e Jefohl, which translates to you are a feeling. That is exactly how you can imagine living in Cologne. It is not the most beautiful city, but the people with their mentality, all the small stories, the heritage, our Cologne Cathedral, the offered opportunities, and obviously our Cologne Carnival are exceptional. It makes it the most livable city in Germany.

On my tour I put context to the long history and our mentality, and I outline the small secrets and details that make our city so special.

I am super interested in history and everything about Cologne — including language, music, sports and politics.

I have done some private tours in the past and loved every minute of it. So I decided to make it a professionalised hobby.

For me, being a guide is more of a dopamine rush than a profession. Just imagine the spark in someone's eyes when they discover the stories beneath the streets they are walking on, and the warmth they feel when a stranger welcomes them with a genuine smile.

I have met people from all walks of life — my background as a psychological counsellor has taught me that creating an unforgettable experience can genuinely change how someone sees the world. And my time in Cologne has brought that perspective into sharp focus.

Long story short: I am a people person. I am the friend you want with you when the night gets interesting, and the person you want by your side when you want to get home safely.

I want to become a guide because I am looking for a new and rewarding way to spend my time while studying here. I love working with people and showing them something new. What is special about this role is that it combines information with entertainment.

I grew up close to Cologne and have always felt a connection to the city. Getting to introduce it to visitors from all over the world — and watching them fall for it — is something I find genuinely exciting.

I am from China and after living in Bamberg for several years, I stumbled into guiding almost by accident — picking up part-time tours on the side. What I did not expect was how much I would love it.

There is a moment that happens on every tour when a story lands just right and you can see it in people's faces — a shift, a spark of genuine connection to a place. That moment is what keeps me coming back.

Cologne's history is layered, surprising and often deeply human. I cannot wait to share it with you.

Every city has its own history and legends, and Cologne's are intertwined in a beautiful mess of a narrative that captures the city's freewheeling spirit. A lot of Cologne's character does not come across from placards — it takes a local to provide the context that lets you really get to know this place.

I used to be someone who walked around a city center with Wikipedia in hand, certain I had all I needed. But after one walking tour in Berlin, I realized how little I would see and how much I would miss.

I am a kid from LA, so no part of me should feel at home walking along stone streets steeped in history. But fate and a Masters program brought me here and I fell in love with Cologne's welcoming atmosphere, laid-back attitude, and crazy traditions.

Hey there world, Andre here! Although I was born in Peru, my soul is Asturian (Spain). Throughout my life I have lived in different cities and, without a doubt, Cologne is one of them that will always stay in my heart.

A couple of summers ago, I went to a city nearby to participate in a German-Spanish tandem course and I was lucky enough to visit this wonderful city. Even though I stayed less than a day, the city captivated me and its essence made me decide to move here years later.

The best part about being a part of the Freewalk Cologne family is that I get to meet people from different places of the world and show them a bit of what Cologne has to offer. Don't think twice — join any of our many tours and discover with us why we love this city so much.

I grew up in the German countryside with Cologne always being close by and yet somehow far away at the same time. Growing up, I tried to visit the city as often as I could, so for me it was always obvious that it would one day become my chosen home — which became a reality in 2015.

I have travelled to more than 60 countries in my life, but I have never felt as at home anywhere as I do in Cologne. And yet it is so hard to explain why, rationally. Even though the city is not ugly, it is not one of the most beautiful cities you will ever see. But apart from its architectural quirks, you find everything you need here: it is a metropolis that feels like a village, you can reach everything on foot from the centre, you have all the privileges of living in Germany while being surrounded by the most fun and open people in the country — and then there is Karneval.

When I am your guide, I will try to give you a sense of why everyone who lives here is so patriotic and proud of our city, why we have more than 300 songs about Cologne — which we will sing loudly and proudly — and which is my favourite Kolsch beer out of all the different varieties we have.

My name is Augusto, and I am a tax attorney who was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have had the opportunity to visit several different countries and live in some of them over the last 15 years, until I arrived in Germany.

The best travel experiences I have had throughout all these years were through free walking tours. Meeting new people, exchanging experiences and hearing about the history of a city through a well-crafted itinerary is the secret to a great experience.

Cologne is one of those places in the world full of interesting historical facts that are best told by those who really know the city. After being a customer for so long, I felt it was my moment to become a tour guide and tell people why Cologne needs to be on their vacation plans.

I am from Scotland and first visited Cologne while touring Europe by Interrail with my guitar in 2017. I immediately loved the open, outgoing atmosphere of the city, and the fun-loving attitude of the people reminded me of Glasgow, where I lived at the time.

My grandfather was German and I had always wanted to spend a longer time in the country. I decided to move here in 2019 to pursue music more professionally, and Cologne seemed — and has proven to be — the perfect place. I have been here ever since.

I wanted to become a tour guide because I am deeply interested in the history, architecture and culture of cities in general and Cologne in particular. I also love meeting new people and learning about where they come from. Tour guiding fits in nicely around my music work and lets me share our amazing city with visitors. I am really excited to keep learning more about Cologne and help others discover what makes it so special!

Cologne and I have been friends since 2009. That is enough years to learn that it is okay to talk to anybody you like, to drink Kolsch with someone you have never met before, and to sing songs about love, Cologne and ruut and wiess. Definitely very different from my 20 years living in Berlin before.

People who say Berlin is the one and only city in Germany should visit me in my hometown — and yes, it is home right now. I will show you the typical friendly and open-minded atmosphere in Cologne, share a small glass of beer with you, and you will understand why I will never ever leave this wonderful city.

I needed a place to put my obsession with history, combined with my longing to be back in the classroom. I am an expat from New York City and Boston, working as a psychotherapist by phone with American clients. This place enchants me — and I cannot stop wanting to share that with everyone I meet.

My journey towards becoming a guide is fuelled by a lifelong fascination with urban landscapes and their stories.

With a background in Urban and Regional Planning and experience as a Quartiersmanager, I have developed a deep appreciation for the complex interplay between a city's history, culture, and community. This role marries my professional expertise with my personal passion for storytelling, enabling me to bring the hidden narratives of the city to life.

It is an opportunity to share my knowledge and enthusiasm, making each tour a rich, engaging experience that highlights the unseen intricacies of urban development and historical evolution.

Hi everyone, I am Marie-Anne!

Cologne adopted me four years ago and showed me how tradition and modernity can blend together beautifully — I have been in love with the city ever since. That is why I want to share this love of Cologne with you.

What I love the most is how the history explains and opens the door to the Cologne of today. Everything is possible, as long as the Dom is standing in its place. The Kolner — people of Cologne — are welcoming and make you feel part of the community, sharing their humour, their love for their language, their beer and their football team. Cologne is not just your typical serious German city, so come and discover it with me!

I have been living in Cologne since 2022 and have been working as a hotel receptionist ever since — at two different hotels so far. I always had the idea of becoming a tour guide, especially once I was living in Cologne.

I am an extroverted person and a friend told me about her own experience as a tour guide. Every time I have travelled, I have been fascinated by the way guides tell their stories. Since I have a degree in Tourism, I want to work across every area of this career and I would love to explain the city in my own way.

I was raised in Frankfurt and came to Cologne more than 12 years ago because of — well, work. And I loved it!

It is like a giant village, and I adore its unique pragmatism, optimism, and patriotism. So I thought, why not stay and get married? Being a passionate Immi is part of the deal, as well as wholeheartedly singing the hymn of 1. FC Koln. It is a dream come true to be part of the welcoming and uniquely proud culture here.

Always on the lookout for inspiring stories and experiences, I enjoy participating in city tours wherever I go. I love learning about the people and stories that have shaped the place where you are standing right now. I asked myself: why not do that here and share a glimpse of the awesomeness of beloved Kolle? So I joined Freewalk Cologne and now have the opportunity to guide visitors, Immis, and locals through Cologne, sharing its welcoming yet historically rich spirit — and of course, the Dom.

What is the first thing to do in a new city? Of course, join a free walking tour!

Over the years I have taken tours in cities all over Germany, Europe and around the globe. It is always entertaining and fascinating to learn about a city through a local guide.

I always wanted to awaken that same fascination in tourists myself — and that is exactly why I became a tour guide.

Hey everyone! My name is Ricarda, I am 25 years old and I have lived in Cologne my whole life.

What makes Cologne the beautiful mess that it is are its long and versatile history and its many citizens with their shared mentality. Cologne, just like its people, is loud, colourful, does not take itself too seriously, and invites everyone to join in.

We Kollner — people from Cologne — like to celebrate ourselves, our city, our beer and our football team.

Hey, I am Ronja!

I found tour guiding to be the quickest and best way to get to know and fall in love with the city you live in. I did it in Bergen, Norway, and found it incredibly rewarding as well as an excellent way to meet new people. I have also been involved in speaking in front of audiences and entertaining customers on cruise ships for most of my life.

Tour guiding is equally rewarding — you get to entertain people about something you find genuinely interesting. You can also put your own stamp on it, and since I study biology, it is fascinating to weave that perspective into the experience as well.

I wanted to become a guide because I love the concept of free tours. They helped me discover cities all around the world without breaking the bank. And because as a guide you always have to give your very best to get paid and make people happy, the motivation is built right in.

I love history and stories, and I love when a guide gives you the chance to travel back in time. I also think the connection between guide and group on a free tour is different from a paid tour — more genuine, more personal.

I want to give back what I have been given over the years by so many great guides, and I want to share my passion for history with everyone I meet. I hope that for the duration of the tour, that passion becomes theirs too.

Being born in Cologne almost obliges you to inform visitors and guests about our beloved hometown. I have always had an interest in the history of Cologne and have also worked in the city's nightlife, so I know a few stories that do not always make it into the guidebooks.

In the end, what makes Cologne truly special is not the buildings or the facts — it is the feeling. And I cannot wait to share that with you.

I am a true Cologne girl! When I was a child, my grandfather always took me on walks through the city and told me all kinds of stories and fairy tales. He always wanted to become a tour guide himself.

I want to pass on his stories and show people what a colourful history Cologne has. Every corner of this city has something to tell — and I cannot wait to be the one to tell it.

My name is Wolfgang and I have lived in Cologne since 1990.

I grew up in Bocholt, a town in Munsterland near the Dutch border, where there was Westphalian stubbornness, lots of Catholics, carnival and Dutch joie de vivre.

Cologne is different and I enjoy it — and above all, I enjoy bringing other people closer to what makes Cologne so endearing as the largest village in Germany.