aventuro Back to map A
Museums

Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum

4.3 · 1,975 reviews
Educational, active, and spacious.
Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum, Im Zollhafen 1, 50678 Köln
Interesting facts
1

The museum is housed in the 'Zollhafen,' a former customs warehouse built in 1898.

2

The rooftop contains a fully functional sports pitch with views overlooking the Rhine river.

3

It holds a significant collection of items related to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

4

The exhibition includes a specialized section on the history of the Paralympic Games.

5

The museum building is an official historical monument of the city of Cologne.

6

Interactive exhibits allow visitors to test their speed, reflexes, and jumping height against professional standards.

7

The collection includes the original torch from the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Overview

The Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum is located within a historic 19th-century warehouse in the Rheinauhafen district of Cologne. The permanent exhibition spans 3,000 years of sports history, covering antiquity to the modern Olympic Games. It houses extensive archives on German sports, including athletics, football, and cycling. The facility features an active rooftop terrace used as a sports field for basketball and football. The museum documents the political influence and social impact of the Olympic movement throughout the 20th century. Visitors can explore equipment, memorabilia, and interactive displays that track the evolution of athletic achievement. The site serves as a central hub for studying the development of German gymnastics and professional competitive sports.

Photo spot

The rooftop sports field provides a panoramic view of the Cologne skyline and the Rhine.

Insider tips

Bring indoor athletic shoes if you intend to use the rooftop sports court.

Allow extra time to walk the scenic path along the Rheinauhafen waterfront after your visit.

Visit the onsite cafe for views of the river traffic.

What to avoid

Do not rush through the lower floors, as the ancient history section sets the necessary context for the modern Olympic exhibits.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large school groups and weekend crowds.
Address
Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum, Im Zollhafen 1, 50678 Köln
50.931, 6.965
Get directions
Details
Key exhibits1936 Berlin Olympic memorabilia, ancient Greek athletic artifacts, and interactive performance testing stations.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large school groups and weekend crowds..

The rooftop sports field provides a panoramic view of the Cologne skyline and the Rhine.

Close by you'll find Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Rheingarten.