The invention relates to a compact sorption cooling unit, comprising at least one adsorber/desorber unit (1) having a heat exchanger and sorption material, at least one condenser heat exchanger (5), and at least one evaporator heat exchanger (6), wherein these building blocks are located in a common, vacuum-tight metal outer housing, and having connection and coupling elements and pipe ducts for the hydraulic interconnection and operation of the unit. The invention provides a sandwich structure, wherein the at least one adsorber/desorber unit (1) is located in an inner or partial inner housing. The condenser heat exchanger (5) and the evaporator heat exchanger (6) are disposed at a distance from each other, and the inner housing having the adsorber/desorber unit (1) is provided in the intermediate space thereof. The separating surfaces (2) of the inner housing directed toward the condenser heat exchanger (5) and toward the evaporator heat exchanger (6) receive steam valves (8, 9). Further, a heat insulating layer (7), or a heat insulating plate, is disposed in the region between the inner housing and the evaporator heat exchanger (6).