As one of Germany’s oldest cities, Cologne holds many secrets, and today, I’ll try to uncover some of them in this guide on where to stay in Cologne!

I have recently been to Cologne and absolutely loved the city and its neighborhoods, each has a different vibe to it! Read this post and you’ll find out which are the 5 best areas to stay in for tourists and which are the most amazing hotels, in each of those neighborhoods for all budgets!

I carefully compared the various accommodation options in Cologne, so don’t worry! You’ll find only the top-rated options for luxury, mid-range and budget, arranged by price. 

In short, Altstadt-Nord (Old Town) is the best area to stay in Cologne! That’s where you’ll find the most popular attractions and the top hotels! It’s also a great location for first-timers.

And since we’re on the hotel topic, I recommend booking your favorite accommodation in advance to secure your spot and get the best prices. Cologne is a major holiday destination and it gets many tourists all year long!

If you are in a hurry

Here’s a list of the hotels located in the Old Town to help you decide quickly where to stay in Cologne:

Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the areas that I will be talking about in this post:

1. Altstadt-Nord – where to stay for the first time

You’ll want to explore this area all day long, that’s how pretty it is! And it’s also the best place to stay in Cologne for the first time.

Its Gothic buildings, the historic houses and just general vibe will make you fall in love with Altstadt-Nord (that’s German for the Old Town).

Set on the banks of the Rhine River, which runs through Cologne and separates into two halves that are connected by 4 bridges, the Old Town is absolutely packed with iconic attractions. 

Probably the most famous one is the majestic Cologne Cathedral (apparently, it took 600 years for it to be built, but it was surely worth it)! And also the fun Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Great St. Martin Church and Museum Ludwig.

Did you know that Eau de Cologne originated in Cologne in 1709 when Johann Maria Farina named the fragrance in honor of the city? You can visit the Duftmuseum im Farina Haus  Fragrance Museum and see where it all started!

But don’t spend all your time indoors! Take some time to explore the narrow cobbled streets, which are filled with 14th-century colored houses! And also check out the famous Hohenzollern Bridge which has lots of padlocks! It’s a pedestrian bridge so you can walk on it and admire the views but the train also crosses it. 

As you explore around, you’ll find trendy, friendly cafes and bars at every corner, which you should definitely check out. Papa Joe’s Biersalon (map), is definitely a great place to start the night! This old pub serves Rhineland food and it’s the perfect place to rest and try the local Kölsch beer! It’s a must thing to do when visiting Cologne! 

If you’re a beer fan, you should definitely try to join in on the local Oktoberfest celebrations in Cologne or head to the festival itself in Munich! 

But there’s another market that you should check out, Heinzels Wintermärchen (map), which hosts Cologne’s annual Christmas Fair, and boasts a seasonal ice skating rink (usually just while the fair is on). 

For those arriving by train or who are planning to take some day trips, the Central Cologne Train Station or The Hauptbahnhof (HBF) is located in the Old Town, so it’d be super convenient should you decide to book your hotel here!

Other accommodation in Altstadt-Nord

Things to do in Altstadt-Nord

• Admire the Cologne Cathedral in the heart of the city
• Visit the Museum Ludwig and Kolumba Museum
• See the Romanesque Great St. Martin Church (map)
• Try some perfumes at Duftmuseum im Farina Haus Fragrance Museum
• Catch an exhibition at the Roman-Germanic Museum
• Enjoy the Christmas Markets, specifically the Cathedral Christmas Market 
• Drink the local beverage – Kölsch beer
• Attend the Cologne Karneval (in February)

2. Belgian Quarter – where to stay in Cologne for nightlife

Set in Neustadt Nord, a 25 min walk away from the Old Town, the Belgian Quarter (or Belgisches Viertel in German) is a super trendy and stylish neighborhood that has lots of bars, restaurants and some great hotels!

It’s not only the fun nightlife that attracts tourists, though. The area’s bohemian atmosphere and its amazing street art will make you fall in love with this place. Most of its street art is set between ​​Aachenerstrasse (map) and Venloer Straße (map).

If you’re in luck and you’re visiting Cologne during the summer you might even catch a live concert somewhere in this area.

There are tons of galleries, entertainment venues, and friendly cafes. If you’re looking for some place to start the night, Little Link (map) and Sixpack (map) are fab places to grab a cocktail.

Then you can head to Brussels Square, which has a great central location in the heart of the Belgian Quarter, where people usually gather to have a drink and plan their evenings! 

If you’re wondering about the name, it is called the Belgian Quarter as many streets in the neighborhood are named after Belgian provinces and cities, such as Brussels Street (map).

You’ll find tons of boutique stores here, so start shopping for some cool vintage pieces that will remind you of your stay in Cologne, in the Belgian Quarter.

As for the hotels, they’re a bit cheaper than those in the Old Town! Especially those in Friesenplatz!

Other accommodation options in the Belgian Quarter

Things to do in the Belgian Quarter

• Spend a fun night at the ​​Giga-Center Köln (map)
• Meet your friends in Brussels Square to plan your night of partying
• See the medieval Hahnen Gate (Hahnentor) 
• Catch an art exhibition at the Temporary Gallery
• Enjoy Cologne’s nightlife at the Little Link
• Go shopping for vintage treasures

3. Altstadt-Süd – best place to stay in Cologne on a budget

Located south of the Old Town, this neighborhood is perfect for anyone who is looking for affordable accommodation, but in a great location – there are many affordable hotels and hostels. 

Altstadt-Süd has borrowed a bit of charm from his more famous brother Altstadt-Nord. You’ll find one or two museums here, but the one that’s not to be missed is the Lindt Chocolate Museum. If you love chocolate as much as I do, then you have to go there and taste all those amazing flavors!

Then there are some other attractions that you should check out, like Ulrepforte, a 13th century watchtower, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum and the beautiful Basilica of St. Severin, which has some features from the 10th century. 

If you’re not too full of chocolate after your visit and want to explore other sides of the neighborhood, then the Rheinhaufen quarter is definitely worth a visit! What was once an old commercial port, now has turned into a famous tourist spot because of the Kranhaus buildings, which have a really cool design and are built in the form of a crane over the Rhine River. 

At sunset head to the Riverside Promenade and enjoy a nice walk and the stunning views!

Other accommodation options in Altstadt Süd

Things to do in Altstadt Süd

• Indulge in all the goods at the Chocolate Museum
• Catch a sunset at the Rheinauhafen marina
• Visit the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum
• Grab a bite at Rheinau (map)
• Attend the Cologne Pride Parade, one of the largest in Europe
• Check out the St. Maria im Kapitol Church
• Wander the streets and find the best restaurants to eat at 
• Take a picture of the modern Kranhaus buildings standing over the Rhine River (map)

4. Deutz – best area to stay with your family

Located across the Rhine River just a 20 min walk east of Cologne’s Old Town, this neighborhood has a tranquil atmosphere and some great hotels!

I’d definitely recommend it for families who are looking for a nice place to stay in Cologne that’s not too crowded but still close to the Old Town!

Deutz is actually the home of Lanxess Arena, a famous area and the largest ice hockey arena outside of North America! They also hold concerts here so if you’re in luck maybe you can catch one during your holiday in Cologne. 

Here you’ll also find Koelnmesse, where they hold lots of conferences and events! If you’re attending one, it would be beneficial to get a hotel here and be just a short walk away from it.

There are a few parks here where you can enjoy a break from the city noise and the kids can play all day long! Pyramiden Park (map) is a great one. You can even make a whole day out of it and organize a cute picnic with some delicious German food from the supermarket! 

The area is pretty big and it offers some amazing views of the Rhine River! Although you won’t find as many attractions here, there are some that I think you and the kids will love like the Odysseum, a high-tech interactive museum that has a cinema and live shows! 

The accommodation options are also pretty diverse – you have everything from small boutique hotels to large business hotels here:

Other accommodation options in Deutz

Things to do in Deutz

• Take the kids to the Odysseum Museum
• Spend a relaxing afternoon at Claudius Therme
• Enjoy a picnic at Rheinpark (map)
• Go on the family-friendly ​​Kleinbahn Koeln train
• Visit the Deutz Abbey 
• Check out the Lanxess Arena
• Check out the Cologne Zoo and the Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln (Botanical Garden) (map)

5. Ehrenfeld – best place for a local experience

Located outside of the main city center, around 6 km (4 miles) away from the Old Town, Ehrenfeld has become a competitor over the years for the Belgian Quarter! 

However, since it’s not so close to the heart of the city, this area is a bit more chilled. But don’t worry, you have great underground connections to the other central parts of the city in case you want to visit all the attractions.

This cool district has the same trendy vibes as the Belgian Quarter. However, it has kept its authentic German aspect. 

There aren’t as many historic landmarks or museums (except the really cool The Mystery of Banksy Museum) here, but you won’t get bored on the lively streets of Ehrenfeld! They are filled with art and they even attract international creators! 

If you’re in the mood to do some shopping then head to the small boutique shops and explore around. Polyestershock (map) and Kitsch Deluxe (map) are some really cool spots that you should check out if you like vintage clothes! 

I love getting to a new place and finding small coffee shops that no one has heard of. I usually don’t even look anywhere, I just head to the area and discover all the unique places. I suggest you do the same if visiting Ehrenfeld.

Other accommodation options in Ehrenfeld

Things to do in Ehrenfeld

• Take pictures of the unique street art (map)
• Visit Cologne’s Central Mosque (map)
• Grab a coffee at Café Rotkehlchen (map)
• Go shopping in the boutique stores
• Check out Cologne’s Red Light area near Ehrenfeld 
• Spend a fun day at the Great Escape (map)
• Take a day trip to Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne

BONUS: Best hotels near Cologne Central Station

Whether you’re stopping in Cologne just for a brief time during your European travels (here’s an itinerary idea if you’re planning to do that) or maybe you’re settling in this city for a while and taking day trips, it might be more convenient to stay right near the train station! 

Cologne is pretty close to many cool cities like Düsseldorf and Bonn (only a 25 min train ride away)!

That’s why I decided to make this bonus with some of the best hotels near Cologne Central Station! All of them are just a short walk away from the station: 

• Luxury: Hotel Ludwig Superior – Set a 5 min walk away from the station, this hotel comes with a restaurant and a terrace. 
• Mid range: Cologne Marriott Hotel – Enjoy your morning coffee on the outdoor terrace of this hotel that’s located a 5 min walk away from the station. 
• Budget: Hotel Domspitzen – Such a cozy place that offers a free daily breakfast and rooms with a flat-screen TV. 

FAQs about where to stay in Cologne

❓ Is Cologne safe at night?

Yes, the city is usually safe at night, however, there are some areas to avoid as they have a higher crime rate like Ostheim, Ossendorf and Chorweiler.

📅 How many days do you need in Cologne?

You should spend between 3-5 days in Cologne. That way you can explore the Old Town and visit some other areas and attractions!

💸 Is Cologne an expensive city?

Compared to other cities in Germany, Cologne is affordable for most travelers. You can find a few good deals on hotels and hostels and cheap restaurants.

🎅🏽 Where to stay in Cologne for Christmas Markets?

The Old Town is the best place to stay in Cologne if you’re attending the Christmas Market, as the fair is held here in Heinzels Wintermärchen Square.

🥳 Best hotel to stay in Cologne for nightlife?

If you’re wondering where to stay in Cologne to enjoy its amazing nightlife then the Belgian Quarter is the perfect district for you, and you can stay at the Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft, a great hotel with amazing rooms.

🏨 What is the best hotel in Cologne?

Definitely a top choice for anyone who is traveling to Cologne, Germany, is the Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom – a luxury hotel located in the Old City.

🚶‍♀️How walkable is Cologne?

Cologne is super walkable! You can get pretty much everywhere by walking, but they also have a great public transport system in case you want to take the bus.

🤔 How can I get around Cologne?

By walking, or using the tram, bus or subway. 

🕯️ Where is the best area to stay to see the Cologne Cathedral?

If you want to see the Cathedral I recommend staying in the Old Town. Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom is a great hotel located there that offers views of the attraction!

Conclusion

What a charming city! I’m sure you’ll feel the same after exploring it and visiting its iconic attractions! 

I hope this guide helped you decide where to stay in Cologne and if you’re still not sure which hotel to pick, then check out my top 2 favorite options, both set in the Old Town:

I’d recommend booking your hotels in Koln, Germany in advance! This city is super popular and it’s better to secure your spot early!

Have fun enjoying the sights of the Cologne Cathedral and drinking lots of beer!

Leave me a comment if you have any questions about the hotels in Cologne city or have suggestions for our readers!

Auf Wiedersehen, 

Yulia

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