Where to stay in Cologne

BySamantha

There are many reasons to visit Cologne, the largest city of Germany’s western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This university town is known for Christmas Markets, over a dozen cathedrals, cultural attractions, and a scenic spot along the Rhine River.

Cologne Cathedral aerial panoramic view in Cologne, Germany

With over 1 million residents and nine city districts, deciding where to stay in Cologne is an important decision. With this guide, we can help you find the best area for tourists, and the best Cologne hotels for every budget.

We will cover off all types of accommodation in Cologne Germany; options from Hostels to luxury Cologne hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Cologne Germany 2023.

This guide shows off the best Cologne hotels, best places in Cologne to visit, the best places to stay in Cologne, hotels near Cologne attractions, Cologne neighborhood guide and many more. 

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Altstadt (Old Town)- Where to stay in Cologne for first timers

Over 70% of Cologne was destroyed with the rest of Germany in the second World War, so the Old Town is not as old as other “old towns” of Europe, but retains a colorful look that is quite picturesque.

Old Town is one of the best areas in Cologne for first timers, as it’s a centralised location.

Much of Cologne’s Old Town has been restored and it holds many of Cologne’s best tourist attractions. The Cologne Cathedral, or Kolner Dom, is a landmark seen for miles, and a designated World Heritage Site.

The Hauptbahnhof is located in Old Town, which is perfect for those day trips from Cologne by train. Below are some hotels near Cologne train station.

If you are visiting Cologne in winter and want to know where to stay in cologne for Christmas market, then Old Town is the best choice as the main market is right in front of the cathedral. Along with New Town, or Neustadt, these two districts make up the city center called Innenstadt, also known as the Ring.

Read more: 2 day itinerary for Cologne

Best places to stay in Cologne Old Town

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Cologne Old Town

Budget accommodation in Cologne Old Town

Mid range accommodation in Cologne Old Town

Family Friendly accommodation in Cologne Old Town

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Cologne Old Town

COLOGNE, GERMANY-Cologne, Germany - Christmas market in the Old Town. In this fairy-tale atmosphere, a unique skating rink fits into the Heumarkt (Hay Market).

Neustadt – Where to stay in Cologne for tourists

The other part of the “Ring” in Cologne is Neustadt, or New Town. Many of Cologne’s modern hotels are located in Neustadt, making this a family friendly place to stay in Cologne, in easy reach of the Old Town attractions, with the modern conveniences of an urban center.

Rudolfplatz is a main hub of this area, and a U-Bahn station, which separates two sub-districts of Neustadt; the Belgian Quarter and Friesenplatz. Neustadt is quite a large area, and encompasses Cologne accommodation for every type of traveler.

Read more: Things to do in Cologne

Best places to stay in Neustadt

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Neustadt

Budget accommodation in Neustadt

Mid range accommodation in Neustadt

Family Friendly accommodation in Neustadt

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Neustadt

Beautiful super wide-angle summer aerial view of Hannover Germany Lower Saxony seen from observation deck of New Town Hall Hanover

Belgian Quarter – Where to stay in Cologne for nightlife

Travelers wanting to know where to stay in Cologne for nightlife should look to the trendy Belgian Quarter of Cologne.

This district has a high concentration of chic bars and trendy restaurants, which also makes it the best place to stay for foodies visiting Cologne.

By day, it’s a fun residential area to explore, as it’s allegedly one of the best places to live in Cologne. Shopping is fun, with used bookstores and vintage boutiques, and quaint cafes to while away the day people watching.

Best places to stay in Belgian Quarter

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Belgian Quarter

Budget accommodation in Belgian Quarter

Mid range accommodation in Belgian Quarter

Family Friendly accommodation in Belgian Quarter

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Belgian Quarter

neo-roman catholic church st michael at brüsseler platz in cologne, germany

Friesenplatz – Where to stay in Cologne on a budget

Another nightlife destination of Cologne is Friesenplatz, an area between the Belgian Quarter and the city center.

Friesenstrasse is lined with bars and restaurants popular with students, making this a budget friendly place to stay in Cologne. In fact, “clubbing on the Ring” is a phenomenon of Cologne, having to do with all of the clubs along the Ring.

Friesenplatz best area to stay in Cologne for those looking for budget friendly hotels, while the clubs further north, back towards Neustadt, tend to more chic, and more expensive.

Best places to stay in Friesenplatz

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Friesenplatz

Budget accommodation in Friesenplatz

Mid range accommodation in Friesenplatz

Family Friendly accommodation in Friesenplatz

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Friesenplatz

COLOGNE, GERMANY - : Historic street in Cologne, Germany. Starting in november the streets are full with people visiting the 7 christmas markets in the city center.

Deutz – Where to stay in Cologne with family

Across the Rhine River from the city center of Cologne is the area of Deutz. This is the sports and entertainment hub of Cologne, with destinations like the Lanxess Arena, the Fair Trade Grounds, and the Rheinpark.

If you are visiting Cologne for a rock concert or a hockey match, then Deutz is a great place to stay in Cologne.

The location outside of the city center means you can also find budget friendly accommodation with easy reach of Cologne’s attractions just a quick train ride away.

Being outside of the nightlife districts also makes Deutz a family friendly place to stay in Cologne.

Best places to stay in Deutz

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Deutz

Budget accommodation in Deutz

Mid range accommodation in Deutz

Family Friendly accommodation in Deutz

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Deutz

View from the rhine boulevard to the old town with cologne cathedral at summer. ideal for websites and magazines layouts

Bergisch Gladbach – Where to stay near Cologne for country lovers

If you prefer a more rural retreat that is less than 45 minutes from Cologne city center, then Bergisch Gladbach is a great location.

This is the outdoor adventure hub of the Cologne region, with Bergisches Land encompassing mountains, forest and rivers stretching up to the famous Neanderthal Valley.

Staying in Bergisch Gladbach allows you to experience the Germany countryside, with a quick nip into town for nightlife and cuisine.

Best places to stay in Bergisch Gladbach

Budget accommodation in Bergisch Gladbach

Mid range accommodation in Bergisch Gladbach

Aerial View Schloss Bensberg and public surroundings Berglisch Gladbach Germany near bycologne

Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Cologne

❤️ Best Area first timersOld Town Cologne
💸 Best Luxury HotelHilton Cologne
👪 Best Hotel for For FamiliesRadisson Blu Hotel Köln
🏨 Best Mid-Range HotelMotel One Köln-Neumarkt
🛏️ Best Budget HotelHotel im Kupferkessel
✨ Best HostelWeltempfänger Hostel

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Where to stay in Cologne
Where to stay in Cologne

Hey I'm Sam! I've been travelling since I was a kid and have lived on 4 different continents - exploring over 49 countries in the process. I’m a full-time traveller but I try to head home to Adelaide to see my mum and dog Odin, as much as I can! I help thousands of people every day planning their trips around the world! Every day, I provide travel planning advice to thousands of people, who are organising getaways all over the world!

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