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. 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 Cologne accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Cologne hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Cologne Germany, 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. 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. 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.

Best places to stay in Old Town

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town
Cologne Downtown Hostel
Station Hostel for Backpackers
Pathpoint Cologne Backpacker Hostel
The Penny Pincher Inn

Budget Hotels in Old Town
Rhein Hotel St.Martin
Artisthotel Monte Christo
a&o Koln Dom
Domspatz Hotel

Mid range Hotels in Old Town
Buergerhof Hotel
Lint Hotel Koln
Hotel am Museum
Koncept Hotel Zum kostbaren Blut

Family Friendly Hotels in Old Town
Senats Hotel
XII Apostel Albergo Hotel
CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Old Town
Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Koln
Excelsior Hotel Ernst
Hyatt Regency Cologne
Humboldt1

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 emcompasses Cologne accommodation for every type of traveler.

Best places to stay in New Town

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in New Town
Pathpoint Cologne Backpacker Hostel
a&o Koln Hauptbahnhof
Station Hostel for Backpackers
Cologne Downtown Hostel

Budget Hotels in New Town
Koelner Pension
City Pension Storch II
Hotel Eigelstein
Hotel Garni Emir

Mid range Hotels in New Town
AZIMUT Hotel Cologne
Classic Hotel Harmonie
Boutique 009 Koln-City
Lindner Hotel Dom Residence

Family Friendly Hotels in New Town
Maternushaus
Hopper Hotel St. Antonius
Haus am Dom Apartments
Wyndham Koeln

Affordable Luxury Hotels in New Town
Savoy Hotel
Hotel Im Wasserturm
Excelsior Hotel Ernst
Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Koln

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
Hostel – die wohngemeinschaft
Hostel Koln
SMARTY Cologne City Center Hotel | Hostel | Boardinghouse
a&o Koln Neumarkt

Budget Hotels in Belgian Quarter
Hotel Boulevard
Ibis Cologne Centrum Hotel
18Arts Hotel
Bermuda Triangle Bed & Breakfast

Mid range Hotels in Belgian Quarter
Flandrischer Hof
Hotel Lasthaus am Ring
Steigenberger Hotel Koeln
Hotel Chelsea

Family Friendly Hotels in Belgian Quarter
Hotel Chelsea
Lindner Hotel City Plaza
The Ascot Hotel Cologne
25hours Hotel The Circle

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Belgian Quarter
Humboldt1
Hotel Im Wasserturm
Excelsior Hotel Ernst
Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Koln

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. Those in the Friesenplatz area are budget friendly, 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
Hostel Koln
Hostel – die wohngemeinschaft
SMARTY Cologne City Center Hotel | Hostel | Boardinghouse
Station Hostel for Backpackers

Budget Hotels in Friesenplatz
18Arts Hotel
Europaeischer Hof Hotel
H1 Koln Hotel
City Hotel Storch

Mid range Hotels in Friesenplatz
Mercure Hotel Koeln City Friesenstrasse
Lindner Hotel City Plaza
Hotel Cara Vita
The Ascot Hotel Cologne

Family Friendly Hotels in Friesenplatz
Pullman Cologne
Antik Hotel Bristol
Dom Hotel Am Roemerbrunnen
Stadthotel am Roemerturm

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Friesenplatz
Humboldt1
Savoy Hotel
Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Koln
Hyatt Regency Cologne

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
DJH Jugendherberge Koln- Deutz
The Penny Pincher Inn
Cologne Downtown Hostel
Pathpoint Cologne Backpacker Hostel

Budget Hotels in Deutz
Hotel Ilbertz
Gastehaus Zur Guten Quelle
Hotel Alexander
Hotel Skada City Coelln

Mid range Hotels in Deutz
Hotel Freiheit
Hotel Pilar Garni
Hotel Merlin Garni

Family Friendly Hotels in Deutz
XII Apostel Albergo Hotel
Hotel am Museum
Hotel Lyskirchen
Hotel zur Malzmuehle

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Deutz
Hyatt Regency Cologne
Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Koln
Excelsior Hotel Ernst
Savoy Hotel

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 Hotels in Bergisch Gladbach
Hotel Hansen
Hotel-Garni Alt Refrath

Mid range Hotels in Bergisch Gladbach
Privathotel Bremer
Hotel Gronauer Tannenhof

Family Friendly Hotels in Bergisch Gladbach
Malteser Komturei
Kardinal-Schulte-Haus

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Bergisch Gladbach
Romantik Waldhotel Mangold
Malerwinkel Hotel

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