Where to stay in Cologne? Best districts + Hotels

Looking for the best place to stay in Cologne? Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best districts to sleep in in Cologne as well as the best accommodation in this city that we love so much to visit. Read more

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Here are our 4 favourite accommodations listed by price category: Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast!(https://bettysco.com) Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) Legend Hotel. Featuring a terrace, restaurant and bar, the Legend Hotel is located in the centre of Cologne, 400 metres from the Ludwig Museum. It offers large, bright rooms perfect for families. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

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What’s the best area to stay in Cologne for the first time?

Altstadt

Are you arriving in this foreign city for the first time and not quite sure where to go? Head for the “old town” or Altstadt, Cologne’s historic centre. Divided into southern and northern parts, this area has plenty of interesting things to offer:

• Visit the Gothic cathedral , now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After taking a look at its treasures in the basement, climb to the top of its tower for a breathtaking view of the river.

• Visit the chocolate museum or ” Schokoladen museum ” to see first-hand the production of this irresistible delicacy and sample one of the chocolates.

• Savour the colonial apple speciality, “Himmel”Himmel“

• Take a walk along the Rhine and soak up the sun before lunch. You can cycle, walk or have a picnic by the water.

• Explore the district’s finest museums to learn more about the fascinating history of this magnificent German city. We particularly recommend the Wallraf Richartz or the Museum Schnütgen.

Here are our favourite hotels in the best district to stay in Cologne

Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) Legend Hotel. Featuring a terrace, restaurant and bar, the Legend Hotel is located in the centre of Cologne, 400 metres from the Ludwig Museum. It offers large, bright rooms perfect for families. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 metres from the cathedral. Book here.

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The tourist district in Cologne

The Belgian quarter

This area is the symbol of the union between Cologne and Belgium. It has a really pleasant atmosphere. This is where tourists like to stop and enjoy their stay in the city. So we have no hesitation in recommending that you spend a few days in this district during your trip to Germany.

• Discover its streets, named after Belgian cities such as Antwerpen Strasse, Maastrichter Strasse and Brüsseler Platz.

• At Brüsseler Platz , the church of Saint-Michel invites you to spend an afternoon soaking up its spirituality and majesty.

• Have breakfast at herr pimock. It’s a really cosy café with delicious food.

• Spend some time on avenue Hohenzollernring to visit its shopping streets and admire its magnificent buildings.

• Linger in front of the Taschen publishing headquarters, an absolutely stunning pre-war building.

Here are our favourite hotels in the tourist district where to stay in Cologne

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) Legend Hotel. Featuring a terrace, restaurant and bar, the Legend Hotel is located in the centre of Cologne, 400 metres from the Ludwig Museum. It offers large, bright rooms perfect for families. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

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Where to stay in Cologne to visit the city?

Ehrenfeld

TheEhrenfeld is just what you need to make the most of your visit to Cologne. It’s beautiful, modern and classy, and if you decide to stay here, you won’t have time to get bored.

• Enjoy an evening of music in one of the sumptuous concert halls at the Bahnof club and awaken your inner dancer.

• Shop in some of Ehrenfeld‘s most prestigious and trendy boutiques.

• After a day of shopping, stop off at the Rotkenhlchen café with your friends or partner for a delicious coffee or pastry.

• Don’t forget to visit the media centre, Coloneum , to see its production studios and wonderful theatres. A must-see place in Cologne!

• Visit the St. Thomas monastery in Bickendorf, which has become a retirement home where people like to meet up and exchange experiences.

Here are our favourite hotels in the area where to stay in Cologne to visit

Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) Legend Hotel. Featuring a terrace, restaurant and bar, the Legend Hotel is located in the centre of Cologne, 400 metres from the Ludwig Museum. It offers large, bright rooms perfect for families. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

The best place to spend the night in Cologne

Mediapark

This young district has as many charms as Cologne attracts tourists! Its streets will captivate you with their elegance and incomparable shops, and its tourist attractions will fascinate you with their diversity and cultural richness.

• Start your journey through the Mediapark district with a visit to the Cologne School of Journalism.

• Discover the museums of photography and dance and take in some of the country’s finest art exhibitions.

• Meet the Prussian nobility in the Eigelsteintorburg tower and enjoy the many dining options surrounding it.

• Take a stroll through the streets of the Turkish Quarter, hand in hand, for a culinary and cultural journey like no other.

• Don’t resist spending a few hours on Neusser Strasse to appreciate the amazing contrast between trendy new boutiques and traditional cafés. Fort X, meanwhile, takes you back to the tumultuous and turbulent past of Prussian civilisation.

Here are our favourite hotels in Cologne to stay in as a couple

Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

The best place to stay in Cologne as a family with children

Humboldt – Gremberg

So you’ve decided to take your little family to Cologne for the holidays? Excellent choice. Now all you have to do is find somewhere to stay. Humboldt-Gremberg is ideal for this! It’s a quiet residential area with lush green gardens where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll. There are plenty of activities for you and your children to enjoy.

• Spend the day with your family at Cologne Zoo and discover the 500 species of animal from the four corners of the planet!

• Don’t miss theaquarium just a few steps from the zoo, where you’ll have the chance to see some of the most fantastic underwater creatures.

• At the Lanxess Arena omni sports hall, you can watch the most important ice hockey, handball or basketball matches of the season, as well as enjoy sensational concerts given by local artists or world-famous groups.

• Enjoy a relaxing session at the Thermes Claudius and take a health cure in this wellness paradise.

• Set aside an afternoon or morning to visit the RheinEnergieStadion, the official stadium of FC Cologne.

Here are our favourite hotels in the area to stay in with children in Cologne

Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

Best area for going out in Cologne

Friesenstrasse

Are you always ready to party and have fun all night long? Then Friesenstrasse is the place to stay when you’re in Cologne. This lively district is full of great places to go out at night.

• Discover the best of German cuisine at the Paffgen and don’t miss its mustard sausages and sauerkraut with smoked pork – it’s delicious!

• The Lotte Haifischbar will also win you over with its refreshing drinks and sparkling atmosphere.

• Enjoy the beauty and exoticism of Latino, hip hop and RNB music at XX Dos Exquis , and savour dishes from a variety of culinary worlds in a friendly, harmonious setting.

• We’d particularly like you to try the Bethlehem restaurant. We really liked its cuisine with flavours from elsewhere, as well as its decoration. The service and presentation are also faultless.

• Enjoy some absolutely divine crêpes at café Hommage and take a moment to relax after a hard day’s work. The café also serves unbeatable vegan tartines and cakes.

Here are our favourite hotels in the best district for going out in Cologne

Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Cologne. (€) B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld. Cheap and recent hotel in Cologne located 10 minutes from the centre by underground. Spacious, comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast! Book here. (€€) AMERON Köln Hotel Regent. Modern hotel offering spacious design rooms with terrace and gym. Just a 7-minute tram ride from the cathedral and main sights. Book your room here. (€€) ❤️ CityClass Hotel Residence am Dom. Superbly decorated hotel with large rooms, located on the Alter Markt square in the travellers’ favourite district, 300 m from the cathedral. Book here.

The district to avoid in Cologne

Eintrachtstrasse

If we had to advise you against a particular area of Cologne, it would obviously be Eintrachtstasse , because of its reputation in the region. It is notorious for hosting a number of flat brothels discreetly tucked away behind the railway bridge. So it’s best to avoid venturing into this part of town if you don’t want to meet the wrong people, especially if you’re with children.

Where to stay near Cologne?

Munster Square, Bonn

Some time ago, we decided to do a little exploring around Cologne. We ended up in Bonn, where we spent a memorable weekend in Munster Square, right in the city centre. Here’s everything you can do and see in this lively area near Cologne:

• Visit Bonn’s stunning St. Martin’s Cathedral and admire its timeless architecture and incredible presence.

• Don’t miss the statue of local boy Ludwig van Beethoven, which stands proudly as a tribute to one of the most extraordinary composers of all time.

• If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to attend one of the events held on this square, such as the Bonn-fest, the Marathon Fair or the Christmas Market.

• Stop in front of Bonn’s main post office to see this magnificent building that has defied the test of time and remained standing after all these years!

• Take a seat on the terrace of the square’s ” Aux Trésors ” café and sip a coffee while admiring the sublime view over the city.

Now that you know the best places to stay in Cologne , all you have to do is set a date for your next trip! And let us know in the comments if you have any other hotels to recommend. In the meantime, enjoy your trip!