Looking for the best place to stay in Philadelphia?
Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to sleep in Philadelphia as well as the best accommodation in this American city.
⏰ Don’t have time to read it all?
Here are our 3 favourite homes listed by price category:
🚨 Note: These hotels are among the most popular, so don’t delay in booking. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so don’t worry if you change your mind
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to the sights and 400m from Liberty Bell. Great rooms, well decorated and bright. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
🏨 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Table des matières
Where to stay in Philadelphia on your first visit: Old City
Located next to the Delaware River, this downtown district is home to Philadelphia’s historic landmarks. From the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, you can explore all the sites that played a key role in the birth of the nation.
But there’s more to Old City than history. Old City is also where you’ll find a great selection of contemporary art galleries, interesting museums, high-end shopping and incredible nightlife. There’s so much to discover here, making it the best place to stay if you’re just getting to know the city.
5 things to see and do in Old City:
- Independence Hall
- National Constitution Center
- Betsy Ross House
- Penn’s Landing
- Elfreth’s Alley
Where to stay in Philadelphia for a first stay – Hotels :
Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superb rooms, well decorated and bright. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
🏨 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Where to stay in Philadelphia with your family: Midtown Village
Midtown Village and Washington Square West stretch across the middle of Philadelphia. These side-by-side neighbourhoods are home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, shops, museums and historic landmarks.
Midtown is our pick for the best neighborhood in Philadelphia for families. Not only is it within walking distance of the city’s major historical and tourist attractions, but within the streets of Midtown Village, you’ll find a number of the best things to explore in the city.
Midtown Village offers endless options when it comes to eating and drinking, but there are a few places that really stand out from the rest. One of these must-visit restaurants is Lolita, which offers inventive twists on classic cuisine and has served as a springboard for nine other restaurants in the city. Charlie Was A Sinner, a trendy vegetarian restaurant, is also famous in the area.
5 things to see and do in Midtown Village :
- Washington Square Park
- William Penn
- Chinatown
- Wells Fargo History Museum
- Spruce Street
Where to stay in Philadelphia with your family – Hotels :
Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superb rooms, well decorated and bright. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
🏨 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Bustleton, Philadelphia’s historic and cultural district
The Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia has always been a great neighbourhood for gatherings. In the beginning, the neighbourhood was centred around the Bustleton Tavern, a local watering hole before the American Revolution. The area developed into a commercial centre with numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Today, Bustleton is largely a residential community with local shops all around.
If you want to feel like you’re stepping back in time every time you leave your house, this area of Northeast Philadelphia may be for you. It’s as historically and culturally rich as it gets. It’s home to some of the oldest churches in America, such as Pennypack Baptist, and culturally the area is a melting pot, with a strong Russian and Ukrainian presence. It also has a good number of amenities per capita, particularly along Roosevelt Boulevard, Bustleton Avenue and Red Lion Road, some of the most commercial areas of the district.
5 things to do and see in Bustleton :
- Mazhu Axes
- Covered Bridge Tour
- Bumpball Bubble Soccer
- Briar Bush Nature Centre
- Sky River Helicopters
Where to stay in Philadelphia’s Historic District – Hotels
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superbly decorated and bright rooms. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
Center City, where to stay in Philadelphia on a reasonable budget
Centre City is located in the heart of Philadelphia. The city’s central business district, it is the second most populated city centre in the United States. This is where you can enjoy a great mix of historic and contemporary attractions, as well as incredible dining, shopping and nightlife.
It’s also where you’ll find a wide choice of Philadelphia hostels and budget hotels. If your goal is to save a little money on your visit to Philadelphia, this is the place to stay. You’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of the city centre without paying the full price.
5 things to do and see in Center City :
- Fairmount Park
- Art Museum Steps
- Prohibition Tap Room
- Con Murphy’s
- Trestle Inn
Where to stay in Philadelphia for cheap – Hotels
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superbly decorated and bright rooms. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia’s best nightlife district
If you like to stay in the heart of the action, then Rittenhouse Square is for you!
This area of the city centre is one of the most exclusive in the city. It features a lush, manicured park, surrounded by expensive condominiums and shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Rittenhouse Square is also our choice of nightlife venue, as it is home to Philadelphia’s best bars, clubs and cocktail lounges. Whether you want to dance until dawn, enjoy panoramic views or sip sophisticated cocktails at a trendy speakeasy, this neighbourhood has something for everyone.
5 things to see and do in Rittenhouse Square :
- Vango Lounge and Skybar
- XIX Nineteen.
- Tria
- Library Bar
- Good Dog Bar and Restaurant
Where to stay in Philadelphia when you want to go out – Hotels
Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superbly decorated and bright rooms. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
Bella Vista – Philadelphia’s best neighbourhood for foodies.
Bella Vista is Philadelphia’s Little Italy and was one of the city’s first Italian immigrant neighbourhoods. Today, Bella Vista attracts foodies from all over the city who enjoy the neighbourhood’s well-established Italian restaurants. Bella Vista’s 9th Street Italian Market is the oldest open-air market in the country and a great place to sample fresh produce and ethnic dishes. You’ll find restaurants, grocery shops and bakeries serving everything from Italian to Mexican and Asian cuisine. It’s a thriving district with a cool vibe.
Great food isn’t the only thing Bella Vista has to offer. The neighbourhood is known for its murals, low crime rate, pedestrian-friendly layout and ideal location just minutes from the city centre.
5 things to do and see in Bella Vista:
- Tanyard Creek Nature Trail
- Old Spanish Treasure Cave
- Blowing Springs Park
- Tanyard Creek
- Loch Lomond
Where to stay in Philadelphia’s Gourmet Quarter – Hotels
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superbly decorated and bright rooms. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
Fishtown and Northern Liberties, the coolest place to stay in Philadelphia
North of the city centre are the neighbouring districts of Fishtown and Northern Liberties. Both areas have grown in popularity over the past two decades, filling up with trendy establishments and the city’s best restaurants.
Unfortunately, Northern Liberties is not the safest neighbourhood in Philadelphia. The risk is relatively low when walking around during the day, but be very careful when going out at night. Stick to the main streets to stay safe.
5 things to do and see in Fishtown and Northern Liberties:
- Sip amazing coffees at La Colombe
- Philly Style Bagels
- Two Percent Gory and Urban Exchange
- Pizza Brain
- Frankford Hall
Where to stay in Philadelphia’s trendy neighbourhoods – Hotels
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Philadelphia.
(€) Penn’s View. Cheap hotel in Philadelphia close to tourist sites and 400m from Liberty Bell. Superbly decorated and bright rooms. Book here.
(€€) La Réserve BnB. This charming hotel is ideally located in the city centre. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and incredible breakfast! Book here.
(€€)❤️ Lokal Hôtel. Magnificent hotel with garden located in the lively Fishtown district. The rooms are spacious, designer and very well equipped. Book here.
Quiet places to stay in Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill is Philadelphia’s garden district and is known for its Victorian townhouses, mansions and the Morris Arboretum. It also hosts the annual Harry Potter Festival, which attracts visitors of all ages! Along beautiful Germantown Avenue, you’ll find art galleries, antique shops, tea rooms and much more to explore on a lazy afternoon. Chestnut Hill is surrounded to the west and south by Wissahickon Valley Park, with miles of trails and a trout stream.
Unlike the suburban sprawl that has invaded areas further from the city, Chestnut Hill has carefully preserved its unique, century-old character, thanks in large part to the generations of families who have lived here and want to keep this place special. While lavish houses create an aesthetic and civilised splendour, the gardens and chestnut trees allow the town to blend into the natural landscape.
5 things to see and do in Chestnut Hill:
- Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
- Woodmere Art Museum
- Friends of the Wissahickon
- Devil’s Pool
- Pastorius Park
Philadelphia neighbourhoods to avoid
Philadelphia Badlands: “The Badlands” is an area of Lower Northeast Philly and North Philadelphia known for its gang and drug violence.
Hunting Park. Home to 16,000 people, this neighbourhood has a poverty rate of almost 50% and a high crime rate.
Kensington: Kensington is known for its low rents and trendy bars, but it has also been home to large opioid camps with high rates of heroin use and high unemployment.