Hotels in Cologne

History, the Rhine River, an ancient cathedral (and the tallest in Europe), amazing architecture and the vibrant nightlife. These are just some of the parameters that make Cologne so suitable for a tourist visit. The strong blows that landed on it during World War II affected the face of the city in a very significant way, and the accelerated renewal that followed the war is evident in every corner. It is a city that combines new with old, history with contemporary and kicking culture.

Where do you sleep in Cologne?

Due to the fact that so many tourists visit Cologne, and throughout the entire year, the city is overflowing with accommodation options of all kinds. Luxury hotels, cheap motels, guesthouses for backpackers and apartments for rent, you can find everything here.

For those who come to Cologne for the first time, as well as for those who want to be constantly in the center of things and are willing to pay for the pleasure, the old town (and especially its northern part) is the beating heart of Cologne. The narrow alleys that cross each other, the old houses, some of which were built as far back as the thirteenth century, the hundreds of restaurants and bars, the abundance of points of interest and much more, all these you can find in the old town of Cologne. It is also home to the famous Cologne Cathedral, which is the tallest in Europe and took more than six hundred years to build (!). There are also more unique and “different” attractions in this area, such as the city’s perfume museum.

Of course, in order to stay in the center of the old city, which is the most sought after by tourists coming to the city, you will have to pay tabin and tequila, and probably significantly more than in other areas of Cologne. It doesn’t mean that you can’t find cheap places, certainly if you come in the off-season, but usually, in order to sleep in a normal place, you will have to pay more for this area than for other, less popular parts of the city.

If you want to stay close to the heart of the city, but at the same time don’t want to pay high sums for accommodation, the recommendation is to look for a guest house or hotel in the southern part of the old city (Altstadt Sud). This neighborhood, located west of the Rhine River, is characterized by cheaper accommodations than in the northern part of the old city, partly because most of the attractions are in the northern old city (Altstadt Nord). However, don’t worry. Even if your budget is limited and you decide to sleep in the southern old city, it does not mean that everything will be far from you. You will find several attractions and museums in the neighborhood, the most prominent of which is the Cologne Chocolate Museum.

The Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel) is the place for those who want to experience Cologne’s nightlife. It got its name because the alleys and streets that make it up are named after different cities in Belgium (and the Netherlands), and it is considered one of the trendiest and coolest neighborhoods in Cologne. Due to the fact that it is a little far from the city center, it lies on the west side of Cologne, many tourists tend to miss it. It is characterized by a relaxed atmosphere during the day, due to the small number of tourists, and by parties that you won’t find better than in Cologne during the night. In addition, the lack of tourist traffic leads to the fact that you will find here mainly local shops and not international brands. This fact also leads to the fact that the accommodation prices here are affordable, and you can choose from the many options that the district offers.

If you are traveling with children or just in an extended group, you may prefer to look for accommodations in the Deutz neighborhood, which is located right in front of the old town, on the other side of the Rhine River. Like many of the neighborhoods in European cities (certainly the biggest ones), this neighborhood was once a separate town, and over the years it was absorbed into the city of Cologne which was next to it. Because of this, the atmosphere here is less turbulent than in the city center, which turns out to be especially suitable for family travelers.

If you want to spend a relaxed afternoon, the Rheinpark is a wonderful place for a picnic in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, the old city with its many points of interest is within walking distance. You only have to cross the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge on foot, and there you are.

When is it recommended to come to Cologne?

Cologne is a large and central city in Germany in general, and in Europe in particular, which means that there is no time of the year when it is empty of tourists. Its character, as well as its proximity to the border with other European countries, make it an ideal destination for many types of tourists. However, it certainly has low and high seasons in terms of tourism, like everywhere.

The tourist season in Cologne, like all European cities, reaches its peak in the summer months. In June to August you will find that the city is full of visitors from all over the world, who come to taste the history, culture and flavors it has to offer. This high demand greatly increases the prices of tourism services, i.e. flights, hotels and attractions, and also leads to long queues at the entrance to the city’s points of interest.

If you prefer to save money on your vacation, or if you don’t have the patience for thousands of tourists walking around between your legs, the recommendation is to come during the transitional seasons or even in winter. At these times, the number of tourists drops significantly (especially in winter), which also leads to a corresponding drop in prices. However, keep in mind that you must have appropriate clothing, as the winter in Cologne is not very forgiving.