The best region and the best hotel to stay in Cologne in Germany

Edson Amorina Jr

6 years ago

The best region and the best hotels to stay in Cologne in Germany

The city of Cologne, Germany, or Germany’s Köln, is one of the main tourist destinations in the country. Both for foreigners and Germans, who visit it mainly in the carnival and birth markets. To help with planning your trip, we detail the main regions of the city and suggestions for lodging close to your sights.

We’ve listed some of the main points of interest to visit on a trip to Cologne.

Read our post about Carnival 2023 in Cologne in Germany – Tips and travel guide and the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany: Complete Guide an Best Tips

Best Regions to Stay in Cologne in Germany

The city of Cologne is one of the largest in Germany, but its sights are quite concentrated. This makes it much easier to choose a neighborhood to choose the best hotel of your trip. The walking distance between the two most important points, the Koelnmesse Exhibition Center and the Chocolate Museum, is just over 2 km. Something about 30 minutes walking through the best landscapes and tourist attractions of the city.

We can divide where to stay in Cologne in three locations:

Historic center: close to the Cathedral, the main tourist attraction of the city, and the Central Train Station.
Rhine River Bank: close to the Chocolate Museum and also offering various bars and restaurants. As well as a beautiful view of the famous Padlock Bridge.
District Deutz: on the other side of the Rhine, but close to the LANXESS arena and the Koelnmesse Convention Center.

Accommodation deals in Deutz District in Cologne, Germany

The district of Deutz is on the other side of the Rhine, in relation to the Historic Center and main tourist attractions, but it is the best place to stay if the destination is events in the city.

The Arena LANXESS is the main stage of shows in Cologne and it has planned shows for 2019 as Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj, Enrique Iglesias, Rod Stewart, Ariana Grande and even Cher. And the Kölnmesse Convention Center is the location for several events such as the Comic Con Experience, the famous CCXP that also takes place in São Paulo.

Suggestions for lodging:

Hotel Freiheit: Very well located and with breakfast included.
Hyatt Regency Köln: Great views of Cologne Cathedral and quite comfortable.
Hotel Ilbertz Garni: 5 minutes away from the Convention Center.
Insel Hotel: Just 3 minutes walk from the Lanxess Arena.
Hotel Stadtpalais: Situated opposite the Lanxess Arena.
Dorint An der Messe Köln: Located opposite the Cologne Exhibition Center, this hotel offers soundproofed rooms.
Radisson Blu Hotel Köln: A 5-minute walk from the Lanxess Arena and the KölnMesse Exhibition Center.

Hotels on the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany

Another option is to stay on the banks of the Rhine, especially for those who do not need to be near the Central Station. An alternative to the Historic Center and still asism near the sights.

The advantage of staying in this area is to stay close to bars and restaurants, as well as the Chocolate Museum, which is very visited in the city and also the possibility of staying with a view of the Padlock Bridge.

Suggestions for lodging:

Mauritius Komfort Hotel in der Altstadt: Just a 5-minute walk from the Padlock Bridge.
Hotel zur Malzmühle: Overlooking the Cologne Cathedral and a restaurant with a beer garden.
Maritim Hotel Köln: With wonderful panoramic views of the Rhine river.
Hotel Lyskirchen: 100 meters from the Rhine River Promenade.
NH Köln Altstadt: You are opposite the Rhine River and the Chocolate Museum.
Art’otel Cologne by Park Plaza: Located on the banks of the Rhine and large rooftop terrace.

Where to stay in Historical Center in Cologne, Germany

It is in the historical center that are the main sights of the city, such as its wonderful Gothic Cathedral, classified as a patrimony of humanity in 1996, where is the Tomb of the Three Kings, known to contain the bones of the Magi, the Ludwig Museum, known for its collection of modern art, the Romano-Germanic Museum and access to the famous Padlocks Bridge, Hohenzollernbrücke.

The advantage is to be in the middle of all the points that will be on the itinerary of the visit. It is the best place to stay but at the same time it has drawbacks such as being noisy, crowded with tourists and expensive.

Suggestions for lodging:

Boutique 009 Köln City: Located in the center of Cologne, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral, the main shopping street and the main train station.
Lindner Hotel Dom Residence: 4-star hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Central Station.
Eden Hotel Früh am Dom: Located in the heart of Cologne city center, opposite the famous Cologne Cathedral and the shopping district.
Cologne Marriott Hotel: 3 minutes’ walk from Cologne Central Station and 4 minutes from Cologne Cathedral.
Hilton Cologne: This family-friendly hotel is just 200 meters from Cologne Cathedral.
Ibis Hotel Köln Am Dom: Most affordable option next to the Cologne Cathedral and the Cologne Central Station

Our Accommodation Experience in Cologne in Germany

We have already stayed 2 times in the city and both in the Historic Center of Cologne. During these trips, our main objective was to visit its main tourist attractions and also the famous Christmas Markets.

On our first trip, we stayed at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom, a very traditional, one of the city’s top choices and very luxurious, even more than we are accustomed to. Its location is great, large and comfortable rooms, however the price of the breakfast is prohibitive. Better look for a bakery (in German Bäckerei) for breakfast.

For the second time, we stayed at the Wyndham Köln hotel closer to the central train station and with more expensive travel for work, yet still comfortable and more affordably priced. A good option for those who do not want to risk other choices.