Exploring Cologne: Choosing The Right Neighborhood To Stay

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a popular tourist destination, known for its impressive cathedral, rich history, and diverse neighbourhoods. The city offers a range of accommodation options, from luxurious five-star hotels to budget-friendly choices, ensuring that visitors can find a suitable place to stay depending on their preferences and budget.

The best neighbourhood to stay in depends on what you are looking for. If you are a first-time visitor, the historic Old Town (Altstadt-Nord) is a great choice, with its Gothic buildings, historic houses, and popular attractions such as the Cologne Cathedral and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum. For those seeking a lively nightlife scene, the Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel) is ideal, offering trendy bars, restaurants, and boutiques. If you are travelling on a budget, Altstadt-Süd provides affordable options while still being conveniently located near the Old Town. Families may prefer the tranquil neighbourhood of Deutz, located across the Rhine River, which offers parks, family-friendly attractions, and a variety of accommodation options. Lastly, for those seeking a more local experience, Ehrenfeld, located outside the city centre, offers a cool, artsy vibe with street art, boutique shops, and a vibrant café culture.

Altstadt-Nord (Old Town)

Altstadt-Nord has a vibrant dining and drinking scene, with trendy, friendly cafes and bars at every corner. Papa Joe's Biersalon, an old pub serving Rhineland food and local Kölsch beer, is a must-visit. The neighbourhood is also home to the Central Cologne Train Station or The Hauptbahnhof (HBF), making it a convenient location for those arriving by train or planning day trips.

When it comes to accommodation, Altstadt-Nord offers a range of options, from luxury to mid-range and budget. Here are some recommended hotels in the area:

• Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom: A luxurious family-run hotel with elegant decor, modern rooms, a spa, and stunning views of the Cathedral.
• 25hours Hotel The Circle: A cool and quirky hotel with spacious rooms, a restaurant, and a bar.
• Die Wohngemeinschaft: A friendly hostel with uniquely designed rooms and breakfast included.
• Stern am Rathaus: A slick city hotel with modern rooms in muted tones, offering a rich continental breakfast.

Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel)

The Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel) is a super trendy and stylish neighbourhood in Cologne, located in Neustadt Nord, a 25-minute walk from the Old Town. It's known for its vibrant nightlife, bohemian atmosphere, and impressive street art. The area between Aachenerstrasse and Venloer Straße is particularly renowned for its street art.

The Belgian Quarter offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment venues. Little Link and Sixpack are popular spots to grab a cocktail and kickstart your night. Brussels Square is a central hub in the heart of the neighbourhood, where people gather to socialise and plan their evenings.

The neighbourhood's name originates from the fact that many streets are named after Belgian provinces and cities, such as Brussels Street. It's an excellent area for shopping, especially for those seeking vintage and unique items.

The Ruby Ella Hotel Cologne is a stylish option for accommodation in the Belgian Quarter. It offers bright rooms with comfortable beds and large windows overlooking the city. The hotel also provides a delicious breakfast, private parking, and an on-site bar.

The Belgian Quarter is ideal for those seeking a lively and trendy atmosphere, with plenty of entertainment options and a diverse range of shopping and dining choices.

Other Notable Neighbourhoods in Cologne

While the Belgian Quarter is a vibrant and appealing destination, Cologne offers a variety of other intriguing neighbourhoods to explore:

• Altstadt-Nord (Old Town): This area, located on the banks of the Rhine River, is packed with iconic attractions, including the Cologne Cathedral, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Great St. Martin Church, and the Museum Ludwig. It's a great location for first-time visitors to Cologne.
• Altstadt-Süd: Located south of the Old Town, this neighbourhood offers affordable accommodation and a mix of medieval ruins and contemporary buildings. The Lindt Chocolate Museum and the Basilica of St. Severin are notable attractions.
• Deutz: Situated across the Rhine River, Deutz is a tranquil neighbourhood with a mix of small boutique hotels and large business hotels. It's home to Lanxess Arena and Koelnmesse, making it convenient for those attending conferences and events.
• Ehrenfeld: Located outside the city centre, Ehrenfeld offers a trendy and authentic German atmosphere. It's known for its lively streets filled with art and boutique shops. Polyestershock and Kitsch Deluxe are vintage clothing spots worth checking out.

Altstadt-Süd

For chocolate lovers, the Lindt Chocolate Museum is a must-visit. The museum is located in the Rheinhaufen quarter, which was once an old commercial port. This area has now become a famous tourist spot due to the Kranhaus buildings, which are built in the form of a crane over the Rhine River.

Other attractions in Altstadt-Süd include the Ulrepforte, a 13th-century watchtower, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, and the Basilica of St. Severin, which dates back to the 10th century.

The neighbourhood also offers beautiful sunset views at the Riverside Promenade, as well as a variety of affordable hotels and hostels.

Deutz

The neighbourhood is served by the Köln Messe/Deutz station, an important railway junction for long-distance rail and local services. The station is situated close to the eastern bank of the Rhine and is connected to the city's main station, Köln Hauptbahnhof, via the Hohenzollern Bridge.

Some of the best hotels in Deutz include the Hyatt Regency Köln, Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne, and Radisson Blu Hotel, Cologne.

Ehrenfeld

For accommodation, Ehrenfeld offers a range of options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels. Some recommended hotels in the area include Black Hotels Köln, STAYERY Köln Ehrenfeld, B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld, and Weltempfänger Hostel.

• Cologne Central Mosque: The largest mosque in Germany, designed by architect Paul Böhm, is a symbol of the city's welcoming nature.
• Street art: Join a guided tour or explore Ehrenfeld's street art on your own, including the murals near Ehrenfeld station.
• Café Rotkehlchen: Get your caffeine fix at this cosy café, which also offers a wide selection of vegan cakes.
• Neptunbad: Relax at this beautiful spa and wellness centre, featuring Japanese-themed thermal saunas, baths, pools, and a hammam.
• Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld: Dance the night away at this popular nightclub, which also hosts flea markets and pop-up galleries.
• Glowing Rooms: Play minigolf with a twist—the walls and ceilings of this indoor court are painted with fluorescent colours and pop out when you wear 3D glasses.
• Grüngürtel: During the summer, join the locals for a day in the sun at this popular green space between Subbelrather and Aachener Strasse.
• Melatenfriedhof: Stroll through this vast graveyard, the final resting place for many famous people, including the inventor of the cologne, Johann Maria Farina.

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