Hotels in Cologne

With a picturesque setting on the river Rhine, this multicultural city has so much to offer whether you’re in town for work or play. This famously laid-back destination has earned itself the tongue-in-cheek nickname of Italy’s northern-most city, thanks to its friendly atmosphere and distinctly Roman roots - in medieval times, Cologne was the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire. These days, a large student population keeps Cologne feeling fresh, while the beautiful Gothic cathedral, Romanesque churches, museums and monuments means there’s still plenty for history-buffs to explore. 

So take a wander through the quaint alleys of Cologne’s city centre for fantastic shops along with traditional buildings steeped in heritage. And, when your shopping and sightseeing is over for the day, there’ll be a stylish Premier Inn hotel in Cologne waiting to welcome you! 

If you’re keen to explore other parts of Germany with a similar feel to Cologne, then you could start with a visit to Mannheim, another university city that’s brimming with culture. Or, if you love stunning riverside views, you could try Passau which is situated at the confluence of three of them! Like Cologne, Stuttgart has plenty of shopping opportunities for bargain-hunters to enjoy. Best of all, you’ll find a great value German Premier Inn hotel wherever your trip takes you. 

Sightseeing visits in Cologne should start with its most-famous landmark. Cologne Cathedral is as distinctive as it is vast, with impressive Gothic architecture that covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space. Not-to-be-missed highlights inside include the shrine of the Three Wise Men (thought to contain the bones of the Biblical trio), the outstanding stained-glass windows and some priceless works of religious art. In fact, the cathedral’s so culturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Taking a picturesque walk alongside the romantic Rhein is a must when you’re in Cologne. A great place to start your stroll is at the ultramodern Rheinauhafen riverfront complex. Just a stone’s throw from the historic city centre, the cosmopolitan waterfront district is now a popular attraction in its own right, filled with cafés, restaurants, and galleries. You can walk along its wide pedestrian promenade all the way to the Old Town, taking in the sights along the way.

This art-lovers’ paradise is home to some world-famous museums and galleries. Visit the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud for medieval and Impressionist paintings, or the Museum Ludwig for the largest Pop Art collection outside of the USA, as well as some incredible pieces by Picasso! The glass exhibition at the Romano-Germanic Museum is spectacular, while the Museum of Applied Arts showcases design objects in close relationship to works of fine art. 

Situated on the river Rhine, Cologne is in the south-west of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in central western Germany.

The city’s main symbol is Cologne Cathedral, but it’s also well-known for its Kölsch beer. The bright, straw-yellow liquid has been given protected status since 1997, meaning a beer can only be called Kölsch if it’s made within 50km of the city and brewed according to strict rules. The city’s other claim to fame is its party-loving spirit. There’s a thriving LGBTQ+ community with its own Gay Pride event and countless bars and clubs to visit. But the highlight of the year is the Cologne Carnival, one of Germany’s largest festivals. Carnival season starts on November 11th, but the main festivities kick off around February, when more than 1.5 million people flock to the city to join the celebrations. 

Although the money you spend will vary depending on where you choose to visit and eat, Cologne isn’t generally considered to be an expensive city. While a decent meal in the Old Town can cost anywhere from 20 to 30 Euros, having such a large student population means there are also plenty of cheaper places with great food and drink – you could even head back to one of our Premier Inn hotels in Cologne for a light snack and a drink at the bar! With plenty of options for both budget visits and more extravagant spending, there’s something for everyone in Cologne.

Cologne is one of Germany's top shopping destinations, and you’ll find four main streets packed with exciting options. For clothing and fashion, the most popular shopping streets are Schildergasse and Hohe Strasse. But Breite Strasse and Ehrenstrasse are also great options if you prefer something quirkier. 

While German is the national language, English is widely spoken in central and tourist areas of Cologne. English-speaking guides and information are available for many of the landmarks of the city, while ticket machines for transportation are also available in multiple languages too.

When you’re eating traditional food in Cologne, expect rustic, but tasty fare. Typical Rhineland dishes you’ll find include Dicke Bunne mit Speck, which is boiled white beans with boiled bacon slices on top or Halver Hahn, which is gouda cheese, often served with a rye roll (Röggelchen). Or there’s Himmel und Äd mit Flönz which is fried black pudding with mashed potatoes, apple sauce and fried onions. 

Cologne comes to life at Christmas time – in fact, the city offers several different themed markets, which all open around November 21st and go on until about December 23rd, though the exact date changes each year. There are large and lavish markets in the city centre with great food, crafts and entertainment, but outside of the main areas you’ll find a variety of smaller markets too. There’s also the Christmas Garden in the Cologne Zoo!