Hotels in Cologne

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. 

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.

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.

The closest airport to Cologne is Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), located about 15 kilometres (9 miles) southeast of the city centre. It offers both domestic and international flights and is easily accessible by train, bus or taxi. 

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany, with a population of around 1.1 million people. It covers an area of approximately 405 square kilometres (156 square miles), blending a vibrant city centre with wide green areas and quiet residential neighbourhoods. 

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.