To book your hotel or apartment, you don't know which area to choose in Cologne? Indeed, you want to find out about the areas and neighborhoods to avoid and the nicest places to stay.
Cologne is a city rich in history and culture and attracts many tourists from all over the world. However, as in many European cities, there are certain neighborhoods that may be considered dangerous.
In this article, I'll walk you through a comprehensive guide to avoiding dangerous areas of Cologne and choosing the best areas to stay so you can enjoy your visit in peace.
This guide is a synthesis of information published on economic sites, press articles, statistical data and rankings. It therefore does not include any judgment or discriminatory remarks. Sources: Press articles and statistics in particular express.de, ksta.de, koeln.de, Statistics.
Is Cologne safe?
Just like Frankfurt ou Hamburg, Cologne is not one of the most dangerous cities inEurope or the world but it is not considered a safe city either.
Indeed, when we study the ranking figures Numbeo, we see that the city of Cologne has a crime index of 41.12. In terms of crime, it is therefore classified as average. For comparison in this ranking, Cologne is still less dangerous than cities like Barcelona, Athens, Rome, London ou Paris.
However, you should know that crime in Cologne has increased significantly. The Statistica website indicates that last year 127 crimes were recorded in Cologne. This was the highest level for 500 years with an increase of 6 crimes compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, the level of crime is not the same everywhere in the city. Certain areas and districts of Cologne should be avoided by tourists (see detailed list below).
Map of Cologne districts
Cologne is made up of 9 districts (Stadtbezirke) which are themselves divided into districts.
To help you locate the neighborhoods to avoid in Cologne and the best places to stay, here is a map of city districts.
Dangerous neighborhoods to avoid in Cologne
Before telling you the best places to stay in Cologne, here is the list of neighborhoods to avoid. Indeed, according to the sources cited in the introduction, there are some neighborhoods more dangerous than others in Cologne that it is better to avoid, here is the list:
- Cologne Ring (around and along the canal)
- Ebertplatz
- The area around the main station
- old market
- Wiener Platz
- Kalker Hauptstraße
- Kalk-Mülheimer Straße
- Ossendorf
- Chorweiler
Red light district in Cologne
Among the areas to avoid, there is also the red light district of Hornstraße in the district of Nippes, which is not recommended for choosing your hotel or walking there at night.
Best neighborhoods to visit Cologne
Fortunately there are more nice and safe neighborhoods than dangerous neighborhoods in Cologne. Indeed, whether you are looking for vibrant nightlife, shopping opportunities, a family atmosphere or a cultural experience, you will find a neighborhood that suits your needs.
Altstadt – The most touristy district of Cologne
Cologne's Old Town, also known as Altstadt, is the most touristy area of the city. With its narrow streets, colorful half-timbered houses and Gothic churches, the Altstadt offers a unique medieval atmosphere. You can stroll the cobbled streets, visit Cologne Cathedral, discover the Chocolate Museum and relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants.
The old town is also home to many museums, such as the Perfume Museum, the Roman-Germanic Museum and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, where you can admire works of art by masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens. After a day of sightseeing, you can relax in one of the Altstadt's many traditional Kölsch bars and enjoy a local beer.
Among the many hotels located in the historic center of Cologne, I recommend theEden Hotel Früh am Dom. Its location is ideal for visiting the city on foot or enjoying the Cologne Christmas market:
If you are looking for another interesting area of Cologne for a tourist stay, here are 3 other nice areas to stay:
- Deutz with the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Cologne Zoo and the exhibition center.
- Rheinauhafen where the chocolate museum and restaurants and bars are located on the banks of the Rhine.
- Mülheim with many bars, restaurants and trendy boutiques. This is the area where the exhibition center and many green spaces are located.
The liveliest districts of Cologne
If you like lively nightlife, Cologne offers several neighborhoods where you can enjoy trendy bars, clubs and restaurants. Here are some of the city's liveliest neighborhoods:
- The Belgian Quarter – Located near Cologne's main train station, the Belgian Quarter is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Here you will find a wide variety of bars, clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes.
- The Ehrenfeld district – This bohemian and creative neighborhood is a favorite place for lovers of music and alternative nightlife. Here you will find live music clubs, trendy bars and art galleries.
- The Agnesviertel district – Known for its artistic atmosphere and alternative scene, Agnesviertel is full of trendy bars and cafes. It is the ideal place to spend a pleasant evening with friends.
Cologne's shopping districts
If you are a shopping lover, Cologne also has something for you. Here are some of the city's most popular shopping districts:
- Schildergasse – Located in the city center, Schildergasse is the busiest shopping street in Cologne. You will find many major brands and international fashion stores there.
- Ehrenstraße – This trendy street brings together many independent boutiques, concept stores and designer stores. It's the ideal place to find unique clothing and designer items.
- The Neumarkt district – Located in the center of Cologne, the Neumarkt district is known for its luxury boutiques and high-end stores. You will also find many cafes and restaurants there for a shopping break.
Which area to stay near the Cologne stadium?
The Cologne stadium is called the RheinEnergieSTADION. It is located in the Müngersdorf district, just a few kilometers from the city center. However, if you are looking for accommodation nearby, you might also consider the Ehrenfeld neighborhood.
This vibrant and trendy area is just a short drive from the stadium, offering a wide variety of accommodation, from luxury hotels to affordable hostels.
Here is a good, practical hotel because it is very close to the Cologne stadium: MEININGER Hotel Cologne West