Finding Accommodation in Germany: Best Areas, Hotels & Christmas Market Bases

Who This Germany Accommodation Guide Is For

This Germany page is aimed at travellers who:

• Prefer private rooms over hostels and party dorms
• Want central, walkable locations with easy access to trains and public transport
• Are interested in history (including WW2) and culture, but still value comfort
• May be visiting in winter for the Christmas markets or in warmer months for city breaks

Germany is very manageable for first‑time visitors: cities are well‑signed, public transit is excellent, and mid‑range accommodation is generally reliable and well maintained.

Best Types of Accommodation in Germany (If You Don’t Want Dorms)

City Hotels

In most German cities, a standard, well‑reviewed 3★–4★ hotel will give you:

• Clean, compact rooms with good heating and usually air‑conditioning (though not always in older buildings)
• Reliable Wi‑Fi, soundproofing and often breakfast buffets
• Walkable access to the Altstadt (old town) or main attractions

Big chains and well‑known local brands are a safe bet if you want predictability.

Design & Budget-Design Hotels

Germany does “budget‑design” very well:

• Think stylish lobbies, good beds and small but smart rooms
• Often located close to train stations or tram stops
• Great if you want something modern and functional rather than luxurious

Guesthouses & Smaller Family-Run Hotels

In many cities and smaller towns, you’ll also find:

• Pensions and family‑run hotels (a Pension is a small, guesthouse‑style accommodation that sits somewhere between a B&B and a simple hotel, with a cosy, local feel.)
• Slightly older interiors, but very welcoming
• Often with hearty breakfasts and a more personal feel

Apartments & Aparthotels

In bigger cities like Munich, Berlin or Cologne:

• Apartments and aparthotels can be a good choice for longer stays, extra space and self‑catering
• Always check reviews for noise, check‑in process and heating/AC, especially in historic buildings

Germany’s major cities carry strong reminders of World War II, both in what was destroyed and in how places have chosen to remember the past.

Cologne

• During WW2, Cologne was heavily bombed due to its industrial importance and rail links.
• The cathedral famously survived despite extensive damage all around it, and today it stands as both a Gothic landmark and a symbol of resilience.
• Modern Cologne is a mix of post‑war reconstruction and historic fragments, with museums and memorials that quietly acknowledge the city’s role in the war and the Nazi period.

Nuremberg

• Nuremberg was a key symbolic city for the Nazis, hosting the Nuremberg Rallies and later becoming the site of the Nuremberg Trials, where leading war criminals were prosecuted after the war.
• Much of the old town was destroyed in bombing raids, but Nuremberg’s medieval core has been carefully rebuilt, so it still feels atmospheric and historic today.
• Visitors can explore the Documentation Center and rally grounds to better understand how propaganda and architecture were used during the regime.

Munich

• Often called the “birthplace of the Nazi movement”, Munich played a central role in the early rise of National Socialism.
• The city suffered heavy bombing, and many buildings you see now are reconstructions or restorations of pre‑war structures.
• Today, Munich is very focused on openness and remembrance, with memorials and museums that address its past while also being known for beer gardens, green spaces and a high quality of life.

Across all three cities, you’ll find:

• Plaques and memorials marking former Jewish homes, deportations and other victims of the regime
• Museums that deal with National Socialism, WW2 and post‑war rebuilding, integrated into everyday city life rather than hidden away

Germany’s Christmas Markets

If you visit in late November or December, Christmas transforms these cities:

• Cologne:

  • Famous for multiple markets, including the cathedral market beneath Kölner Dom and atmospheric markets along the Rhine.
  • Staying central (like at Hotel Königshof The Arthouse) means you can easily walk between stalls, lights and outdoor Glühwein stands.

• Nuremberg:

  • Home to the Christkindlesmarkt, one of Germany’s most iconic and traditional Christmas markets.
  • The old town fills with wooden stalls, gingerbread, grilled sausages and the famous Nuremberg Christkind opening ceremony.

• Munich:

  • The main Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz is surrounded by historic buildings, with more markets scattered across the city, including at the Residenz and Tollwood Festival.
  • From a central or near‑central hotel like Hotel Margit, you can enjoy evenings wandering the markets, then retreat to a warm, comfortable base.

Christmas markets can make accommodation more expensive and book up faster, so it’s worth reserving early.

Typical Costs for Comfortable Stays in Germany (in EUR)

These are rough per‑night prices for a double/twin room in cities like Cologne, Nuremberg and Munich. Prices vary by season, major events and Christmas market periods.

City-Break & Business Cities (Cologne, Nuremberg, Munich)

• Comfortable mid‑range hotel (3★, good location):
  Around €90–€140 per night

• Design / boutique or solid 4★ hotel:
  Roughly €140–€220+ per night

• High‑end / luxury brands or prime historic locations:
  Often €220–€400+ per night, especially in Munich and during big events (Oktoberfest, trade fairs, Advent)

Summary Ranges 

• Comfortable mid‑range: ~€90–€140
• Nicer 4★ / design / boutique: ~€140–€220+
• Luxury / prime locations: from €220+

Munich is usually at the higher end, Cologne and Nuremberg often a bit more affordable outside peak dates.

How to Choose the Right Location and Style of Stay

Before you book, ask yourself:

• How busy do we want it to be?
  Do you want nightlife and lots of dining choices, or would you rather a quiet coastal town or wine‑region retreat?

• Do we want to walk everywhere?
  In big cities, paying a little more to be walking distance to restaurants, train stations and waterfronts often feels worth it. If you are travelling by train like we did, then look for accommodation near the train station.

• What facilities matter most?
  Pool, kitchen, laundry, secure parking, lift access, breakfast, late check‑out—make a short list and filter using those.

• How will we be getting around?
  If you have a hire car, staying slightly out of the CBD can give you more space and easier parking. If not, we prefer to be near a train, tram or ferry stop.

• How sensitive are we to noise?
  If you’re a light sleeper, we avoid hotels directly on main roads, next to busy pubs, or right under flight paths when possible. Recent reviews are invaluable here.

Booking and Safety Tips for a Smooth Stay

• Book earlier for school holidays and major events.
  Accommodation can spike in price during Christmas/New Year, Easter, school holidays and big festivals or sporting events. In popular holiday spots we try to book months in advance.

• Read the right kind of reviews.
  We focus on reviews from couples, families and business travellers, looking at:

  • Cleanliness and maintenance
  • Noise levels
  • Bed comfort
  • Wi‑Fi reliability
  • Parking and transport access

• Check room photos carefully.
  In older properties, some rooms can be renovated while others aren’t. Filter for recent photos to see what the average room really looks like.

• Confirm parking and access.
  In city centres, parking can be expensive or limited. If you’re on a road trip, we always check:

  • Whether there is on‑site parking
  • Height restrictions for car parks
  • Any extra nightly fees

• Look at cancellation policies.
  For long trips or shoulder seasons, we often pay a little more for flexible cancellation, especially when we’re not 100% locked into our route.

Places we’ve stayed in