Philadelphia is a city of dense historic fabric and working neighbourhoods, where the colonial grid laid out along the Delaware River still shapes how you move through the centre. Most of what a visitor comes for sits within a walkable downtown, but the city spreads well beyond it, and where you base yourself changes how much of your day goes to walking and how much to transit.
For practical purposes, the city divides into Center City and Old City at the core, with West Philly and South Philly as the other districts most often visited. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and who each suits. It does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Philadelphia
1. Center City
Center City is the downtown section and the focal point for most visitors. It is bounded by Vine Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east, South Street to the south and the Schuylkill River to the west, and it contains the largest concentration of places to stay in the city, from moderate chains to high-end names.
It suits first-time visitors who want to be within walking distance of the main sights and to have the widest choice of accommodation. Within Center City, the Convention Center area and the Rittenhouse and West Market area are the two clusters with the greatest variety of hotels. Expect city noise and busy streets rather than quiet; the trade-off is that you are already in the middle of things.
2. Old City
Old City sits near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, in the eastern part of the downtown area. It is the most convenient base if the historic sights are your priority, and it holds a range of hotels alongside the city's hostel accommodation.
It suits visitors whose trip is built around the historic district and who want to walk to those sights rather than commute to them. Because it is part of the downtown core, you also have easy access to the rest of Center City on foot.
3. West Philly
West Philly is one of the districts most often visited outside the centre, and it is where you find the city's other hostel, set on a scenic bluff above the Schuylkill River. From there it is roughly 45 minutes to downtown Philadelphia's cultural and historic attractions.
It suits budget travellers and anyone who prefers a quieter, more residential setting and does not mind a longer trip into the centre. The practical point to weigh is that distance: you trade proximity to the sights for a calmer base.
4. South Philly
South Philly is another of the districts most often visited beyond the downtown core, and it is where you find accommodation around Philadelphia International Airport.
It suits travellers with an early flight or a short stopover, and anyone whose plans take them south of the centre. If your days are built around the historic sights and downtown, note that this base puts you outside the walkable core.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Hostel accommodation is limited, with two hostels inside the city limits, both affiliated with Hostelling International USA — one in Old City and one in West Philly. Budget hotel options also exist within the downtown hotel clusters.
- Mid-range: Center City holds a wide variety of moderate hotel chains, spread across the Convention Center area, Rittenhouse and West Market, east of Broad and Washington Square West, and Old City.
- Splurge: The same central clusters — particularly Rittenhouse and West Market, and the Convention Center area — carry the high-end hotel chains, alongside Old City near Independence Hall.
Best area for a first visit
Center City is the best base for a first visit, because it is the downtown section and the focal point for most visitors, and it puts you within reach of the sights on foot while offering the widest choice of places to stay. If the historic sights are the centre of your trip, Old City within it is the more specific choice, sitting near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Either way, you avoid spending your days commuting in from the edges of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Philadelphia should I stay in for the historic sights?
Old City, which sits near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and is part of the downtown section. It is the shortest walk to those sights and still connects easily to the rest of Center City.
Are there hostels in Philadelphia?
There are two within the city limits, both affiliated with Hostelling International USA: one in Old City, less than three blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and one in West Philly on a bluff above the Schuylkill River, about 45 minutes from the downtown attractions.
Where do most visitors base themselves?
Center City and Old City, which together make up the downtown section and are the focal point for most visitors. Center City holds the widest variety of hotels, in five main clusters.
Is it practical to stay near the airport?
Accommodation exists around Philadelphia International Airport in South Philly. It is a reasonable base for an early flight or a short stopover, but it sits outside the downtown core, so the historic sights are not within walking distance.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit your trip using the booking tools on this page.