The capital of the United States is an amazing city. Forget New York's tall skyscrapers, concrete and hustle and bustle, Washington is surrounded by greenery, beautiful parks and great for cycling. The central district is Downtown, the financial heart of the city, while all around it are wonderful residential neighbourhoods.
Planning a trip to the American capital? Here are our tips on where to stay in Washington!
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
If you only have a few days to visit Washington DC or it's your first time in the city, the best neighbourhood to stay in is Dowtown, the heart of the capital, a few steps away from the White House and the National Mall, where the main monuments are located! It is, of course, also the most expensive area of the city. If you want to stay here but are on a tight budget, close to Downtown is the small neighbourhood of Chinatown, with reduced costs!
If you are looking for nightlife, better to opt for Georgetown and Dupont Cirle. The former is located slightly out of the way, connected to Downtown only by buses, but is a young university district with a lot of character, while Dupont Circle is located just north of Downtown and is Washington's nightlife district, which also offers several affordable options!
Apart from Downtown, if you are travelling with your family you can opt for the neighbourhoods of Foggy Bottom and Capitol Hill, both close to the National Mall, very quiet, well served by transport and close to the main attractions!
Recommended areas tosave money: Chinatown, Dupont Circle
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Downtown, Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill
Recommended areas foryoung people: Georgetown, Dupont Circle
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Washington DC. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Washington DC on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best options and selected hotels on booking.com
Washington DC area guide
Washington DC, the US capital, is part of the federal district of District Columbia. Although it is a fairly large city, with an area of 177 square kilometres and just over 700,000 inhabitants, it does not have a complicated internal division and it is quite intuitive to move around and settle in.
The capital is divided into 26 districts, called neighbourhoods in English. From a tourist point of view, the most important neighbourhoods are the central ones, which develop around Downtown, the heart of the city. Here you are close to the main attractions, which are mainly located on the National Mall, and the area is well served by public transport.
Taking the National Mall as a point of reference: to the north you will find the Downtown neighbourhoods (just past the White House) and Dupont Circle; to the west, the Foggy Bottom neighbourhood; to the east, the Capitol Hill neighbourhood (home to several government buildings, such as the Supreme Court of the United States); and finally, to the northwest, further away and connected to the centre only by buses, the Georgetown University neighbourhood.
Areas to avoid: the Northeast and Southeast suburbs, east of Downtown, due to the crime rate and poverty of the area.
Downtown Washington
Photo by AgnosticPreachersKid. Downtown is definitely one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in in Washington. It is the financial and commercial heart of the city, but don't expect the big skyscrapers of New York or Los Angeles. Lively during the day, but very quiet at night, it is full of elegant and modern but not overly tall buildings. From here you can easily reach the National Mall, with the city's main attractions.
This is an area recommended for first-time Washington visitors and families. In fact, as already mentioned, it is very quiet in the evenings, as the nightlife is concentrated in other neighbourhoods, and there is no lack of all the amenities you will need, such as restaurants of all price ranges and numerous shops.
Finally, staying here will allow you to move easily throughout the city, thanks to the metro (all lines are present, Silver, Blue, Orange and Red). You can even walk to the White House.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €700.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel with seasonal rooftop pool, restaurant, gym, parking. Spacious rooms. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hostel with free WiFi, 24-hour reception and luggage storage. Dormitories with bunk beds from 4 to 12 beds. Ideal for young people | |
4-star hotel in Farragut Square, within walking distance of major attractions. Gym, parking, some rooms with kitchenette. Ideal for couples and families | |
Historic Washington hotel opposite Lafayette Square, where the White House is located. 5 stars, gym, restaurant, room service, parking. Ideal for couples |
Chinatown
Photo by Thomas Jakob Brablec. A short walk from Downtown is the small neighbourhood of Chinatown, Washington's Chinese community. It stretches along H Street and I Street and between 5th Street and8th Street to the northwest. At one time this area was very densely populated, but in recent years there are only a few hundred Chinese. Here you can stroll among small craft shops, cafés and restaurants with oriental scents and take a photo under the big front door!
Chinatown is an ideal district for those who want to save money! Being in a very central location, the costs are lower than in Downtown and you can find many offers!
Finally, from here you can get around on foot or by transport: Chinatown is less than a 20 min walk from the White House, alternatively, it is served by the Gallery Pl-Chinatown metro station (Green, Red and Yellow lines).
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Small 2 star hotel with rooms with cable TV, air conditioning, free WiFi and private bathroom. Restaurant on the premises. Ideal for couples | |
2-bedroom flat, kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine. Ideal for families | |
3-star hotel opposite the Gallery Pl-Chinatown metro station. 24h reception, gym, restaurant. Ideal for couples | |
Hotel with great location and views of the city. Large, clean rooms. Front desk n24/24h and free Wifi |
Dupont Circle
Photos by Caroline Léna Becker. Just north of Downtown is Dupont Circle, Washington's elegant and fashionable neighbourhood. Here you will find, in addition to boutiques and restaurants, numerous evening and nightlife venues, the hub of the capital's nightlife! It is also a district with an international flair: here you will find Massachusetts Avenue, also known as Embassy Row, as most of the embassies are located here.
Given its characteristics, it is mainly a district suitable for young people and those seeking nightlife! In fact, in many respects, this area is reminiscent of Downtown. Moreover, although it is a fairly elegant area, it is still less expensive than Downtown!
Lastly, Dupont Circle is perfectly connected by public transport: the reference stop is Dupont Circle Station, where the Metro Red line passes that leads directly to Metro Center Station (5 min), a short walk from the White House and the National Mall.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €350.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Capsule hotel with air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi, express check-in and check-out, gym. Private rooms, female, male or mixed dorms. Ideal for young people | |
Hostel with air-conditioned rooms, shared lounge and kitchen, free WiFi and daily maid service. Private rooms or 4- or 8-bed dorms. Ideal for young people | |
4-star hotel 2.5 km from the White House. With two swimming pools, gym, restaurant, parking. Ideal for couples and families | |
5-star hotel with gym, 24-hour business area, restaurant and room service. Large, windowed rooms, marble bathrooms. Ideal for couples |
Capitol Hill
Besides Downtown, there is another district that is ideal to stay in if this is your first time visiting the city or you only have a few days to spare: Capitol Hill. As the name suggests, this area is home to one of the symbols of the city, the United States Capitol, as well as other government offices such as the Supreme Court of the United States or the Library of Congress. The Capitol is also the starting point of the National Mall.
It is an ideal neighbourhood for families and those who want to get around on foot, given its proximity to major attractions. Moreover, if during the day it is a very lively area, frequented by men and women working in government offices and by tourists, in the evening it is very quiet, ideal for relaxing for the next day!
Finally, this district certainly has a great location: from the Capitol you can walk along the National Mall or use the Circulator bus, National Mall Route, which follows a circular route around the National Mall!
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €400.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
3 star hotel with rooms with private kitchenette. Swimming pool, business centre, gym and parking facilities. Ideal for couples, families and business travellers | ||
Hostel 1.8 km from the Capitol. 24-hour reception, entertainment, daily housekeeping. Dormitories with 4 to 8 beds. Ideal for young people | ||
Complex of one- and two-bedroom flats with shared barbecue area. Free WiFi, air conditioning and garden, equipped kitchen and bathroom. Ideal for families | ||
4-star hotel just a few blocks from the Capitol. Gym, parking, business centre, spacious rooms with equipped kitchenette. Ideal for couples
|
Foggy Bottom
We now move to the opposite side of the National Mall from the Capitol Hill neighbourhood: at the western end is Foggy Bottom, a very quiet neighbourhood within walking distance of the main attractions! It doesn't have much to offer per se, but the location is really good and you'll be very close to the Lincoln Memorial and the White House.
It is an ideal neighbourhood for families and those seeking peace and quiet. In fact, it is not busy day or night, is surrounded on two sides by the wonderful green areas of the National Mall and is full of cafes and clubs.
Finally, the neighbourhood is very well served by transport: the landmark station is Foggy Bottom GWU Metrorail Station, where the Orange, Silver and Blue metro lines run, taking 6 minutes directly to Metro Center Station.
Average prices in the district range from around €100.00 for low-cost accommodation to €450.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3 star hotel within walking distance of major attractions. Swimming pool, gym, restaurant, parking. Ideal for families | |
Self-catering apartment complex with free WiFi, air conditioning, seasonal outdoor pool, gym and private parking. Ideal for families and groups | |
4-star hotel with restaurant, gym and self-catering accommodation. Studios for two people or accommodation for up to 6 people. Ideal for couples, families and groups | |
4-star hotel with gym and room service. Rooms with 32-inch flat screen TV, CD player, microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker. Ideal for couples |
Georgetown
Finally, the last recommended area to stay is the Georgetown neighbourhood, Washington's university district! It is a young neighbourhood, full of university students, lively both during the day and at night, with plenty of clubs, restaurants and pubs in which to mingle with locals. The architecture of the district is typically colonial, with very elegant buildings housing cafés and high-fashion boutiques.
It is a district especially recommended for young people and those looking for a bit of nightlife. At the same time, however, the hotels are expensive, so it is better to opt for flats that also give greater independence.
Theonly negative point is the somewhat inconvenient location: it is in fact a neighbourhood slightly further away from the others and not served by the metro. To reach Downtown or the National Mall you will necessarily have to use the bus (average 10 min).
Average prices in the district range from around €90.00 for low-cost accommodation to €500.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Small hotel 300 m from Georgetown Waterfront. Rooms with private bathroom, shared kitchen and terrace. Ideal for couples and young people | |
3-star hotel with swimming pool, gym, WiFi in public areas and private parking. Accommodation for up to 5 people. Ideal for couples, families and groups | |
4-star hotel with 24-hour reception, terrace and bar. Spacious rooms with satellite TV. Ideal for couples and families | |
Historic hotel with luxurious rooms with private balcony and river views, free WiFi in public areas, swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, restaurant. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near Washington DC where to stay
Staying in Washington DC is the best option, especially if you are short on time or if it is your first time visiting the capital. As we have seen, there are several neighbourhoods offering different services and accommodation for all types of travellers and budgets!
If you are staying forseveral days or want to find more affordable accommodation, then you might consider staying just outside the city. The cities of Arlington and Alexandria, in fact, are great options, with very affordable accommodation and a short distance from Washington. In detail:
Arlington (8 km / 15 min): famous for housing the Pentagon and the Military Cemetery, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (for domestic flights) is also located here. It offers wonderful views of Washington and is very quiet. Connected to the capital by the metro blue line (10 min) - compare accommodations on booking
Alexandria (13 km / 16 min): historic city located on the banks of the Potomac River. Quiet, with cheap accommodation and all amenities. It is located south of Washington, to which it is connected by the metro blue line (20 min) - compare accommodations on booking
