Where to stay in Berlin: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexCosmopolitan, clear, green and immense, Berlin is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Divided by the Berlin Wall, one of the greatest post-war wounds, the city is full of monuments and attractions to admire, many of which speak of war and rebirth.
Berlin is "a lot", it is a hymn to music, it is hot and tasty food, it is people on bicycles. One of those cities to visit at least once in a lifetime. So follow us, here's a guide on where to sleep in Berlin, tips and the best neighbourhoods to stay.
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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation
| Category | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| 👑 5 star / luxury | InterContinental Berlin |
| 🛎️ B&b & mid-range | Hollywood Media Hotel |
| 🎒 Hostel and low-cost | Kiez Pension Berlin |
| 🏡 Vacation rental / apartments | OCAK Apartment and Hotel |
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in Berlin
| Target | Area | Rates from |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Mitte | €150,00 |
| Prenzlauer Berg | €120,00 | |
| Charlottenburg | €140,00 | |
| Schöneberg | €110,00 | |
| Young | Mitte | €150,00 |
| Friedrichshain | €90,00 | |
| Stay on a budget | Kreuzberg | €80,00 |
| Neukoelln | €75,00 |
Not recommended areas: Gorlitzer Bahnhof, Warschauer Brucke, Kottbusser Tor, Leopoldplatz, Nollendorfplatz, Hermannplatz and Rigaer Strasse are the least suitable areas to stay, both for the few attractions and accommodation offers, and because it is not recommended to wander alone in the evening
Given the size and the many attractions, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in could prove difficult. However, it is enough to select the neighbourhoods and areas, sometimes very different from each other, depending on what you want to visit and how long you are staying for, connections, interests and your budget for a small or large holiday.
Among the neighbourhoods recommended are Charlottenburg, which is the district of shopping and malls, it is very easy to find accommodation at very low prices here, and Prenzlaure Berg, the neighbourhood with a bohemian soul, considered for all intents and purposes the neighbourhood for families, as it is full of restaurants and shops. Also not to be missed is the Sunday market in Mauerpark. Friedrichshain is the hub of Berlin street art, full of night clubs and bars. The perfect neighbourhood for nightlife lovers is Kreuzberg, chosen every year by many young people.
Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Berlin. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking
Mitte, best for first-timers
- Pros: Central location, excellent public transport connections, home to many iconic sights, diverse dining options.
- Cons: Can be more expensive, especially for accommodation, and sometimes feels less "local" compared to other neighborhoods.
- Main attractions: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower, Gendarmenmarkt, Holocaust Memorial.
- Average prices: From €150,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
Located in the former East Berlin, Mitte is the central district of the city and extends for about 40 square km. Subdivided in turn into districts characterized respectively by numerical codes ranging from 0101 to 0106, Mitte is the real historical centre.
In fact, it is here that the main attractions are concentrated such as Museumsinsel, the Reichstag, the TV tower in Alexander Platz, one of the most famous squares in all of Berlin, and the Boulevard Unter den Linden leading to the majestic Brandenburg Gate. Finally, the Cathedral is not to be missed.
Mitte is the perfect place for shopping,thanks to the many shops on Friedrichstrasse. It is an area suitable for everyone, families looking for amenities and a central location, and young people looking for fun and nightlife. Here the prices are higher than in the rest of the city, but by booking in advance you can find some good offers!
Here it is easy to get around on foot, but the whole area is served by the S-Bahn, or the metro, and by many buses. However, the S-Bahn remains the best means of transport and there are numerous stations throughout the district.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €150,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Friedrichshain, best for nightlife
- Pros: Vibrant nightlife, trendy cafes and bars, East Side Gallery, good value for money compared to central areas.
- Cons: Can be noisy, fewer traditional "tourist" sights directly within the neighborhood, might not appeal to those seeking a quiet stay.
- Main attractions: East Side Gallery, Oberbaum Bridge, Boxhagener Platz (with its Sunday flea market), RAW-Gelände (cultural complex with clubs and bars), Volkspark Friedrichshain.
- Average prices: From €90,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
Not far from Mitte we find Friedrichshain, which has been defined as the emerging district par excellence. So called because the Volkspark Friedrichshain, one of the largest and most famous parks in Berlin is located on the northern border with Prenzlauer Berg (another important district of Berlin). Also not to be missed in this neighborhood is the East Side Gallery.
Friedrichshain is perhaps the district located in the most strategic position, thanks to the very important Ostbahnhof railway junction and the six stations present there, which follow the lines U5 and U1. Thanks to the efficient network of connections (bus, tram and metro) and Simon-Dach Strasse, the street of fashion, bars, cafes and clubs, lined up one after the other, it is the most popular district for young people. Therefore ideal for couples or groups of friends.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €90,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Kreuzberg, best for budget travellers
- Pros: Excellent value for money, fantastic food scene (especially Turkish), lively bars and cafes, strong alternative culture.
- Cons: Can feel a bit gritty in some areas, less polished than Mitte or Charlottenburg, some parts can be very busy.
- Main attractions: Jewish Museum, Bergmannstraße (for cafes and boutiques), Markthalle Neun (food market), Viktoriapark, Landwehr Canal.
- Average prices: From €80,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
The multi-ethnic neighbourhood par excellence: between graffiti and cafes, Kreuzberg is another of the most important districts in Berlin. Anarchic and a bit bohemian, the Kreuzberg district is crossed by three main roads: Oranienstrasse, Landwehrkanal and Bergmannstrasse.
It is also home to two of the city's most important tourist attractions: the Jewish Museum and Checkpoint Charlie. It is a very unique neighbourhood. Curiousities include Maybachufer, or the Turkish market that takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, along the canal that crosses the neighbourhood, where you can find cheap souvenirs and excellent kebabs. Also not to be missed is the view of the district from Viktoriapark.
Today, Kreuzberg mainly attracts students, foreigners and curious and counter-trend young people. Thanks to the very low prices of accommodation and the lively nightlife, it is the perfect destination for younger tourists.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €80,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Prenzlauer Berg, best for families
- Pros: Quiet and charming, family-friendly, great cafes and independent shops, beautiful architecture.
- Cons: Can be a bit pricier than other non-central districts, fewer major tourist attractions directly within the area.
- Main attractions: Mauerpark (especially for Sunday flea market and karaoke), Kulturbrauerei (cultural complex), Kollwitzplatz, Water Tower.
- Average prices: From €120,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
Located south of the city, it is the most urbanized neighbourhood in the Pankow district. An excellent strategic point for connections in the city, there are three stations on line 2 of the U-Bahn in this district: Eberswalder Strasse, Senefelderplatz and Schonhauser Allee, as well as numerous stations on the S-Bahn line. Another convenient means to use in this neighbourhood is the M tram, which reaches and covers different parts of the district.
Among the most important attractions here are the Gethsemane Church, which played a very important role during the peaceful revolution of 1989, and the former water tower "Fat Hermann", which was used as a place of torture during the Nazi era.
Prenzlauer Berg, thanks to its quiet climate and excellent connections with the rest of the city, is the most recommended neighbourhood for families. It is certainly one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €120,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Charlottenburg, the elegant neighborhood
- Pros: Elegant and safe, upscale shopping, beautiful historic architecture, green spaces.
- Cons: Can feel a bit more traditional and less "edgy" than other Berlin districts, further from some of the major East Berlin attractions.
- Main attractions: Charlottenburg Palace, Kurfürstendamm (shopping street), KaDeWe department store, Savignyplatz.
- Average prices: From €140,00 per night - compare the best accommodation booking
Recommended Accommodation
The most chic district in Berlin, packed with trendy shops, theatres and museums. Crossed by the River Spree and the Landwehrkanal artificial canal, Charlottenburg is located in the western part of the city and was the location of the film "We children from Bahnhof zoo", based on the novel of the same name by Christiane F.
Among the most important attractions are the Zoo, one of the largest in Germany, the tower of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche, a memorial church of Emperor Wilhelm, and the Europa shopping centre, which stands on the ruins of the Romaniches Cafè: an ancient meeting place for famous artists. With all these attractions and all the amenities in the area, Charlottenburg is the ideal place to stay for families.
The area is quite a distance from the centre, but it is well served thanks to Berlin Charlottenburg station and Tiergarten station. Alternatively, from the zoo you can stroll through the wonderful Großer Tiergarten and arrive at the Brandenburg Gate, which is located at the opposite entrance to the park.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €140,00 - compare the best accommodation booking
Neukoelln, the emerging cool neighborhood
- Pros: Very budget-friendly, authentic local vibe, increasingly trendy, good public transport links to other areas.
- Cons: Can be a bit rough around the edges in some parts, might feel less central for first-time visitors.
- Main attractions: Tempelhofer Feld (former airport now a public park), Klunkerkranich (rooftop bar with great views), numerous independent art spaces and cafes.
- Average prices: From €75,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
Perhaps less touristy than the others, but for this very reason much more alternative. Neukoelln has often been called "the little Istanbul" for the many Turkish restaurants and spicy delicacies, whose scents seep into the narrow streets of the neighbourhood.
Interesting and waiting to be discovered, it is the district with the Neukoelln Opera House, the Tempelhof Field (former airport), where you can rent skates or relax with a picnic, and with the Puppet Theatre Museum. In general, the area is full of art galleries, restaurants and clubs which have made it one of the most sought after areas in recent years. It is also characterized by a lively nightlife, thanks to the many clubs, making it ideal for young people and those on a budget.
The neighbourhood is served by the Hermannplatz U-Bahn station (metro lines U7 and U8), which will allow you to move around easily and reach numerous attractions and the city centre.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €75,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Schöneberg, the residential neighborhood
- Pros: Quiet and residential, good parks and green spaces, diverse community, good transport links.
- Cons: Less of a "party" scene, might not be as exciting for younger travelers seeking constant nightlife.
- Main attractions: KaDeWe (department store on its border with Charlottenburg), Winterfeldtmarkt (weekly market), Viktoria-Luise-Platz.
- Average prices: From €110,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
Last but not least is Schöneberg, a large residential neighbourhood located between the districts of Charlottenburg, to the west, and Kreuzberg, to the east. Except for a few large streets, such as Schlosstrasse and Rheinstrasse, full of shops and always teeming with life, the rest of the secondary streets are quiet and full of greenery.
It is definitely one of the best areas for families looking for tranquility, large spaces and little hastle. Equipped with all services, there are no particular attractions but, given its position, it allows you to easily reach the rest of the city. It is not recommended for those looking for nightlife, because in the evening there are very few clubs that stay open all night.
The district is well served by the U-Bahn, the main stations are U-Bahnhof Kleistpark (line U7), U-Bülowstraße (lines U2 and U3) and the larger U-Bhf Kurfürstenstraße (lines U1 and U3). There are also numerous buses and S-Bahn stops.
Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €110,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking
Places to stay near Berlin
Berlin is a very large city. The distances to travel from one attraction to another or from one district to another are often long and consequently can take a long time in terms of metro and train stops. To visit the city at its best we therefore recommend you decide which attractions you want to visit before arriving, seeing them all in a few days is practically impossible when you consider the multitude of attractions and distances between them.
If you are short on time, it is advisable not to stay outside Berlin, as the distances and travel times would be even longer, making the visit even more difficult and tiring.
Berlin accommodation price map
Guide to the areas of Berlin
Berlin is divided into twelve administrative districts, called Bezirk, each with its own mayor and its own district council, equally and respectively located north and south of the River Spree.
The central district is Mitte and today represents the beating tourist heart of the city, thanks to its many shops, museums, restaurants and night clubs. Each district is in turn divided into Kiez (in the central part) or Ortslage (suburbs).
Accommodation varies in characteristics and cost depending on the area, they get cheaper the further away you move from the centre. Speaking of the peripheral neighbourhoods, there is a new emerging neighborhood, the neighbourhood of Wedding, a mainly multicultural and working-class neighbourhood that is slowly transforming the old warehouses and disused factories into fusion eateries and shops, bringing out a hipster soul that will surely compete with Kreuzberg in a few years!
Travel Tips for Berlin
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- Public Transport: Berlin has an excellent and efficient public transport system, including U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban rail), trams, and buses. A single ticket is valid for all modes of transport within a zone for two hours. Consider a Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel and discounts on attractions if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer pleasant weather for exploring, with fewer crowds than summer. Summer (June-August) is vibrant with outdoor events and beer gardens, but can be hot and busy. Winter (November-March) is cold but offers charming Christmas markets and indoor cultural activities.
- Local Currency: The official currency in Berlin, and Germany, is the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in larger establishments, but it's always a good idea to carry some cash, as smaller cafes, bars, and some shops might be cash-only.
- Local Vibe/Culture: Berlin is known for its laid-back, liberal, and creative vibe. It's a city of contrasts, blending historical gravitas with a modern, artistic edge. Punctuality is generally appreciated, and Germans value directness. Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafes (around 5-10% is standard, or just round up).