Where to Stay in Berlin (6 Best Places & Areas)

6 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Berlin

Due to its tumultuous history, Berlin does not have a clear historical city center like most European capitals. While Mitte can be called the geographic center, the city’s sights and social life are spread throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

While its decentralized layout means using public transport frequently, it also means that your stay is bound to be as unique as the areas themselves.

Mitte

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Mitte Hotels: SO/ Berlin Das Stue • Martas Hotel Berlin-Mitte • The Charming by Curt Suites • The Circus Hotel 

The ideal area for first-timers is Mitte. Literally meaning the ‘middle’ in German, this location is perfect for exploring all of Berlin’s major sights and other neighborhoods. 

Here, you’ll find the gorgeous Museuminsel sporting the Berliner Dom, Germany’s parliament called the Reichstag, the Fernsehturm, and Nikolaiviertel, its historical center dating back to the 13th century. 

However, due to Berlin’s former division, Mitte is not the bustling city center you expect in Europe. Instead, its historical sights are interspersed with tons of modern architecture, which might make some parts feel like you are on the outskirts of town.

Booking a hotel near main sights will make your stay more pleasant. Martas Hotel is a nice option near the Hackesche Höfe. SO/ Berlin Das Stue, on the other hand, is located within the Tiergarten.

Pros of Staying in Mitte:

• Centrally located & easy to visit other neighborhoods
• Contains many of the main sights, like the Reichstag and Berliner Dom
• Tons of hotel options

Cons of Staying in Mitte:

• Not a regular city center; certain parts lack charm
• Some major tourist spots, like Alexanderplatz, can feel unsafe at night due to petty crimes
• Does not have a clear bar and restaurant area like Friedrichshain, for example

Prenzlauer Berg

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Prenzlauer Berg Hotels: Brilliant Apartments • Ackselhaus & Blue Home • Hotel Oderberger • Limehome Berlin Prenzlauer Allee

Want to see what Berlin looked like before the air raids of World War II? Then head over to Prenzlauer Berg, where many of the old buildings have been restored to their former glory. 

You will find street art and cultural centers like the Kulturbrauerei mixed among the stately buildings. Here, you can catch plays, drink beer at the biergarten, or visit funky galleries. It’s thus ideal for travelers interested in Berlin’s counterculture and art history.

However, it has also become a favorite area for young families to settle. With wide lanes, myriad parks offering playgrounds, and plenty of hip coffee shops, Prenzlauer Berg is the best area to stay in with your kids. The neighborhood offers many apartments for families that need the space.

Consider staying at Brilliant Apartments near Mauerpark and its famous flea market, a good place for a treasure hunt with your kids. 

Pros of Staying in Prenzlauer Berg:

• Family-friendly atmosphere 
• Good public transport connection with the U- and S-bahn to the rest of the city
• Great area for vintage (designer) shopping on the Prenzlauer Allee
• A very green area with lots of grass and playgrounds

Cons of Staying in Prenzlauer Berg:

• Its wide and stately streets can feel overwhelming to explore
• Hotels can be pricey

Friedrichshain

👉 Best Area For Backpackers & Nightlife | ✨ Best Friedrichshain Hotels: Locke at East Side Gallery • Kiez Hostel • 4-Zi Urban Design • BackpackerBerlin 

Where Prenzlauer Berg brings you back to pre-war Berlin, Friedrichshain takes you to the 90s. Its creative and raw spirit can still be found in its street art and vibrant nightlife. It’s popular among students and young professionals. 

While most will want to visit the East Side Gallery, its lesser-known cultural centers have some epic street art too. Consider visiting Holzmarkt 25 for art installations, shopping, and drinks by the Spree. Or try the equally cool Raw-Gelände, which has a club, jazz bar, biergarten, and climbing wall.

Besides being perfect for street art lovers, Friedrichshain’s nightlife and numerous hostels make it the perfect place to stay for backpackers looking to make new friends.

Consider staying at the BackpackerBerlin hostel to be close to the lively Boxhagener Platz, or rent out the spacious 4-Zi Urban Design apartment with a large group of friends.

Pros of Staying in Friedrichshain:

• Vibrant nightlife 
• Lots of street art and alternative cultural centers
• Good public transport to other parts of the city
• Fewer tourists around

Cons of Staying in Friedrichshain:

• Some nightlife areas tend to be noisy

Charlottenburg

👉 Best Area For Luxury & Romance | ✨ Best Charlottenburg Hotels: Sir Savigny • Hotel Art Nouveau am Kurfürstendamm • Townhouse Berlin • Louisa’s Place

Often overlooked by tourists, Charlottenburg is one of the prettiest and most glamorous neighborhoods in Berlin. Once popular among the royal family and bourgeoisie, it became the commercial heart of West Berlin. Its architecture shines on nearly every corner.

Whether you are looking for a shopping spree or a night at the opera, Charlottenburg is ideal for travelers looking for a little luxury. Its ritzy buildings are home to many fabulous hotels like Louisa’s Place. This place has a spa and is located on Berlin’s famous shopping street, the Kurfürstendamm. 

But with its gardens and main attraction, the baroque castle Schloss Charlottenburg, couples looking for some romance will also be right at home here. A stroll along the Spree, through the neighboring Tiergarten, or the quaint streets surrounding Savignyplatz makes for the perfect date.

Stay at the Sir Savigny, which pairs romance with an art deco interior and top-notch service. 

Pros of Staying in Charlottenburg:

• Quieter and fewer tourists around than in Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg
• Many historical sights and beautiful architecture
• Lots of greenery, including three large parks

Cons of Staying in Charlottenburg:

• Not many nightlife areas
• Hotels can be pricey
• Largely residential, so choose accommodation close to the action and public transport

Kreuzberg

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Kreuzberg Hotels: Vintage-Flair • Hotel Johann • Minimal Hostel • Charmante City-Wohnung im Kiez

Whether you are craving kebab, Japanese pancakes, or citrusy ceviche, Kreuzberg has something for every type of foodie. The bohemian and multicultural history means there is great street art to find here (definitely check out the Berlinische Galerie), but Kreuzberg’s true character can be found in its food.

With a large Turkish population, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to Anatolian cuisine. Craving a little bit of everything? Then you are in luck, as the neighborhood has not one, but two food markets: Markthalle Neun and Marheineke Markthalle. 

Stay close to Markthalle Neun at the eclectic apartment Vintage-Flair, which allows you to reach the food court in no time. It’s especially handy during their breakfast market on Sundays. Or, book a stay at Hotel Johann, which is within walking distance of cool bars and restaurants.

Pros of Staying in Kreuzberg:

• Diverse neighborhood with plenty to see and do
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Centrally located, making other parts of the city easy to reach

Cons of Staying in Kreuzberg:

• Mostly apartments on offer, which can be a pro for those who like to cook
• Görlitzer Park and Kottbusser Tor can get shady at night

Neukölln

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers & Returning Visitors | ✨ Best Neukölln Hotels: Schillinger-Berlin am Tempelhofer Feld • Grand Hostel Berlin Urban • Hip & Beautiful City Apartment • Hüttenpalast

Neukölln has been widely considered the up-and-coming neighborhood of Berlin. With lower rent and trendy hotspots springing up like mushrooms, locals have been increasingly flocking to this suburb. 

Neukölln has tons of affordable accommodation options, making it a great place for budget travelers. While the Grand Hostel Berlin Urban is perfect for backpackers looking to make new friends, staying in an indoor caravan or cabin at Hüttenpalast will make your trip extra special. 

However, do not let the absence of sights like the Reichstag or Checkpoint Charlie fool you. It has historical landmarks like the former airport-turned-park Tempelhofer Feld, and eclectic rooftop bars like Klunkerkranich (which can only be reached through navigating a parking garage atop a shopping mall.) 

Neukölln is full of fun experiences and thus the perfect destination for returning visitors.

Pros of Staying in Neukölln:

• Due to the lack of the most famous landmarks, the area feels very local
• Great nightlife with lots of funky bars and speakeasies
• Many fantastic restaurants
• Cheaper accommodation than the other areas in this guide

Cons of Staying in Neukölln:

• Further away from the main sights than the other neighborhoods in this guide
• Neukölln is quite large and can be harder to navigate

Tips for Staying in Berlin

Book a Hotel Close to S-bahn and U-bahn Stops

Berlin is massive, and its hotspots are very spread out. Staying close to public transport, preferably the quick S-bahn and U-bahn (Berlin’s subway), is therefore a must if you want to see as much of the city as possible.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Mitte

While Mitte does harbor famous sights like the Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag, you will fall in love with Berlin if you visit its unique neighborhoods. Areas like Neukölln and Kreuzberg are where social life flourishes and where you will get to experience the city like a local.

Visit Berlin in Summer

When the first warm rays of sunshine hit the pavement, Berlin is teeming with life. Outdoor bars, swimming spots, and parks fill up as quickly as the occupants’ wine and beer glasses, making it the perfect time of year to mingle with locals and fall in love with the city.

Dare to Venture Out of Your Comfort Zone

Berlin is a city of contrasts. With many countercultures, edgy art, and alternative nightclubs, you will encounter tons of different people and experiences. Being open-minded and daring to step outside of your comfort zone is key to not only being respectful, but also enjoying the city to its fullest.

Rent a Bike and Cycle Part of the Mauerweg

While Berlin’s public transport is fantastic, you will see most locals commuting on their bicycles. With plenty of bike lanes and routes like the Berliner Mauerweg, renting a bike is a great way to explore the city. Only go cycling if you have experience and know how to navigate cities safely on a bike, however. 

Be Discreet when Taking Photos

Besides being a hub for sub- and countercultures, Berlin is the political capital of Germany, both legally and in spirit. 

While you should always ask people before taking a photo of them, the chances of you wandering into a political bar or area here are higher, meaning discretion when taking pictures is key. 

FAQs about Berlin

What are the best areas to stay in Berlin for first-timers?

The best area to stay in Berlin for first-timers is Mitte. As it literally forms the middle of Berlin, it contains most major attractions like the Reichstag and the Museumsinsel. Mitte is also well-connected through public transport with the other areas of the city, making it the perfect base to explore the city from. 

What are safe areas to stay in Berlin?

The safest areas to stay in Berlin are the more residential neighborhoods like Prenzlauer Berg and Charlottenburg. These areas are not frequented by pickpockets as much as Mitte, for example, while still being lively enough to feel safe at night.

What are the best parts of Berlin to stay with kids? 

Berlin is increasingly known as a family-friendly destination, and rightfully so, considering the plethora of amusement parks, kid-friendly museums, and outdoor swimming spots scattered around town.

While the entire city is a playground for families, Prenzlauer Berg is the best part of Berlin to stay in with kids. There is plenty of green space, the streets are wide and relatively calm, and there is a good selection of spacious apartments for you to choose from. 

What are the best parts of Berlin for a longer stay? 

Neukölln is the best area of Berlin to stay in for a longer period of time. With fewer tourist attractions around, this neighborhood allows you to experience Berlin like a local. Even if you do want to visit the highlights during your stay, you can easily do so, as Neukölln is well-connected to the other parts of the city by public transport.

📚 Related Reading: Best Places to Stay in Hamburg

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Thanks for reading my guide on where to stay in Berlin! These neighborhoods each tell the story of Berlin’s turbulent history and (sub)cultures in their own unique way. Have a question about choosing a neighborhood or hotel? Drop it in the comments below! Next, read my guide to 50+ Berlin attractions worth visiting.