The Best Areas to Stay in Berlin, Germany
The Best Areas to Stay in Berlin, Germany

Best Areas to Stay in Berlin, Germany

Where to Stay in Berlin – A Guide to the German Capital

Berlin is not only the capital of Germany, but also its largest city. This metropolis is located on the banks of the Spree and Havel rivers (northeast of Germany) and is known (among many reasons) for the famous Berlin Wall that separated the east and west parts of the city.

After the fall of the wall in 1989, both ends of the German capital were unified officially. However, the separation can still be perceived in the architecture of both areas. When moving through its 12 neighbourhoods, it’s not uncommon to find buildings from the 60s next to historical monuments that barely survived the bombings of WWII.

Berlin has a host of tourist attractions, including the Brandenburg Gate, an architectural landmark of the centre of Berlin (Mitte) that was built under the rule of Frederick William II. Also, the Museum Island, located in the heart of Berlin, is another must-see that brings together five of the most important museums in the world: The National Gallery, the Old Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, and the New Museum.

Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin’s main attractions. In the surroundings of this square, you can see some buildings belonging to the old communist regime, including the Television Tower, the tallest building in Berlin.

Berlin is also a popular destination thanks to its wild nightlife that puts techno above all things, the opera and its parks, such as the impressive Tiergarten.

If you already convinced yourself to visit the Haupstadt, you should know that the best time to visit Berlin is from March to September (spring/summer) since it is during these months that the most important events in the city are held. In addition, during the winter, the temperatures descend to almost intolerable levels and the autumn is not fully free of snow.

Despite the immensity of Berlin, its metro system is among the most efficient in the world, with countless lines and stations covering most of its territory. Therefore, deciding where to stay in Berlin will depend almost exclusively on your interests and budget.

If you want to get into the alternative scene of East Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg is the best area for you (See accommodation in Prenzlauer Berg). On the other hand, if you want to stay close to most of Berlin’s attractions, Mitte is the ideal place (See hotels in Mitte).

This is a guide with the best areas to stay in Berlin.

The Best Areas to Stay in Berlin, Germany

1. Our Favourite Area: Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg is located east of Berlin and is a neighbourhood where two very different aesthetics coexist: Hipster bars with residential buildings that are home to young families.

This historic district was, in the past, the bohemian epicentre of Berlin and, although it has become an exclusive and mostly quiet district, it still retains much of its alternative vibe, as well as many of its original buildings.

This area of ​​Berlin is famous for its incredible gastronomy, including the KulturBrauerei, a street food market that takes place every Sunday at Schultheiss, an old brewery converted into a cultural complex. In addition, on Sunday nights, there is a public karaoke at Mauerpark.

This district of the German capital connects with the rest of Berlin through the U2 metro line (Eberswalder Strasse station, among others) and several S-Bahn (commuter trains) lines, including Schönhauser Allee.

Prenzlauer Berg is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin to anyone who wants to discover the alternative scene of this city.

Prenzlauer Berg - Best areas to stay in Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg – Best areas to stay in Berlin
Staying in Prenzlauer Berg - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in Prenzlauer Berg – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin, Germany:

  • The best gastronomy in Berlin
  • Mauerpark
  • Hipster area
  • Historical buildings
  • KulturBrauerei
  • Connected by metro

2. Mitte

Mitte (which translates to “middle” or “centre”) is the historic centre of Berlin par excellence and, as you might expect, has many of the most famous monuments, attractions and buildings of the German capital.

Moving through Mitte, you will find the Alexanderplatz square, the largest in Berlin, located right in the heart of the district. In the vicinity of the square, there’s the tallest building in the city: The Television Tower (Fernsehturm), with over 360 metres height. The Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of peace and one of the favorite selfie backgrounds for visitors, is also part of Mitte.

Five of the most important museums in the world (the Old Museum, the New Museum, the National Gallery, the Pergamon Museum and the Bode Museum) are also in this area and form the recognized Museum Island of Berlin, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

However, Mitte is not only historic, but also the ideal place to go shopping or go clubbing since it has entertainment options for all types of visitors.

This district has multiple metro stations across its streets, the most important being Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstraße.

Mitte is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin to remain close to its historical heritage and other representative neighbourhoods of this metropolis.

Stay near the Brandenburg Gate - Berlín
Stay near the Brandenburg Gate – Berlín
Best areas to stay in Berlin, Germany - Mitte - Alexanderplatz
Best areas to stay in Berlin, Germany – Mitte – Alexanderplatz
Staying in Mitte - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in Mitte – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin:

  • Museum Island
  • Central location
  • Alexanderplatz Square
  • Pedestrian-friendly
  • Good nightlife
  • Shopping area

3. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

The alternative district of Berlin par excellence is the sum of two neighbourhoods: Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. This is the hipster area of ​​the city, with an incredible cultural scene and walls decorated with graffitti that make the area stand out from the rest of the German capital.

This district is located southeast of downtown Berlin and has a large population of Turkish, Arab, Spanish and Italian immigrants. Among its main attractions are the Oberbaumbrücke bridge, where it is common to run into street musicians and see the huge three-dimensional sculpture of the Molecular Man, on the River Spree.

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg also has some tourist attractions such as the Jewish Museum, the German Museum of Technology and the Karl Marx Avenue that connects the area with Alexanderplatz.

The nightlife in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is an alternative utopia with peculiar themed parties, hipster bars and clubs. However, you can also enjoy excellent dishes accompanied by a couple of drinks, if you’re looking for a laid-back night.

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin if you want to know the indie side of the German capital. In addition, this district has many green areas and metro connections, with stations such as Warschauer Straße.

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg - Where to stay in Berlin, Germany
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg – Where to stay in Berlin, Germany
Staying in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin, Germany:

  • Hipster area
  • Oberbaumbrücke Bridge
  • Jewish Museum

4. West Berlin Centre

West Berlin Centre has many places and attractions that are worth visiting when travelling to this huge city.

One of its main architectural monuments is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a temple that was destroyed during the bombings of WWII and serves as a reminder of the devastation caused by the war. Its darkened exterior, combined with the photos that are exhibited inside, make it a shocking place for those who visit it.

In this area of ​​West Berlin, there is also one of the most important shopping streets in the city: The Kurfürstendamm Avenue. This shopping boulevard of 3.5 kilometres in length has important stores with the latest trends in European fashion, making it one of the best areas to stay in Berlin for shopping.

Other attractions in West Berlin Centre are the Museum of Photography and its neoclassical-style headquarters, as well as the Berlin Zoological Garden, with animals of all kinds.

West Berlin Centre is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin to discover a more exclusive side of the city.

Stay near Kurfürstendamm Avenue - West Berlin Centre - Germany
Stay near Kurfürstendamm Avenue – West Berlin Centre – Germany
Staying in West Berlin Centre - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in West Berlin Centre – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin:

  • Berlin Zoo
  • Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
  • Shopping area

5. Tiergarten

Tiergarten is one of the most central districts of Berlin and is known for housing the Tiergarten Park, the oldest in the city. This park (which serves as a connection between east and west berlin) contains attractions such as the Berlin Zoo and the Victory Column, with a viewpoint that allows you to have excellent views or take great pictures.

In the Tiergarten district, you can also find the parliament, the Federal Chancellery and the Bellevue Palace, residence of the German president. Therefore, it is known as a residential area of ​​the upper class of Berlin and, at the same time, a quiet place to stay.

The cultural offer in the surroundings of the Tiergarten Park includes the Schwules Museum (the first LGBT-themed museum in the world) and the Bauhaus Archive, with exhibitions dedicated to the influence of Bauhaus school in design, architecture and art.

Although Tiergarten does not have the best metro connections, stations like Brandenburger Tor, Kurfürstenstr and Bundestag border the district. Also, being in the heart of the city, you can walk to other neighbourhoods easily.

Tiergarten is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin if you are looking for a quiet place to stay and some fresh air during your trip to the German capital.

Tiergarten - Best areas to stay in Berlin
Tiergarten – Best areas to stay in Berlin
Stay in Tiergarten - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Stay in Tiergarten – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin, Germany:

  • Tiergarten Park
  • Diplomatic area
  • Central location

6. Schöneberg

Schöneberg is known as the gay district of Berlin, with lots of bars, clubs, shops and LGBT-themed restaurants, although they are friendly to all audiences.

Located southwest of Berlin, Schöneberg contains the Nollendorf Square, which is home to the Winterfield Market every week. It is in this market that Berliners and visitors get all kinds of fresh products. After all, despite its active nightlife, Schöneberg is a quiet and upper class neighbourhood.

Another Schöneberg attraction is the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, the Gay Pride event of the German capital. This multitudinous parade takes place every year between June and July, so accommodation in the area during those months is usually more expensive, as it is during other events for the LGBT community.

In addition, Schöneberg connects with other districts of Berlin by metro, as it has stations such as Nollendorfplatz from where you can move easily to any corner of this huge city.

Schöneberg is one of the best areas to stay in Berlin to party, beyond your sexual orientation. In this neighbourhood, you will always have a good time.

Stay in Schöneberg, the gay area of Berlin
Stay in Schöneberg, the gay area of Berlin
Stay in Schöneberg - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Stay in Schöneberg – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Berlin:

  • Gay area
  • Great nightlife
  • Winterfield Market

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