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Cosmopolitan, clear, green and immense, Berlin is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Crossed by what was one of the greatest wounds of the post-war period, the Berlin Wall, of which sections and fragments rich in graffiti and history remain today, it is a city full of monuments and attractions to admire, many of which speak of war and rebirth.
Berlin is 'a lot', it is 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 to where to sleep in Berlin, with tips and the best neighbourhoods to stay in.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
Given the size and the many attractions of the city of Berlin, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in may prove difficult. However, you only need to select the sometimes very different neighbourhoods and areas, depending on what you choose to visit, the time you have available with respect to this choice, your connections, your interests and the budget available for a small or large holiday in this important and impressive city.
Among the recommended districts for accommodation are Charlottenburg, which is the shopping and shopping mall district, where it will be very easy to find accommodation at very low prices, and Prenzlaure Berg, the district with a bohemian soul, considered to all intents and purposes the family quarter, as it is full of restaurants and shops. Also not to be missed is the Sunday market in Mauerpark. Friedrichshain is the heart of Berlin's street art scene, packed with nightclubs and bars. Kreuzberg, on the other hand, is the perfect neighbourhood for nightlife lovers, chosen every year by lots of young people!
Suggested areas tosave money: Kreuzberg, Neukoelln
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Charlottenburg, Schöneberg
Recommended areas foryoung people: Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Berlin. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Berlin zone guide
Berlin is divided into twelve administrative districts, called Bezirk, each with its own mayor and district council, equally and respectively located north and south of the river Spree.
The central district is the Mitte and today represents the pulsating tourist heart of the city with its many shops, museums, restaurants and nightclubs. Each district is in turn subdivided into Kiez (so called in the central part of the city) or Ortslage (so called in the suburbs), i.e. real micro-neighbourhoods.
Accommodation varies in characteristics and costs depending on the area chosen, being less cheap in the central ones and more affordable in the peripheral ones. Speaking of the suburbs, there is a new emerging neighbourhood, the Wedding district, a mainly multicultural and working-class neighbourhood that is slowly, only in the last few years, transforming old warehouses and disused factories into fusion cuisine venues and shops, bringing out a hipster soul that will surely compete with Kreuzberg in a few years!
Areas to avoid: Gorlitzer Bahnhof, Warschauer Brucke, Kottbusser Tor, Leopoldplatz, Nollendorfplatz, Hermannplatz, Rigaer Strasse are the least suitable areas to stay, both because of the few attractions and accommodation on offer, and because it is not recommended to walk around alone in the evenings
Mitte (Museum Island, Reichstag, Alexanderplatz)
Located in the former East Berlin, Mitte is the central district of the city and covers about 40 square kilometres. Subdivided in turn into neighbourhoods characterised respectively by numerical codes ranging from 0101 to 0106, Mitte is the actual historical centre.
It ishere that the city'smain attractions are concentrated, such as the Museum Island (in German Museumsinsel), the Reichstag, the Television Tower in Alexander Platz, one of the most famous squares in the whole of Berlin, and the Unter den Linden boulevard leading to the majestic Brandenburg Gate. Finally, the Cathedral is not to be missed.
Mitte is also the perfect shopping district, thanks to the many shops on Friedrichstrasse. This is an area for everyone, families looking for all amenities and a central location, and young people looking for fun and nightlife. Prices here are higher than in the rest of the city, but by booking in advance it is not impossible to find some good offers!
Here you can get around on foot in the central areas, but the whole area is served by the S-Bahn, i.e. the metro, and lots of buses. The S-Bahn is still the best means of transport and there are numerous stations throughout the district.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €650.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
ideal hotel for families and couples, located just 150 m from the Spittelmarkt underground station. | |
A very small, family-run hotel with rooms and flats. Inside you will also find a small beer garden. | |
Only a few minutes away from the Zoologisscher train station, this hostel is ideal for couples. For a small surcharge, it is possible to use the hostel's own car park. | |
Featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, this luxurious neoclassical hotel also has a spa and an 800-square-metre gym. Ideal for families and couples. |
Friedrichshain (East Side Gallery, Oberbaumbrücke Bridge)
Not far from Mitte we find Friedrichshain, which has been called the up-and-coming district par excellence. So called because right here is the Volkspark Friedrichshain, one of the largest and most famous parks in Berlin, located on the northern border with Prenzlauer Berg (another important Berlin district). Also not to be missed in this district is the East Side Gallery.
Of all of them, Friedrichshain is perhaps the most strategically located district in the city, thanks to the very important Ostbahnhof railway junction and the six stations there, which follow the U5 and U1 lines. Thanks to the efficient network of connections (bus, tram and metro) and the Simon-Dach Strasse, the street of fashion, bars, cafés and clubs, lined up one after the other, it is the most popular district for young people. Ideal therefore for couples or groups of friends.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €800.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
right across the street from the East Side Gallery, within easy reach of the most important sights and just 11 km from Berlin Tegel Airport. Featuring a bar and play area, it is ideal for families with children | |
Hostel with both rooms and dorms located on Knorrpromenade. Ideal for young people or couples | |
Just opposite the Warschauer Strasse train station, five minutes' walk from the Mercedes-Benz Arena, features both rooms and a dormitory, indoor pool, restaurant and cafeteria. Ideal for families and young people | |
Located in a historic building dating back to 1913, it is popular with artists. Ideal for families or couples |
Kreuzberg (Jewish Museum, Checkpoint Charlie)
The multi-ethnic district par excellence: between graffiti and cafés, Kreuzberg is another of Berlin's most important districts. Anarchic and somewhat bohemian, the Kreuzberg district is criss-crossed by three main streets: 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 characteristic district. Curious is its Maybachufer, or Turkish Market, which takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays along the canal that runs through the district, where you can find inexpensive souvenirs and taste an excellent kebab. Also not to be missed is the view of the district from the Viktoriapark.
Kreuzberg today attracts mainly students, foreigners and curious young people. Thanks to its very low accommodation prices and lively nightlife, it is the perfect destination for younger tourists.
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €550.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Europe's first music hotel is equipped with a wellness centre and two professional music recording studios. Ideal for young people and couples | |
just a few minutes from Potsdamer Platz, has garage parking, a reception/ticket desk and, being just a few metres from the Anhalter Bahnhof railway station, is well connected to the whole city. Ideal for families | |
Modern hostel with 24-hour reception, parking, laundry service, smoking area and terrace. Family rooms also available. Ideal for groups of friends | |
Flats with every comfort, from washing machine to microwave, just a few kilometres from the city's most important sights. Ideal for families and couples |
Prenzlauer Berg (Volkspark, Mauerpark)
Located in the south of the city, this is the most urbanised district in the Pankow district. An excellent strategic point for connections in the city, three U-Bahn line 2 stations are located in this district: Eberswalder Strasse, Senefelderplatz and Schonhauser Allee, as well as numerous S-Bahn stations. Another convenient means of transport to use in this district is the M tram, which reaches and covers various parts of the district.
Among the most important sights are the Gethsemane Church, which played an important role during the peaceful revolution of 1989, and the former'Fat Hermann' water tower, which was used as a place of torture during the Nazis.
Prenzaluer Berg, thanks to its quiet climate and excellent connections to the rest of the city, is the most recommended district for families. Certainly one of the best neighbourhoods in which to stay.
Average prices in the district range from around €70.00 for low-cost accommodation to €914.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
stylish hotel just 2 tram stops from Alexanderplatz. All rooms are equipped with satellite TV with free Sky channels. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel with bike rental service, billiards, table football, typical souvenir shop and an excellent beer garden. It offers private rooms and is located opposite the Landsberger Allee S-Bahn station. Ideal for young people | |
Free parking, lounge, kitchen and shared facilities. Just a few minutes from the train station and the Greifswalder Strasse tram stop. Economical solution for couples or groups of friends | |
Wonderful 5-star residence with large city-view flats, each with kitchen. Daily maid service and room service. Ideal for families and couples |
Charlottenburg (Zoo, Savigny Platz, Tiergarten)
Berlin's chicest district, full of trendy shops, theatres and museums. Crossed by the river Spree and the man-made Landwehrkanal canal, Charlottenburg is located in the western part of the city and was the setting district for the film'We, the Berlin Zoo Children', based on the novel of the same name by Christiane F.
Highlights include the Zoo, one of the largest in Germany, the tower of the Kaiser-Wilhel-Gedachtniskirche, a memorial church of Emperor Wilhelm, and the Europa shopping centre, which stands on the ruins of the Romaniches Café: a former haunt of famous artists. With all these attractions and all the amenities in the area, Charlottenburg is an ideal accommodation solution for families.
The area is further away from the centre, but is well served by Berlin Charlottenburg station and Tiergarten station. Alternatively, from the zoo you can stroll through the beautiful Großer Tiergarten and arrive at the Brandenburg Gate, which is located at the opposite entrance to the park.
Average prices in the district range from around €48.00 for low-cost accommodation to €750.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Excellent location, just minutes away from Tegel Airport and Bismarckstrasse station. Air-conditioned rooms with every comfort. Ideal for both couples and families. | |
Conveniently located 100 m from Bismarckstrasse station, which provides connections to the U2 and U7 lines. Studio flat, ideal for young people. | |
Private rooms with shared bathroom, a few km from the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Tegel Airport. Ideal for couples and groups of friends. | |
On the Kurfurstendamm shopping boulevard, this art deco-style hotel offers wellness treatments in a Guerlain Spa. Featuring a swimming pool, gym and library with panoramic views. Ideal for families and couples. |
Neukoelln (Tempelhof Park, Theatre, Britzer Garten)
Photo by Dguendel. Perhaps less touristy than the others, but for this reason much more alternative. Neukoelln has often been referred to as'little Istanbul' for its many Turkish restaurants and spicy delicacies, the scents of which invade the alleys of the district.
Interesting and waiting to be discovered, is the district with the Neukoelln Opera House, the Tempelhof Field (former airport), where you can go skating on rented skates or relax with a picnic, the Museum of the Puppet Theatre. In general, the area is full of art galleries, restaurants and clubs that have made it one of the most popular areas in recent years! It also has a lively nightlife, thanks to the many clubs, making it ideal for young people and those who want to save money.
The district is served by the U-Bahn station Hermannplatz (underground lines U7 and U8), which will allow you to move around easily and reach many sights and the historical centre!
Average prices in the district range from around €47.00 for low-cost accommodation to €550.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Chalet-style cottages with terraces and extensive gardens with barbecue facilities and outdoor seating. Ideal for families, couples and young people | |
One minute away from the Grenzalee underground station, with a 24-hour bar. Plenty of German and international restaurants nearby. Ideal for all types of tourists | |
Featuring a beautiful winter garden with a panoramic view of the entire city, comfortable and inexpensive hostel. Ideal for couples and young people. | |
Super modern 4-star hotel with spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant and bar. 24-hour reception, parking available and pets allowed. Ideal for families and couples |
Schöneberg (Schlosstrasse, Rheinstrasse)
Last but not least Schöneberg, a large residential district located between the districts of Charlottenburg in the west and Kreuzberg in the east. Except for a few large streets, such as Schlosstrasse and Rheinstrasse, packed with shops and always teeming with life, the rest of the side streets are quiet and full of greenery.
This is definitely one of the best areas for families looking for tranquillity, plenty of space and little confusion. Equipped with all amenities, there are no particular attractions but, given its location, it allows easy access to the rest of the city. On the other hand, it is not recommended for those seeking nightlife, as there are very few clubs that stay open all night in the evenings.
Thedistrict is well served by the U-Bahn, and the main stops are U-Bahnhof Kleistpark (line U7), U Bülowstraße (line U2 and U3) and the larger U-Bhf Kurfürstenstraße (line U1 and U3). There are, of course, numerous bus and S-Bahn stops.
Average prices in the district range from around €45.00 for low-cost accommodation to €140.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel near the metro, with family rooms, 24-hour reception and bar. Pets allowed and parking. Ideal for families and couples | |
Guesthouse with parking, family rooms and pets allowed. Ideal for families | |
Elegant serviced flats with modern kitchen, garden, terrace and washing machine. Ideal for families |
Countries near Berlin where to stay
Berlin is a very large metropolis. The distances to be covered to get from one attraction to another or from one neighbourhood to another are often long and consequently can be time-consuming in terms of metro and train stops. In order to visit the city at its best, it is therefore advisable to make a previous selection of the attractions that you would like to visit, seeing them all in a few days is practically impossible, trying to concentrate the days and visiting times according to the distances between them.
If you are short on time, it is advisable not to stay outside Berlin, as distances and times would be longer, making the visit even more difficult and tiring.
If you are in Berlin on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best accommodation and selected hotels on Booking.com
