The best neighborhoods in Berlin
One of the best cities for a city trip in Europe is Berlin. The raw city has something for everyone. It surprised me during a warm summer week and I felt the nice atmosphere of the city. I mainly lived outside and discovered many areas of the city just by wandering through them. The best way to explore a city. Are you going to Berlin soon? Then it is a good idea to check in advance which neighborhood suits the city trip you have in mind. Therefore the five nicest neighborhoods to spend the night in Berlin.
The twelve districts of Berlin
Since 2001, Berlin has consisted of twelve districts, the former twenty-three districts have been divided into new districts. Although Berlin consists of twelve districts, not all of them are suitable for spending some nights during your city trip. In some neighborhoods you are too far away from the sights. Every neighborhood in Berlin has its own character and atmosphere. Some neighborhoods feel like small villages and that is not surprising, because before they were often independent villages that joined Berlin over the years. Most neighborhoods in Berlin are safe, just like in any other big city you always have to be careful. Neighborhoods that are less known are: Lichtenberg, Marzahn, Kopenick, Schoneweide and most other East Berlin neighborhoods.
What are the best neighborhoods to stay in in Berlin?
Berlin’s Mitte district
If you are in Berlin for the first time or have limited time, Mitte is the best place to stay. It is also seen as the center of Berlin. You will find most of the sights here. Highlights such as Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Topography of Terror and the Holocaust Monument are located in Mitte. Charming places such as Hackesche Hofe and the Gendarmenmarkt are also located in this district.
The Mitte district – where to stay?
Options to stay overnight in Mitte are:
- Amano: Design hotel 5 minutes from the Hackescher Markt in the city center. The hotel has a courtyard, roof terrace and a parking garage.
- Moxy: Located centrally between west and east Berlin. It is 3 minutes from Gesundbrunnen underground station and 10 minutes from Alexanderplatz. You can bring your own food and drinks into the lobby.
- Capri by Fraser: Studios in the heart of Berlin. Modern furniture, a media hub and even a kitchen upon request. Located less than a 10-minute walk from Unter den Linden.
Why spend the night in Mitte -> Historic heart | Center | Major sights | good restaurants
Berlin’s Friedrichshain district
Friedrichshain is the most original part of East Berlin. Because of this you see a lot of punks, graffiti and Ossis (original inhabitants of East Berlin). Yet you see that the district is emerging, more and more families are moving to Friedrichshain. This makes it a creative mix of people. The district is very popular among young people. There are few highlights in the district, but the atmosphere in the district attracts many visitors. Sights not to be missed in Friedrichshain are: Karl Marx Allee, East Side Gallery, Urban Spree, Boxhagener Platz and the Oberbaumbrucke.
The Friedrichshain district – where to stay?
Options to stay overnight in Friedrichshain are:
- Nhow: on the banks of the Spree. View over the Spree from your bed. At the Nhow hotel you will find good facilities and a good breakfast buffet.
- Meininger: The hotel is across from the East Side Gallery. A short distance from Alexanderplatz. Spacious rooms and a bar downstairs in the hotel.
Why spend the night in Friedrichshain -> Graffiti | Atmosphere | East Side Gallery | Pubs | Culture
The Prenzlauer Berg district in Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg, or also part of Pankow, was one of the poorest and most densely populated neighborhoods in Berlin. During the GDR era the district was largely neglected. Pankow was mainly home to high-ranking members of the Stasi during the GDR era. After the fall of the wall, the neighborhood slowly recovered. Due to its location, many special shops, cafes and restaurants were established here. It is now a popular neighborhood for families, the neighborhood is also called Pregnancy Hill because of the many children in Prenzlauer Berg.
Today the Mauerpark is highly recommended. Many events are held in the part where parts of the Berlin Wall still stand. You will also find many nice eateries in the neighborhood.
The Prenzlauer Berg district – where to stay?
Options to stay overnight in Prenzlauer Berg:
- Pension Absolut Berlin: Small guest house with spacious rooms in an old 19th century house. Within walking distance of several metro stations. Ideal for Prenzlauer Berg.
- Holiday Inn Berlin City Center East Prenzlauer Berg: Spacious hotel with a 24-hour bar, gym, in-room coffee and tea and just a direct tram ride from Alexanderplatz.
Why stay overnight in Prenzlauer Berg -> Trendy eateries | Mauerpark | Creativity | Vintage shops
The Kreuzberg district in Berlin
Kreuzberg, together with Friedrichshain, belongs to the joint Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg part. When the Berlin Wall was part of Berlin, this part of the city was the most populated. There is still a multicultural atmosphere in Kreuzberg from that time. It is located fairly centrally in Berlin and is divided into SO36 and Kreuzberg 61, named after the postal codes. During the GDR era, the district was best known for its alternative scene with a large population of Turks. After the fall of the wall, the Turks continued to live in this part of Berlin and it is sometimes still called Little Istanbul. There are a number of sights worth visiting in Kreuzberg: Checkpoint Charlie, Jewish Museum, Gorlitzer Park, Viktoria Park. And Markthalle Neun is also a nice place for a visit and a bite to eat.
The Kreuzberg district – where to stay?
Nice options to spend the night in Kreuzberg are:
- Hotel the Yard: Just 15 minutes from Checkpoint Charlie, modern design hotel overlooking a green courtyard. Lots of nice restaurants nearby.
- Hotel Johan: Hotel in lively Kreuzberg with daily breakfast buffet. Museums are just around the corner and you can rent a bicycle at the 24-hour reception.
Why spend the night in Kreuzberg -> Little Istanbul | Markthalle Neun | Jewish Museum | Chamissoplatz | Nice eateries
The Neukölln district in Berlin
Neukölln is located south of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and was mainly known for high unemployment, crime and integration problems. Nowadays the district can once again call itself a popular district in Berlin. More and more students and artists are coming to Neukölln and it is even seen as one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. The district is best known to tourists for the former Tempelhof airport, which has now become a city park. Add to that the many restaurants, galleries and pop-up stores and the district is worth a visit.
The Neukölln district – where to stay?
Nice options to spend the night in the district are:
- Estrel Berlin: Four-star hotel that is part of a conference and entertainment center. Shuttle connection to the airport and the hotel even has its own spa.
- Mercure Tempelhof: The Mercure Hotel is located just 100 meters from a metro station. Bright and spacious rooms with a breakfast buffet. Just a five-minute walk from Tempelhof.
- Berlin Style Apartments – Hermannstrasse: Classically furnished accommodations with private bathroom and kitchen. Conveniently located in Neukoln, with good connections to the center and Schonefeld Airport.
Why stay overnight in Neukölln -> Tempelhof | Turkish Market | Many restaurants | Pop up stores | Galleries
