Where to Stay in Berlin: A Neighbourhood Guide

Berlin is spread out, and no single area is central in the way that Paris or Rome has a centre. The right base depends on what you want from the evenings, because trains make most places reachable. We compare five areas below. Choose by atmosphere first, and check stations and lines on the BVG map before booking.

Mitte

The historic core, with Museum Island, Unter den Linden and the Scheunenviertel on foot. It suits first-timers with a short stay who want sights close by. The downsides are tourist-oriented restaurants, fewer everyday shops and a more hotel-heavy, less local feel.

Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg

The young, creative east side, with the East Side Gallery, markets, bars and a lot of noise at night. It suits travellers who want to be in the nightlife and do not mind late-night sound. Light sleepers should ask for a back room. See also Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.

Prenzlauer Berg

Leafy, calm and family-friendly, with cafés on almost every corner. It suits those who value quiet evenings and a neighbourhood feel, and it is a good place for a longer stay. The drawback is distance from the main sights: you will ride a tram or U-Bahn to reach most of them. Read more in our Prenzlauer Berg guide.

Charlottenburg and City West

The old West Berlin, with Kurfürstendamm, department stores, theatres and Charlottenburg Palace. It is orderly and comfortable, with wide choice near the Zoologischer Garten station. It suits older travellers and shoppers. The drawback is distance from the eastern nightlife and a less youthful feel.

Schöneberg or Neukölln

Both are residential and local. Schöneberg is quieter, gay-friendly and well connected, while Neukölln is livelier, cheaper in character and strong for food and bars. They suit repeat visitors who prefer neighbourhoods to sights. The cost is a longer ride into the centre each day.