Where to stay in Berlin: the city’s best areas

At the heart of the city, Kreuzberg is hard to put in a box. It’s filled to the brim with bustling markets and bar streets, but also rich with slower residential sprawls.

Unlike Tiergarten or Charlottenburg (see below), Kreuzberg is a popular thoroughfare for tourists and expats from around the world, as well as the multi-generational families in diaspora who made it their home throughout the twentieth century. And with train connections to nearly every district in Berlin, Kreuzberg is never far away from what you want to see.

STAY

Lodging is in no short supply in Kreuzberg, and budget travellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to more affordable hotels and hostels. Try Three Little Pigs or Die Fabrik to stay close to the action. If you want a slightly more refined experience, GINN City & Lounge is a great option.

EAT

In an area as broad and busy as Kreuzberg, eating out is always a treat. Stop by La Maison or Brammibal Donuts for a breakfast pastry, Chung King Noodles or Mama Shabz by Paul-Linke-Ufer for lunch, and Il Casolare or Tenur for a particularly tasty dinner.

DRINK

Bergmannkiez, Reichenburgerstrasse, and the area around Schlesisches Tor are hotspots for barflies from Berlin and abroad. Swing by Ankerklause for a drink by the water, then head to Paloma Bar for a night on the town.

DO

Try out a few rounds of nine-pin bowling at Tante Lisbeth, but be sure to call ahead to make a reservation. And if you’re looking to meet and mingle (with locals and tourists alike), Kreuzberg is home to a number of clubs with more relaxed dancefloors and door policies than elsewhere in the city: Lido, Bohnengold and Club der Visionäre are just a few.

If you only do one thing…

The canalside markets at Maybachufer are lively and vibrant, so be sure to drop by for fresh fruit and snacks on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For a quieter stay in Berlin, Charlottenburg has your back. Located in the former West Berlin, the area is best known for its sophistication and its history as a cultural centre. Here, you’ll be amongst the city’s more refined (read: moneyed) residents and the upscale businesses that cater to them.

The locals can be friendly, but they’re generally less used to tourism, so be sure to brush off your rudimentary German to order a Milchkaffee or ein Bier vom Fass. A little bit of effort goes a long way in a neighbourhood as rich in luxury and tradition as Charlottenburg.

STAY

Indulge in a night at Wilmina for a taste of peace and quiet. The hotel is just off Kantstrasse, a bustling city street, but its grounds are an island of serenity. If you’re after top-of-the-line accommodation that’s buzzing with energy, you’ll find Sir Savigny Hotel just down the road.

EAT

Charlottenburg is known for its Chinese food – and for good reason. Go window shopping on Kantstrasse to find a spot that suits your taste, or drop into one of the very many Japanese, Thai or Korean restaurants that line the central avenue instead.

DRINK

Pop into Rum Trader for a cocktail served with style. If you’re looking for a spot for people-watching, Schwarzes Cafe is your best bet – the bar has a long history as a hub for movers and shakers on the city’s various culture scenes.

DO

Charlottenburg is the place to get classy. Suit up for a grand night out and head to the Deutsche Oper Berlin to check out a world-class stage performance, or visit the framed Prussian palace Schloss Charlottenburg for a tour of its many lavish wings.

If you only do one thing…

Take a long stroll through Savignyplatz if the weather cooperates. It’s a gorgeous part of the neighbourhood year-round, but in the sun, it’s something special.

You’ll find Tiergarten just around the corner from Charlottenburg. The neighbourhood takes its name from the sprawling park at the centre of Berlin, where you can take in the massive Victory Column or traipse through the endless greenery. And when you’re ready to venture further, Zoologischer Garten station is connected to train lines running across the city.

If you’re looking to shop, look no further than Kurfürstendamm, or Ku’damm as it’s often called. With high-street locales alongside designer boutiques and the momentous KaDeWe shopping complex, there’s something to be found for everyone on your souvenir list.

STAY

The contemporary 25Hours Hotel at Bikini Berlin has one of the best views in the neighbourhood, across the city zoo and the trees of the Tiergarten. For a taste of old glamour, try a night or two at Hotel Zoo around the corner.

EAT

When the weather’s warm, grab a pint and a plate of classic German beer garden fare at Schleusenkrug to make the most of a day in the sun. Or, head to Café am Neuen See for dinner with a stunning view of the park’s endless waterways.

DRINK

Monkey Bar is a fan favourite for drinks with a view, especially amongst the international crowd. For a quieter night, stroll a little further to Victoria Bar, where you’ll find perfectly polished cocktails and a cosy, elegant atmosphere. (It’s set to reopen in spring 2023, so check before you go.)

DO

Explore the world at Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the national centre for contemporary arts that features live performances, installations, temporary exhibitions and talks. Or if you’d rather look into the past, browse the Bauhaus Archive instead.

If you only do one thing…

Window-shop at Kaufhaus des Westens – KaDeWe for short. It’s one of Europe’s largest department stores, with luxury retailers spilling across its eight floors and an in-house oyster bar to boot.

Mitte is Berlin’s central borough, an area that’s as broad and diverse as the people who live there. Here, you’ll find embassies and art galleries, skyscrapers and former squats. Take a tour of the area to get a feel for how the city once was before, during and in the years since World War II, or stop off at any of Mitte’s many museums.

Be sure to double-check transport connections before booking your accommodation. While Mitte is bustling with things to do, some lodging is deceptively far from the main sites, so it’s handy to suss out the trains, trams and buses you’ll need beforehand.

STAY

Luxury hotels are aplenty in Berlin’s central borough, including Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Hotel de Rome and even the local Soho House branch. For something more affordable, check out Circus Hostel, St Christopher’s Inn or Selina Berlin. 

EAT

Steer clear of the tourist traps at Alexanderplatz and the surrounding areas. Instead, join the line at LIU 成都味道面馆 Nudelhaus – it’s always out the door, and for good reason. If you’re looking for something more upscale, Grill Royal and all-vegetarian Cookies Cream will be right up your street.

DRINK

Café Cinema is a charming spot for a pick-me-up or a nightcap. Neue Odessa Bar and Mikkeller are also popular stops for the city’s younger crowd, while Mein Haus am See is a reliable spot for a night throwing shapes.

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There are museums and memorials aplenty to see in Mitte, including the Natural History Museum (Naturkundemuseum), the Topography of Terror (commemorating victims of the Nazi Gestapo) and the Pergamon Museum. The Jewish History Museum on the southern border of the district is particularly powerful.

If you only do one thing…

KW Institute for Contemporary Art has enjoyed a reputation as a leading cultural centre since the early ’90s, and its shows are still popular amongst art fans – and artists.

If you’re looking for a place to crash between back-to-back parties, Friedrichshain is hard to beat. It’s home to a packed roster of nightlife hotspots ranging from historic institutions like Berghain and Wilde Renate to cosier clubs like Cassiopeia and Crack Bellmer. Be sure to make a back-up plan if you’re turned away at the door of your club of choice: after all, in Friedrichshain there’s always somewhere new to try.

STAY

With heavy footfall of tourists around the calendar, Friedrichshain is rich in budget hotels and hostels: Sunflower Hostel, BackpackerBerlin and U inn are worth checking out. For a longer visit, the STAYERY has everything that you might need, and for an upscale visit to the city, the Michelberger Hotel is hard to beat.

EAT

There are a lot of exciting spots around Boxhagener Platz, especially for vegans and vegetarians. BURGERAMT is a tried and true favourite, and more recent arrivals offer their own delights. Check out the smokey, wood-fired Thai flavours at Khwan, or stop by 44 Brekkie for the fluffiest egg sandwich in the city.

DRINK

You’re never far from a bar in Friedrichshain, so finding a spot to perch is often the biggest battle. Noble Rot and Hops & Barley offer an upscale take on wine and beer, and HOME Bar is a lovely spot for a cool, calm weeknight drink.

DO

If you’ve come to Berlin for the clubs, you’re in the right place. Shop around online to see who’s playing where, then put on your dancing shoes – trainers, not heels.

If you only do one thing…

Berlin is famous for its kebabs, and Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebab is famous for its queue, which can stretch a hundred meters down the pavement at the original stand near Mehringdamm. But if you want to try the juicy, oily, overflowing mix of meats and veg without the wait, head to Mustafa Demir’s Gemüse Kebap on Warschauer Strasse – it’s just as good, and you’ll rarely wait long.