Where to Stay in Berlin: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Berlin is eclectic. It’s wild and raucous but also sophisticated and cool. Home to artists and creative types of all stripes, it’s somewhere you can reinvent yourself and be whoever you want to be.

The largest city in the European Union and the capital of Germany, Berlin is a place for partying, art, food, and has become a hub for digital nomads and entrepreneurs, owing to the country’s popular freelancer visa.

It may not be the prettiest city in Europe, but what it lacks in physical aesthetics, it more than makes up for in its oh-so-cool vibe and energy.

And its neighborhoods each have their own characteristics and personality. The “it” neighborhood is always shifting, which means there is an ever-expanding list of amazing places to stay.

To help you plan your trip, here’s my list of the best neighborhoods to stay in Berlin when you visit:

 
For more details, here’s a breakdown of where to stay in Berlin, with suggested accommodations for each:

 

Where to Stay for Budget Travelers: Friedrichshain

Located in the erstwhile East Berlin, Friedrichshain is a fun and budget-friendly neighborhood to plant yourself in for a while. For starters, there are a lot of affordable accommodation options here. And there are a ton of cheap restaurants, bars, and cafés lining the leafy streets, especially around the Boxhagener Kiez (Platz), the most bustling swath of Friedrichshain.

There are also a lot of free things to do, such as admiring the longest, still-existing stretch of the Berlin Wall and also walking (or biking) down Karl Marx Allee, a long, wide boulevard flanked by one of the most impressive collections of Stalinist architecture on the planet.

The Best Places to Stay in Friedrichshain:

BUDGET: Sunflower Hostel — For over two decades, this cheerful hostel has been accommodating budget travelers. There are various room types here — dorms, private rooms, female-only dorms, apartments — and breakfast is included. They also organize walking tours and there’s both a bar and lounge on-site so it’s easy to relax and meet other travelers.

MID-RANGE: Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof — Located in the northern part of the neighborhood, the Moxy is a hip, fun place to base yourself, as you’re straddling Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Mitte. The hotel is also pet-friendly, for anyone traveling with a furry friend, and guests also get a free drink on arrival.

LUXURY: Numa Berlin Kater — This boutique property offers a collection of minimalist apartments, perfect for groups or families or those who just want more space and privacy. The apartments are airy and bright, with spacious rooms that include a dining area, work desk, washing machine, sofa bed, streaming services, and even a dishwasher. It’s a chic, stylish hotel in a super convenient location.
 

Where to Stay for Charm: Kreuzberg

There are many faces of Kreuzberg. There’s a slightly dangerous element in one part. There’s a grungy, punk-rock part. There’s an industrial part. And then there’s the section that runs along the Landwehr Canal. This is likely the most charming, aesthetically pleasing part of Berlin. The nearby streets are lined with tranquil, often sophisticated, restaurants, and the banks of the canal itself are a fun place to linger, sipping on a drink while watching boats and barges float by. I absolutely love this part of town.

The Best Places to Stay in Kreuzberg:

BUDGET: Die Fabrik baxpax Hotel — Housed in a former factory in one of the coolest parts of Kreuzberg, Die Fabrik offers both private rooms and dorms, free Wi-Fi, and an on-site bar. The beds are pretty basic (metal bunks with no curtains) but there’s a chill outdoor common area so it’s a nice place to relax and connect with other travelers. It’s definitely not an upscale hostel, but it won’t break the bank.

MID-RANGE: Hotel Johann — Situated by the lovely, leafy canal, Johann is a three-star boutique hotel. They offer daily yoga, a comfy lobby with a co-working area, and a sunny breakfast room where you can enjoy a daily buffet (you can even eat outside in the courtyard if the weather is nice). Rooms are big, with high ceilings, free Wi-Fi, and extra-large flatscreen TVs. I especially love that the bathrooms have heated floors as well as large walk-in showers.

LUXURY: Orania — This stylish five-star property boasts spacious, comfortable rooms and great service. A boutique hotel, there are just 41 rooms and suites here, all of which are elegantly decorated with hardwood floors, warm cream-colored walls, and rich red fabric headboards. Rooms also feature free coffee, plush bathrobes, complimentary bottled water, and bathrooms with a rain shower and luxury products. As a jazz fan, I love the regular live jazz concerts, hosted right in the hotel’s cocktail bar.
 

Where to Stay for Partying: Neukölln

About a decade ago, Neukölln was deemed the new “hip” neighborhood. But instead of losing the title to another district, Neukölln has remained one of the coolest places to hang out. It has a large Turkish community, so there are plenty of tasty kabob places to scarf down some delicious (and affordable) food. And around each corner, there seem to be great bars packed with cool kids from all over the place. It’s a popular neighborhood for students and artists, so it has a very young, hip feel.

The Best Places to Stay in Neukölln:

BUDGET: Grand Hostel Berlin Urban — This laid-back hostel offers private rooms and mixed dorms in an area of the neighborhood bursting with cafes and restaurants. It’s not an overly social hostel and almost feels a bit like a hotel, but the beds are comfy and have lockers, individual reading lights, and outlets. There’s also a bar beside the lobby where you can hang out and relax. Unlike most hostels, there are plenty of bathrooms and they are actually cleaned really well!

MID-RANGE: ibis Berlin City Süd — This three-star property is simple but comfortable, with basic rooms that offer lots of natural light but not too many bells and whistles. Rooms feature parquet floors, a desk, free Wi-Fi, and a flatscreen TV. There’s a large breakfast buffet every morning as well. It’s not overly stylish, but everything is functional, comfortable, and it’s affordable too.

LUXURY: Estrel Hotel — Located in a brand-new building, Estrel is one of the largest hotels in town and features all the trappings of a luxurious property, including earth-tone-colored rooms that are spacious and well equipped for comfort (the beds are especially comfortable). A four-star property, there’s an on-site spa as well as three restaurants to choose from, making it a delectable choice for traveling foodies. There’s also a fitness center for when you need to burn off all those meals!
 

Where to Stay for Museum Lovers: Spreeinsel

Spreeinsel, or Spree Island, is also known as Museuminsel. That’s because — surprise, surprise — this oblong-shaped isle in the middle of the Spree River is crammed with some of the best museums on the planet. Both the Altes (Greek and Roman artifacts) and Neues Museums (a UNESCO site with rare Egyptian artifacts) are here. So is the amazing Pergamum Museum (another UNESCO site with a rare Antiquity collection), the Bode Museum (Byzantine art and sculptures), and the Alte Nationalgalerie (home to over 2,000 paintings). It’s also home to the brand-new Humboldt Forum, a dynamic cultural and art center in the newly reconstructed Berlin Palace.

The Best Places to Stay in Spreeinsel:

BUDGET: Motel 1 Berlin, Spittelmarkt — Just across the canal from Spreeinsel, Motel 1 is a European chain of budget hotels. You get a bigger bang for your euro at places like this. Rooms have large flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mosaic designs; the bathrooms have rain showers.

MID-RANGE: Novotel Berlin Mitte — Smack in the center of Spreeinsel, Novotel is a four-star hotel that offers free use of its sauna and gym. Rooms are nicely soundproofed and have the usual amenities you’d expect: flatscreen TVs, fast Wi-Fi, and a comfy bed.

LUXURY: Capri by Fraser — Located next to the canal, Capri by Fraser offers comfortable, fully stocked, and self-contained studio apartments. All the studios have a stylish and fun design, with bright pops of color. The kitchenette includes a cooktop, microwave, sink, fridge, and electric kettle (tea and coffee is provided). As someone who’s always working on the road, I appreciate the large work desks, and the smart TVs are convenient for when you want to wind down.
 

Where to Stay for First-Time Visitors: Regierungsviertel

While it may be hard to pronounce, Regierungsviertel is a very central neighborhood home to many of the iconic attractions of the city: Checkpoint Charlie, part of the Berlin, Wall, the Topografie des Terrors, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag. In some ways, the Regierungsviertel is Berlin in a nussschale, or nutshell. If it’s your first visit and you plan on playing tourist, this is the best place to base yourself.

The Best Places to Stay in Regierungsviertel:

BUDGET: Hotel M68 — This budget hotel is in the center of it all. Some rooms have nice views of the nearby surroundings, and all have extra-large beds (unless you opt for a single bed). The location is within walking distance of many major attractions.

MID-RANGE: The Westin Grand — This centrally located hotel really is grand. The super spacious rooms are minimal and modern, with huge flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, oversized showers, upscale bath products, bathrobes, and slippers. There are two restaurants on-site as well as a gym, and the Brandenburg Gate is just a 10-minute walk away too. You definitely get a lot of value here!

LUXURY: Hotel Adlon — Opened in 1907, Adlon is one of the poshest addresses in Berlin and one of the most famous hotels in Europe. A five-star hotel, it’s located right across the street from the Brandenburg Gate and has all the charm and style of an über-luxurious Old World hotel. The stately rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, though I personally think the classic décor feels a bit dated. The rooms have all the amenities you’d need though, with tea/coffee makers, a desk, safe, and flatscreen TVs with Chromecast. The marble bathrooms are huge, with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower as well as complimentary toiletries.
 

Where to Stay for Families: Prenzlauer Berg

Set up on a hill, Prenzlauer Berg is a lot of different things to a lot of different people. If you’re a traveling family, you’ll see a lot of pleasant families who reside here. There are parks and playgrounds, and the cafés and restaurants are very child-friendly. For anyone else, “P-Berg” is a charming, picturesque neighborhood filled with some of Berlin’s best restaurants and bars. Nearby Mauerpark is a fun place to go on weekends when the city’s best flea market gets revved up.

The Best Places to Stay in Prenzlauer Berg:

BUDGET: Generator Berlin Prenzlauer Berg — This legendary hostel is one of the most fun places to stay in town. Housed in a former Communist-era building, the property boasts a great beer garden and several public spaces for hanging out. It offers dorms (including female-only ones), family rooms, and private rooms.

MID-RANGE: Vienna House — In the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, Vienna House is a three-star hotel that offers large rooms, free Wi-Fi, and brightly colored walls. The rooms are bright and fun, with big windows that let in a lot of natural light. I like that the colorful walls feature murals and other artwork by local artists. If you’re working on the road, there’s a co-working space, as well as a 24/7 snack shop in the lobby. It’s also pet-friendly, and there’s a breakfast lounge on-site with fresh baked goods.

LUXURY: Hotel Oderberger — Once a public swimming pool building, Hotel Oderberger is a lovely, retro-chic hotel. A four-star property, it has a lot of amenities, including a cocktail bar and fantastic breakfast buffet. The spacious rooms are cozy and comfortable, with a lot of character thanks to the hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, subway tile detailing, and restored original windows that let in a lot of natural light. The bathrooms are sizable and offer walk-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and complimentary toiletries. There’s a gorgeous historic swimming pool, with a vaulted stone ceiling, and there’s a sauna too, which is perfect for those cold or rainy Berlin days.
 

Where to Stay for Shopping: Charlottenburg

Before the Wall came tumbling down in November 1989, Charlottenburg was pretty much the center of West Berlin. After reunification, the center of attention and activity shifted more to neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, Mitte, and Prenzlauer Berg. And, you could argue, the tourists’ gaze is still focused in that direction.

But Charlottenburg is a fascinating neighborhood. If you like shopping, this is the place to be as every designer is here, plus there are great shopping malls, like Bikini Berlin, that focus on up-and-coming and indie designers.

The Best Places to Stay in Charlottenburg:

BUDGET: Happy Go Lucky Hotel + Hostel — Offering basic but comfortable rooms with shared bathrooms, this is a central spot in which to base oneself. A buffet breakfast is served every morning (for a small fee), and the art-covered walls even have space for visitors to do their own painting.

MID-RANGE: 25Hours Bikini Berlin — This is one of the most quirky hotels in the city. While it’s part of a German-owned chain of properties, this one is especially unique: it hugs up against the zoo. So if your room is on the zoo side, you can actually sit there for hours and gawk at the animals (that’s why the trendy rooftop bar here is called Monkey Bar). There’s also a leafy hammock lounge to hang out, bike rentals available, and even a rooftop sauna.

LUXURY: Waldorf Astoria — If you want to drop a pretty (euro) penny while in Charlottenburg, this is the hotel to do it in. A five-star property, the rooms are superlative and about as comfy as they come, with huge beds, lots of natural light, flatscreen TVs, plush bathrobes, coffee/tea makers, and more. The Art Deco-infused Lang Bar is an elegant place to enjoy a classic cocktail, and the luxe on-site spa is perfect for splashing out on some self-care. There’s an indoor swimming pool too.

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Berlin is a huge, sprawling city, so where you decide to base yourself will impact your experience. Fortunately, it has a plethora of charming, fun, and affordable neighborhoods to choose from. No matter your interests, there is a neighborhood here for you.