Where to stay in Berlin? 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay + Avoid! 🇩🇪

In this guide, I’ll tell you about the 5 best areas in Berlin and provide links for booking good hotels in different price ranges.

Berlin is a massive city, and there’s a big difference from area to area, so I recommend you take the time to read this guide, where I’ll mention the best places to stay in Berlin.

When I was in Berlin for the first time on a high school trip, I was surprised by how huge a city it is. And at the same time, I was surprised that there is no actual city centre in Berlin.

There is, of course, Berlin Mitte, which means the midtown, but Berlin must, in many ways, be viewed differently from other European cities such as Paris, London and Prague.

Berlin is a city comprised of many smaller villages that have merged and, with its 3,664,088 inhabitants, now form one of Europe’s most exciting and vibrant capitals.

In other words, it makes good sense to spend some time thinking about which area of Berlin you book a hotel in – there is a huge difference between whether you stay in Charlottenburg or Krezuberg.

And although Berlin is a safe city to move around in (I never experienced anything unpleasant either when I lived there or on my many trips back there), I do not recommend the same area for families with children as for young people in their early 20s who want to experience Berlin’s nightlife.

With that said – let’s get started with the guide on where to stay in Berlin.

Best areas to stay in Berlin

• Mitte – best area to stay for sightseeing & first-time travellers ⭐️
• Prenzlauer Berg – best area to stay for true Berliner vibes 😍
• Charlottenburg – best area to stay for families with children 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Kreuzberg – best area to stay for hipsters 👨🏻
• Friedrichshain – best area to stay for nightlife 💃🏽

Click the links above to see the best places to stay in the area – the guide continues below, where I’ll walk through my 5 favourite areas in Berlin.

1. Mitte – best area to stay for sightseeing & first-time travellers ⭐️

Mitte is the closest we get to a centre in Berlin, and you may have already heard about Alexanderplatz, which served as the centre of East Berlin when the city was divided in two by the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Mitte area itself is relatively large.

Still, in this area, you will find some of the best sights and experiences in Berlin, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Unter den Linden, the Pergamon Museum, and Checkpoint Charlie (right on the border with Kreuzberg, an area we’ll get to later).

See the best hotels in Mitte here.

No matter where you stay in Mitte, you will never be far from the S-Bahn, U-Bahn or Tram, so you can quickly get around the rest of the city, and you will also be able to get from Berlin Airport to your hotel in less than 1 hour.

There are an incredible number of good restaurants, bars, cafes and shopping opportunities in Mitte.

Stay in Mitte if you are:

• Travelling to Berlin for the first time
• Travelling to Berlin with children
• Would like to stay close to the best things to do in Berlin

Places to stay in Mitte

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Berlin is a unique city, but many new things have been built since the fall of the wall, and especially in Mitte, a lot has happened, which is good for us when we have to find a good hotel in Mitte.

There are many to choose from in several price ranges 😎

Best luxury hotel in Mitte: Regent Berlin

Situated in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte district, the Regent Berlin offers a luxurious, central hub for your stay in Germany’s dynamic capital.

Each elegantly appointed room pairs comfort with class, boasting plush furnishings, serene colour palettes, and sweeping city views that underscore its prime location.

The hotel’s location in Mitte situates guests steps away from notable historical sites such as the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, while also offering a wealth of culinary and cultural experiences right on its doorstep.

For the discerning traveller, history buff, culinary connoisseur, or art enthusiast, the Regent Berlin stands as an optimal choice.

See more photos and book online.

Best mid-range hotel in Mitte: H4 Hotel Alexanderplatz

Having enjoyed staying here, I can tell you that this hotel checks all the boxes. The rooms? Comfortable and stylish in a way that speaks to modern simplicity.

Your sleep quality here is a priority, and it shows in the soothing ambience of each room.

Now, let’s talk about location. The H4 is next to Alexanderplatz, placing you within arm’s reach of Berlin’s famous landmarks.

And the cherry on top? The H4 Hotel Alexanderplatz does all this without burning a hole in your pocket.

It’s a place that melds comfort, location, and affordability seamlessly.

See more photos and book here.

Best budget hotel in Mitte: Best Western am Spittelmarkt Berlin

This hotel is right by the U-Bahn station Spittelmarkt

Rooms at the Best Western are thoughtfully designed, clean, and equipped with all the essential amenities.

Each morning, you can start your day with their breakfast buffet, where a generous spread of options is provided to cater to various tastes.

If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in Berlin Mitte, this is an excellent choice that won’t break the bank.

See more photos and book here.

2. Prenzlauer Berg – best area to stay for true Berliner vibes 😍

Prenzlauer Berg is close to my heart, as this is where I stayed when I lived in Berlin.

After the fall of the Berlin wall, Prenzlauer Berg was where young artists moved to, as no one else wanted to live in the buildings and therefore, the area quickly developed into a haven for the cool and trendy Berliners.

However, the 90s are long gone, and the trendy artists have become parents, so Prenzlauer Berg is known to be the most child-friendly area of Berlin and an extremely desirable area to stay in.

See the best hotels in Prenzlauer Berg here.

Although Prenzlauer Berg is now gradually mentioned in all guidebooks to Berlin and is no longer the city’s hippest area, I think there is something liberating about strolling around streets such as Kastanienallee, Oderberger Strasse and further north on Lychener Strasse around Helmholtzplatz.

That’s Berlin for me – a good mix of small indie shops, kebab shops, fancy cafes and dive bars with cheap beer.

A wonderful mix of everything that makes Berlin one of Europe’s most incredible cities!

If you’re in Berlin on Sunday, don’t forget to drop by Mauerpark, where there is a huge flea market with a cosy atmosphere every Sunday.

Close to Mauerpark, you can visit Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, one of the few places where a part of the Berlin Wall still stands at Bernauer Strasse.

Stay in Prenzlauer Berg if you:

• Love good food and coffee
• Want to experience a more authentic side of Berlin than Mitte
• Are okay with having to use Berlin’s public transport to get to the most famous sights

I love Prenzlauer Berg and can’t recommend the area enough! I think it’s the best place to stay in Berlin for a good, local vibe.

Places to stay in Prenzlauer Berg

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When you stay in Prenzlauer Berg, there are slightly fewer hotels to choose from, and, contrary to Mitte, it is more local, smaller hotels than the big chains.

Of course, it also has its charm, but I still have a classic on the list below – because it has an excellent price and is close to the s-Bahn and tram.

Best luxury hotel: Myer’s Hotel Berlin

Located in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, Myer’s Hotel offers a captivating blend of historic charm and modern convenience.

The hotel is in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, providing chic, well-appointed rooms adorned with high ceilings, stucco detailing, and antique touches.

You can enjoy a respite in the tranquil courtyard garden or indulge in a locally-sourced breakfast in the unique vaulted cellar.

Located amid a bustling art scene, myriad dining options, and the renowned Mauerpark flea market, Myer’s Hotel is a genuine Berlin experience.

See more photos and book here.

Best mid-range hotel: Holiday Inn Berlin Prenzlauer Berg

With its strategic location in Prenzlauer Berg, the Holiday Inn Berlin embodies convenience and an authentic local feel.

The hotel sits minutes away from the Prenzlauer Allee S-bahn station and tram to Alexanderplatz, putting the vibrancy of the rest of Berlin at your fingertips.

Despite being in a low-key, less touristy area, guests are spoilt for choice with many excellent nearby dining options.

I lived very close to this hotel on Stargarder Strasse, and I highly recommend checking out the neighbouring streets around Helmholtzplatz.

See more photos and book here.

Best budget hotel: Hotel Kastanienhof

This splendid boutique hotel, within the walls of a refurbished 19th-century edifice, exudes an irresistible blend of historic charm and modern comfort.

Each room, uniquely designed, is kitted out with all the contemporary conveniences, ensuring a restful stay amid the timeless elegance.

At your doorstep lies the bustling Kastanienallee, a hotspot of trendy cafes and shops begging for exploration.

A truly unique Berliner hotel in Prenzlauer Berg.

See more photos and book here.

3. Charlottenburg – best area to stay for families with children 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

For the first time, we’ll talk about an area in the former West Berlin, Charlottenburg.

In Charlottenburg, we find places such as the Kurfürstendamm shopping street, KaDeWe, Berlin Zoo and Schloss Charlottenburg.

Charlottenburg is traditionally a more decadent and nicer area than, for example, Prenzlauer Berg, which, as mentioned, was part of poor East Berlin.

The area is also one of the parts of Berlin that was relatively spared during World War II, so you can still find quite a few older, beautiful buildings from before the war.

See the best hotels in Charlottenburg here.

There is a different atmosphere in Charlottenburg and, in particular, around the Kurfürstendamm than in the rest of Berlin. Here, the city is more reminiscent of other big European cities than in the different areas.

The slightly cleaner area is thus the perfect area for those of you travelling to Berlin with children.

Stay in Charlottenburg if you:

• Want to shop in the high-street shops in Berlin
• Want to stay in nice, modern hotels
• Want to experience the “nice part” of Berlin
• Are going to a concert or football at the Olympiastadion (which is located further west)

Places to stay in Charlottenburg

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Even before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Charlottenburg was an area where tourists from all over the world stayed. Therefore, you must be careful when you book the hotel, as there are a few very old hotels.

If you choose one of the three on the list below, you can look forward to some excellent accommodation.

It should also be said that Charlottenburg is generally a more expensive area than the others I mention in the guide here. So if you are looking for a cheap hotel in Berlin, you will get more for your money in Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg.

Best luxury hotel: Waldorf Astoria Berlin

You’ll find the seriously slick Waldorf Astoria in the heart of Berlin’s Charlottenburg district.

This hotel is pure luxury, serving a wicked combination of timeless class and ultra-modern comfort.

If you’ve seen The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, this is the place the ladies are staying on their trip to Berlin 😀

Housed in an epic skyscraper, every room here rocks killer city views, super-stylish design, and all the high-tech gear you need.

• Plush furnishings? Check.
• Massive marble bathrooms? You got it.
• All the tech wizardry to keep you connected? Absolutely.

So if you’re looking for the most luxurious place to stay in Berlin, this is the hotel to book.

See more photos and book here.

Best mid-range hotel (also quite luxurious): Hotel Zoo Berlin

This hotel has 144 rooms and suites and is the epitome of cool luxury.

All the rooms boast impressive features, like floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan layouts. Some rooms even come with private terraces for some serious chill-out sessions.

The design is a nod to the building’s glamorous past, with high ceilings, restored brickwork, and a mixture of contemporary and vintage furnishings.

Head up to the hotel’s Rooftop Bar for a panoramic view of Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s most famous shopping boulevard. With a handcrafted cocktail in hand, you’ll get a glimpse of Berlin which many only dream of.

Set in a prime location, you’re just a stone’s throw away from famous attractions like the Berlin Zoo and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Best budget hotel: Leonardo Hotel Berlin Kurfürstendamm

Leonardo Hotel Berlin Kurfürstendamm offers a brilliant option for the savvy traveller.

This hotel ticks all the right boxes with a top-notch location, comfortable accommodations, and a price that won’t break the bank.

The Leonardo houses 136 rooms; each decked with modern furnishings, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi to keep you connected.

The rooms are streamlined and efficient, making the most of every inch of space, and the comfy beds make for a great night’s sleep after a day of exploring the city.

A great budget-option for those wanting to stay in the part of Berlin.

See more photos and book here.

4. Kreuzberg – best area to stay for hipsters 👨🏻

When I lived in Berlin, I worked in Kreuzberg, which was an absolute pleasure.

However, my body weight also increased as the months went by, which I, among other things, attribute to the fantastic döner kebabs you can get for a few euros on every street corner in Kreuzberg.

Kreuzberg is known for being a multicultural area where in particular, many people with Turkish roots live.

At the same time, Kreuzberg has been notoriously a cheap area to stay in, contributing to many artists and creatives moving here (as was the case with Prenzlauer Berg in the 90s).

That’s why Kreuzberg (and the area south of it, Neukölln) is perhaps one of the most hipster areas in the world. If you’ve been to Williamsburg in New York, you know how high up on the hipster scale we are 😀

So if you’re young, want to drink IPAs at the trendiest bars and go to underground nightclubs you’ve dusted off on Instagram, then Kreuzberg is the area for you.

See the best hotels in Kreuzberg here.

I wouldn’t recommend booking a hotel in Kreuzberg if you travel with children to Berlin.

Not because it is a dangerous area, but simply because there are better alternatives and if you have to say something negative, the area around Kottbusser Tor might seem a little unsafe in the late hours of the night (but if you’re in Berlin with children you probably wouldn’t be around at that time of night) 😀

Furthermore, Kreuzberg is a large area, and it borders, among other things, up to Checkpoint Charlie to the north, but otherwise, there aren’t many prominent top attractions or sights in the area. Kreuzberg is more of a vibe.

I recommend strolling along the Maybachufer, walking in Görlitzer Park and people-watching and enjoying the many unique streets and the cheap restaurants.

One of my favourite restaurants in Berlin is technically in Kreuzberg, although it’s close to Mitte and Potsdamer Platz: Mabuhay is a tiny little Indonesian restaurant you must know to pass by.

Stay in Kreuzberg if you:

• Are a bit of a hipster 😎
• Love doner kebab
• Want to experience a local Berlin atmosphere with people from all corners of the world

Places to stay in Kreuzberg

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As mentioned, Kreuzberg is a large area, but I have chosen a few hotels that are located in the part of the area that I think is the most exciting and coolest 😉

Here you will never be far from a good bar or a U-Bahn station.

Best luxury hotel: Orania.Berlin

This boutique hotel, housed in a painstakingly restored art nouveau building dating back to 1913, beautifully combines historical charm with modern elegance.

Orania.Berlin offers 41 rooms and suites, each with warm, understated luxury. High ceilings, oak parquet floors, and bespoke furnishings give each room a unique character.

Tech-friendly touches like soundproof windows, air conditioning, and high-speed internet ensure a comfortable, peaceful stay.

There’s not much more to say; if you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Kreuzberg, this is it.

See more photos and book here.

Best mid-range hotel: Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Berlin City

Having had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Berlin City myself (although it’s a couple of years ago now, I think it was in 2018), I can personally attest to its exceptional quality and commitment to guest satisfaction.

The location in Kreuzberg couldn’t be better as you’re close to numerous U-bahn stations, bars and restaurants.

The rooms are beautifully designed, featuring modern amenities that blend seamlessly with the chic decor.

Each room is fitted with a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, and a well-stocked minibar.

So if you’re looking for a good, but not too expensive, hotel in Kreuzberg, this is a good bet.

See more photos and book here.

Best budget hotel: Hotel Prens Berlin

Hotel Prens Berlin offers affordable, comfortable accommodations in the heart of Kreuzberg.

Rooms are clean and well-equipped with essentials like a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, and en-suite bathrooms.

The hotel is known for its friendly staff and provides a satisfying breakfast daily.

If you’re seeking budget-friendly, no-frills accommodation in Kreuzberg, Hotel Prens Berlin fits the bill.

See more photos and book here.

5. Friedrichshain – best area to stay for nightlife 💃🏽

The last good area to stay in on your trip to Berlin is Friedrichshain. An area which, in addition to being difficult to spell, is also packed with good restaurants, cafes and bars.

Where Kreuzberg lies to the west of the Spree (the river that divides Berlin), we find Friedrichshain on the eastern part, and thus we are back in the former East Berlin.

You can still feel that when you walk around the cosy, famous streets around Simon-Dach-Strasse and Grünberger Strasse.

In Friedrichshain, we also find the RAW-Gelände right next to the Warschauer Strasse Bahnhof, a vast outdoor and indoor area with nightclubs. Undoubtedly a place you must visit if you travel to Berlin to experience the city’s world-famous nightlife.

See the best hotels in Friedrichshain here.

It is also in Friedrichshain that we find the East Side Gallery, which should be on everyone’s bucket list when visiting Berlin.

In general, Friedrichshain is an area that is very similar to Kreuzberg but without an equally sizeable multicultural mix. It was only after the wall’s fall that it was opened up to people from other parts of the world.

I have had one of the best Vietnamese meals of my life here in the area at New Day Vietnam Heritage Food. I know – the name is not the best, but the food indeed was 😀

Stay in Friedrichshain if you:

• Would like to go clubbing (for example, you can try to get into the world-famous Berghain)
• Want to experience an area of old East Berlin that is still a bit raw and unpolished
• Are going to a concert at the Mercedes Benz Arena

Places to stay in Friedrichshain

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Friedrichshain is an area with quite a few hostels and hotels on the cheaper end, so if you’re travelling to Berlin on a budget, it might be an excellent place to look.

However, let me introduce you to three hotels in different price ranges.

Best luxury hotel: Hotel Indigo Berlin East Side Gallery

This is the spot if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Friedrichshain near the East Side Gallery.

Hotel Indigo offers an ideal blend of style, comfort, and convenience.

The rooms feature a modern design, fitted with amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi for guests’ convenience.

This hotel’s prime location next to the East Side Gallery, Berlin’s longest piece of the Berlin Wall, provides easy access to a significant historical site.

It’s also easy to get to Mitte and Kreuzberg (the area on the other side of the river Spree) by public transport as both S and U Bahn stations are nearby.

Overall, the Hotel Indigo Berlin East Side Gallery is a top-notch choice for accommodation in Friedrichshain.

See more photos and book here.

Best mid-range hotel: Nhow Berlin

nhow Berlin is a distinctive and vibrant hotel in Friedrichshain.

The hotel’s design reflects its neighbourhood, blending music, art, and architecture uniquely and engagingly.

The rooms at nhow Berlin are beautifully designed with a contemporary aesthetic, offering stunning views of the Spree River. Each room has modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and a minibar.

In a unique twist befitting the hotel’s focus on music and sound, guests can even request guitars and keyboards to be delivered to their rooms.

A unique place to stay in Berlin, perfect for young and adventurous travellers.

See more photos and book here.

Best budget hotel: Industriepalast Hostel Berlin (the place does have private rooms with private bathrooms even though the name says it’s a hostel)

Industriepalast Hostel Berlin is a budget-friendly accommodation option located in Friedrichshain. It offers shared dorms and private rooms, catering to varying privacy preferences.

The rooms are clean, comfortable, and functional. With a communal kitchen, a games room, and a lobby bar, it fosters a sociable environment.

Located near transport links and local attractions, it’s an excellent choice for an economical yet comfortable stay in Berlin.

See more photos and book here.

In conclusion, Berlin has an accommodation option to suit every traveller. I hope you found this guide on the best areas to stay in Berlin helpful.

Remember, Berlin is a city that never sleeps and always surprises, with a charm that lies as much in its diverse neighbourhoods as in its iconic landmarks.

So, get ready to embark on your Berlin adventure, confident that a warm welcome awaits you at the end of each day.

Have a great trip to the German capital. If you’ve got any questions about Berlin, comment below and I’ll do my best to help.

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