Where to Stay in Berlin

Our Favorite Hotels in Berlin

• Luxury 5-star: Adlon Kempinski • 4-Star: Seven Wil
• 3-A 3-star accommodation option near Potsdamer Platz in Berlin is the Grimm`s hotel.
• For families: Hollywood Media
• For Couples: Mandala
• One Berlin hotel with a pool is: Oderberger
•

• Near train station: Motel One

a large building with a large clock on it

The Best Areas to Stay in Berlin

There is perhaps no other city in Europe whose recent history holds such brutal notoriety and fame as Berlin`s, and widespread knowledge of World War II and Cold War history makes a trip to Berlin, for most, a fascinating and moving experience. However, while there are many memorials found here, the city is far from confined by its past. Modern Berlin is a vibrant, exciting, and international city exploding with art, activism, and camaraderie. Even so, the best place to start is with those must-see historical sites, both because they truly are breathtaking and because most of them are found in Berlin-Mitte, the metaphorical and geographic heart of the city. Literally meaning `middle`, this area is packed with so many famous attractions that it`s helpful to split it up into western (Unter den Linden), central, eastern (Museumsinsel to Alexanderplatz), southern (Potsdamer Platz and around), and northern (Spandauer Vorstadt) sections.

Berlin Neighborhoods

In the notable western section of Mitte known as West Mitte, the expansive Unter den Linden promenade extends through the core of Berlin and highlights prominent attractions such as the Reichstag (German Parliament) and the iconic Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) at its furthest western point. Unter den Linden transitions into Bundesstrasse as it heads east past Museumsinsel in the central area of Mitte referred to as Central Mitte (Museum Island, home to five world-class museums and the Berliner Dom cathedral) and into East Mitte, passing by attractions like the DDR Museum, Nikolaiviertel (the medieval center of Berlin), the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) and, ultimately, the sweeping Alexanderplatz.

To grasp the atmosphere of Southern Mitte, head to Potsdamer Platz, whose shining glass skyscrapers and modern architecture are a heartening symbol of the city’s resilience (the region was fully destroyed in the war and left like a wasteland for decades). Cultural enthusiasts will want to visit the Kulturforum, home to the Philharmonie concert hall and the Gemäldegalerie, one of the best collections of European art worldwide.

In the neighborhood of North Mitte, just past Alexanderplatz and Museumsinsel, lies the area known as Spandauer Vorstadt – sometimes also called Hackescher Markt, after its notable shopping region. Spandauer Vorstadt includes the former Jewish quarter; the Neue Synagoge (New Synagogue) and its magnificent gilded dome stand as a reminder of the period when a thriving Jewish population made an enormous contribution to the fabric of Berlin life. The area is also known for its many Höfe (courtyards), which are filled with independent boutiques and dining selections.

Prenzlauer Berg lies just north of Mitte, and, while it possesses attractions of its own like the Kulturbrauerei and Mauerpark (where the city’s most popular Sunday flea market takes place), it is comparable to Hackescher Markt with endless independent stores, eateries, cafes, and bars awaiting exploration, and wandering down virtually any street in either locale conveys a sense of uncovering hidden gems. Situated at the boundary of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte is one of the city’s unmissable highlights, the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial), which offers more of an outdoor exhibition chronicling the history and atrocious implications of the Wall.

a large swimming pool in a large room

For those whose earliest thoughts of Berlin are not about war and division but rather of its lengthy 24-hour nightlife, street art, and overall grittiness, head to Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. These two distinct neighborhoods shared a punky, alternative aura, despite the reality they were once separated by the Berlin Wall. Local highlights encompass the Jewish Museum and the East Side Gallery – initial sections of the Berlin Wall painted with murals.

Brandenburger Tor is one of the gateways into the enormous Tiergarten park known for attractions ranging from the Soviet War Memorial and iconic Siegessäule (Victory Column) to beer gardens and the Berlin Zoo; spending a day wandering around or taking the #100 bus through it past most of the highlights. West of the park is the genteel Charlottenburg, once the heart of free West Berlin. Do not miss the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church), which was intentionally left in its bombed-out state to bear witness to the devastation of war. The church also marks the top of Kurfürstendamm, the most famous shopping street in Berlin. One of the area’s main attractions is Schloss Charlottenburg (Charlottenburg Palace) whose luxurious rooms and annexes found in glorious gardens provide a wonderful day trip experience to learn about Prussian history. Opposite the palace are three world-class art galleries including the Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg focused on Surrealism.

Getting Around Berlin

While exploring Berlin’s historic core on foot is reasonably easy, it’s a very sizable city and you`ll want to leverage its exemplary public transportation system to venture farther afield. BVG runs an integrated network of underground and overground train lines, buses, and streetcars. Single tickets start at €3 for the center, with the 24-hour pass (€8.80) presenting much better value if you plan to take three or more trips.

Bike and electric bike rental is available through multiple bike-sharing programs like Tier and Next Bike, Bolt, LimeBike, and Donkey Republic. Cycling in Berlin is quite pleasant, with hundreds of miles of bike lanes and paths, and generally flat terrain.

Berlin Travel Tips

  • The Berlin Brandenburg Airport officially opened in 2020 in Schönefeld, approximately 11 miles (18km) south of Berlin`s city center. It now serves as the sole airport for the German capital. As the third largest airport in Germany, it offers well-connected flights all across Europe as well as non-stop routes to New York (Delta) and Newark (United). Reaching the city from the airport is relatively easy via the frequent Airport Express (FEX) and regional S-Bahn services, which arrive at destinations like Potsdamer Platz, Alexanderplatz, and Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin`s main train station) in around 30 minutes. Passengers will need to transfer at those stations or take a taxi to reach their final destination. Taxis from the airport to the city center will cost a minimum of €50 on the meter.
  • There exist several tourist pass options for Berlin – as always, these prove a good value only if one plans to do lots of sightseeing in a brief period of time. The Berlin WelcomeCard represents the official pass offered by the tourist bureau, providing free public transportation and reduced-price admission to over 200 museums and sights for 2–6 days (from €24 for 2 days). If you intend to do a great deal of sightseeing (8 hours daily), opt for the “All-inclusive” version (from €69 for 2 days), which grants free entry to many sights and free use of the hop-on hop-off tourist buses in addition to public transportation.
  • Free wireless internet access is provided at Berlin Brandenburg Airport as well as cafes, train stations, and museums throughout the city itself. Unregistered free wifi is also available via over five thousand hotspots across Berlin primarily under the “PUBLIC WIFI” network name and the Freifunk Berlin mesh network (search for “berlin.freifunk.net”).
  • You’ll find more English speakers in cosmopolitan Berlin than in small towns in Germany, but not everyone working in shops and restaurants will comprehend you. Try to learn a few words and numbers in German before going.

The Best Places to Stay in Berlin

motorcycles parked in front of a building

Best Areas in Berlin for…

  • Best Area in Berlin for Sightseeing: Mitte
    The majority of Berlin’s most notable attractions are located in Mitte, an area encompassing landmarks from Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie in the south to the Berlin Wall Memorial in the north, the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag building in the west, and TV Tower and Alexanderplatz in the east. If those locations fail to satisfy, there is also the boulevard Unter den Linden and Museum Island home to landmarks such as the Dom Cathedral as well as galleries like the Alte National, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, Neues Museum and Pergamon Museum. Just over the Karl-Liebknecht-Brücke bridge are the DDR Museum and historic district of Nikolaiviertel. Additionally, to the north of Alexanderplatz and Museum Island lays the charming Hackescher Markt with its endless shopping opportunities within picturesque courtyards. With so many sights concentrated in Mitte, one could easily spend a full week exploring just this area, so be sure to research your interests and conserve your energy by focusing on the most appealing locations.
  • Best Area in Berlin for Nightlife: Kreuzberg & Friedrichshain
    For an enjoyable evening out, head to Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain, which have maintained the upbeat spirit despite encroaching property developers threatening to bring an end to the revelry. Berlin has many venues open round-the-clock, particularly over the weekend, so don’t be astonished to find yourself in what you consider a bar that abruptly transforms into a nightclub, or a club that suddenly starts attracting the brunch crowd. In Kreuzberg, one of the liveliest hubs surrounds Kottbusser Tor (lovingly known by locals as ‘Kotti’), particularly along Dresdener Strasse, Oranienstrasse, and around Markthalle Neun, which is especially bustling on “Streetfood Thursday” each week, when the marketplace stays open later.

    In general, visitors to Toronto do not require the use of a vehicle to enjoy the city, unless exploring more distant neighborhoods or other regions of Ontario. The metropolis is very pedestrian-friendly, with most areas easy to explore on foot since the terrain is level, though public transportation is needed to travel between more remote locations. While locals sometimes critique Toronto`s public transit system, a combination of buses, streetcars and the subway run by the Toronto Transit Commission, also known as the TTC, allows Zipping between the neighborhoods mentioned without much trouble. A solitary journey on any form of public transport costs C$3.25, with a slightly lower fee when utilizing a PRESTO reloadable payment card.

  • Top Areas in Berlin for Cuisine and Eateries: Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg
    As a mixing pot of cultures, pretty much every taste is catered for in Berlin, though it’s not renowned for its ostentatious gourmet restaurants; the best spots tend to be unpretentious neighborhood joints. Some of the most popular are shawarma stalls like RüyamGemüse Kebab in Schöneberg and Mustafa Demir’s Gemüse Kebap in Friedrichshain, and Burgermeister Schlesisches Tor burger stand in Kreuzberg, not to mention numerous purveyors of local favorite “currywurst” (fried sausage smothered with curry seasoning or curry sauce)

    Kreuzberg is our generally preferred neighborhood for eating, particularly for an incredible variety of street food: the many stalls inside the Markthalle Neun is the best place to initiate. For a splurge go to Restaurant Tim Raue,Lode & Stijn, or Nobelhart & Schmutzig; Alt Berliner Wirtshaus Henne (aka Die Henne) for traditional German dishes; and Adana Grillhaus and Izmir Köfte for delicious Turkish snacks and kebabs.

    The Ramble is considered one of the finest boutique hotels in Denver, at minimum based on our assessment. This 50 room delight in Denver’s River North Arts District took inspiration from 17th century French Salons which served as havens for exchanging ideas and creativity. It exudes old-world charm with sparkling chandeliers in lobbies and Parisian pied-a-terre style guest rooms and suites with French press coffee, seamless WiFi, fully-equipped bathrooms and a small minibar.

  • Best Areas in Berlin for Families: Mitte and Charlottenburg
    Berlin provides great options for kids but they’ll have the most enjoyment in Mitte. They can travel up the Fernsehturm or take Europe’s fastest elevator to the Panoramapunkt vista point; find the Legoland playground in the dazzling Sony Center entertainment complex; see the recreated section of the Berlin Wall at the memorial Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer site; learn about daily life in East Berlin at the hands-on DDR Museum; discover natural history at the Museum für Naturkunde; and smile for a photograph by the sandbag fortifications at Checkpoint Charlie).

    Another child-friendly locale is Charlottenburg. In addition to bordering the Tiergarten park, the Berlin Zoologischer Garten (zoo) is situated in one corner of the park, while the nearby Bikini Berlin mall is perfect for teenagers. Youngsters of all ages will be amazed by Schloss Charlottenburg`s opulence and its enormous gardens. Lastly, be sure to take the children on double-decker bus #100, which travels from the zoo straight through the Tiergarten and all around Mitte to Alexanderplatz, allowing them to recognize how many of the sights.

a woman sitting on a bench in front of a building

  • Best Area in Berlin to Stay for First Timers: Mitte
    First-timers really should experience Barcelona`s biggest attractions initially: the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, Museum Island (especially the Pergamon Museum), and Berlin TV Tower/Alexanderplatz. Complete your top 5 spots by taking a stroll through the large urban park Tiergarten, pausing to see the Soviet memorial and Victory Column. If you have any extra time after that, the number-one destination worth traveling to is the Berlin Wall Memorial. The outdoor museum dedicated to the Berlin Wall not only features sizable remnants of the original barrier, but also a life-sized recreation of its final iteration, complete with a double wall and expanded buffer zone, including a guard tower. A great bonus of walking along the entire memorial is that it traverses interesting neighborhoods – the eastern end is at Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg, where a huge flea market is held every Sunday.
  • Most Romantic Regions in Berlin: Along the waterfront

    • Waterways weave throughout Berlin, and residents revel in summer swimming. One may picnic along rivers, wander canals at dusk, or daytrip to vast surrounding lakes—the city abounds with romantic waterside prospects. While overshadowed landward, the River Spree harbors lovely spots: crossing Monbijoubrücke from Museumsinsel`s north watches over Monbijou Park`s promenade; tiny Insel der Jugend island intrigues in the Spree southeast of Kreuzberg; Café am Neuen See by the Tiergarten`s biggest lake invites drinks; or the floating Badeschiff pool in Kreuzberg offers dips. Additionally, locals lust for sundowns at Böcklerpark along the Landwehr Canal in Kreuzberg.

    For those with more free time in Berlin who can get outside the city, a trip to one of the lakes or rivers on the outskirts is highly recommended. Try Klein-Venedig (Little Venice) on the Havel River, and the neighboring Wannsee, around 45 minutes from Mitte using public transportation, where you can relax on the “beach” next to the beautiful Art Deco swimming complex, explore secluded areas amid dense forests, take boat rides, and discover places to eat and drink.

  • Best Neighborhoods in Berlin for a Local Atmosphere: Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg
    The optimal way to comprehend the lifestyle in Berlin is to allot time to truly experience it. One could take a dip in the floating swimming area or drink a craft beer by the Landwehr Canal in Kreuzberg at sundown. In Friedrichshain, traverse the entire Karl Marx Allee to observe how the former Communist grand promenade has adapted to capitalist life, or take a chance on gaining entry to Berghain (even rejection by the strict doormen will be a classic Berlin encounter). Appreciate the multitude of different languages spoken by the children playing in the Kollwitzplatz, or spend Sunday at the flea/karaoke market in Prenzlauer Berg. Or, simply obtain a beverage and sit outside a “späti” (small shops that stay open late into the night with tables outside) in any neighborhood. There are as numerous local vibes in Berlin as there are Berliners, so emulate them and craft your own fun).a crowd of people standing around a building
  • Best Area in Berlin for Walking: Tiergarten

    • Traversing the Tiergarten solely along the central route without stopping takes a good 40 minutes to cross from east to west.

  • Safest Area in Berlin
    Berlin is generally quite safe for visitors. The primary risk, as in most European cities, stems from thieves (particularly in Alexanderplatz, Kurfürstendamm or on the subway) or muggers, but the likelihood of either occurring is low if you aren’t flashy with your belongings and keep aware of your surroundings.”

The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Berlin for Tourists

1. Mitte West: Unter den Linden (Dorotheenstadt & Friedrichstadt)

a large building with a clock on the front of it

The western portion of Mitte Berlin comprises the historic Dorotheenstadt and Friedrichstadt neighborhoods, south of the River Spree and anchored by the broad Unter den Linden boulevard – though much of the area was destroyed in World War II. Both neighborhoods were developed in the 18th century as an extension of the old town and incorporated into East Berlin during the Cold War. Today, as well as being a major shopping destination, it’s the home of many government ministries and offices. Standing proudly at the top of Unter den Linden and at the start of the Tiergarten is the Brandenburg Gate, the iconic neoclassical monument built under the king of Prussia in the 1790s as part of the plan to make Berlin the “Athens on the Spree”. Topped with its charioteer sculpture, the gate was originally conceived as a peace monument, but its meaning was usurped twice in the 20th century: first by the Nazis as a symbol of their power, and later as a symbol of freedom when the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989.

One block to the north lies the 19th century Reichstag Building, the seat of Germany`s Parliament. Since Norman Foster added the inspiring rotunda in 1999, allowing public observation of proceedings below, it has become one of the world`s most visited legislative structures. Entry is gratis but advance reservations are advisable to avoid long queues. Two blocks south stands the thought-provoking Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe by Peter Eisenman, comprising 2711 stone slabs and a sobering underground museum. Nearby, an information board at a regular residential locale on Gertrud-Kolmar-Strasse indicates the place of the ” Führerbunker“, where Hitler took his own life in 1945 (later demolished by Soviet forces)

Traveling east would take you to the Gendarmenmarkt, the historic heart of Friedrichstadt and one of Germany’s most beautifully designed public spaces featuring a symmetrical arrangement of neoclassical structures: the Berlin Concert Hall ( Konzerthaus), and the 18th-century French and German Cathedrals (the Deutscher Dom and Französischer Dom). Nearby, returning to Unter den Linden, Bebelplatz is anchored by the Remembrance of the 1933 Nazi Book Burnings, and is surrounded by rebuilt St. Hedwig’s Cathedral,Berlin State Opera, and the buildings of historic Humboldt University. The simple but meaningful Neue Wache (anchored by Käthe Kollwitz’s sculpture Pietá) remembers all victims of war, while the old arsenal next door houses the enlightening German Historical Museum (with extensions by Chinese American architect I.M. Pei).

This area features a scattering of generally high-quality hotels, some very exclusive, but there are also several reasonably priced boutique properties, listed below.

2. Mitte Central: Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

a bridge over a river next to a tall building

Few cities match Berlin`s appeal for museum enthusiasts due to the high concentration of outstanding cultural institutions concentrated on Central Mitte`s Museumsinsel (Museum Island). This locale originated as the medieval village of Cölln in the 12th century, which later merged with Altberlin on the western Spree riverbank to form Berlin in 1710. Throughout the 19th century, Museum Island`s northern portion was transformed with the development of some of the world`s finest museums including the Alte Nationalgalerie showcasing 19th-century art, the Altes Museum presenting Greek, Etruscan, and Roman collections, the domed Bode-Museum housing sculptures, coins, medals, and Byzantine artifacts, the Neues Museum featuring Ancient Egyptian and prehistoric exhibits like Queen Nefertiti`s iconic bust, and the stunning Pergamonmuseum displaying Islamic and Roman architectural treasures incorporated the Pergamon Altar, Market Gate of Miletus, and awe-inspiring Ishtar Gate of Babylon. There are far too numerous other items to mention but needless to mention you ought to plan your time or go with a guided tour, especially for the Pergamon Museum, while purchasing tickets ahead of time.

Additionally present on the island are the Berliner Dom cathedral and the Humboldt Forum (opened in 2021), which is a reconstruction of the old Berlin Palace, demolished after World War II (it incorporates the collections of the old Ethnological Museum of Berlin and the Museum of Asian Art). Nearby off the island is the unconventional and engaging DDR Museum about everyday living in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

The only two places to stay on the island itself, tucked away on the modern southern end (called Fischerinsel/Fisher Island), are reasonably good options; remain there for peaceful nights and simple access to the museums. Note that hotels located west of the Spree ( ARCOTEL John F Berlin) and to the east ( Radisson) are just as near.

  • Best Hotels in Museuminsel
    Capri By Fraser also invites consideration from travelers scoping accommodations in Berlin. Hotel phone: +49 30 2007701800
    Novotel Berlin Mitte hospitality is contactable at +49 30 206740

3. Mitte East: Alexanderplatz (Alt-Berlin) and the Nikolaiviertel

The original medieval heart of Berlin included Alt-Berlin (along with Cölln), though little now remains from that period. Today it comprises two distinct parts: the reconstructed medieval streets of Nikolaiviertel along the Spree river, and the old center of East Berlin, named Alexanderplatz. Honoring the victorious Prussian ally Russian Tsar Alexander I who helped in 1805, this square was a significant cultural hub in Berlin during the 1920s and 1930s (the novelist Alfred Döblin named his book,Berlin Alexanderplatz, after it), but was entirely destroyed in World War II. Rebuilt in a stark Communist style by East Germany, the “Alex” is now the busiest place in Berlin and a great landmark that can help provide orientation in the city. Be sure not to miss the retrofuturistic World Clock (Weltzeituhr), which was praised for its mechanical brilliance when installed in 1969. Another unmissable example of the Cold War ideology that loomed over the city is the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), designed with a tremendous height of 1,207ft (368m) to showcase the might of Communism to the West. Today, you can ascend for views and dining any time until midnight (10pm in winter).

Several other sights near include the striking red-brick building known as the Rotes Rathaus used as the City Hall of Berlin, the ornate Neptune Fountain, and the historic Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church), home to the medieval frescoes. Nearer Museumsinsel is the family-friendly aquarium SEA LIFE Berlin and the Marx-Engels-Forum, with its monument of socialist heroes Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Situated to the south of the Forum, the Nikolaiviertel settlement along the river was painstakingly reconstructed in a combination of traditional and modern architectural styles during the period of East Germany. While lacking some authenticity found in other historic German town centers, it does house some quality traditional eateries and a sprinkling of engaging cultural attractions, such as the deconsecrated Nikolaikirche now functioning as a museum, the Ephraim-Palais specializing in art exhibits, the Knoblauchhaus, and the Zille Museum dedicated to works of local artists like Heinrich Zille.

While this area has some reasonably priced hotels, you will find more selection in the nearby neighborhoods of Friedrichschain, Prenzlauer Berg, and Hackescher Markt.

4. Mitte North: Spandauer Vorstadt (Hackescher Markt)

people walking down a city street

Spandauer Vorstadt was another 18th-century suburb that now makes up the center of modern Berlin-Mitte, filled with shops, bars, and eateries – primarily around Hackescher Markt (a square and transportation hub) and Oranienburger Strasse. In this area you’ll find Berlin’s famous inner courtyards, or “höfe”, notably the Hackesche Höfe, a maze of Art Nouveau and plant-covered yards full of independent stores and cafés. Nearby, Haus Schwarzenberg has a grittier vibe, adorned with murals and graffiti and home to a couple of enlightening museums. The Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt preserves the memory of Weidt and his factory workers who tried to defy the Nazis, and the Anne Frank Center, which details the life of the iconic Amsterdam diarist.

The neighboring Scheunenviertel area was once a major Jewish quarter, best evidenced today by the magnificent Neue Synagoge and its glittering dome, a partly rebuilt 19th-century synagogue and museum, and the old Jewish cemetery on Grosse Hamburger Strasse.

Nearby are a couple very good art galleries that should be seen: the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, and Sammlung Hoffmann, while further west is the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin’s immense natural history museum (which holds the biggest mounted dinosaur globally), and the Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin’s roomy contemporary art museum housed in an old train station.

Lodgings are scattered all throughout this neighborhood, providing relatively high standards across all price points, like some of Berlin`s best hostels.

5. Mitte South: Potsdamer Platz & the Kulturforum

a large group of people standing in front of a large building

The extensively renovated Potsdamer Platz, which was left deserted for decades after World War II, now boasts numerous attractions, such as a Walk of Stars leading to the Sony Center (home to Legoland and a multiplex cinema), the fastest lift in Europe ascending to the Panoramapunkt observation deck, and the Deutsche Kinemathek, a museum focused on German film and television.

The nearby Kulturforum museum was designed in the 1960s as West Berlin’s counterpart to Museum Island (which had been isolated in East Berlin), its large plaza featuring the shimmering Philharmonie concert hall, the Gemäldegalerie (13th to 18th-century European paintings), the Neue Nationalgalerie (20th-century art), and Museum of Decorative Arts. The nearby Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand (German Resistance Memorial Center) is a poignant museum dedicated to the few Germans that tried to defy the Nazis (the courtyard was where Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators of the 1944 plot to overthrow Hitler were executed).

A few blocks southwest of Potsdamer Platz are other notable landmarks: the Topography of Terror, an archive and exhibition center recounting the rise of Nazism on the former site of the Gestapo headquarters; and Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse, the memorable post-war border crossing between the Soviet and American sectors of the city (despite becoming somewhat of a tourist spectacle).

There are a few high-class hotels near Potsdamer Platz – rates are usually expensive in this locale.

6. Prenzlauer Berg

bikes parked next to each other on a street

Another 19th-century suburban area, Prenzlauer Berg was incorporated into East Berlin after World War II, and rapidly became its counterculture center. Today it retains an artistic side but has largely been gentrified, housing some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Many of its elegant old buildings and cobblestone streets actually survived the war, which adds to its charm. It’s a wonderful place to explore and immerse oneself in the ambiance; especially on weekends, when families come out to enjoy the stalls and cafés around Helmholtzplatz and Kollwitzplatz, and the Mauerpark flea market.

Sights contain the Kulturbrauerei (with a museum showing daily life in East Germany), Zeiss Planetarium, the historic Jewish cemetery on Schönhauser Allee (where painter Max Liebermann is buried), the historic Wasserturm (water tower), and the Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer). Spanning a few blocks of Bernauer Strasse between the Nordbahnhof and Mauerpark, the latter is best described as an outdoor learning area telling the account of the installation and advancement of the wall, including what everyday life was like for the guards, as well as the dreadful effects citizens confronted if they tried to cross over. There are many things to notice along the route – do not miss the Documentation Center at the corner of Ackerstrasse, where there’s a viewing platform that looks down on a complete-scale recreation of the wall at its most severe stage.

Further north in Pankow, cultural sites that can be visited include the notable Jewish Weissensee Cemetery, the baroque Prussian Schönhausen Palace, and the enormous Soviet War Memorial, a solemn reminder of how many Soviet soldiers lost their lives liberating Nazi Berlin.

Prenzlauer is home to Berlin’s best budget hostels, but there is otherwise not a vast range of options up here – accommodation primarily comprises apartment rentals.

7. Tiergarten

a clock tower in the middle of a street

For those who have visited the Brandenburg Gate, you may have noticed the expansive, leafy Tiergarten park stretching out west through its arches. From there, the dramatic Siegessäule Victory Column appears reasonably close, however it takes around 30 minutes on foot to reach: the Tiergarten covers a sizable area. Even sticking strictly to the main central path without any stops, it requires at minimum 40 minutes to traverse from east to west end to end, so allotting 2-3 hours is advisable to fully explore this magnificent park.

One of the best features of the park is its monuments, such as the Siegessäule with its golden figure situated high above the tree line. Climbing its 285 steps allows visitors to admire panoramic city views from all angles. There is also the imposing Soviet War Memorial commemorating the soldiers from the USSR who lost their lives in the Battle of Berlin (a smaller version of the one in Pankow), as well as various memorials honoring minority groups persecuted by the Nazis, like those commemorating the Sinti and Roma people and LGBT victims.

The hometown of famed writer Ernest Hemingway and architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the village of Oak Park just outside of Chicago offers all the appeal of the city in a smaller, more charming package. Known as an artistic community, this small town offers excellent theater, live music, dining, vintage architecture, historic sites, and nightlife in a compact area full of romantic inns and bed and breakfasts. For a location nearer to downtown Chicago, couples may consider exploring Gold Coast, Chicago`s luxury neighborhood along Lake Michigan. Here picturesque streets, upscale boutiques, and high-end restaurants abound, along with some trendy hotels. Aside from Oak Street Beach and luxury shopping, there are not many specific attractions, though restaurants like the steakhouse Maple & Ash and stylish 3 Arts Club Café have become destinations unto themselves.

There are no hotels located directly inside the park, but some good options nearby include those just south and north of it. You can also stay in Charlottenburg or near the Brandenburg Gate, which is discussed above under Unter den Linden, or near Potsdamer Platz for convenient access to the park.

8. Friedrichshain

a painting of a man sitting on the side of a wall

Friedrichshain lies on the north side of the Spree, east of the old center, an independent district until it was united with Kreuzberg in 2001. This once working-class quarter has become one of Berlin’s most fashionable neighborhoods, especially known for its nightlife around Boxhagener Platz, and techno clubs like Berghain.

Its largest daytime attraction is the East Side Gallery – original segments of the Berlin Wall painted with colorful and thought-stimulating murals. Street art aficionados should also swing by RAW-Gelände, a sprawling complex of micro-enterprises (an outdoor cinema, a climbing wall, several food stalls) built in an old railway maintenance yard behind Warschauer Strasse Station. While here, be sure to grab a famous doner kebab at Mustafa Demir`s Gemüse Kebap. To gain more insight into the mentality of the Cold War era, stroll down Karl Marx Allee, which runs all the way back to Alexanderplatz, and marvel at the scale of the Soviet ambition for East Berlin through the Stalinist architecture there. Stop at Café Sibylle for a drink amid East German memorabilia.

Hotels here tend to congregate alongside the waterway or in the heart of the region on or near Budesstrasse. Charges can be surprisingly steep, regardless of the creative temperament, however there are great hostels, including one on a vessel.

a statue of a man standing next to a building

More Berlin Neighborhoods

We have discussed our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but these other districts are also worth checking out with more time:

FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

You may also like

12 Amazing Things to Do on San Juan...

The Best Things to Do on Vashon Island:...

The Best Things to Do on Orcas Island:...

Exactly What to Do in Leavenworth, WA: A...

What to Do in Cinque Terre: Complete Guide...

How to Spend One Day in Córdoba (Day...

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

about me

ComfyUI_00005_

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!

social

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube Email

Search