Where to Stay in Berlin: A Local’s Guide to Berlin Hotels & Neighborhoods
Berlin isn’t like other European capitals with a distinct central square and neighborhood. Mitte is the closest you’ll get to a city center, but even it is large and spread out. It’s important to know where to stay in Berlin so you’re close to what you want to do.
Location is super important when planning your trip to Berlin, since you don’t want to spend tons of time back and forth on transport to see attractions you came here for. I’ve been living in Berlin since 2015, and my neighborhood guide for Berlin hotels will help you pick the best place to stay in Berlin.
Tips for choosing hotels in Berlin
Different neighborhoods will suit different people and different types of trips. Some areas are better for where to stay in Berlin for first time visitors. These tips will help you pick the best hotels in Berlin.
Where to stay in Berlin: 25Hours Hotel is a good choiceAre you traveling as a family with kids? Are you a party person interested in the nightlife?
Charlottenburg and Mitte are more suited for families, while Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are better for clubbing and nightlife.
And no matter what the purpose of your trip is, you’ll want to stay close to Berlin’s public transport. It’s a big city, and the Ubahns and Sbahns are easy to use and will save you time.
Try to pick a hotel that’s no more than 5-10 minutes from a tram stop, bus stop, Ubahn station, or Sbahn station, and it’s best to stay inside the Ring.
Are you traveling to Berlin in the summer?
Make sure you look to see if the hotel you’re interested in has air conditioning. Lots of places in the city don’t have air conditioning, and it can get quite hot during the summer.
In some parts of the world, you might assume all hotels have air conditioning, but that’s not the case in Berlin (or anywhere else in Germany) so be sure to check before you book.
Not sure when you’re traveling yet? Check out When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?
If you’re not into big breakfasts, consider skipping the hotel breakfast if it costs extra.
Germany has so many bakeries, and you’re bound to find one in Berlin not far from your hotel (check the map before you book your hotel to verify) and you can grab a pastry in the morning.
Choosing a hotel in Berlin is an important part of your travel planningWhere to Stay in Berlin: A Guide to Berlin neighborhoods
Berlin is so big that each district is like its own mini city, each with its own personality. It’s important to know a little about each neighborhood so you can choose the best accommodations for your trip.
Berlin Mitte hotels and neighborhood guide
Mitte means middle or center in Germany, and the Mitte district is just that, the center of Berlin. This is where you’ll find the majority of the famous attractions in Berlin, like the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, the Berlin Cathedral, and Museum Island.
Mitte is a great area in Berlin for sightseeing and is a good choice for first time visitorsIf you plan on doing lots of sightseeing, if you’re visiting Berlin with kids, and especially if this is your first trip to Berlin, this is a great choice for which neighborhood to stay in Berlin.
Food can be a bit more expensive here compared to other parts of the city, but it’s still very affordable compared to lots of other cities in western Europe. And there are lots of good restaurants in Mitte.
The hotels might also run a little more expensive than other areas in Berlin, but a few extra euros might be worth the time saved by being so close to the sights you came to see.
Where to stay in Berlin: Mitte
Berlin Charlottenburg hotels and neighborhood guide
Another family friendly neighborhood is Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in west Berlin. It’s often simply referred to as Charlottenburg.
This was the center of West Berlin when the city was divided during the Cold War. Today it’s the more posh area of the city, and it’s where you can do lots of high end shopping.
You can’t beat the view of the Zoo and Tiergarten from the 25 Hours Hotel in CharlottenburgKurfürstendamm, a street loaded with shops, is located here, and the famous KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) department store is nearby, too. This neighborhood is also where you’ll find the Charlottenburg Palace, the Berlin Zoo, the aquarium, and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Charlottenburg is a little farther from the big attractions in Mitte, so you will have to spend a little more time on transport to do some of your sightseeing. This is also not the best neighborhood if nightlife is your aim.
My favorite option in this neighborhood is the 25Hours Hotel because its “jungle” rooms look out over the Berlin Zoo and Tiergarten Park. Those views really are fantastic (see photo above), and their rooftop bar, Monkey Bar, makes some really creative cocktails.
Where to stay in Berlin: Charlottenburg
Berlin Prenzlauer Berg hotels and neighborhood guide
Prenzlauer Berg is considered family friendly, but it’s also very trendy and popular with people who don’t have kids. It’s northeast of Mitte, and you’ll find lots of delicious international restaurants here. This is a very charming district.
Mauerpark is in Prenzlauer Berg, and it’s a lovely neighborhoodAs far as attractions go, this is also the neighborhood where you’ll find the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial, Mauer Park, Kultur Brauerei, lots of cute parks and shops, and some of the best cherry blossoms in Berlin if you’re here at the right time of year.
Prenzlauer Berg is a great option for those of you who don’t want to stay right in the middle of Berlin but also not really interested in clubbing.
You won’t be too far from most of the attractions here. The U2 takes you just a few stops into Alexanderplatz where you can start your serious sightseeing or connect to another line.
So if you want easy access to the famous bucket list attractions in Berlin, but you also enjoy simply soaking up the atmosphere of a city, this could be a good choice. Berlin budget travelers as well as visitors looking for something more upscale will find good options in Prenzauer Berg.
Where to stay in Berlin: Prenzlauer Berg
Berlin Kreuzberg hotels and neighborhood guide
Kreuzberg is a big district with many differences even within its boundaries. The eastern end of the neighborhood is more gritty and more punk, while the western end is a bit more polished and quieter.
Both are interesting areas to stay in Berlin, but perhaps suited to different types of people.
Viktoriapark is in the western part of Berlin’s Kreuzberg districtIf you’re visiting Berlin for clubs or a more alternative scene, the eastern side of Kreuzberg towards the Spree River is a good choice. For those of you looking for a laid back vibe and want to stay a little ways from the center but still well connected, the western side could be a good option.
The Jewish Museum, the Deutsches Technikmuseum, and several other museums are located in Kreuzberg. Markthalle Neun is a great indoor market, and Viktoriapark is a pretty park with the highest natural point in the city and one of Berlin’s favorite beer gardens.
Several Ubahn lines run through different sections of Kreuzberg which means you can easily reach other parts of the city.
Some hotels listed in Kreuzberg are in the northwestern corner of the district, close to Potsdamer Platz and almost in Mitte. This might be good for you if you’re interested in exploring Mitte but don’t want to stay right among the museums.
But if you’re interested in Kreuzberg for nightlife, this corner of the district won’t be a good fit. Look farther away from Potsdamer Platz.
Where to stay in Berlin: Kreuzberg
Berlin Friedrichshain hotels and neighborhood guide
Friedrichshain is the district where I live and spend the most time, and I love it here. This neighborhood has a distinct punk, artistic, alternative flare to it, though no one ever seems bothered by people like me who don’t fit that description.
You’ll find a good mix here, and anything goes, though honestly you could say that about most of the city.
The East Side Gallery is in Friedrichshain, a great area for clubbing and artsy vibesThis is a great Berlin neighborhood for people who want to enjoy clubbing and nightlife, but there’s also a lot of good restaurants in Friedrichshain. It’s also where the East Side Gallery is, the most famous remnant of the Berlin Wall.
The area near the East Side Gallery and Ostbahnhof train station has been heavily developed in recent years to include a big shopping mall, fancy hotels and apartment buildings, and lots of other things that are very much NOT punk.
Wander through Boxhagener Platz and the streets in that area for cocktails and international food. Boxhagener Platz holds a fantastic fresh market on Saturdays and a flea market on Sundays. You’ll also come across lots of street art in this area.
Even though there aren’t a ton of attractions in this area besides the East Side Gallery, it’s well connected to other parts of the city. The U5 and a few Sbahn lines get you to Alexanderplatz, the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and all the sights in between.
Hotel Indigo in Friedrichshain has an excellent rooftop bar with fantastic viewsSome of the hotels listed in the midrange section can occasionally be more expensive, while there are times when the upscale ones are rather affordable. It all comes down to timing, so it’s worth checking several options.
Even if you’re not into clubbing, Friedrichshain can still be a good place to stay in Berlin. The area near Uber Arena is very new and polished and suitable for people who aren’t interested in clubs. And the Boxhagener Platz area has some good restaurants and a nice weekend market.
Where to stay in Berlin: Friedrichshain
Berlin Airport Hotels
The new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) is located southeast of the city just over the border into Brandenburg. It’s in zone C, so if you’re using public transport, you’ll need an ABC ticket to get from the center of the city to the airport and many – but not all – of the airport hotels.
Hello BER AirportSince it’s not so close to the center, you might want to consider booking a hotel near the airport for your last night in Berlin if you have an early morning flight. Being close to the airport could mean a little less stress and a little more sleep.
And don’t forget to read my article about getting from Berlin Airport to the city center.
Where to stay near the Berlin Airport
The FEX train gets you from the Berlin airport to city center quicklyHotels near Berlin train station (Hauptbahnhof)
The area near Berlin Hbf isn’t the most exciting neighborhood, but if you have an early train, it might be worth spending the night before at a nearby hotel. Here are a few we recommend:
I hope this helps you choose the best place to stay for your trip to Berlin!
Book a tour for your trip to Berlin
- Private Tours of Berlin with Matti: As a lifetime Berlin resident and local Rick Steves guide, Matti really knows Berlin. Tell him you heard about his tours from Berlin Travel Tips!
- Third Reich Berlin Walking Tour – Hitler and WWII: Learn about Berlin’s WWII history with an expert guide.
- Berlin TV Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket: Offering some of Berlin’s best views.
- Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour: See Berlin’s highlights with a knowledgeable tour guide.
Or check out my full list of fantastic tours in Berlin, including food tours, history tours, boat tours, and more.
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully these suggestions for where to stay in Berlin help. But there are lots more tips on the site!
- 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
- 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
- 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
- 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
- 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
- What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
- How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation
- 75 Free Things to do in Berlin
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Ali Garland is a long term resident of Berlin, and she shares her Berlin expertise and insider advice on Berlin Travel Tips. She’s been living in Germany since 2011, and in 2015, she and her husband moved to Berlin where they now live with their small dog. They even bought an apartment in Berlin in 2021 – Berlin is definitely home now! Ali’s goal is to show you everything you need to know for enjoying a trip to Berlin. Read more 
November 13, 2023 @ 1:54 am
So interesting that in all the recent discussions on Berlin…Lichterfelde is never mentioned. I was born near there…spend the first 6 months of my life there with my grandfather and new parents before moving to America. I returned when I was 12. It was a lovely area and I cherish the many memories of living in that neightborhood and all of the various landings at nearby Tempelhof airport.
Is it just because this area is still an upper middle class residential neightboorhood? Shame not to share this treasure with the rest of the world.
November 13, 2023 @ 4:18 pm
Hi Christiane, nothing to do with “class” or anything like that. Lichterfelde is quite far from the center of Berlin and not ideal for most tourists. It’s also not near Tempelhof, even the north end of that district is still about 7km from the southern edge of Tempelhof park/airport, so I’m not sure what you mean by that. I’m sure it’s a lovely district to live in, but I don’t recommend tourists stay that far from the center for various reasons. It’s very residential, so there aren’t a lot of options for eating out, which most tourists need since they’re staying in hotels. And most people would prefer not to spend 30 minutes one way on transport to get to the attractions, so it’s more realistic to stay in the center of Berlin.
February 27, 2024 @ 12:13 pm
Dear Ali,
Your recommendations are indeed appreciated, especially as I will be visiting Germany from South Africa as a solo (mature) traveller – for 14 days.
Please share your thoughts about booking a hotel in Schoenberg.
In addition to wanting to see all the “bucket lists” offerings in Berlin, I am a keen culture vulture, walker, runner, hiker, reader, nature lover and spiritualist. I have a deep interest in history and the arts, particularly period architecture. I’d also like to experience a local full-day river cruise, wine tasting and some off-the-beaten-track adventures.
I look forward to any advice that you may have for me. Please feel free to make suggestions that will help me better prepare for a memorable stay in Germany. I’m also looking at making day trips, for example, to Dresden. Please tell me if it is safe to travel by train across Germany’s cities.
February 27, 2024 @ 4:02 pm
Hi Deon! Schöneberg is a nice neighborhood, just not a lot of sightseeing for most people. If you decide to stay somewhere in this district, I’d recommend the northern part of it because it is closer to the attractions, but for a two week stay like you’re doing, it’s probably not quite as important since you can take your time. But since some of this district goes out into zone B, I think that is probably a bit too far from the center for most people. If you look at the outline of the district on the map here https://maps.app.goo.gl/1F9AbFa2kuTVbfR67 you can see a really big highway interchange (100 and 103) so I wouldn’t recommend staying south of that simply because you’ll be too far from the center.
Traveling by train is safe in Germany. Use common sense and make sure you know where your luggage is, but it is safe. I don’t have a German drivers license, so I travel around the country by train a lot and I’ve never had any problems.
Check out my list of day trips from Berlin, as well as info for doing a day trip from Berlin to Dresden.
There are sooooo many things to do in Berlin that fit with what you’re interested in. Check out my start here page for an idea of what your options are. I don’t know of any full day river cruises, but this one is 2.5 hours on the Spree River, and this one is 3.5 hours and goes out to Muggelsee, the biggest lake in Berlin. For more nature, check out some parks in Berlin and suggestions for outdoor activities. And here are some hidden gems and quirky things to do in Berlin.
I hope this helps get you started, there’s tons of info on the site to help you plan what to do in Berlin!