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.
Are 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 planningGuide to Berlin districts
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 neighborhood guide
Mitte is a great area in Berlin for sightseeing and is a good choice for first time visitorsMitte 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, the Berlin Cathedral, and Museum Island.
If 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.
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.
The Circus Hostel is a great budget option with its own bar and brewery, plus a quirky David Hasselhoff Museum. Its sister property, the Circus Hotel, is right around the corner.
Both are in a cute area with lots of restaurant options, and despite being just a few stops from Alexanderplatz, it doesn’t feel too touristy here.
For a splurge, the Hotel de Rome is an excellent choice, and it’s right near many major attractions like the Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island.
Where to stay in Berlin: Mitte
Berlin Charlottenburg neighborhood guide
You can’t beat the view of the Zoo and Tiergarten from the 25 Hours Hotel in CharlottenburgAnother 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.
Kurfürstendamm, 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.
There aren’t a lot of decent budget options like hostels in Charlottenburg, so if you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend staying in a different part of town.
For a mid range option close to the swanky shopping area, the Ibis Kurfürstendamm is an excellent location.
But my favorite hotel in this area is the 25Hours Hotel. It’s located on the edge of the Berlin Zoo, and many of its rooms over look the zoo. The hotel bar, called Monkey Bar, is excellent for its view of the zoo and has wonderful cocktails.
I have it listed as upscale, but occasionally the prices are a little more mid range, so be sure to check. Book a “jungle” room for a view like the one pictured above. You can read my full review of the 25Hours Hotel in Berlin for more details.
Where to stay in Berlin: Charlottenburg
Berlin Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood guide
Mauerpark is in Prenzlauer Berg, and it’s a lovely neighborhood
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.
As 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.
For Berlin budget travelers, the Pfefferbett Hostel is close to transport and lots of restaurants and bars in Prenzlauer Berg.
The Vienna House Easy Berlin is located near the ring at the edge of Prenzlauer Berg.
For a bit of a splurge, Vienna House Andel’s Berlin is an excellent choice near the Landsberger Allee Sbahn station and has a bar with fantastic views of Berlin from above.
Hotel Oderberger is a little more centrally located within Prenzlauer Berg, oozes historic charm, and has a gorgeous indoor pool with an impressive high ceiling.
Where to stay in Berlin: Prenzlauer Berg
Berlin Kreuzberg neighborhood guide
Viktoriapark is in the western part of Berlin’s Kreuzberg districtKreuzberg 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.
If 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, 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.
Grand Hostel Berlin is a good budget choice located in the hip area of Kreuzburg with easy access to transport. Hotel Johann is just minutes away from the trendy Bergmann Kiez area.
And if you’re looking for a more upscale choice, Orania.Berlin is a historic hotel with a piano bar, and it’s in a great part of Kreuzberg.
Where to stay in Berlin: Kreuzberg
Berlin Friedrichshain neighborhood guide
The East Side Gallery is in Friedrichshain, a great area for clubbing and artsy vibesFriedrichshain 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.
This is a great Berlin neighborhood for people who want to enjoy clubbing and nightlife. 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.
Some 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.
If you’re looking for someplace a little unusual, try the Eastern & Western Comfort Hostelboat. It’s a hostel in a boat that’s moored in the Spree River just steps from the East Side Gallery.
Another option not far from East Side Gallery is nhow Berlin which sits right on the Spree River. It’s a quirky hotel, and they even have an option to borrow guitars.
The niu Hide is one of Friedrichshain’s newer hotels, located above the Ring Center shopping mall with easy access to the Ubahn, Sbahn, and several trams. It’s technically in Lichtenberg, but it’s so close to the Friedrichshain line, you can almost touch it.
There are tons of restaurants in this area, and it’s not far from Boxhagener Platz.
Where to stay in Berlin: Friedrichshain
The section of Friedrichshain near Boxhagener Platz has lots of bars and restaurants
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.
Since 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 out 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
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 is originally from the US, but she’s been living in Germany since 2011. 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.