Best Areas of Berlin to Stay 2024
Berlin, Germany’s capital, fascinates all visitors with its lively entertainment life, city parks, museums, lively streets, and historical structure.
The city, which dates back to the 13th century, was severely damaged during WWII. In the postwar period, West and East Berlin were divided into two parts, one under Allied control and the other under Russian control. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the city’s name resurfaced, along with its deep-rooted history and culture.
If you are unsure about which area and hotel to stay in, you will be much more knowledgeable and confident after reading this article.
I will give hotel recommendations for every budget, but for those who want quick advice, I can recommend the 3-star Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Center. Other than that, I can recommend;
- Close to the transportation network, clean and affordable 3 ★ Motel One Hauptbahnhof,
- Modern facility close to Alexanderplatz Square 4 ★ H4 Hotel Berlin,
- 5-star luxury and quality hotel next to the metro station 5 ★ Eurostars Berlin.
Best Area to Stay in Berlin
There are 6 districts that I recommend you to stay in Berlin.
- Mitte district, which is accepted as the historical, cultural and commercial center of the city,
- Kreuzberg, where the dense Turkish population lives at its borders,
- Friedrichshain, located on the boundaries of the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery,
- Neukölln, especially preferred by backpackers,
- Prenzlauer Berg, one of the oldest rooted parts of East Berlin,
- Schöneberg, which attracts attention with its shopping options.
Let’s look at the regions and hotels in detail.
Mitte and Alexanderplatz Square
Mitte, a popular tourist destination, primarily attracts backpackers and business travelers. There are numerous museums, historical structures, transportation options, and high-quality hotels and restaurants. Mitte represents Berlin’s historical texture and is regarded as the city’s heart, covering a large area.
If you prefer Mitte for your accommodation, particularly around Alexanderplatz square, you will find it easy to get to the train station, from which you can reach the airport and other parts of the city.
This is where you’ll find the trains that take you directly to the airport. Around the square, there are also stops that connect to the bus and metro networks.
Many of Berlin’s must-see attractions are within walking distance of Alexanderplatz Square. This area contains Museum Island, the Berlin TV Tower, the Reichtag, and the city’s Brandenburg Gate. You can also walk to these places if you stay near the square. Around the square, there are numerous shopping malls, markets, and restaurants.
Mitte’s drawback is that it is overly touristic and expensive. Furthermore, Mitte hotels are known for their rising prices during the city’s open fairs.
As a result, Mitte, particularly Alexanderplatz Square, is one of the most important areas to recommend to visitors looking for places to stay in Berlin.
Popular hotels in Mitte that I recommend:
3 ★ Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Center
Booking.com score 8.8.
5-10 minute walk from Alexanderplatz, which is considered the center of the city.
3 ★ Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt
Booking.com score 9.0.
A quality and affordable hotel just a few minutes walk from Alexanderplatz Square.
4 ★ Park Inn by Radisson Berlin
Booking.com score 8.0.
Located in one of the best-rated locations in Berlin, the 4-star hotel is one of the most popular hotels in the city.
4 ★ NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse
Booking.com score 9.0.
If you prefer your hotel preference not from Alexanderplatz Square but from a different point, you can take a look at this 4-star hotel on Berlin’s world-famous Friedrichstrasse Street.
5 ★ Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Booking.com score 9.3.
It is the best option for those who want to experience luxury in the city center of Berlin.
Kreuzberg
If you would like to be close to the city center while also being in the center of the action, Kreuzberg is the place to be. In the district, also known as “Xberg,” you can find affordable street flavors.
Kreuzberg is divided into two neighborhoods, So36 and So61, and represents the cultural side of West Berlin. So36 is primarily home to Turkish immigrants. If you get hungry while staying in Kreuzberg, you can go to one of the famous restaurants that serve doner kebabs.
You can go to the places on Bergmannstrasse that have everything you need in terms of shopping. Markethalle Neun on Eisenbahnstrasse is the most important place in the district for sampling street food from various cultures.
There are many places to visit in Kreuzberg, where street art culture is developing, as well as gastronomy. Checkpoint Charlie is the most popular tourist attraction in the area. If you prefer to spend your time in a more tranquil setting, you can take a walk along the Spree or Landwehrkanal and have a picnic on the grass of Görlitzer Park.
Kreuzberg is also a great place to stay for those looking for a unique and cool environment. Because the vast majority of LGBT-friendly entertainment venues, the city’s best bars, and lively postmodern art centers continue to operate in this area of town. Since the 1970s, the district has also been regarded as the epicenter of Berlin’s punk culture.
One of the most serious issues that will arise if you decide to stay in Kreuzberg is security. However, you can easily overcome this situation by selecting a hotel closer to the city center rather than one in the suburbs.
Popular hotels in Kreuzberg that I recommend:
3 ★ Novotel Suites Berlin City Potsdamer Platz
Booking.com score 8.3.
A clean and beautiful 3-star hotel 100 meters from Anhalter Bahnhof Station.
4 ★ Crowne Plaza Berlin – Potsdamer Platz
Booking.com score 8.8.
It is an ideal hotel for those who want to stay in Berlin, close to the important sightseeing spots in the city.
4 ★ NH Berlin Potsdamer Platz
Booking.com score 8.3.
A nice hotel located just 1 km from Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie.
Family Friendly: Friedrichshain
If you want to visit parks, try new foods, and party at nightclubs, you can stay in Friedrichshain hotels.
It is ideal for visitors who want to see Berlin’s alternative side and learn about its multicultural structure. Furthermore, it provides the desired natural beauty, and its safe environment makes this region ideal for families with children.
Friedrichshain is also popular among young travelers. Because room prices in the surrounding area are much lower than in Mitte.
From the settlement, which houses the city’s best nightclubs, you can reach the center in minutes by metro or bus. You can even use the facilities on the city’s west side by walking along the river and crossing the bridges.
In the residential area, you can have a good time at Boxhagener Platz, Revaler and Warschauer streets. On certain days of the week, markets selling farm products and secondhand goods are set up in the square surrounded by cafes and bars. In the streets, you will find a variety of entertainment options.
Popular hotels in Friedrichshain that I recommend:
3 ★ IntercityHotel Berlin Ostbahnhof
Booking.com score 8.6.
A modern 3-star hotel next to the Ostbahnhof Train Station.
4 ★ Holiday Inn Berlin City East Side
Booking.com score 8.8.
This is a good option for those who call a quality hotel close to the Berlin Wall, which is the symbol of the city.
4 ★ nhow Berlin
Booking.com score 8.6.
The first music hotel in Europe, nhow Berlin is located on the banks of the River Spree.
Neukölln
Neukölln, which is quite popular with backpackers due to the low cost of overnight accommodation, is one of the points where the city’s bohemian spirit meets modernism.
Neukölln has a plethora of hipster cafes, bars, and art galleries. With this aspect, the region becomes an ideal center of attraction for students and art enthusiasts. If you want to spend the weekend in a budget-friendly bar or a different style venue, this is the neighborhood to stay in.
Popular hotels in Neukölln that I recommend:
4 ★ Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof
Booking.com score 8,2.
Clean and affordable hotel next to Boddinstraße Underground Station.
4 ★ Estrel Berlin
Booking.com score 8.1.
Just a 2-minute walk from Sonnenallee S-Bahn Station, the hotel is part of a large congress and entertainment center.
Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzlauer Berg, home to the Manuer Park and the Berlin Wall Memorial, is not a popular neighborhood among Germans. Travelers prefer the district for its inexpensive hotel options. The area, known as “Prenzberg” by locals, was once considered the oldest and worst part of East Berlin. However, since the construction of the wall of shame that divides the city in two, it has grown in popularity year after year. The opening of shops, trendy restaurants, and reasonably priced food and beverage establishments in Prenzlauer Berg contributed significantly to the region’s name.
Prenzlauer Berg, located to the north of Mitte, does not have many tourist attractions. It is notable for historical features such as the city’s first and largest water tower, which was built in the 13th century.
Prenzlauer Berg, one of Berlin’s most suitable accommodation areas for families, is known for its stone-covered streets, tree-lined streets, coffee shops and restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, as well as its large and magnificent green spaces.
Popular hotels in Prenzlauer Berg that I recommend:
4 ★ MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
Booking.com score 8.1.
A clean and quality facility located about a 15-minute walk from Alexanderplatz.
4 ★ Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Berlin
Booking.com score 8.6.
This is a stylish 4-star hotel, quietly located between the Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain districts.
Schöneberg
Winterfeld Markt Schöneberg is home to the popular shopping center KaDeWe, which houses luxury brands. Throughout the week, the shopping center provides uninterrupted service. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the street market is open.
When you want to examine architectural wonders closely and take lots of photos, go to Nollerdorplatz and Winterfeldpaltaz. Hanna-Renate-Laurien-Platz is home to the town hall with its magnificent clock tower, also known as Rahthaus Schöneberg in the official language.
Schöneberg is also known as Berlin’s most important LGBT neighborhood. This location was historically one of the world’s first LGBT communities.
Popular hotels in Schöneberg that I recommend:
3 ★ Motel One Berlin-Tiergarten
Booking.com score 8.8.
Located 5 minutes’ walk from the KaDeWe shopping center.
4 ★ Crowne Plaza Berlin City Center
Booking.com score 8.8.
Located a 2-minute walk from the Kurfürstendamm shopping street, this beautiful hotel may be a suitable option for those who think about where to stay in Berlin.
4 ★ RIU Plaza Berlin am Kurfürstendamm
Booking.com score 8.7.
A beautiful hotel on Kurfürstendamm Boulevard, in a modern 18-storey building.
Berlin Hotel Prices
While some Berlin hotels include a buffet breakfast in the room rate, others charge an additional fee for breakfast service.
Overnight accommodation in Mitte, the most popular tourist destination, begins at 72 Euros. Room prices in facilities with above-average service quality drop to around 50 Euros when you move 18-20 kilometers away from the center. Following the campaigns on hotel reservation sites is necessary for more appealing prices.
Final Word
Mitte, which is considered the historical heart of the city, is the region that most visitors focus on. With its central location on the public transportation network, as well as accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment facilities close to the luxury line, this region provides its guests with a high-level Berlin holiday experience.
Kreuzberg is preferred for those who plan a more fun holiday.
If you want to be close to the city’s nightlife, which caters to a variety of tastes, or if you want to take advantage of affordable housing options, you can look into the residential areas that were once part of East Berlin. You can easily find the facilities you need in Friedrichshain and Neukölln based on these factors.
If you like to travel with your family, Prenzlauer Berg is the best place to look for hotel options outside of Mitte.
Travelers who want to avoid the crowds of locals and large tourist groups make their accommodation choices for their Berlin vacations among the hotels that serve within the boundaries of Schöneberg.