5 tips for a sustainable city break in Berlin
September 22, 2023
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What are the nicest neighborhoods in Berlin? And where is the best place to stay in Berlin? These are questions that are not easy to answer. After all, Berlin is incredibly large and consists of many different neighborhoods. Each district in Berlin has its own city center and distinctive character. This makes it fun to visit different districts during your city break in Berlin. The most visited and centrally located neighborhoods are Mitte, Tiergarten and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. But there is also much to discover beyond these. We share then also our tips by neighborhood to get you started choosing a place to stay in Berlin.
Mitte
Because Berlin has no real city center, the Mitte district is considered the center. Due to the central location of the Mitte district and the large number of sights, this is a logical reasoning. After all, you will find the Brandenburg Gate, Berliner Dom, the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, the Gendarmenmarkt, Hackescher Markt and Oranienburger Straße. Also Alexanderplatz, the famous Fernsehturm (TV tower) and the fairly recently opened Humboldt Forum can be found here. Mitte is therefore rightly considered one of Berlin's nicest neighborhoods.
Many travelers therefore choose to stay in the district Mitte stay. An option we definitely recommend, especially if you are visiting Berlin for the first time. Mitte is bursting with hotels, hostels and other accommodations in different price ranges. Some tips for great hotels are:
Selina Berlin Mitte
We know the Selina hotel chain mostly from our travels through Central and South America, but there is also a hotel in Berlin's Mitte district! You'll recognize Selina by its frenzied interior and beautiful lounge. There are private rooms and dorms. They also organize activities such as yoga and city tours. For a dorm you pay on average between €30.00 and €60.00 per night and for a double room between €60.00 and €150.00 per night.
Tiergarten
The Tiergarten district is actually part of the Mitte district, but is often mentioned separately as a neighborhood. It is one of the nicest neighborhoods to stay in Berlin. Tiergarten takes its name from the park Großer Tiergarten and consists mostly of the central park. This huge park is not only home to one of Berlin's two zoos, but there are also a number of attractions and hotspots in the immediate vicinity. For example, you'll find the monument the Siegessäule and the popular beer garden Café am Neuen See, which is located on an idyllic lake. Tiergarten is very centrally located, so with public transport you can easily travel to the other neighborhoods and highlights in Berlin.
Also read: The best things to do in Berlin
We tip the 15 best things to do in Berlin, ranging from historical sights to Food Tours to attending a soccer game.
There are several fine hotels in Tiergarten. We stayed at Hotel Berlin, Berlin (****). Located in the heart of Tiergarten, this hip hotel is the ideal base for exploring Berlin.
Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Hotel Berlin, Berlin is a hotel in a trendy setting. Each hotel room tells the story of a popular Berliner. In our room, for example, this was the story of iconic drag queen Sheila Wolf. She represents (as one of many) the queer community in Berlin. At Hotel Berlin, Berlin you will also find the fun hotspot Lütze. The price for a double room costs on average between €100.00 and €150.00 per night.
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
The raw edge Berlin is known for is found in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district. If only because of the amount of street art you spot here.
Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are located in the middle of Berlin, on both sides of the Spree River. The neighborhoods are connected by Berlin's most beautiful bridge: the Oberbaumbrücke. Remarkably, Kreuzberg was in what was then West Berlin and Friedrichshain was in what was then East Berlin. The districts were merged in 2001. Meanwhile, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg may be Berlin's creative place to be.
Some places not to miss in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg are the East Side Gallery (remnants of the Berlin Wall), Checkpoint Charlie and, as we mentioned, the Oberbaumbrücke. But there are also other attractions, such as the Jewish Museum, German Museum of Technology, the Mercedes-Benz Arena and YAAM (the Youth African Art Market).
The neighborhood is also known for its nightlife. For example, in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg the famous (techno) nightclubs Berghain and Kater Blau. There are also an awful lot of joints where you can grab a bite to eat and a drink. For vegans Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg the place to be. After all, you're tripping over vegetarian and vegan hotspots here. There is also no shortage of fine accommodations. Some tips for nice hotels are:
Hotel the YARD
A 15-minute walk from Checkpoint Charlie you will find the stylish Hotel the YARD. The hotel features an indoor pool, which especially in the fall and winter makes your Berlin city break extra nice. It is also near the Bergmannstraße and the Oranienstraße, two streets bursting with good restaurants, cozy cafes, alternative bookstores and trendy clubs. The price for a double room costs on average between €120.00 and €200.00 per night.
Charlottenburg
Centrally located Charlottenburg is one of Berlin's most beautiful neighborhoods, located in the former West Berlin. The is a spacious neighborhood, with stately homes and lots of greenery. Charlottenburg is not necessarily the place in Berlin bursting with hipster joints, but it is the only district in Berlin with a castle. And what a castle it is! The magnificent 17th century Charlottenburg Castle is among the city's most popular sights.
The Kurfürstendamm is also a major attraction in Charlottenburg. Locals and tourists alike love to stroll along this bustling boulevard. Other attractions in Charlottenburg include the Deutsche Oper, the Olympic Stadium, the Messe and Funkturm and the Volkspark Wilmersdorf. In addition, it is one of the nicest neighborhoods to stay in for those who love shopping.
A fine hotel to stay in Charlottenburg is June Six Hotel Berlin City West (***).
June Six Hotel Berlin City West
This hotel is centrally located in Berlin's upscale Charlottenburg district. The beautiful rooms are modern and minimalist. Are you sleeping at June Six Hotel? Then it's only a 3-minute walk to the Kurfürstendamm. Also, the Savignyplatz S-Bahn station is 250 meters away. So you'll be in Berlin's other hip neighborhoods in no time! The price for a double room costs on average between €130.00 and €200.00 per night.
Prenzlauerberg
Prenzlauer Berg is also among Berlin's nicest neighborhoods. The district is located in former East Berlin and borders Mitte and Friedrichshain, among others. In the 1990s, when the Berlin Wall had just fallen, Prenzlauer Berg was still a run-down neighborhood. Today, however, the former working-class district is a hip neighborhood full of quaint cobblestone streets, fine restaurants and creative stores.
The highlight of Prenzlauerberg is the Kulturbrauerei: one of Berlin's very finest industrial monuments. This former brewery from the 19th century houses various cultural institutions, a dance school and restaurants. The Mauerpark and the streets Schönhauser Allee and Kastanienallee are also worth a visit. Among other things, you will find Berlin's oldest Biergarten and many stores and entertainment venues.
Some tips for nice hotels in Prenzlauerberg are:
Myer's Hotel Berlin
Myer's Hotel Berlin is a boutique hotel located in a beautiful old building. It is the ideal hotel for a luxurious and relaxing stay in Berlin. It includes a tea room, a spacious conservatory and a spa. The nearest subway station can be found a 3-minute walk from Myer's Hotel Berlin. The price for a double room costs an average of €250.00 per night.
Naomi van Hagen
Curious, creative and passionate about travel, I’m always on the lookout for unique destinations where culture, gastronomy and adventure come together. As a travel blogger, I share personal stories and insider tips from countries like Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Thailand and Peru, from hidden gems and rich traditions to unforgettable culinary experiences. My blogs are based on real travel experiences and in-depth local knowledge. Ready to plan your own adventure? As a personal travel consultant, I’ll help you create a tailor-made trip that perfectly suits your travel dreams.
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