Berlin is a fascinating city with something for everyone. But where should you stay to make the most of your visit?
If you’re looking to explore everything that Berlin has to offer – incredible nature, exciting nightlife and plenty of activities for families – then you’ll need to know where to stay.
Whether you’re looking for nightlife and nature, or families and culture, this guide will help you find the best areas to stay in Berlin to make the most of your visit.
Here are some of the best areas in Berlin for each type of visitor.
If you’re looking to party, stay in Mitte or Friedrichshain
For sightseeing, culture and nightlife, the best areas to stay in Berlin are Mitte and Friedrichshain. These two neighborhoods are located in the east of the city and are where you’ll find most of the bars, restaurants and clubs.
They’re also where you’ll find most of the tourist attractions, such as the Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island – three iconic landmarks that you will definitely want to add to your Berlin itinerary!
Accommodation in Mitte and Friedrichshain
Accommodation in these areas varies and caters to all budgets, from hostels and cheap hotels to luxury apartments.
A luxury accommodation option is the 25hours Bikini Berlin, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city from its rooftop bar.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, try the EastSeven Berlin Hostel or Michelberger Hotel.
Bars and restaurants in Mitte and Friedrichshain
The best areas for bars and restaurants in Berlin are Mitte and Friedrichshain. In these neighborhoods, you’ll find everything from small, independent bars to trendy clubs and international restaurants.
Some of the best places to eat in Friedrichshain include Burgermeister, an outdoor burger stand with a cult following, and Ukrainian restaurant Puzata Huta.
Mitte is home to some of the best restaurants in Berlin, such as Italian restaurant Da Matteo and Currywurst joint Konnopke’s Imbis.
For a unique experience, try dinner at one of Berlin’s many food truck parks, where you can sample food from all over the world.
If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, try Charlottenburg or Tiergarten
If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, Charlottenburg or Tiergarten are good options. They’re located in the west of the city and are quieter than Mitte and Friedrichshain.
Accommodation in Charlottenburg and Tiergarten
Charlottenburg and Tiergarten both have a wide range of accommodation options, from cheap hostels to luxury hotels.
One great option is the Das Stue, which has beautiful Art Deco interiors and a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city. A room in this hotel will run you around $200 a night.
Bars and restaurants in Charlottenburg and Tiergarten
The best places to go for bars and restaurants in these areas are the Kudamm, Berlin’s famous shopping street, and the Zoologischer Garten, Berlin’s largest zoo. In both neighborhoods, you’ll find everything from traditional German restaurants to international cuisine.
Some of the best places to eat in Charlottenburg are Vietnamese restaurant An Nam, Italian restaurant La Forchette and steakhouse Grill Royal.
In Tiergarten, try the Afghan restaurant Kabul, Spanish tapas bar La Casa de Lola or Japanese restaurant Yumcha Heroes.
If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, try the Glass Bar at the Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm, the rooftop bar at the Ellington Hotel or the piano bar at the Adlon Kempinski.
If you’re on a tighter budget, there are plenty of options as well, such as Irish pub Molly Malone’s, cocktail bar Zum Nachtisch and beer garden König Ludwig.
For those who want to be close to nature, consider staying in Grunewald
For nature lovers, Grunewald is a great option. It’s located in the west of the city and is surrounded by forests and lakes.
Accommodation in Grunewald
Grunewald has a wide range of accommodation options, from camping grounds to luxury hotels.
The best place to stay for big spenders is the Waldorf Astoria Berlin, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city and the Grunewald Forest. A room in this hotel will cost you around $300 a night.
For mid-range and budget travelers, try the Jugendherberge Berlin-Grunewald, which has a pool and a games room, or the Hotel am See, which is located on the banks of Lake Grunewald.
Bars and restaurants in Grunewald
The best place to go for bars and restaurants in Grunewald is the Gutmann am See, a lakeside beer garden with a wide selection of beers and food.
If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, try the Die Kleine Prinzessin, an airy restaurant with a terrace overlooking the lake.
For those on a tighter budget, there are plenty of options as well, such as the Turkish restaurant Istanbul Grill, the Italian restaurant La Trattoria and the pizzeria Pizzabude.
Families should look into neighborhoods like Wilmersdorf and Zehlendorf
If you’re looking for family-friendly activities, stay in one of the neighborhoods in the southwest of the city like Wilmersdorf or Zehlendorf.
Wilmersdorf is home to the world’s largest free public swimming pool, while Zehlendorf has a children’s zoo and a miniature railway.
Charlottenburg is also an area of Berlin that has a lot to offer for families traveling with children as well. This neighborhood is located in the west of the city and is home to a number of parks, as well as the popular Europa Center shopping mall.
Accommodation in Wilmersdorf and Zehlendorf
Wilmersdorf and Zehlendorf have a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels.
The best place to stay for families is the Holiday Inn Berlin City West, which has a pool, a playground and a cinema.
For luxury accomodation in this area, check out the Regent Berlin, the Kempinski Hotel Bristol or the Ritz-Carlton.
For more affordable options, try the Meininger Hotel Berlin Charlottenburg or the Motel One Berlin-Zehlendorf.
Bars and restaurants in Wilmersdorf and Zehlendorf
The best place to go for bars and restaurants in these neighborhoods is the Kiez, a popular district in both neighborhoods that is home to a large number of bars and restaurants.
Some of the best places to eat in the Kiez are the Vietnamese restaurant Apsara, the Italian restaurant La Bottega and the German restaurant Zur Letzten Instanz.
For nightlife, check out the Irish pub Paddy’s, the cocktail bar Nightingale or the dance club Watergate.
If you’re on a budget, head to Neukolln or Kreuzberg!
Budget travelers in Berlin should look into staying in the neighborhoods of Neukolln or Kreuzberg. These neighborhoods are located in the southeast and southwest of the city, respectively.
Neukolln is home to a large number of affordable hotels, hostels and apartments, while Kreuzberg is known for its lively nightlife and abundance of bars and restaurants.
Read more: How to visit Berlin on a budget
Accommodation in Neukolln and Kreuzberg
Neukolln and Kreuzberg have a wide range of accommodation options, from hostels to apartments.
Some of the best places to stay in Neukolln are the Generator Hostel, the Meininger Hotel Berlin Airport and the Motel One Berlin-Mitte.
In Kreuzberg, you can’t go wrong with the Circus Hostel, the A&O Hostel or the Smart Stay Apartments.
The best place to stay for budget travelers is the Wombats City Hostel Berlin, which has a bar and a nightclub on-site.
Bars and restaurants in Neukolln and Kreuzberg
The best place for food in drink in these neighborhoods is the Kiez, where you can find anything from cheap kebab shops to high-end restaurants.
Some of the best places to eat in Neukolln are the Vietnamese restaurant Banh Mi House, the Lebanese restaurant Beirut and the Italian restaurant Rosi’s.
In Kreuzberg, be sure to check out the German restaurant Schiller Burger, the Indian restaurant Flamingo and the Italian restaurant Santa Maria.
For nightlife, head to the clubs and bars in Bergmannkiez in Kreuzberg or Oranienstrasse in Neukolln.
Best area to stay in Berlin
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of where is the best place to stay in Berlin – it depends on what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for and how much money you want to spend.
If you’re looking for a lively, party-going atmosphere, head to the neighborhoods of Neukolln or Kreuzberg – the best areas to stay in Berlin for nightlife. These neighborhoods are located in the southeast and southwest of the city, respectively, and are home to a large number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
If you’re looking for something a bit more family-friendly, the neighborhoods of Wilmersdorf or Zehlendorf are some of the best areas to stay in Berlin for families. These neighborhoods are located in the west of the city and are home to a number of parks, as well as the popular Europa Center shopping mall.
For luxury accommodation, check out the neighborhoods of Charlottenburg or Mitte. These neighborhoods are located in the west and east of the city, respectively, and are home to a number of high-end hotels and restaurants.
No matter where you stay in Berlin, be sure to check out the Kiez – a popular district in each neighborhood that is home to a large number of bars and restaurants.
And finally, don’t forget that budget travelers in Berlin should look into staying in the neighborhoods of Neukolln or Kreuzberg – both of which are home to a large number of affordable hotels, hostels and apartments.
As one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Berlin has something to offer everyone when it comes to nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a quiet bar for a few drinks or a wild club where you can dance until the sun comes up, there’s a place for you in Berlin.
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!