Of all the challenges in planning a trip to Germany’s capital, none is greater than figuring out where to stay in Berlin.
Home to over 3.5 million people, Berlin sprawls out over 890 square kilometres. It’s not surprising that narrowing down the best hotels in Berlin isn’t a walk in the park.
Overwhelmed with searching for your Berlin accommodations? Find the perfect hotel with this complete guide to the city’s best areas, neighbourhoods, districts, & the best places to stay in Berlin.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Berlin Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Berlin: Top areas & neighbourhoods
Berlin is a canvas of unique neighbourhoods. You can shoot for the gutsiness of the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts. Or for the more upscale areas of Mitte and Charlottenburg. Either way, your choice of where to stay in Berlin affects the experience. Every area, neighbourhood & district shows off a different face of the city.
The price of accommodations in Berlin is neither bargain basement nor unreasonable. On the whole, you’ll find the prices in Berlin in line with the region. They’re often even cheaper than in other popular European destinations.
The best areas to stay in Berlin include:
- Mitte is the best place to stay for first-time visitors. This area is home to many of the top attractions in the city.
- Kreuzberg is the best area in Berlin for a glimpse at the city’s alternative culture. Best of all, you can do it without venturing too far outside of the tourist centre.
- Friedrichshain is another cool central neighbourhood. It’s the best place to stay in Berlin for experiencing nightlife.
- Charlottenburg is located to the west of central Berlin. The area is a top choice city district for shopping and attending cultural events.
- Prenzlauer Berg is a popular area in the former East Berlin. It’s one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Berlin for families & foodies.
Mitte
✓ Best area to stay for first-time visitors & for sightseeing
Want to be close to the best Berlin attractions? Whether you have one day in Berlin or a week, there’s no better place to base yourself than Mitte.
Mitte occupies what was, at the height of the Cold War, the historic city centre of East Berlin. Many of the city’s most famous landmarks, best museums, and finest architecture lie along the streets here.
The walking distance between most attractions in Mitte is reasonable. It’s a great choice when you want to be close to all the action. Mittee also enjoys convenient public transportation links. It’s a good base for exploring the fringes or embarking on some awesome day trips from Berlin.
For the convenience, there’s a trade-off. As the most central district, Mitte tends to be more expensive than other neighbourhoods in Berlin. It’s not impossible to find good rooms at a reasonable price. But those on a tight travel budget might want to consider nearby Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg instead.
Attractions in Mitte: Alexanderplatz, Berliner Dom, Brandenburg Gate, DDR Museum, Nikolaiviertel, Museuminsel
Recommended hotels in Mitte
The quality of accommodations in Mitte is generally quite good. Wherever you choose to stay in Mitte, you’ll be close to restaurants, bars, and a never-ending selection of things to do.
- Generator Berlin Mitte is a stylish hotel in northern Mitte with bright, modern rooms. It offers a superb location near some of the top restaurants and nightlife in the city.
- art’otel berlin mitte is a modern design hotel with classic touches. The hotel is a short walk away from Nikolaiviertel, Alexanderplatz, and even Kreuzberg to the south.
- Grimm’s Hotel am Potsdamer Platz is a quirky hotel located at the southwestern fringes of Mitte close to Potsdamer Platz. The hotel offers excellent city views from most rooms.
- Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is Berlin’s most legendary 5-star luxury hotel. It’s located steps away from Brandenburg Gate. There’s a classic grand hotel vibe here that’ll make you feel more like royalty than a traveller. The hotel is so famous, you’ve probably seen it in at least half a dozen movies.
Kreuzberg
✓ Top area to stay for an alternative vibe in a central city neighbourhood
When trying to find the perfect place to stay in Berlin, don’t limit your search to Mitte. Kreuzberg is the city’s hippest central district. It’s is one of the city’s best districts for travellers looking to experience a more “local” vibe.
And it’s not so far away.
Kreuzberg is located just south of Mitte. The area even hangs on to a handful of the city’s best attractions. It’s home to Checkpoint Charlie, the former East/West border checkpoint. It’s also got a few interesting WWII and Cold War relics like the Topography of Terror and sections of the Berlin Wall. Kreuzberg is the next-best alternative district to base yourself in while visiting Berlin.
Kreuzberg doesn’t quite have the glamour of Mitte or Charlottenburg. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. At least in parts. Whereas there’s little distinction between West Kreuzberg and the rest of West Berlin, East Kreuzberg has a true lived-in feel.
The area has changed over the years. And for the better. Kreuzberg is now one of the hottest residential spots for young Berliners. An ever-changing resident profile has given way to vintage shops, hip restaurants, and clubs. The streets also show off some of Berlin’s coolest street art.
Mature travellers will feel more at home in Mitte or Charlottenburg. Younger travellers, however, should seriously consider staying in Kreuzberg. It’s among Berlin’s coolest places to eat, drink and let loose.
Attractions in Kreuzberg: Checkpoint Charlie, Jewish Museum Berlin, Tempodrom, German Museum of Technology, Berlinische Gallerie, Topography of Terror, Berlin Wall
Recommended hotels in Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg hasn’t always been a top choice for accommodations in Berlin. The neighbourhood is just beginning to fulfill its potential as one of the best neighbourhoods in the city for travellers. Stylish boutique hotels and hip hostels round out much of the selection here.
- Grand Hostel is a hostel/guesthouse occupying a beautiful 19th-century building in Kreuzberg. It offers both private and shared rooms.
- Motel One Berlin Mitte is a modern hotel featuring stylish rooms in the heart of Kreuzberg. It’s steps away from excellent restaurants and bars. You’ll also be minutes to most of Berlin’s best attractions by U-bahn.
- Mondrian Suites Berlin am Checkpoint Charlie is an elegant 4-star property. It offers excellent value modern studios and apartments. Hotel is conveniently located close to Checkpoint Charlie and the Kochstraße U-bahn station. The heart of Berlin Mitte is a quick walk away.
Friedrichshain
✓ Best neighbourhood to stay for experiencing Berlin’s nightlife
Along with Kreuzberg to the west, Friedrichshain is one of central Berlin’s most colourful districts. But staying in Friedrichshain won’t be right for everyone.
The district has a gritty reputation that even East Kreuzberg can’t quite beat. That’s not to say Friedrichshain is necessarily unsafe. A little rough around the edges? No doubt.
Friedrichshain sits inside the former East Berlin. It helps to explain its not always well-kept physical appearance. The area is, however, central Berlin’s most up-and-coming residential quarter. The youthful vibrance has, like Kreuzberg, filled the streets of Friedrichshain creativity. Boutique shops, vintage second-hand clothing shops, and yummy eateries have blossomed in the shift.
For going a little loco, Friedrichshain might be one of the top areas in Berlin. Some of the city’s most famous bars & clubs call the neighbourhood home. Many are conveniently located within stumbling distance of some of the best hotels in Friedrichshain. (If that’s your kind of thing.)
Friedrichshain is not quite as central as Mitte or Kreuzberg. The district is, however, well connected to the rest of the city by public transportation. The Berlin Ostbahnhof and Warschauer Straße S-bahn stations are only a couple stops away from the centre of town.
Attractions in Friedrichshain: East Side Gallery, Oberbaumbrücke, Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin, Volkspark Friedrichshain, Karl-Marx-Allee
Recommended hotels in Friedrichshain
Friedrichshain’s growing popularity has sparked an explosion of new hostels, guesthouses & hotels. The best hotels in Friedrichshain are surprisingly sophisticated and stylish.
- Industriepalast Hostel & Hotel Berlin is a cool budget design hotel & hostel close to the Warschauer Straße U-bahn. Comfy and clean rooms are complemented by great amenities. Facilities include a shared outdoor terrace and a recreation area with a pool and foosball table. It’s a good choice if you want to dig into Berlin’s club scene.
- MOXY Berlin Ostbahnhof is a contemporary budget hotel near the Berlin Ostbahnhof. The cosy rooms and stylish common areas feature trendy designs that create a homey atmosphere. The hotel is within short walking distance of the East Side Gallery and Oberbaumbrücke. Plenty of restaurants & bars in Friedrichshain and across the Spree in Kreuzberg are also nearby. Get the best price guaranteed and earn Marriott Rewards on your stay by booking directly at Marriott.com.
- Michelberger Hotel is another stylish design hotel in Friedrichshain. The hotel features a hip café and restaurant focusing on healthy, organic food, including vegan and vegetarian options. The hotel is a short walk to the East Side Gallery. It’s well connected to Berlin’s most famous tourist attraction by U-bahn. Über-rad Kreuzberg is just across Oberbaumbrücke from the property.
Charlottenburg
✓ Top neighbourhood to stay in the city for shopping & culture
In the grips of West Berlin, Charlottenburg had less catching up to do than the eastern districts upon Germany’s reunification. During the intra-war period Charlottenburg was Berlin’s most modern sector. It was also the city’s most important cultural centre.
With Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg & Friedrichshain beckoning Berliners, Charlottenburg lost its once booming popularity. Still, it’s, arguably, the best place to shop in the city.
Charlottenburg is Berlin’s premier district for unloading your Euros in style. Shopaholics will love shopping at the upscale boutiques along Kurfürstendamm. Charlottenburg is also home to Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe). The massive complex is continental Europe’s biggest department store.
Besides shopping, visitors to Charlottenburg will be overjoyed by its cultural activities. The district still holds sway among devotees of the performing arts. Several theatres celebrating musicals and operas draw crowds from all around the city. It’s also home to one of Berlin’s most beautiful tourist attractions, Schloss Charlottenburg. The palace lingers in the district’s northern fringes.
Charlottenburg is a little too far from Mitte to be considered comfortable walking distance. Getting to the centre of Berlin, however, is just a few U-bahn or S-bahn stops away.
The neighbourhood is close to the city’s top tourist attractions and offers great hotels. Charlottenburg is one of the best districts in Berlin for travellers looking for an elegant yet quieter alternative to Mitte.
Attractions in Charlottenburg: Berlin Zoo, Tiergarten, Kurfürstendamm, KaDeWe, Schloss Charlottenburg, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Theater des Westens, Deutsche Opera Berlin, Schillertheater
Recommended hotels in Charlottenburg
There’s a wide selection of sophisticated accommodations in Charlottenburg. It’ll suit you well when pinpointing where to stay in Berlin. The best hotels in Charlottenburg sit steps away from transit connections, excellent restaurants, and cool cafés.
- Leonardo Hotel Berlin is a good value 3-star hotel situated in a quiet corner of Charlottenburg. It’s located close to the U-bahn (Bismarkstraße) for easy access to the rest of the city.
- H10 Berlin Ku’damm is an elegant and modern hotel steps from the Kurfürstendamm shopping area. The soundproofed rooms are a huge bonus. Easy metro access makes it easy to jet around Berlin and outside of the city.
- H’Otello K’80 Berlin is a charming 4-star boutique hotel with a minimalist touch. It’s located close to the cafés, restaurants, and shopping. The famous KaDeWe department store is a 15-minute walk away.
Prenzlauer Berg
✓ Best district for foodies & families
Tucked into Berlin’s northeast, Prenzlauer Berg can’t be ignored when choosing where to base yourself in Berlin. The area is more elegant than Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain. But it’s got enough grit to keep it interesting. Prenzlauer Berg is now one of the most coveted neighbourhoods for Berliners.
For foodies, selecting Prenzlauer Berg as your Berlin base is almost obligatory. The diverse restaurant scene in Prenzlauer Berg is among the best in the city. The selection is especially good around Kollwitzplatz, Oderberger Straße, and Kastanienalle.
Prenzlauer Berg is noticeably greener than other districts in central Berlin. The tree-lined boulevards and historic architecture are a boon to any walk around Prenzlauer Berg. Parks and playgrounds are also scattered throughout. Prenzlauer Berg is an excellent choice for families travelling together to Berlin.
Even with all the amenities at its heart, Prenzlauer Berg is a residential neighbourhood. An experience here presents the more relaxing side of Berlin.
And just in case you were worried, Prenzlauer Berg is still mere minutes from Mitte via public transportation. The pleasant 20- to 30-minute walk to the centre of the city isn’t so bad either!
Attractions in Prenzlauer Berg: Mauerpark, Kastanienallee, Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg, Velodrom, Prater, Kulturbrauerei, Judischefriedhof (Jewish Cemetery)
Recommended hotels in Prenzlauer Berg
Compared to other districts, Prenzlauer Berg doesn’t have much traditional accommodation. What’s offered here, however, is often high quality.
- Old Town Hotel is a no-frills contemporary hotel in the heart of cool Prenzlauer Berg. The clean and bright rooms are an excellent value for Berlin. The hotel is a short walk from some of the best restaurants in the city on Kastanienallee and Oderberger Straße.
- Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Berlin is an elegant 4-star hotel in a quiet neighbourhood of central Berlin. The on-site restaurant serves international cuisine, including a delicious breakfast buffet. (Breakfast is included in the room price). Alexanderplatz is a 20-minute walk or 10-minute tram ride away.
- Myer’s Hotel Berlin is a 4-star boutique Berlin hotel with stately classic decor. The brand-new spa area is free for guests. It’s perfect for ending a day of sightseeing with grand relaxation. Senefelderplatz U-bahn station is a 3-minute walk from the hotel. Via the station, the centre of Berlin is less than 10 minutes away.
Final recommendations: The best hotels in Berlin
- Looking to get face-to-face with Berlin’s best attractions? Narrow your search to Mitte, the city centre of Berlin. Grimm’s Hotel am Potsdamer Platz is excellent value. It offers a prime location near Potsdamer Platz and superbly stylish rooms.
- Want to see what makes Berlin tick? Dig into hip Kreuzberg or the even edgier Friedrichshain. The Motel One Berlin Mitte in Kreuzberg and spunky Michelberger Hotel in Friedrichshain are good places to start looking.
- Stomach growling for the best food in Berlin? It’s hard to find a more palate-satisfying neighbourhood than Prenzlauer Berg. The Old Town Hotel is close to the tasty restaurants huddled around Kollwitzplatz and along Kastanienallee.
