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Berlin is the city with a great historic importance, but history has also left some long lasting marks on its appearance. Although WWII had the city mostly ruined, the reconstruction was pretty efficient. Its division into Western and Eastern Berlin had the biggest impact on the way the city looks today. Hence the peculiarity of having several 鈥渄owntowns鈥� instead of one, and the many facets of Berlin, all worthy to explore.

Berlin (pronounced [b蓽藧r藞l瑟n]) is a large city that has 12 districts, subdivided into neighbourhoods, each further having even smaller sub-areas, called kieze ([鈥榢瑟,ts蓽]). Regardless of its proportions, Berlin鈥檚 transportation system is very developed and fully integrated, and getting around is pretty easy. Besides, a well-established bike lane infrastructure provides you the solution to getting around by renting a bike for your visit to both discover the city and accomplish any of your other goals.

Compared to other European capitals, accommodation in Berlin is averagely priced. It is also one of the cities where you should consider both hotels and apartments for your stay. If you choose an apartment, though, make sure you are renting from the real owners. Besides, for your own convenience, go for rental options closer to metro (U-Bahn) or city train (S-Bahn) stations.

Table of Content

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Part 1. A quick glance at Berlin鈥檚 neighbourhoods

Mitte - being the official downtown of Berlin, it has a happening vibe, a plethora of attractions and many other things to offer

Prenzlauer Berg - a lively neighbourhood, trendy and chill keeping a rough edge, with plenty of rental options

Friedrichshein - an alternative neighbourhood, with cheaper accommodation, food and fun, and some of the best clubs in town

Kreuzberg - an affordable, LGBT-friendly neighbourhood full of arts and fun people, that can keep you entertained all day and all night long

Tiergarten - a calm, nice neighbourhood offering entertainment options for kids and adults alike

Charlottenburg - a residential yet nightlife loving neighbourhood, with pricier and more comfortable accommodation

厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 - a nice neighbourhood with a pleasing appearance and plenty of shopping venues, well-suitable for family stay

狈别耻办枚濒濒苍 - a residential neighbourhood just starting to be gentrified, offering cheap accommodation and the opportunity to experience Berlin like locals do

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Part 2. Recommended neighbourhoods and hotels to stay in Berlin

Mitte

Pronounced: [鈥榤瑟,t蓹]

- Overview

Mitte is considered to be the official center of Berlin, and is literally translated as 鈥渕iddle鈥�. It is arguably the most chic area of the city, being actually as ritzy as Berlin can dare to get. It offers a lot of accommodation options, all surrounded by trendy boutiques and outlets, cafes and restaurants, arts scenes and clubs. Staying in Mitte will keep you close to some of the main architectural attractions, historic sites and word-class museums and art galleries. Therefore this neighbourhood is a good choice to stay in if you are planning on a short visit. However, do not forget that it is a touristy area with a happening vibe and some of the highest prices in the city, so if you are travelling on a budget, you might prefer another neighbourhood to rent in. Even hostels here are quite expensive.

- Main Attractions

* AquaDom & Sea Life Center
* Askania Watches
* Bebelplatz (must see)
* Berlin Cathedral (must see)
* Berlin Story
* Berliner Antik- und Flohmarkt
* Berliner Mauer
* Bode Museum (must see)
* Brandenburger Tor (must see)
* Cl盲rchens Ballhaus
* DDR Museum
* Deutscher Dom (must see)
* Deutsches Historisches Museum (must see)
* Fassbender and Rausch
* Fernsehturm (TV Tower)
* Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz
* French Friedrichstad Church (French Dom)
* Friedrichstadt Palast (must see)
* Goering's Air Force Headquarters
* Hackesche H枚fe (must see)
* Hitler's bunker
* Komische Oper Berlin
* Kunst-Werke
* Kunsthaus Tacheles
* Meissener Porzellan
* Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (must see)
* Monbijoupark
* Neue Synagoge (must see)
* Pariser Platz (must see)
* Pergamon Museum (must see)
* St. Hedwig Cathedral (must see)
* The Alte Nationalgalerie (must see)
* The Altes Museum (must see)
* The Neues Museum (must see)
* The Puppenstube im Nikolaiviertel
* Unter den Linden (must see)

- Recommended Walks

Check these guides to take the most out of your visit of downtown Berlin:

* Mitte orientation Walk
* Museum Island Tour
* Mitte Governmental Sites Walking Tour
* Nikolaiviertel Walking Tour

- Pros of Staying Here

- Great location
- Wealth of accommodation and sightseeing
- Presence of parks allows regular walking, jogging, and cycling
- Numerous bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs
- Convenient transport links to other areas
- Car and bicycle rentals

- Cons of Staying Here

- Expensive in term of accommodation, food, entertainment and shopping
- Crowded (mostly in daytime)

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Prenzlauer Berg

Pronounced: [鈥榩r忙ntz,lau蓹 鈥榖蓹:g]

- Overview

While offering a central location, Prenzlauer Berg is a residential and relatively chill neighbourhood with a bohemian and relaxing vibe, being one of the first parts of the city to follow the gentrification trend. It is an ideal neighbourhood for those willing to stay close to all the events and attractions, but pay less. It offers plenty of both luxury and budget accommodation options, and is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in if travelling with a family. Choose rentals in the back streets if you are looking forward to a quieter stay. Younger ones travelling alone or with mates or friends will like the neighbourhood as much, due to lower accommodation costs, abundance of entertainment venues and intense nightlife.

- Main Attractions

* Allee Sch枚nhauser Stra脽e
* Dr. Kochan's Schnapskultur

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location
- Abundance of renting options
- Relatively quiet and relaxing area
- Plenty of eateries, wine bars, entertainment and shopping venues
- Convenient transport links to other areas
- Ideal for family stay

- Cons of Staying Here

- Few attractions
- Touristy rather than authentic

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Friedrichshein

Pronounced: [鈥榝r瑟dr瑟hs,ha瑟n]

- Overview

Friedrichshein is a more typical representation of East German aesthetic. Alternative and youthful, rough and hip, it is full of artsy expressions of creativity, concentrated on buildings鈥� walls and on the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall still standing. On Sundays, you can visit the flea market on the Boxhagener Platz. This neighbourhood is ideal for the ones travelling on a budget. Rentals and eateries here are cheaper, and younger adventurers will be fond of this neighbourhood, as it offers a good location, a bunch of quirky stores, some of the best clubs in Berlin (including the world-famous Berghain) and lower accommodation prices.

- Main Attractions

* Antikmarkt am Ostbahnhof
* Berghain (nightclub)

- Recommended Walks

This guide will help you to easily find some of the most entertaining places to spend your nights in Berlin:

* Berlin Nightlife Walk

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location
- Cheaper accommodation options
- A park for walking, jogging, and cycling
- Numerous eateries and clubs
- Transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Few high-end hotels and eateries
- Less recommended for families

Note: we鈥檇 recommend avoiding Warschauer str. at night.

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Kreuzberg

Pronounced: [鈥榢r蓴瑟tz,b蓹:g]

- Overview

Kreuzberg is yet another relatively cheap and cool neighbourhood. Its western part is more gentrified, while the eastern part is edgier. LGBT-friendly entertainment venues, plenty of eateries and street food markets serving international cuisine, lots of bars and clubs - all can be found in Kreuzberg, and you will often be surrounded by arts people of all kinds. You can do some shopping here as well. Rentals are affordable, and most adventurers, especially those travelling on a budget, will be fond of renting here. However, if you are visiting with your family, better consider staying in another neighbourhood, as Kreuzberg might get really noisy.

- Main Attractions

* Berliner Gruselkabinett
* Box off Berlin
* Checkpoint Charlie (must see)
* Currywurst Museum Shop
* Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin (must see)
* East Side Gallery
* J眉disches Museum (must see)
* Mauermuseum Haus
* Topography of Terror Museum (must see)

- Recommended Walks

To discover Kreuzberg in the day and to enjoy the incredible nightlife it is famous for, check out these guides:

* West Kreuzberg Walking Tour
* East Kreuzberg Walking Tour
* Kreuzberg and Mitte Nightlife

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location
- Cheaper accommodation options
- LGBT-friendly
- Plenty of shopping venues
- Green zones
- Numerous eateries and clubs
- Transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Few high-end hotels and eateries
- Not recommended for families

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Tiergarten

Pronounced: [鈥榯i:蓹,ga:tn]

- Overview

Tiergarten is a centrally-located neighbourhood. Its name literally translates as 鈥渮oo鈥�, and you won鈥檛 be surprised to find Berlin鈥檚 zoo here. The neighbourhood also hosts the city鈥檚 central park, a beautiful green area covering about 2 square miles. Unsurprisingly, here you can also find many of the foreign embassies. The abundance of amenities entails higher prices, but if you are looking forward for a peaceful stay or visiting with a family, choosing this neighbourhood is worth it. On the other hand, higher prices might determine backpackers to choose another neighbourhood to rent in.

- Main Attractions

* Tiergarten park
* Zoologischer Garten- The Berlin Zoological Garden
* Bauhaus Archive (Museum of Design)
* Berlin Philharmonic (must see)
* Berliner Tr枚delmarkt
* Bundeskanzleramt
* Gem盲ldegalerie (must see)
* Haus Huth
* Marlene Dietrich Platz
* Museum F眉r Film Und Fernsehen (must see)
* New National Gallery (must see)
* Panoramapunkt
* Paul-L枚be-Haus
* Reichstag- (must see)
* St. Matth盲us Church

- Recommended Walks

To get a better feel of Tiergarten鈥檚 main attractions, use this guide;

* Tiergarten Walking Tour

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location
- Huge park, Zoo and Aquarium
- Wealth of accommodation and attractions
- Abundance of entertainment options
- Numerous shopping venues and eateries
- Transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Pricier accommodation
- Might feel abandoned at night

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Charlottenburg

Pronounced: [,蕛a:鈥檒蓴tn,bu蓴:g]

- Overview

Charlottenburg is the intellectual neighbourhood of Berlin. Here you will discover the oldest royal palace in Berlin that survived the WWII, various museums, Deutsche Oper Berlin (grand opera) and other sites. The neighbourhood might seem a bit commercialized, with plenty of high-end shopping centers, restaurants, cafes and clubs. Regardless of its intense nightlife, this upscale part of Berlin keeps a residential vibe. Staying in this neighbourhood will pretty much please any visitor, travelling either alone or with loved ones, and can become the preferred choice to rent in for those willing to pay a higher price to enjoy a comfortable high-class trip. Shopaholics will love the abundance of shopping venues, and photography buffs will be delighted in the beauty and variety of scenes.

- Main Attractions

* Charlottenburg Palace (must see)
* Hertha BSC Fanshop
* Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
* K枚nigliche Porzellan Manufaktur

- Recommended Walks

For a full-on shopping experience in Charlottenburg, follow this guide:

* Kurf眉rstendamm and Tauentzienstrasse Shopping

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location
- Wealth of accommodation and attractions
- Abundance of public catering and entertainment venues
- Plenty of shopping venues
- Numerous clubs and intense nightlife
- Park for sightseeing and jogging
- Transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Pricier accommodation
- Few hostels
- Might get noisy especially on weekends due to intense nightlife

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厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳

Pronounced: [鈥樖兩攏忙,b蓹:g]

- Overview

厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 will give you the feel of an upscale neighbourhood, with renovated buildings and wide boulevards augmenting its pleasant appearance. It offers plenty of shopping opportunities, while the appealing cafes and wine bars can easily seduce you to stop in and relax for a while. If sightseeing is your game, you should know that 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 has a series of hidden gems worth looking for. It does not have too many clubs, but the proximity to Kreuzberg helps to keep the happening vibe. Staying in 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 can be a nice experience for families visiting Berlin. However, consider that, although 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 is pretty navigable and has many bus, tram and subway stops, trips to Mitte might take you more than half an hour. Hence it might also not be the best neighbourhood to stay in if you are visiting for just a day or two. Renting here is pricier than in some other neighbouring boroughs, therefore it suits budget travelers less.

- Main Attractions

* Lutheran Church
* Seidel u. Sohn
* St. Matthias Church
* KaDeWe

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location and pleasant appearance
- Varied accommodation options
- Many renovated apartment blocks
- Abundance of fine eateries and shopping venues
- Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Convenient transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Pricier accommodation
- Fewer clubs

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狈别耻办枚濒濒苍

Pronounced: [鈥榥蓴瑟,k蓴:ln]

- Overview

狈别耻办枚濒濒苍 is another affordable residential neighbourhood of Berlin, continuously gaining popularity in the last few years. Here you can get the chance to experience Berlin like locals do, enjoy the canal sidewalks or unwind in the park. Some of the streets still deliver a bohemian vibe, others display classical socialist-styled residential buildings. One of the few attractions here is the Turkish market, an unusual shopping spot. Oftentimes you will meet immigrants, tourists looking for a cheaper stay, artsy and hipster locals. Hence the multitude of eateries serving international cuisine. Due to lower rents, every traveler will be able to find a more or less convenient accommodation. Besides, 狈别耻办枚濒濒苍 is well connected to the other boroughs, making it quite easy to get wherever you are heading.

- Main Attractions

* Lutheran Church
* Seidel u. Sohn
* St. Matthias Church
* KaDeWe

- Pros of Staying Here

- Good location and pleasant appearance
- Varied accommodation options
- Many renovated apartment blocks
- Abundance of fine eateries and shopping venues
- Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Convenient transport links to other areas

- Cons of Staying Here

- Pricier accommodation
- Fewer clubs

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Not recommended neighbourhoods to stay in Berlin

There are two more neighbourhoods with a relatively central location which would be worth mentioning: Moabit and Wedding. Note that these would be our less recommended neighbourhoods to rent in in Berlin from an insider鈥檚 point of view.

Moabit
Moabit is part of the Mitte district, therefore is considered a downtown neighbourhood. There is not too much to see, and on weekdays the streets and train station get very busy. It is a multicultural melting pot, and the main train station - Hauptbahnhof - situated here adds to the diversity of nations you can meet in Moabit. Hence the abundance of renting options, with prices varying from the cheapest hostels to very comfortable hotels, as well as plenty of eateries serving international cuisines. You should also know that this is the neighbourhood hosting the local jailhouse, Justizvollzugsanstalt. If the proximity to the major train station is crucial for you, consider this neighbourhood for your stay.

- a modern hotel featuring nice design plenty of on-site facilities.
- a modern and clean hotel offering on-site bar and private parking, good for family stay.
- a well-located hotel featuring on-site terrace and restaurant and offers good value for the prices charged.

Wedding
Wedding is yet another central, but still a bit remote neighbourhood. One of its main advantages is the proximity to the Tegel neighbourhood, where the Berlin Tegel Airport is situated, and to Moabit neighbourhood, where the city鈥檚 major train station is. Generally, the neighbourhood is inhabited with Berlin鈥檚 working class and immigrants, and that鈥檚 exactly the feel it delivers to its visitors. You鈥檒l see here plenty of man buns, arts people, and hipsters. Wedding has a very edgy vibe with its heady multitude of street graffitis. Its gentrification has just started, mainly through turning various issues into features. Accommodation is cheaper, however there is not much to choose from.

- a nice hotel with simple but very comfy rooms and a good location.
- Other hotel worth mentioning.

Generally, Berlin is a safe city, but this does not mean that you could forget about basic safety instincts and, as in any other big city, it might be a bad idea for you to go to a park at night. The safest neighbourhoods to stay in are considered the ones placed within the so called Berlin鈥檚 S-bahn 鈥渢rain ring鈥�.

We would recommend against staying in Lichtenberg and Marzahn: consider that it鈥檚 not that long since the Berlin Wall has fallen, and crimes that occur in the Eastern part of Berlin are not a surprising phenomena.

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Part 3. Getting from the airport to your hotel

Berlin has two airports: the Tegel Berlin Airport and Berlin Sch枚nefeld Airport. The former is situated in the North-Western part of the city. The latter is quite remote, located in the South-East, and marks the borders of Berlin. Both are functional at the time, as long as the construction of Berlin Brandenburg Airport is currently in progress.

Tegel Berlin Airport

From the Tegel Berlin Airport you can easily get to city center by bus. This airport does not have a direct connection with the S-bahn or U-bahn, but by bus you鈥檒l make your way fast to downtown. Bus route 109 and Express Bus X9 will both take you to the Berlin Zoo (Berlin Zoologischer Garten) station in Tiergarten. Here you can change to many other lines and S-bahn and U-bahn to reach your hotel. As well, TXL Express Bus will take you from the Airport to Alexanderplatz, in Mitte. Here you can change to other bus routes, take a tram, S-bahn or U-bahn.

A cab from the Tegel Berlin Airport should not take you more than $35 to get to downtown (either Mitte or Tiergarten).

In the car rental center located in the airport鈥檚 parking area you can find a few companies offering car renting services.

Berlin Sch枚nefeld Airport

Although Berlin Sch枚nefeld Airport offers a wider range of transportation choice to downtown, just a few of them are quite convenient. You can take the RE7 or RB14 (aka Airport Express) regional trains: both will take you the Berlin Zoo station in Tiergarten and Alexanderplatz station in Mitte. The S-bahn line S9 has a stop at the Berlin Zoo station in Tiergarten. You can also take the S-bahn line S45 which will take you to the Berlin-S眉dkreuz station, where you can change to many other routes, including buses, that will transport you to the needed destination. Note that you will have to walk 5-10 minutes from the airport terminal to the station via a covered walkway.

Althouth S-bahn is the easiest and fastest way to get to downtown from the Berlin Sch枚nefeld Airport, you can also take the bus lines X7 (N7 at night) or 171 which will take you to the Rudow station. There you can change to the U7 U-bahn line which has stops in 狈别耻办枚濒濒苍, Kreuzberg, 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 and Charlottenburg neighbourhoods. Note that U7 does not pass through downtown, so you will have to change to other lines, depending on your final destination.

Taxis from the Berlin Sch枚nefeld Airport are a bit more expensive, and a trip to downtown might take you around $65.

By the airport鈥檚 terminal A you can find a pavilion with representatives of car rental services companies.

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Part 4. A Few Tips to Choose the Right Neighbourhood for You

These tips will help you take a faster decision, if you haven鈥檛 made up you mind yet of what is the best neighbourhood in Berlin for you to stay in.

If you are travelling with a family, choose Prenzlauer Berg, Tiergarten, Charlottenburg or 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳. Here you will find plenty of things to do and entertainment for kids and adults alike.

If your visit to Berlin is short, stay in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, or 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 to stay closer to downtown and most of the attractions. Same neighbourhoods are best if you鈥檙e into sightseeing. If your visit is going to last a bit, better choose Prenzlauer Berg or Charlottenburg, as here you will find everything to not get bored in a big city.

If meeting cool and artsy people and alternative experiences is what you are looking for while travelling, choose to rent in 狈别耻办枚濒濒苍, Kreuzberg, or Friedrichshein.

Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Tiergarten, Charlottenburg and 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳 are a good choice for shopping.

To be part of the most intense nightlife, opt for staying in Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshein, Kreuzberg and Charlottenburg. For pub-crawls choose Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg. Kreuzberg is the LGBT-friendly neighbourhood of Berlin.

If you are looking forward to an upscale stay, rent in Charlottenburg or 厂肠丑枚苍别产别谤驳, while if you are travelling on a budget, better consider Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshein or Kreuzberg.