Berlin’s best neighboorhoods showcase this city and all it has to offer. An excellent mix of culture, history and cool nightlife spots makes Berlin a very popular place. Additionally there’s a constant stream of new visitors. The neighbourhoods of Berlin each offer unique experiences.
I will highlight some must-go parts of the city and give you a good idea of what to do and expect in these places. Also I have provided advice on how to get about in this delightful city. Along with my own recommendation of a great place to stay while here.
If you enjoy top notch food from all four corners of the world, alternative spots to hang out and lots of art, these neighbourhoods will offer it up in spades. Furthermore, if you love designer clothes, boutiques and superb architecture, Berlin also has it covered.
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Friedrichshain
To get started let’s look at Friedrichshain, in the eastside of Berlin. This is quite famous, because it’s home to what remains of the Berlin Wall, known as the East Side Gallery. This area has recovered well from the heavy bombardment it took during WWII. Being the hub of industry in the city, it was attacked most heavily.
As it stands now, this neighbourhood is the go-to place for cool clubs and street art.
Things to do
- Walk the length of the East Side Gallery (it’s not so long really!)
- Get some travel snapshots of Oberbaum Bridge, which joins Friedrichshain with Kreuzberg. When I crossed the bridge on foot, there were several homeless people taking refuge on it. They were just minding their own business and chatting with each other.
- Go for an afternoon stroll through Karl Marx Allee. This is a stunning boulevard, with great architecture, pubs, bars and restaurants.
- Hang out at Raw Gelände, an alternative compound that full of artist spaces, cafes, clubs and beer gardens. Plus there’s a skate park and indoor climbing wall.
- Pick up some bargain secondhand deals at the flea market on Boxhagener Platz during Sunday. There’s a Saturday food market here too.
Grünberger Str. 75 10245 Berlin
Kreuzberg
Second on my list of 5 best neighbourhoods to visit in Berlin is Kreuzberg. This is a very arty area, with a young vibe.
There are some particular points of interest here, including the Jewish Museum and Berlinische Galerie, with its focus on modernism. It can be an idea to book tickets in advance. Be sure to stop by a street vendor and treat yourself to a Doner Kebab.
In the evening I’d suggest checking out Orianienstrasse in the heart of Kreuzberg. You’ll be spoilt for choice with where to dine. There’s cuisine from all over the world at budget price here. Along with cafes and small shops.
Engelbecken Park
Why not relax in this beautiful green space and enjoy the view. The park is surrounded by some of the finest townhouses in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood. You can wander through the beautiful flower garden, have a picnic or grab a very tasty pizza under 10 euros at Cafe am Engelbecken.
Tiergarten
Moving on, I will stick with the theme of green spaces, as I delve into the neighbourhood called Tiergarten. This part of the city contains some of the best known landmarks, including important parlimentary and diplomatic buildings.
Tiergarten is also noted for its huge park of the same name, which means ‘animal park’. It’s placed in the centre of the city and is Berlin’s most famous park. Once upon a time it was private hunting grounds for the king. These days the locals use this park for sports and recreation. It’s a great place to come whether you’re feeling active or just wanna chill.
If you want a great place to stay while in this area check out Pestana hotels. They have very nice rooms available at their 4 star hotel in the Tiergarten area. In fact because of the central location, it would be a great base for the duration of your stay in Berlin!
Mitte
My 5 best neighbourhoods in Berlin continues with the sprawling area of Mitte. The previously mentioned Tiergarten is actually within the borough of Mitte, bang in the heart of the city.
There are several big attractions here for visitors, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Victims of the Holocaust, Reichstag and more. So, yeahh, this area is popular for sight-seeing!
Here, you will find Nikoliviertel, the Berlin of hundreds of years ago. A visit to this small district will take you back to medieval Germany, with charming houses and cobbled streets. Infact, it’s often known as the birthplace of Berlin, being over 800 years old.
Prenzlauer Berg
Lastly, we come to this huge residential area of Berlin, very popular for young families who want to settle down. Prenzlauer Berg is a great location for observing local life. For example, a great way to do this is by taking a walk down Kastanienallee, the road connecting Prenzlauer Berg with Mitte. Here there’s many cafes and restaurants. It’s a great meeting point for friends.
Then if you’re hungry head to Konnopkes, a fast food stand serving up arguably the best currywurst in Berlin, since the 1930s.
Address: Schönhauser Allee 446, Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg is a specifically good area for shopping, with plenty of choice when it comes to grabbing a new dress or a nice jacket perhaps.
While in this part of town, be sure to go to the Rykestrasse Synagogue, the largest in Germany and considered one of the largest in Europe. This beautiful building speaks proudly about the Jewish community here in Berlin.
Best way to get around Berlin
Next, let’s point out that the transport system in Berlin is one of the best in the world. The underground rail system named the U-Bahn is the easiest way to get around. There are subways running every 5-10 minutes of the day, from just about anywhere in the city.
Alongside the underground subway option, is the S-Bahn (meaning elevated train). These are yellow and red in colour. This option will take you almost anywhere you wish to go.
Third choice is bus. One thing to remember is all of these modes of transport use the same fare system. There are 3 tariff zones:
- AB (€2.60 for single fare)
- BC (€2.90 for single fare)
- ABC (€3.20 for single fare)
Usually the first option is enough for those wishing to explore central Berlin. You can purchase U-Bahn and S-Bahn tickets there at the station or online.
The main public transport company of Berlin is BVG. An app for mobile called BVG Tickets can be useful or you can visit the official website here.
Wrapping up
To conclude, I’d say make full use of the great transport services in Berlin and explore as much of the places I’ve mentioned in this post as possible. Why not try to discover your own favorite part of this modern and cosmopolitan city in Europe?
Leave your comments below and share your favourite neighbourhoods of Berlin or any cool spots you’ve found and enjoyed time in.
About me
Mark James Murphy is a writer, artist and adventurer. He was born in Sunderland, North-East England in the early 1980s. He has solo travelled extensively throughout the world and in 2017 decided to leave behind his job and apartment in the UK to teach English in Vietnam, South East Asia, for almost five years, describing it as the best moments of his life so far.
There he also continued developing his practice as an artist and printmaker, documenting his travels through the medium of linocut.
In 2019 he fulfilled a childhood dream when he backpacked for two months throughout the whole of India, ending up in a remote village in the Himalayan foothills.
He has played football with local kids in the Sahara desert, lived with Hmong people high in the mountains of North Vietnam and worked as a farmhand in Southern Spain. Mark is currently based just outside of London.
