Districts · Berlin
Berlin by district
Berlin is far larger and flatter than most European capitals: the historic centre (Mitte) holds most first-visit sights, but Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln and Prenzlauer Berg — all a short S-Bahn or U-Bahn ride away — hold most of the food, nightlife and street life that define the city today.
About these names
Berlin's 12 boroughs (Bezirke) are large administrative units, not neighbourhoods; addresses and this guide use the older, smaller neighbourhood names (Kreuzberg, Mitte, Neukölln) that Berliners actually use.
- MittesleepeatseeSuits: First visit, history and museumsThe historic centre — Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, the government quarter — plus the gentrified Hackescher Markt area.6 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- KreuzbergsleepeatSuits: Nightlife, food, a livelier baseTurkish and alternative-culture heartland; canal-side bars, döner and the East Side Gallery on its eastern edge.1 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- FriedrichshaineatSuits: Clubbing, the wall walkAcross the river from Kreuzberg; RAW-Gelände nightlife area and Berghain, one of the world's best-known techno clubs.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Prenzlauer BergeatSuits: A quieter, family-friendly baseRenovated 19th-century tenements, cafés and playgrounds; the East side's gentrified showcase.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- NeuköllneatSuits: Turkish and Arab food, a younger nightlife sceneRapidly gentrified in the 2010s but still home to large Turkish and Arab communities and their food.District guide →
- CharlottenburgsleepSuits: A calmer, more traditional West Berlin baseWide shopping streets (Kurfürstendamm) and older, larger hotels; further from the East Berlin sights.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) (35–50 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln, Charlottenburg. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Mitte: The historic centre — Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, the government quarter — plus the gentrified Hackescher Markt area. Suits: First visit, history and museums. Price band $$$.
- Kreuzberg: Turkish and alternative-culture heartland; canal-side bars, döner and the East Side Gallery on its eastern edge. Suits: Nightlife, food, a livelier base. Price band $$.
- Friedrichshain: Across the river from Kreuzberg; RAW-Gelände nightlife area and Berghain, one of the world's best-known techno clubs. Suits: Clubbing, the wall walk.
- Prenzlauer Berg: Renovated 19th-century tenements, cafés and playgrounds; the East side's gentrified showcase. Suits: A quieter, family-friendly base.
- Neukölln: Rapidly gentrified in the 2010s but still home to large Turkish and Arab communities and their food. Suits: Turkish and Arab food, a younger nightlife scene.
- Charlottenburg: Wide shopping streets (Kurfürstendamm) and older, larger hotels; further from the East Berlin sights. Suits: A calmer, more traditional West Berlin base.
- Sleep area Kreuzberg: suits Nightlife, food, a livelier base, price band $$.
- Sleep area Mitte and Hackescher Markt: suits First visit, history and museums, price band $$$.
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), 35–50 min by the usual route.