The best neighbourhoods in Berlin
Like all modern cities, Berlin consists of a number of different districts, each with its own strengths and characteristics. Since 2001, the city has been administratively divided into twelve sections with contrasting atmospheres and personalities. To learn more about Berlin's best neighborhoods, explore our interactive map and click on one of the districts below.
Discover the top districts in Germany's capital
Berlin is a truly welcoming place. All types of people, from creatives and entrepreneurs to professionals and young families, are drawn to the city by its art, music, culture and politics, not to mention a surprisingly low cost of living compared to other large German cities and European capitals. Berlin's high quality of life, reliable infrastructure, and abundance of green spaces as well as idyllic waterside locations makes it an urban paradise. Each of the twelve neighbourhoods in Berlin has its charms. Which one you are most likely to feel at home in depends on your individual preferences and wishes.
A neighbourhood guide
The centrally located Berlin-Mitte is the ideal choice for those who want to immerse themselves in the vibrant city life of the metropolis. However, property prices here are quite high. Kreuzberg is characterised by its multicultural character and its diverse leisure activities for young people. There you will find trendy cafés, clubs as well as art and cultural institutions. Prenzlauer Berg scores with its picturesque old buildings and has the densest development of the districts. If you want to combine urban flair with tranquillity and closeness to nature, you should take a closer look at Berlin's outlying districts. In the north of Berlin, Pankow and Weißensee are popular, while in the west Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf or Zehlendorf attract people with children in particular, as they have very good educational and leisure facilities and family-friendly settlements. In the east, Treptow-Köpenick or Lichtenberg offer an ideal combination of big city atmosphere and idyllic nature near the water. To help you select the quarter that best suits your budget and lifestyle and budget, here is a brief overview of some of Berlin's most popular neighbourhoods:
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Friedrichshain was part of East Berlin during the Cold War when the Berlin Wall bisected the city. Artists, anarchists, punks, and young people searching for another way of life, were drawn to the abundant supply of empty apartments like moths to a flame. Today, despite some gentrification, this area is still associated with students and artists. Despite intense pressure from real estate developers, the atmosphere in remains alternative and creative. There are many bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, in Friedrichshain, but the district is also famous for its many clubs and nightlife scene. Kreuzberg has a remarkable history. Walled on three sides and the historic quarter of Turkish immigration, it was overlooked for centuries. However, after the fall of the Wall, it quickly became a pleasant district with a healthy social and cultural mix. The atmosphere is more family-oriented and well-heeled on the Bergmannkiez side, while the Schlesisches Tor side has a younger and more hip vibe. It is a green area with many trees and parks. There are some very beautiful, magnificently restored Wilhelmian buildings - Chamissoplatz is worth exploring.
Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzlauer Berg has also changed significantly since reunification. Initially a working-class district, then an alternative and creative neighborhood after the Wall's fall, the district was transformed thanks to gentrification in the last several years. Indeed, the arrival of families with comfortable purchasing power has led to the rehabilitation of housing in Haussmann-style buildings and the neighbourhood's vibrant facades. You will find a multitude of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants around Kollwitzplatz, on Schönhauser Allee, and in adjacent streets such as Stargarder Strasse, Raumer Strasse or Pappelallee. Housing prices in the area are higher than in other areas of the city. Few East Germans live here now, but many from the West who have comfortable incomes make up a young, "bourgeois-bohemian" population.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Charlottenburg is a tranquil area crossed by the famous Kurfürstendamm avenue. It has a bourgeois atmosphere enhanced by the Schloss Charlottenburg castle, tree-lined streets with magnificant Altbaus, the famous luxury department store KaDeWe, and a majestic town hall. There are also many gardens and parks, and it is generally regarded as offering a good standard of living. The quiet area of Wilmersdorf borders the district Schöneberg, which also features beautiful old buildings but with a more lively and colourful atmosphere. Nearby is the French bilingual European school Judith Kerr Grundschule (SESB), situated in the family-friendly district of Schmargendorf. Grunewald is an affluent and very residential area of large villas, often classified, with gardens. The neighbourhood is close to the lake Wannsee and is also home to American and British schools attended by children of international residents.
Mitte
Mitte is one of the Berlin's property hotspots. A former trendy district, there are many attractive old and modern buildings. It is expensive area to stay in, but very pleasant with excellent shopping amenities around the Hackesche Höfe in particular. Mitte is also a shopper's paradise around Rosenthaler Straße. A little further east around Alexanderplatz, many buildings from the 1960s and Plattenbauten, typical communist pre-fabricated buildings, are a little cheaper and attract young people and first-time buyers.
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