Discovering Berlin’s Districts

Berlin is a lively metropolis that combines all the features of city life—old and modern, traditional and contemporary, bustling and relaxing. Explore the capital of Germany’s twelve diverse neighbourhoods (boroughs) or choose some favourites. Get ready to learn Berlin better!

The centre is the first place all tourists head to, so we will observe each of its four boroughs — Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Neukölln, and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.

Mitte

The city’s heart and cradle is full of exciting sights and diverse attractions waiting to be discovered. Mitte is the borough that encompasses Berlin’s nature and reflects its rich history. Don’t miss Berlin’s true gem, the Museum Island! If you prefer modern art to classic, welcome to the Berliner Unterwelten, an old air raid shelter transformed into one of Berlin’s most unusual exhibitions. It is located in the city’s deepest underground (U-Bahn) station, Gesundbrunnen. Other landmarks include the parliament building, the Reichstag, which was built in neo-Renaissance style and crowned by a glass dome as a sign of German politics’ openness to the world. Mitte is intersected by river Spree, which allows you to take a walk on the embankment or join a boat tour, revealing the riverside views of the city. Shopping is another reason for visiting Mitte: the streets surrounding Hackescher Markt are teeming with vintage shops and luxurious boutiques.

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

As the locals say, this district is the coolest and the hippest location in the entire Berlin. Young people are attracted by the bright cultural life, alternative lifestyles, and the great number of clubs (with the highest density of those in southern Friedrichshain). Oberbaumbrücke bridge is a vibrant spot with lots of street musicians, making it a prime concert venue. The district is also popular among the artists who create their works right in the streets, especially those next to Moritzplatz square. To look at an example of urban gardening, head to the Prinzessinnengärten (Princess Gardens), and when you get hungry, check out the Markthalle Neun market hall containing a variety of street food outlets. Art lovers won’t be disappointed, either: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is home to some of Berlin’s most impressive museums, such as Berlinische Galerie, Gropius-Bau, the Jewish Museum and the Deutsche Technikmuseum (German Museum of Technology). Theatre enthusiasts may find interest in visiting one of Hebbel am Ufer’s stages, the English Theatre Berlin (staging plays in English), or the Berliner Kriminaltheater (specialising in murder mysteries). Charming parks are present, too: have a walk in Viktoria Park, Friedrichshain Volkspark, or Park am Gleisdreieck. You can enjoy water recreation on the River Spree, like kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding.

Neukölln

Choose Neukölln, a district of contrasts, to experience a mix of old and new elements — estates and high-rises, snack bars and expensive restaurants. Multiculturalism is manifested here to the fullest, especially regarding the food scene: burritos and burgers, Arabian and Vietnamese cafés, a fusion of French and German cuisines, and so on. Creative designers and contemporary artists come in flocks and open studios — most of them are located between the Sonnenalee, Hermannstraße, and Landwehr Canal. The richness of the local cultural scene may be explored in the Heimathafen Neukölln, the old ballroom transformed into a modern art venue, where Berlin-themed plays are staged and poetry nights are hosted. The Neuköllner Oper, situated nearby, is an opera with a contemporary programme using unconventional formats. After active immersion in culture, relax in one of Neukölln’s parks — the Schloss Britz manor house, the Britzer Garten park, or the Körner Park. When the night covers the city, check out the borough’s bustling bar scene. Some of the most popular spots are Ä, TiEr, and Vin Aqua Vin; each of them has an entirely different atmosphere.

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

This borough is the most laid-back of all the others in central Berlin. It is elegant rather than modern and has much impressive architecture, especially along Kurfürstendamm Boulevard and in the Grunewald district. Kurfürstendamm (or Ku’damm, as locals call it) is a former part of West Berlin, where it used to be a partying place. Since the fall of the Wall, the boulevard became quieter, with parties moved to former East Berlin. Today, it is a shopper’s paradise, lined with dozens of outlets, galleries, and restaurants. Ku’damm and the surrounding streets are known as City West, the trendiest place in the entire Berlin. While you’re in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, don’t miss your chance to visit the stunning baroque garden of Charlottenburg Palace, renowned as the most attractive palace in the city. The Grunewald district is called «an oasis of tranquillity» due to its wealth of green places, with Teufelberg Hill («Devil’s Mountain) being the most popular among them. The hill is topped with remnants of a US listening station. Incredible views of Berlin make the climb worthwhile. However, this is not the only place from where you can enjoy the view of the city — both the Olympic Stadium’s Glockenturm, the Funkturm radio tower, and the Grunewaldturm tower offer breathtaking panoramas of different parts of Berlin. Football fans may spend their time in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf visiting the Olympiastadium, and music enthusiasts may find pleasure in visiting the Waldbühne amphitheatre, an open-air concert venue in the middle of a woodland. Finally, spend some time simply wandering up and down Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf’s beautiful streets and relaxing at some of its pretty bistros or restaurants.

West Berlin consists of four boroughs — Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Spandau, Reinickendorf, and Steglitz-Zehlendorf.

Spandau is a large borough whose area is primarily occupied by forests and meadows dotted with lakes and intersected by the river Havel. Come here to cycle, hike, spend time on numerous beaches, swim, and ride a canoe or a kayak. History lovers also have reasons for visiting Spandau: the Zitadelle Berlin — a well-preserved Renaissance fortress with long and thick bastion walls, which at winter become home for hundreds of bats; Spandau’s old town, with its oldest part in the Kolk quarter lined with charming half-timbered houses; and the Marienkirche, dating from the 8th century. Spandau’s old town is the largest pedestrian zone in Berlin; however, Spandau is also the biggest industrial district, with production sites such as BMW motorbikes. One of Berlin’s six UNESCO World Heritage Modernist housing estates is also situated here: the Großsiedlung Siemensstadt. For those interested in churches, Spandau offers the 75-km pilgrimage trail connecting 24 Protestant and two Catholic churches. Remember to have a walk in the magnificent Gutspark Neukladow on the shores of the River Havel. The park has a neo-classical manor house with an adjusting beer garden overviewing the lake. Another great park in Spandau is the Gutspark Groß Glienicke manor park. In the times of the Berlin Wall’s existence, it used to cross the park and the lake in two; today, you can still see its remains.

East Berlin also consists of four boroughs — Pankow, Lichtenberg, Marzann-Hellersdorf, and Treptow-Köpenick.

Pankow is the most populous of Berlin’s districts and has a reputation for being a creative and cosmopolitan area. It’s also a great shopping site, especially for those who love quirky, one-of-a-kind clothes: Oderberger Straße and Kastanienallee are teeming with designer shops. The Weißensee district is greener and less noisy than other parts of Pankow, though it also contains an art spot — the streets around the Weißensee Art College. Next to the lake, the Weißensee Cemetery is set; this is Europe’s largest Jewish cemetery and a historical monument. When it’s time to relax, head to the beautiful gardens adjusting the baroque Schönhausen Palace. The palace, built in 1621, now serves as a museum telling the story of the majestic building.

Conclusion

We hope we have inspired you to visit the wonderful city of Berlin, if not all of it, then at least some of its twelve diverse boroughs. You find something different in each of them, so you will likely want to return and explore more of this vibrant city. If you do, don’t worry about accommodation — hotelin.com helps you find a suitable stay. Whichever borough you choose, this hotel price aggregator offers dozens of stays — from cheap hostels to upscale hotels. See you in Berlin!