The 5 best neighborhoods to live in Berlin

Check why these five cool Berlin neighborhoods are some of the most interesting and sought-after places to live in the city.

Editorial Team

By Editorial Team

Berlin buildings

Many people who are looking to move to Germany’s capital are wondering which Berlin neighborhoods are the best for newcomers to the city. The city is quite large, so unless you do your research beforehand about the best neighborhoods in Berlin you may find yourself overwhelmed by all the options.

Even if you have already visited the city, tourists do not have the best perspective on the right Berlin neighborhoods to live in. It’s important to consider a variety of factors that are particular to your lifestyle in order to zero in on the right living choice.If you’re looking for cool neighborhoods in Berlin ahead of your relocation, these five areas are perfect for you.

Charlottenburg

Lovely Charlottenburg is another of the unassailably cool neighborhoods in Berlin. This gem of a neighborhood is set within the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin’s inner city. It was first established as an independent town in 1705, and named after Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, Queen Consort of Prussia.

If you’re looking to move to Berlin, you can hardly make a better choice than this coveted district. (It’s even easier to establish yourself in Germany’s capital when you rent one of Blueground’s furnished apartments in Berlin.) There is a huge variety of cultural offerings as well as a thriving bar and restaurant scene.

Charlottenburg in Berlin

The best-known landmark in the area is towering Charlottenburg Palace, the largest royal palace in Berlin still in existence today. This historic building is now a museum and garden that attracts many visitors each year. Other neighborhood highlights include Erich Mendelsohn’s Modernist theater Schaubühne, which has three stages, and the venerable Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Elegant Charlottenburg, in addition to being one of the best neighborhoods to live in Berlin, is known for its historic architecture and high-end shopping scene. You can find whatever your heart desires in the area’s boutiques and galleries. There’s also the lovely Forst Grunewald, a large park located along the western border of Charlottenburg.

For newcomers to the city, Charlottenburg offers a wonderful mix of history and culture, as well as convenient public transportation and gracious architecture.

Prenzlauer Berg

Another one of the best Berlin neighborhoods to live in is Prenzlauer Berg. This centrally located, family-friendly neighborhood is situated in northeast Berlin. If you’re looking to relocate to Germany’s capital, Prenzlauer Berg is a wonderful choice, thanks to its abundance of amenities and proximity to Berlin’s public transportation system.

In general, this beautiful neighborhood has a young population, especially people with children. Berlin’s Zeiss Planetarium and MACHmit! Museum for Children are both in Prenzlauer Berg, so there is plenty to do with your young ones in tow.

prenzlauer berg in berlin

If you like to cook or want to learn, Prenzlauer Berg’s abundance of local supermarkets makes it an excellent place to settle. There is also a Sunday farmer’s market at Mauerpark each week.

Prenzlauer Berg has a great dining scene — another reason it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Berlin. There are a wide variety of cafes and restaurants throughout the neighborhood. You can find everything from hearty traditional German food to notable international options like Wen Cheng Handpulled Noodles.

Kreuzberg

Another Berlin neighborhood that is highly worth a mention is Kreuzberg, a large district in the central part of the city. This area is not only historic, but offers plenty to see and do. As a result, Kreuzberg is increasingly popular with new arrivals to the city, students, and young professionals.

The fast-growing, dynamic area has cafes and restaurants at every price point. You can find Austrian and German food and a wide variety of international options, including a number of Turkish eateries around Kottbusser Tor.

kreuzberg in berlin

Other points of interest in this historic neighborhood are Checkpoint Charlie, the famous Cold War barrier that is set along Kreuzberg’s northern boundary, and Potsdamer Platz, the former grand public square that was demolished in World War II and then divided by the Berlin Wall.

Kreuzberg is also the location of a number of notable museums, including the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Berlinische Gallery, and the German Museum of Technology. So whether it’s history or art that you enjoy, Kreuzberg is an excellent choice for newcomers and one of the best neighborhoods to live in Berlin.

Friedrichshain

If you’re looking for cool neighborhoods to live in in Berlin, Friedrichshain is a great choice. This hip area in the eastern part of the city is popular with students and young people, as well as newcomers to Berlin.

Friedrichshain has a great culinary scene. There is a lot of variety to the bars, cafes, and restaurants in the neighborhood, representing both traditional German pub fare an international options like Vietnamese.

frederichshain in berlin

Friedrichshain is also renowned for its cool boutiques, so you can plan to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon doing some window shopping or purchasing gifts for family and friends. If you love to dance, it’s worth noting that the neighborhood also has a great after hours club scene.

Other notable things to see and do in Friedrichshain are Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin, which hosts concerts from some of the top acts in the music world, and the Computerspiele Museum. Friedrichshain is also home to the East Side Gallery, a portion of the Berlin Wall that has been preserved for historical interest.

Friedrichshain is not only one of the best neighborhoods in Berlin, it also offers an immersive cultural experience to its residents.

Schöneberg

One of the Berlin neighborhoods we love best is picturesque Schöneberg. This centrally located Berlin neighborhood is ideal for newcomers to the city, since there is so much to experience right on your doorstep. If you’re looking to move to Berlin, Schöneberg is a perfect choice.

Schöneberg is one of the best neighborhoods in Berlin, thanks to its wonderful shopping scene the thriving nightlife options around Nollendorfplatz. In addition to a number of independent and high end boutiques, the neighborhood is home to Kaufhaus des Westens, a supersized luxury department store. It’s so large, in fact, that there is an entire floor dedicated solely to gourmet foods.

sconeberg in berlin

Another important highlight in Schöneberg is Hans-Baluschek Park, a beautiful city park that’s perfect for a long walk or playing sports with friends. The neighborhood’s diverse attractions make it one of the cool neighborhoods to live in.

In conclusion, when you’re looking to move to Berlin it’s important to choose a neighborhood that fits with your lifestyle. Each of these Berlin neighborhoods offers unique attractions for newcomers to the city. When you choose one of the cool neighborhoods in Berlin, you can rest assured that there will be plenty to see and do right outside your door — that way you can make the most of your time in Germany’s capital city. Living in a furnished apartment in one of these neighborhoods will make your transition to Berlin even easier!

Editorial Team

Editorial Team

The Blueground editorial team covers the best things to see, do, and experience in our cities around the world.