Explore Berlin like a local in these lively, grown-up neighborhoods.
Berlin ’s reputation as a party city sticks to it like glue , but the clubs and bars that are such a draw for international merrymaker tend to be located in the ever - hype neighborhoods of Friedrichshain , Neukölln , and Kreuzberg . Unlike many European capitals , Berlinis huge — It ’s nine time the size ofParis — and you could easy neglect out on coolheaded - in - their - own - direction , far less touristy neighborhoods properly in the city center , especially if you blow into township just to go out .
Central Berlin is consider everything within the circular S - Bahn melodic line called the Ringbahn . In worldwide , the party destinations descend farther east within this area . If you ’re landing in the urban center ready for art , history , or just pretend to dwell like a local , you may be well served by head Mae West , to three areas that have much to bid , and not much in the elbow room of third - undulation coffee shop class and “ heute leider nicht”—that imply “ unfortunately , not today , ” the signature rejection at Berlin club door .
Bordered by the Spree and various canals , Moabit — where I ’ve lived for almost a decade — is technically an island , and it feels like one , too , thanks to the area ’s uncrowded parks , restaurants , and bars . To the south and southwest are my other pet stomping grounds : the more au courant but still adult - feeling Schöneberg , and Charlottenburg - Wilmersdorf , a district marked by leafy squares and grand apartment construction , which can sense more genuine than the city ’s trendier quarter where modification sometimes seems to be the only constant .
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Best things to do in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
This well - to - do territorial dominion had its heyday in the 1920s , when it was home to the city ’s most notable cabarets and theaters . Today , it ’s where I go for more upscale , time - brave offering than in my own neighborhood , whether that ’s walk the manicured ground of the BaroqueCharlottenburg Palace(in summer , count for the ruck of sheep , and in December , visit the Christmas market hold in front of the Schloss ) or browse theAntikmeile , a whole street dedicated to mom - and - soda antique stores since the 1970s . Start atBerliner Sammelsurium , which also sell coffee and patty , and work your way northward , with a halt around the corner atWald Königsberger Marzipan , a C - old , family - owned marzipan shop class .
Berlin ’s Museum Island in Mitte get a ton of well - deserved attention , but in similar mode , right across the street from Schloss Charlottenburg , you ’ll retrieve a small collection of excellent ethnic institutions all right next door to one another . TheMuseum Berggruenis house to a formerly private collection of modernistic art , theSammlung Scharf - Gerstenbergspecializes in Surrealism , and theBröhan Museumoffers twentieth hundred decorative arts .
This district is also where to direct for some of the best Asiatic food in Berlin , starting on Kantstraße , long home to a bona fide plethora of Asiatic restaurants . The sushi restaurant893 Ryoteiis one of the street ’s trendier offerings , but if you ’re on a budget , I ’m partial to the wimp katsu at the absolutely no - frillsUdagawa , or the pop , pint - sized TaiwaneseLon - Men ’s Noodle Housedown the street . And on Fridays through Saturdays in spring through October , Wilmersdorf ’s Preußenpark is home to theThaiwiese , a beloved open - zephyr Thai intellectual nourishment market ideal for picnic .
Berlin is n’t really a prize destination for German cuisine ; that ’s Bavaria . But you ’ll find the classic in Charlottenburg surrounded by a good moment of patina , whether it ’s a homely schnitzel at the 70 - yr - oldDiener - Tattersallor a more upscale variation atJules Verne , both located near leafy Savignyplatz , where every other person bet like an out - of - workplace theater director . Berlin was also once the capital of Prussia ; for representative cuisine , there ’s cozyMarjellchen . TheCafé i m Literaturhaus Wintergarten , in a 19th hundred former villa , is ideal for the good afternoon tradition of kaffee und kuchen ( “ coffee and cake ” ) .
For a drink at any fourth dimension , foreland toSchwarzes Cafe , open 24 hours a day and better known as one of David Bowie ’s haunts during his Berlin years . Finally , if you ’re looking for a room access almost as tight as famously choosyBerghain ’s without cause to leave the neighbourhood , try your fortune at tinyRum Trader , one of the city ’s oldest and most idiosyncratic cocktail bars .
Out of the three region in this template , Charlottenburg is your best choice for hotels . An outpost of theHoxtonopened last May , with a fun lobby bar outfitted with northerly European flea market finds plus anIndian restaurantserving killer butter chicken . as design - disposed but spiritually the Hoxton ’s opposite is the family - runWilmina , a serenely austere hotel that open up in 2022 in a landmarked former women ’s prison , with a small rooftop pool — open all year for the brave — and insert - away garden courtyard , both reserved just for Edgar Albert Guest .
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Best things to do in Moabit
unruffled and multicultural , Moabit is idealistic for visitors who attempt to experience like they last in the urban center they visit . Start your day atDomberger Brotwerkfor a coffee and the metropolis ’s unspoilt sourdough , and take it to the nearby banks of the Spree , some of the least overrun riverfront in township . Have lunch at one of the Lebanese restaurants on Huttenstraße — the hummus atBig Baschais a standout — or just east , get delightful Turkish gözleme ( gormandise flatbread ) to go fromKırşehirli Gözlemeci . End your day with dinner party at theArminiusmarkthalle , one of the urban center ’s last three remaining historical grocery halls . If you ’re visiting from spring through fall , you could also get your biergarten location at the very literally describe Biergarten am Kleinen Tiergarten , which is tucked behind the nineteenth - century church St. Johanniskirche and is too low - key for a site .
And if you really want to make like a local , spend at least part of a day atVabali , a 20,000 hearty - meter sauna composite which is the one station in my region I can always numerate on non - Moabiters to know about . Just keep in judgment that German sauna are textile - free and cobalt - ed . If that ’s not your matter , see what ’s happening atKulturfabrik , a longstanding mixed - use cultural distance with a tinymovie theaterand abar , and get a good sense of history down the street , at ascenic memorial parkthat was once an infamous Nazi political prison .
As of September , Moabit is a bit well connect to the rest of the city thanks to an extension of the M10 tram business line — take it all the elbow room to Friedrichshain , if you must . New openings in the neighborhood already experience like they ’re speed . Some of my front-runner among the recent additions are the Gallic wine barTriiio , which makes a peachy croque madame , the coffee shop Brühgruppe , where you could also get an espresso martini , and the candlelit ginmill Perlou , which , unlike many bars in Berlin , actually distinguish smoking and non - smoking room . These days , it also feels likeanotherstorefrontgalleryshows up every metre you go for a perambulation , with Moabit ’s diffuse modern-day graphics fit drop anchor inZK / U , an artist residency space in a former railroad line depot with a nifty public garden .
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One area where Moabit could abide to meliorate is its hotel offer , which are still slim . That say , budget travelers should be prosperous at theWallyard Concept Hostel , which also offers private rooms . To make the most of the area ’s Spree - side locality , book a waterfront way at theAbion Spreebogenwith a neat view over the river .
Best things to do in Schöneberg
Where David Bowie lived from 1976 to 1978 , close to Kreuzberg and Mitte but less touristy , Schöneberg is the sphere where everyone I know would like to notice their dream flat — although thanks to Berlin ’s housing crisis , that ’s unlikely to happen . But stroll from Goltzstraße down Akazienstraße , passing mom - and - pop shop sellingchocolate , wine , historic wear , workmanship supplies , and justapples — or go citizenry - watching on a gay weekend good afternoon at the Park am Gleisdreieck , a ballpark built over a former rail depot which borders the neighbourhood to the east — and it ’s easy to see the area ’s appeal .
Schöneberg has something to tempt just about every character of tourist . Just west of Nollendorfplatz , you ’ll find many of the gay bar the area is known for . From there , take the air to Viktoria - Luise - Platz , both because it ’s beautiful and there ’s greatvegan Sichaun foodto be had . Nearby , go for pizza and a negroni atSironiand ice ointment atJones Ice Cream , both of which try the waters with stands at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg , then decided to make their lasting home base over this way of life . Browse passe books atAntiquariat Thomas Mertensor Antiquariat Ihring ( no web site ) , or get an unusual feel for local chronicle atSchöneberger Südgelände , a rail yard that sit empty from 1952 to 2000 , and is now an urban green outer space . For a fancy excursion , head to the huge department storeKaDeWe — I do n’t go for the luxury brands but instead skip to the top two floor , which are devoted to food and drink of all sorts . lastly , on Saturdays , do n’t drop the market place atWinterfeldtplatz , where you may get everything from local produce and wool slippers to licorice and gözleme ( ingurgitate Turkish loot ) . Schöneberg is also home to one of the city ’s newest museum , Das Kleine Grosz Museum , which is devoted to the whole shebang of Georg Grosz , best fuck for his drawings and house painting of 1920s Berlin living .
And hey , even if that daydream altbau(old building ) Schöneberg apartment ai n’t happen , at least visitors can sort of appease in one . TheResidenz Begaswinkelis house in a renovated neoclassical construction , and if you do n’t mind abide a bit to the south , Das Literaturhotelis fully outfitted with 19th century German trappings .
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Arminiusmarkthalle - Markthalle Moabit
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