Moving Berlin: popular neighborhoods, apartments & insider districts

Moving Berlin – The German capital has a lot to offer. Whether luxury shopping on the Kurfürstendamm or a huge cultural offer, Berlin is hard to beat in diversity as a city. So it’s no wonder that tens of thousands of people are drawn to the metropolis every year – and by no means just Germans. Berlin is considered an international fashion, art and cultural metropolis. Moving to Berlin sounds appealing and offers many new possibilities and opportunities. In order to make your move as relaxed as possible and to find the right district and the perfect place to live in the big city of Berlin, we have compiled the most popular and trendiest districts with the most important information for you.

Berlin Mitte: Central location, 24 hours entertainment

You can’t get more central and busy than this in Germany: Berlin Mitte, as the name suggests, is located in the city centre of this metropolis of over a million inhabitants. There is something going on here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Berlin Mitte never sleeps. Besides the hustle and bustle, this district has a lot more to offer: here you can find the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the main train station and the sprawling Tiergarten. The elegant boulevard Unter den Linden is also located here. The Gendarmenmarkt can also be found in Berlin Mitte and invites you to linger and marvel at the restored, historic buildings. This district includes a total of 6 districts.

Center for Art, Culture, Science, Media & Politics

Berlin lives up to its name as a capital city of millions and especially Berlin Mitte offers several highlights of the city. The central and insanely busy district is considered the center for art and culture, but also for science, media and politics. Thus, in addition to famous universities, the Museum Island with many renowned museums, the Bundestag and the Chancellor’s Office can be found here. Berlin Mitte is a dynamic district where there is always a lot going on and which is also visited by thousands of tourists every day. All these factors should be taken into account when choosing an apartment in Berlin Mitte.

Key figures:

• Population: 385,748
• Area: 39,47 km²
• Population density: 9773 inhabitants/km²

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg: Center for art and party scene

Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are two districts that are combined into one district. It is considered a rather alternative district, known mainly for buildings from the GDR era. The Jewish Museum and the East Side Gallery are located here. The district stands above all for an alternative lifestyle and creativity. In addition to the German Museum of Technology, you will also find the Volkspark, the Viktoriapark, the Stralau Peninsula (center for sailing), the Markthalle Neun and Bergmannstraße, which invites you to linger and feast with several cozy restaurants and cafés. The club scene here is also pronounced, so you will find the center of the Berlin club scene: the techno club Berghain.

Lively artists’ quarter with excellent gastronomy

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg really has a lot to offer its residents. Here, no one comes up short when it comes to entertainment or leisure activities. Whether it’s sailing, feasting, partying or walking in the greenery, you can really find it all here. This is a perfect neighbourhood for those who like it a bit quieter than the absolute city centre, but still want to be close to the big city. Here you’ll find the perfect mix of tranquillity and activity.

Key figures:

• Population: 290,386
• Area: 20,34 km²
• Population density: 14,277 inhabitants/km²

Prenzlauer Berg: Hip district for young families

Family-friendly Prenzlauer Berg is packed with kid-friendly ice cream parlors, cafes and playgrounds. This once unique hub for artists looking for rent-free abandoned buildings to set up live studios has become one of the hottest and trendiest hoods in Berlin. It was also the neighborhood where one of Berlin’s most influential artists, Käthe Kollwitz, lived and studied. Today, it is home to young families who love to eat at trendy restaurants and buy handicrafts in boutiques and markets. Mauerpark is a highlight in the city every Sunday, with a flea market, a thriving busker scene and wildly entertaining karaoke.

Hotspot for families & child-friendly district

It is mainly young professionals and affluent families who live here and appreciate the neighbourhood’s child-friendly flair. There are many casual restaurants and cafés here that invite you to linger. Prenzlauer Berg is perfect for young families and young professionals who are looking for a connection to life in the big city but still need a retreat for a dynamic family life.

Key figures:

• Population: 165,003
• Area: 10,96 km²
• Population density: 15,062 inhabitants/km²

Charlottenburg: quarter for luxury & exclusivity

Berlin Charlottenburg is a district in the west of Berlin. Thanks to its elegant pre-war buildings and luxury boutiques, this district enjoys an exclusive reputation. Here you will find, among other things, the Kurfürstendamm, one of the most expensive, exclusive and famous shopping streets in all of Germany – if not the world. On the so-called Ku’damm you will also find hotels and department stores, all of the highest standard. Charlottenburg Palace is also located here and is best known for its ornate palace garden, which invites you to stroll and walk.

Kurfürstendamm as a famous and exquisite shopping boulevard

Charlottenburg is a very popular, but also very expensive neighborhood. If you are looking for prestige and a nice apartment in an old building, this is the place to be. As in many parts of Berlin, there are many tourists on the road during the day, but this should not be noticeable in the basic big city bustle. The side streets and side streets are quite quiet and this neighborhood is perfect for those who enjoy and can afford luxury and exclusivity.

Key figures:

• Population: 130,663
• Area: 10,6 km²
• Population density: 12,327 inhabitants/km²

Wedding: Neighbourhood for families & students

Berlin Wedding is considered to be a multicultural district spread over various residential areas and parks, such as the Volkspark Rehberge or the smaller Schillerpark. These green spaces are especially popular with joggers and families for outings. The Brüsseler Kiez is the district’s gastronomic and nightlife centre and boasts cosy restaurants and cafés and is considered a very lively place. The Brüsseler Kiez attracts students and families alike.

Quiet and lively at the same time: living in the countryside

Wedding is the perfect district for all those who are looking for proximity to the big city but also need peace and quiet and time out in the quiet nature. Here you will find many large green areas that invite you to relax and take a walk. Here you can find a good balance to the hustle and bustle of city life and can work out at will after the job or enjoy a cozy dinner in one of the excellent restaurants.

Key figures:

• Population: 86,806
• Area: 9,23 km²
• Population density: 9,405 inhabitants/km²

Treptow-Köpenick: Recreation area in former industrial location

The district of Berlin Treptow-Köpenick is extremely extensive and contains, among other things, the very large Treptower Park, and the Plänterwald with the Spreepark, a disused amusement park. The former industrial areas of Ober- and Niederschöneweide are home to numerous galleries and artists’ studios. There are also many media and recording studios in former GDR broadcasting buildings. Many excursion boats dock and disembark at Treptower Hafen. The district has become attractive not only for recreation but also for work: one of the largest technology parks in the world is located in Adlershof.

Great workplace with potential for recreation

Those who work here do not necessarily need the connection to Berlin’s city centre. The large district is quite sparsely populated by Berlin standards and holds a lot of peace and quiet for its residents. There are also many locations nearby that are major employers, such as the Technology Park in Adlershof. The perfect neighbourhood for people who don’t want to pay horrendously high rents, who are looking for peace and quiet, but still want to live close to the big city.

Key figures:

• Population: 273,689
• Area: 168,4 km²
• Population density: 1,626 inhabitants/km²