Living in the German capital is truly an international experience: students and workers from all over the world gather there, transforming the city into a totally multicultural environment. According to CountryAAH, Berlin is a city that is constantly evolving, always at the forefront of new trends. There is really a place where you can find everything. But even so, there are some parts of the city that are better than others, even more for exchange students. That is why we have separated in this text the 5 best neighborhoods in Berlin for international students!

Berlin’s 5 best neighborhoods

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg neighborhood is probably the most cool of Berlin, so it’s no surprise that it is one of the most popular among students – which also means that the rental prices have soared in recent years.

This modern and artistic neighborhood brings together all the best of Berlin in one place, and also presents very strong contrasts: you can live in a chic area in Bergmannskiez or Paul-Lincke-Ufer, or enjoy a more alternative scenario with the graffiti walls of Oranienstraße and Kotti.

Kreuzberg is also the perfect area for those who like to relax on the grass: the Görlitzer Park (affectionately called Görli by Berliners) and the Urbanufer, in the Landwehrkanal, are great options. The neighborhood also offers a large number of restaurants and bars – Bergmannstraße, for example is the ideal place for a good night out.

Berlin’s public transport network is great, so it’s easy to get around. Kreuzberg is one of the best neighborhoods in Berlin for students attending Macromedia College, Design Academy Berlin and ESMOD Berlin. From the Bahnhof Hallesches Tor, the purple U-Bahn U6 line takes you to Humboldt University with just three stops.

Mitte

Mitte is the most artistic neighborhood in Berlin, right in the heart of the city. It is one of the most popular and tourist areas in the capital of Germany and where most people start looking for a place to live, which also makes the neighborhood quite expensive. Mitte is full of nightclubs, restaurants, funky bars and designer stores, so there is no risk of getting bored.

Living in Mitte means that you will be within walking distance of important points in the city, such as Alexanderplatz (or Alex, as the locals call it), Hackescher Markt and Friedrichstraße. With the city’s excellent trams, trains and buses, you can also easily find your way to any other neighborhood there.

Mitte is among the best neighborhoods in Berlin for students studying at Humboldt University, one of the three largest public universities in the city, with more than 30,000 students. It is also the perfect place for those studying at Medienakademie; at the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT); at the School of Media, Communication and Business (HMKW), at the Hertie School of Governance or at the IUBH.

Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg is a more residential neighborhood in Berlin, where you can easily find fathers and mothers pushing strollers. In addition to a large number of health food stores , there are also several cafés and great restaurants. The Kollwitzplatz square is one of the best places in town to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The famous Mauerpark is in the same area: there you can sing, play basketball, visit thrift stores or just relax on the grass whenever the sun is shining. Kastanienalle is another busy place, especially at night, bringing together most of the bars in the region. Kulturbrauerei or Pfefferberg are great options for dancing or having a traditional German beer with your friends.

Prenzlauer Berg is a good option if you study at the Humboldt University in Berlin – just 25 minutes away by train, metro or bus. If you take the tram and the S7, you will reach the Technical University in Berlin in 35 minutes.

Schöneberg

Although Schöneberg is a predominantly residential neighborhood, it is also the “home” of the LGBT community of Berlin’s. The neighborhood lives with both “provocative” bars, clubs and shops, as well as families strolling on weekends. Open-air markets fill the neighborhood’s squares, and the region’s antique shops also make the area the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

In Schöneberg, Berlin’s pre-war buildings mix with the modern shapes of the 50s and 60s. For those who like shopping, the KaDeWe department store is a must. It is also worth visiting the town hall of Schöneberg, where President John F. Kennedy gave his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech in 1963.

Schönberg is one of the best neighborhoods in Berlin for students enrolled at the Technical University of Berlin – there are only 8 stops at U7 and 2 stops at U2 at U Eisenacher Str station. From the same station, you can reach Humboldt University in 4 stops at U7 , and 4 stops at U6.

Friedrichshain

Friedrichshain is the first thing that comes out of a Berliner’s mouth when you ask him where he would like to live in the city. The neighborhood is a modern area with many young people (in fact, it is the district of the German capital with the highest percentage of young people aged 18 to 26). This is because even though it is a very central area, it is still possible to find accessible places to live.

In Friedrichshain, you will find the East Side Gallery, where there is a very well-preserved part of the Berlin Wall. There are also many restaurants and bars, especially around Simon-Dach-Straße. The neighborhood is also known for hosting the famous and exclusive Berghain nightclub. While there is still daylight, you can stroll through one of the region’s many flea markets or relax at Volkspark Friedrichshain.

From Frankfurter Tor, it will take you 25 minutes to reach Humboldt University (4 stops at U5 and 4 at U2). From Warschauer Straße, it is also 25 minutes to reach the Technical University of Berlin (8 stops on the S5).