Neighbourhoods & districts in Berlin

Reinickendorf? Treptow-Köpenick? Is that Berlin? Of course it is! The twelve boroughs of Berlin are what give the capital city its character.

The glorious variety of all the different boroughs has grown: every neighbourhood, known in Berlin as a Kiez, has been shaped by its own characteristic history – Charlottenburg in the west by the rich industrial pioneers of the 19th century, or Marzahn in the east with its typical East German socialist architecture.

Berlin’s boroughs include old industrial areas that have become thriving cultural centres, as well as sleepy villages, busy markets and arcades, and endless green landscapes, rivers and bathing lakes. But above all it’s the people who live there that make each neighbourhood unique. Just sit in the sun outside the cafés and restaurants and immerse yourself in the world of Berlin’s local neighbourhoods, far from the hectic pace of the metropolis. Have a look here: 

Or for a fascinatingly different take on life in Berlin, expand your horizons by going local in Berlin’s 12 districts and exploring the diverse neighbourhoods. But no matter how varied the city’s neighbourhoods are, they all share that special Berlin feeling and sense of freedom.

And one more thing before we start: are you looking for a detailed sightseeing programme? You won’t need one to explore Berlin’s districts. Just do whatever you want: wander through the side streets, take a look at the art scene or choose your favourite food from the huge range available in the city’s neighbourhoods.
Whether you want to climb the steps of a mediaeval tower or descend into Berlin’s underground world – get out to the districts and discover Berlin twelve times over!

You can find out more about they city’s neighbourhoods with our Going Local Berlin app.

Have you already seen all the main sights of Berlin? Experienced a piece of world history at the Berlin Wall or got an impression of what life was like under dictatorship in the GDR Museum? The twelve boroughs of Berlin tell the capital city’s story in more detail. In the local neighbourhoods you often stumble across remnants of history and authentic stories. You might be walking through a manor park and suddenly see a piece of the Berlin Wall, and not far away come across the rusting remains of the old border fortifications.

And what you can see in the GDR Museum, you can hear about first hand if you go to the neighbourhoods: discover a flat with the original East German furnishings in a tower block in Hellersdorf. Or you can see the furnished offices of the East German leaders in a Baroque palace in Pankow.

We have tourist tips for every borough in Berlin!

And another tip: The U5 underground line connects several districts from Mitte to Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf with many exciting sights and hidden places.