Best of Berlin: Places to Stay in Europe’s Creative Capital

As the top vacation destination in Germany and one of the fastest growing cities on the continent, Berlin has attracted record-breaking numbers of tourists in the past year. Known around the world for its booming art scene, exciting nightlife, and progressive architecture — not to mention the inexpensive rent — Berlin is the place to be for young creatives in Europe.

Divided during the Cold War, Berlin is littered with remnants of its tumultuous 20th-century history. Popular sites include the Holocaust Memorial, the Topography of Terror museum, Checkpoint Charlie, and the politically charged street art lining the Berlin Wall. Symbols of reunification including the 18th-century Brandenburg gate and the modern Reichstag Building are must-see sites of German history as well.

Part of the city’s charm comes from its repurposed industrial warehouses and new-build modern architecture. Unlike most European capitals, the history inhabitants are surrounded by is a product of the recent past. In fact, Berlin’s main cathedral, the Berliner Dom, was built relatively recently in 1905. In an attempt to cover several historical periods at once, the cathedral incorporates Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Neo-Renaissance architectural styles into one building!

The city’s hospitality industry has grown dramatically in response to the surge of tourists. In addition to luxury hotels and adventurous hostels, many visitors choose to rent apartments on Airbnb to experience the way Berliners live. As you plan your trip, have a look at the following hotels, hostels, and apartments as eclectic as the city itself:

NHOW Hotel Berlin by Karim Rashid Inc, Berlin, Germany

Close to Berlin’s Spree River, the trendy NHOW Hotel captures Berlin’s modern zeitgeist and eccentric character. The hotel’s colorful, amorphous shapes, light installations, and sound art are inspired by Berlin’s famed electronic music scene. The designers behind this funky hotel succeed in creating a digitally-inspired environment that is just as engaging as your Twitter feed.

Mani Hotelby Bruzkus Batek,Berlin, Germany

Located in Berlin’s fashionable Mitte neighborhood, the Mani Hotel is the epitome of sleek German design. The dark, minimalist facade contrasts with its more glamorous interior, a dynamic typical of Berlin architecture. Guests enjoy an internal courtyard garden and meals at the hotel’s restaurant.

Generator Berlin Mitte by Generator Hostels, Berlin, Germany

Also located in Mitte, the Generator Hostel offers travelers more affordable accommodation. The hostel’s designers embraced and celebrated Berlin’s love of street art. Inspired by the powerful images on the Berlin Wall’s Eastside Gallery, artists Luke Embden and Thierry Noir covered the hostel walls with the city’s highlights.

Hutten Palast, Berlin, Germany

Inside a former vacuum cleaner factory, this unique hotel offers guests what many consider a more authentic experience of the city. The designers have placed caravans and wooden huts indoors to evoke the German concept of Schrebergartenglück, a term translated as “the joy of spending some time in a small garden plot in the middle of many others.” If you cannot decide between a camping trip and exploring a new city, this indoor campground is the place for you.

Berlin #1 Studio Kippenberger by studio kippenberger, Berlin, Germany

If you are searching for a luxurious apartment to stay in, take a look at this spacious Berlin loft. The open layout, lit-up bicycle display, and city views make this an ideal apartment. I mean, who doesn’t love a bathtub in their living room — or a full-size car elevator?

MiniApartment Berlin by JAN RÖSLER ARCHITEKTEN, Berlin, Germany

For apartment hunters on a budget, this typical, compact apartment gives visitors a taste of the average Berliner’s lifestyle. Located in the trendy Kreuzberg district, the apartment’s exposed brick and clean white walls mirror the architecture of the area’s numerous art galleries.