NeuköllnNeukölln stretches south from the River Spree and Hermannplatz into a dense maze of streets where Turkish bakeries, African and Middle Eastern restaurants and inexpensive cafés sit alongside new bars and galleries. Weserstraße and the surrounding Schillerkiez are the social heart, while Maybachufer beside the canal hosts a lively market on market days.
By day Neukölln feels busy and practical, multicultural shops, markets and cafés doing brisk business. After dark it turns lively and social, with bars, small beer gardens and late-night food stalls keeping the neighbourhood active well into the small hours.
Neukölln at a Glance
Affordable bars, street food and a creative, multicultural vibe.
- Best for: Nightlife on a budget and street-food hunting
- Vibe: Multicultural, creative and slightly gritty
- Nearest station: Hermannplatz (U7, U8)
- Price level: $ - $$
- To the main sights: About 20-30 minutes by U-Bahn to Mitte and central sights
- Safety: Generally safe; stay aware late at night in quiet streets
Who's Neukölln For?
Great for:
- Budget travellers
- Bar-hopping
- Street-food and markets
- Vintage shoppers
- Young creatives
Maybe skip it if:
- You want polished, luxury five-star hotels
- You only have a few hours in Berlin for classic sightseeing
Getting Your Bearings in Neukölln
The area centres on Hermannplatz and the long commercial Karl-Marx-Straße, with Weserstraße and the Schillerkiez to the north-west and the Maybachufer canal running west-east. Neukölln borders Kreuzberg to the north-west and the broad green of Tempelhof and Treptow to the south-east.
Plan Your Visit to Neukölln
- Market days: Maybachufer market runs on Tuesdays and Fridays; great for street food.
- Late-night food: Kebab shops and inexpensive eateries stay open late after bars close.
- Cash vs card: Many small cafés accept card, but carry some cash for market stalls.
- Language: English is widely understood in cafés and bars, German helps in shops.
- Safety at night: Stick to busy streets and main squares if you’re out late.
Things to Do in Neukölln
- Weserstraße: A packed social street of bars, diners and late-night hangouts; perfect for bar-hopping.
- Maybachufer market: Open-air market along the canal with street food, fresh produce and fabrics on market days.
- Klunkerkranich: Rooftop garden and bar offering skyline views and a relaxed outdoor vibe.
- Görlitzer Park: Popular urban park for sunbathing, picnics and people-watching close to the northern edge.
- Şehitlik Mosque: A notable Turkish-style mosque reflecting the neighbourhood’s strong Turkish community.
How to Get to Neukölln
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): Public transport: take the FEX/RE7/RB14 regional trains to Alexanderplatz, then change to U-Bahn U8 to Hermannplatz; total journey about 35-50 minutes, fare roughly €3-4. Taxi/ride-hail: simplest door-to-door option, around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, fare roughly €35-60.
- From the main sights: Public transport: from Alexanderplatz take U8 southbound directly to Hermannplatz in about 15-20 minutes; single-journey ticket required. Taxi/ride-hail: typically 15-25 minutes from central Mitte depending on traffic.
Getting Around Neukölln
- U-Bahn: Hermannplatz (U7, U8) is the main interchange for the area; most of Neukölln is walkable from there.
- Buses and cycling: Frequent buses cross the neighbourhood and there are good cycle lanes, hiring a bike is an easy way to explore.
- Taxis and ride-hail: Taxis are common and ride-hail apps work well for late-night trips when public transport is slower.
Where to Stay in Neukölln
Neukölln has mostly budget and mid-range accommodation, with compact hotels and hostels near Hermannplatz and the Arcaden. Expect practical rooms rather than grand luxury; many places are in converted apartment buildings and favour local character. Staying near Hermannplatz or Karl-Marx-Straße keeps you within easy walking distance of bars and transport.
Mid-range
- Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof: A reliable mid-range chain hotel a short walk from Hermannplatz and public transport.
- Aparthotel Thüringer Hof: Self-catering apartment-style rooms close to the heart of Neukölln and local shops.
- Erlanger Hof: Small hotel with straightforward rooms located within walking distance of Weserstraße.
- Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven: Modest three-star hotel on the edge of the neighbourhood with practical rooms.
Budget
- Karibuni: Very small guest-house close to local cafés and the action on Weserstraße.
- Pension Goldkopf: Simple guest-house within a short walk of Hermannplatz and nearby bars.
- Grand Hostel Berlin Urban: Basic hostel option offering dorms and private rooms not far from the centre.
- Karl Marx Hostel: Economical, centrally located hostel a reasonable walk from the main nightlife streets.
Where to Eat in Neukölln
Neukölln serves a huge range of inexpensive international food, Turkish bakeries, Vietnamese shops and late-night kebabs sit beside newcomers doing pizza and brunch. Head to Weserstraße, Karl-Marx-Straße and the canal by Maybachufer for strong options, with prices mostly $ to $$. The market days on Maybachufer are excellent for street-food bites.
- Piri’s: Burger spot; $.
- Tabibito: Japanese restaurant; $$.
- La Bolognina: Italian restaurant; $$.
- Tandoori Palace: Indian restaurant; $$.
- Viet Bowl: Vietnamese restaurant; $-$$.
- Isla Coffee: Cafe serving breakfasts and cakes; $.
- Zimt & Mehl: Ice-cream and sweet treats; $.
- Felicia: Casual café; $.
Nightlife in Neukölln
Neukölln’s nightlife ranges from cosy pubs and laid-back bars to rooftop spaces and beer gardens, concentrated around Weserstraße and the arcades near Hermannplatz. Most places are unpretentious and late opening is common; expect bottled beers, draughts and creative cocktails at moderate prices $-$$. Rooftop venues and garden bars become especially busy in summer evenings.
- Klunkerkranich: Rooftop bar and garden with great views and a relaxed crowd.
- Trude, Ruth und Goldammer: Quirky bar popular with locals for drinks and conversation.
- Majestic: Small, lively bar a short walk from main streets.
- Jaja: Friendly bar with a neighbourhood feel and regular visitors.
- Prachtwerk: Stylish bar offering cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere.
- Babette’s Garden: Small beer garden ideal for relaxed outdoor drinks in summer.
Shopping in Neukölln
Shopping in Neukölln mixes practical department stores and weekend markets with vintage and independent boutiques. The Neukölln Arcaden and nearby chains cover everyday needs, while Maybachufer market and second-hand shops around Schillerkiez are where you find bargains and unique items. Expect mostly budget to mid-range prices.
- Neukölln Arcaden: Small shopping mall with chain stores and practical shops.
- Woolworth: Discount department store for basics and bargains.
- TK Maxx: Off-price chain selling discounted fashion and homeware.
- Galeria: Department store stocking a wide range of clothing and home goods.
- Wochenmarkt am Maybachufer: Lively canal-side market with food stalls, fabrics and fresh produce.