Should we stay in East or West Berlin

[Davespecifico]

I’d like to stay in the West because of some of the sites that are there. DP says we should stay in the East because it will be more interesting.
I’m aware that it’s all quite spread out so we’ll travel each day anyway.
Any recommendations for bases in the east or west. Thanks.

I stayed in AlexanderPlatz in the east and it was easy to get to the main sights and it was interesting (and cheaper)

There are sights in both the East and West. It makes no difference. I live in the East Berlin area, and travel to work everyday in the West. Honestly just stay anywhere, the East is no more interesting than the West and vice versa.

I'd just pick the hotel I fancied most.

I would too ConsiderThe Centre, but DP won’t pay for a hotel so we’re looking at aibnbs.

So funny that over 25 years after the Wende we're still distinguishing between the two. TBH for a tourist it's less about East or West and more about which districts in each - and very specifically the part of each district. They all have their own character. I'm in the western burbs and it's great for a resident (very leafy) but less interesting for a tourist. The 'best' districts are probably Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain (East) and Kreuzberg, Neukölln, And Charlottenburg (West - the latter is very commercial and conventional, but central). What kind of vibe are you looking for? How edgy? How multicultural?
I would probably recommend somewhere on the boundary between Kreuzberg (w) and Friedrichshain (e) (near Schleschischer Tor underground on the U1, but close to the S-Bahn). Lots of great restaurants and cafes but also good transport links. Alternatively somewhere close to HackescherMarkt in Mitte (known as the Scheunenviertel), which is lively but also walking distance from the main museums.
Main thing: buy an inclusive travel ticket for 2/3/4/5 days when you arrive at the airport - great value.

Dave - please please don't use an AirBnB. Firstly most of the whole apartment options are unlicensed and thus illegal. They're also doing it without the knowledge of landlords. secondly, I know a lot of people who are desperately looking for flats to live in right now. The holiday rentals have really made things so much worse and are one reason why DD2's friend is homeless and sofa surfing, despite having a job.

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Thanks Mentounasc.
Any advice about cultural differences? I ask because we were at Frankfurt airport and the waiter screamed and ranted at us because we didn’t leave a tip (we only had enough coins for the cake and coffee).

It really doesn't make a difference. It's really easy to get around on public transport.

We stayed very central in a hotel , near the tiergarten metro so great for getting around , the hotel was cheap and cheerful and perfectly located , I would recommend

Hotels in Berlin are much cheaper than hotels in equivalent European cities (certainly when I was there 3 years ago). We stayed 3 nights at The Intercontinental near the zoo , which was about half the price of a similar standard hotel in Paris or London and 2 nights at the Adlon.

Ah Dave, the Berliners are notorious throughout Germany for their gratuitous rudeness. Much more so than Frankfurt. Take it as a badge of honour if you get shouted at and be very snarky back. The Berliners pride themselves on their 'Herz mit Schnauze' (big heart with a big gob), but often forget the big heart part of the deal and focus on the big gob. It's part of their charm.

Have been to Berlin many times and only ever met one person who I thought was bit rude.

Personally I'd stay in Mitte or the old East. My favourite area is Prenzlauer Berg.

Stay at Miniloft (Google it). We always stay there when we visit.

It does not really matter as Berlin is very easy to get around. In my opinion the former east is nicer.

It doesn’t matter where you stay as very easy to get around everywhere. Mitte is a good area

We stayed in the Mitte area and it was fantastic. Walking distance to most sights and good fir restaurants, bars etc. Loved Berlin!

Are you staying in the 1980s?

We stayed at the Titanic Chaussee. In front of a tube station which was very handy to come and go from airport. Near tram as well. Perfect to get around. There are restaurants and cafés near by and the remaining wall few minutes away.