Neukölln

Multicultural area with authentic Middle Eastern food and growing arts scene. Affordable but requires street awareness - stick to main streets after dark.

Neukölln is getting trendy but it's still a bit hit-or-miss for solo female travelers. Sonnenallee has lots of Middle Eastern families and great authentic restaurants during the day, though some parts can feel less welcoming if you're a woman traveling alone. Weserstraße draws young professionals and hipsters, so that area feels safer and more comfortable for solo travelers. The side streets don't have great lighting and can feel pretty empty after dark, which isn't ideal. The Turkish markets on Tuesdays and Fridays bring lots of community activity which helps with safety. Police response is slower than in central Berlin, and locals will tell you to stick to the main streets at night and avoid Hasenheide park after dark. The gentrification means some pockets are getting safer, but it also creates tensions with longtime residents.