Mitte translates as "middle" and due to its city-center location. It is packed with all major must-see sights from Reichstag to Brandenburg Gate. Mitte is a mandatory stop for anybody who visits Berlin. Nevertheless, it is not advised to stay in central Mitte if you are on the shoestring budget. It is a major tourist hub, and consequently, hotels and apartments for rent can be quite costly. Central Mitte used to be the heart of East Berlin and have a lot of places of interest beyond monuments. It has plenty of chic shops, eateries, and tacky boutiques. This district is one the most downtown looking since Berlin is mostly deprived of skyscrapers.