Neighborhood Guide
There is so much stuff to do in Berlin. Unlimited cultural activities, events and happenings, a million pretty cafes to sit in, food from everywhere in the world and life changing parties.
Do: One of Berlin’s great museums is the Gropius-Bau, where you can see excellent contemporary art exhibitions. From here you can also see a part of the former Berlin Wall as well as modern Potsdamer Platz with the huge shopping mall Mall of Berlin and many big cinemas. A very moving and also masterfully designed place is the Jewish museum. Simply the complex, a mixture of old and new buildings by architect Daniel Libeskind is an affecting experience. Furthermore, a very special art gallery is the Feuerle collection located in an old telecommunications bunker. You have to book a tour in advance but once you enter the unassuming building you will be guided through a very unique concept of a private art collection.
Of course a walk around the river Spree with the famous East Side Gallery, Oberbaum bridge and Molecule Man sculpture is a highlight for every first time visitor. Afterwards have a seriously delicious burger at Burgermeister, located in a former public toilet, or go to Oranienstraße for all sorts of stylish shops, like the popular Voo Store, cheap food and bars. The Gallery König is located in a former brutalist church complex where you can see great exhibitions of modern, young artists.
On a sunny day the Landwehrkanal is a lovely and lively spot perfect for a walk by the canal. Get lunch, coffee or delicious sweets in the small shops around Körte street and walk to the canal. In summer everyone simply sits down on the small Admiral bridge and gets a takeout pizza at Il Casolare. One of the best ice cream shops, the Eismanufaktur, is also not far away. The Türkenmarkt at the Maybachufer right at the waterfront is a lively market where you can buy cheap groceries and oriental specialties twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Besides the Türkenmarkt there is also the flea market Nowkoelln every second Sunday at the Maybachufer. Of course there are many more nice cafes and sweet shops in the streets around the canal, for example Kultur cafe and Katie’s Blue Cat on Friedel street. There is also the covered market in the Markthalle 9. While there is a daily market, it’s mostly famous for it’s great but extremely crowded, touristic Street Food market every Thursday evening.
One of the nicest neighborhoods in Kreuzberg is the Bergmannkiez. You can shop fresh organic products around beautiful Camissoplatz every Saturday when there is a small farmers market. Or just stroll along Bergmann street, which is lined with local shops, cafes and restaurants. You also find delicious specialties or a cheap lunch in the Marheineke market hall. There is a sweet flea market on weekends at Marheinekeplatz, where you also find the nice Italian restaurant La Bionda, the lovely papeterie Schwesterherz and the best scones and cakes at Barcomis. The pretty Cafe Strauss is located rather unusually right on the local graveyard at Bergmann street. For drinks go to Haifischbar or Limonadier. Around Yorck street there is the lovely Yorck cinema, the romantic cafe Mrs. Minsch and another great, modern park at Gleisdreieck. Or go to Viktoriapark and see an actual waterfall in the city. Another Berlin highlight is the Tempelhofer Feld, the former airport grounds which were transofmed into a huge park-like area. On a sunny day runners, acrobats, soccer players and bbq enthusiasts all come to this unique place.
Though officially located in Neukölln, the very instagramable cafe Roamers is a cozy spot for breakfast or brunch, if you’re willing to wait for a table outside the small cafe. If you brought your swimsuit you can have a morning dip at Stadtbad Neukölln located in a beautiful, old public bath. For great cultural events or concerts check out the program at Heimathafen Neukölln.
Eat: The Hallesches Haus is one of my favorite places because they have an always delicious brunch menu and coffee specialties, a cool general store and an outdoor patio perfect for small summer raves. Ora is a cafe, bar and restaurant located in a beautiful historic pharmacy, great for everything from breakfast and coffee to late night drinks. Another cosy place for quality coffee is Five Elephant’s cafe in Kreuzberg. Also very stylish but a bit harder to find is Bonanza Cafe.
For a delightful dinner go to Spindler or Beuster Bar, both around the idyllic Landwehrkanal, but I recommend to make a reservation beforehand. The stylish and delicious Korean restaurant Kimchi Princess is also not too far away. My favorite burgers are the ones from Burgermeister which has two locations, whereas the bigger one is right at the infamous Kotti (Kottbusser Tor). If you want to try a local specialty but can’t decide wether to eat the famous Currywurst or the best Veggie döner go to Mehringdamm where there is both Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap and Curry 36 right next to each other.
Getting around: Berlin is a huge city and widely spread out, so even though there is a big, easy public transportation system it simply takes some time to get somewhere. But subway, train, tram, buses or taxis get you everywhere, especially when planing your trip with the BVG app. It’s also easy to use bike or car sharing services, as there are plenty of Mobikes and Share Now cars, for example.
Also read the Berlin guides for Mitte, Schöneberg and even more tips here.
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