Our favourite places in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Culinary delights on market day, a relaxing walk through the Volkspark or a visit to a peninsula: There is a lot to discover in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
What you need to know about Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
As anyone from Kreuzberg will tell you, this district is not just the coolest in Berlin, but the hippest location in the entire universe. Kreuzberg has long been famed for its diverse cultural life, its experimental alternative lifestyles and the powerful spell it exercises on young people from across Germany. In 2001, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain were merged to form one administrative borough. When it comes to club culture, Friedrichshain is now out in front – with southern Friedrichshain particularly ranked as home to the highest density of clubs in the city.
The urban beat of the future
Along the Spree’s northern and southern banks, locals and visitors applaud the street musicians on the Oberbaumbrücke bridge ready to rock the world’s concert venues tomorrow. The borough is a stage and home for creativity – and not only when it comes to music. Here, artists create free spaces for their work – on the streets, in backyard flats and ateliers. Berlin’s start-up scene is buzzing around Moritzplatz square, busily designing the ideas that will shape our lives in future. Creative space is shared and used together – for urban gardening, for example, in the Prinzessinnengärten (Princess Gardens). Or in the Markthalle Neun market hall, when the great street food outlets join forces for a Thursday evening your taste buds will just love!
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg also has more mainstream offerings. Here, you find some of Berlin’s most ambitious museums, including the Berlinische Galerie showing art from 1870 to the present day, the Gropius-Bau arts venue, the Jewish Museum and the Deutsche Technikmuseum (German Museum of Technology). Or you could spend an exciting evening of contemporary dance, theatre and performance at one of the three Hebbel am Ufer (HAU) stages. The borough also boasts the English Theatre Berlin, the city's only English-language theatre, as well the converted substation Umspannwerk Ost, now a restaurant and arts venue housing the Berliner Kriminaltheater with its programme of classic murder mysteries.
The rich diversity of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg brings together the most diverse people, mentalities and lifestyles. That is what makes this neighbourhood so charming. And the district has developed the concept FairKiez for everyone - so that it stays that way.
The Volkspark to the north and Viktoria Park to the south ...
... and plenty of green spaces in between! Kreuzberg’s ever-popular Viktoria Park with its waterfall, vineyard and hill attracts locals and visitors to its spreading slopes, while joggers and strollers alike enjoy the grounds of Friedrichshain Volkspark. The inner city Park am Gleisdreieck, landscaped on the grounds of two old goods train stations, offers plenty of space for you and your picnic blanket along with all the other sun-seekers. And out on the River Spree and the Landwehr Canal, you can watch kayaks and canoes, rubber dinghies and stand-up paddle boards gliding by. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is more than just adrenalin and nightlife – and it’s well worth slowing the space to discover the borough’s more relaxed sides!
Our tips for Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Once a centre for light bulb production, now a hub for creative industries: The former industrial buildings in the district have been given an exciting new facelift. And the annual events in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg are known far beyond Berlin's city limits.
Out and about in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
In the evening, explore the Friedrichshain neighbourhood between Warschauer Straße and Frankfurter Allee with its many bars, cafés, and restaurants. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxed meal with friends, sip the coolest cocktails or hit the clubs, this area has it all.
Around Schlesische Tor, down Oranienstraße and along Mehringdamm boulevard, Kreuzberg is packed with a wide variety of bars and restaurants from drinking dens to fine dining – and also offers a great location for a great evening out! Here you will find more recommendations.
You might find this also interesting
You have already discovered a lot, but still have a little time left? Visit more sights and attend more events.
