Berlin Christmas shopping on Akazienstraße
Charming independent shops on a sweet Schöneberg street
Schöneberg is a swish West Berlin district with a vibrant history. Its open-minded, independent spirit is still alive and kicking – and to find it, look no further than the Akazienkiez neighbourhood. Centred around Akazienstraße, this trendy little triangle of quirky shops and restaurants was once home to none other than David Bowie. The little street with a village feel offers plenty of local charm and independent boutiques – making Akazienstraße the perfect spot for Christmas shopping with a twist.
It's all in the mix, as the saying goes. And yes, this is particularly true of Akazienstraße. Everything here is colourful, hand-picked, alternative, lively, charming and multicultural. When you shop in Akazienstraße in Schöneberg, you will experience a particularly individual neighbourhood. And it doesn't matter what time of year it is, because the Akazienkiez really blossoms even in winter. Sometimes it feels like one big street party.
Christmas shopping in Akazienstraße - Berlin loves its shops
Here you will find beautiful boutiques and small shops with that certain something, so you should start your Christmas shopping in Akazienstraße.
Books are timeless gifts for everyone and for yourself. Especially at Christmas time, when snowflakes are falling outside, it's particularly cosy to browse through them in the warmth of your home. The right stories are available in the Acacia Bookshop. Stroll north along the street and turn left. You will find the shop just before the intersection with Belziger Straße.
Versatile fashion world at Monis Mode invites you to stroll
At Monis Mode you will find a selection of beautiful clothing, accessories, jewelry, purses and home accessories, bags, shoes and gifts for women. Here you will find the latest trends and wearable everyday fashion, a good selection of jeans and second-hand items. Many products are sourced from European companies.
Then walk a few steps further and visit Mademoiselle YéYé. The boutique is a wonderful reflection of Berlin: unique, dynamic, fair and high-quality. Discover sustainable and vintage-orientated fashion from the in-house label and exquisite garments from other brands such as King Louie, Danefae and Traffic People.
A touch of esotericism, beautiful toys and buon gusto
Your shopping tour along Akazienstraße is particularly varied. Diagonally opposite Mademoiselle YéYé, Inanna entices you with interesting fragrances and a free-spirited selection of colours. Inside, you will find jewellery, comfortable clothing and plenty of Buddha figures. And lots of things in between that are just waiting to be discovered - for example winter-warming gloves and slippers.
The next stop is the Papierhaus Felix Verspohl. Turn left into Belziger Straße and head straight to the right-hand side. At Papierhaus, you'll find everything you need to put together beautiful Christmas presents, from ribbon and paper to decorative items - practical.
New Tam Tam is located on the side street at Belziger Straße 25 and is still quite young: since the end of February 2020, the offshoot of the Tam Tam shop has been inviting everyone who wants to look for toys and baby items with heart and mind - from dummy chains to wooden trains and creative painting sets to magic sets. Here you can shop in a very traditional Christmas spirit, as the first Tam Tam dates back to 1984.
Back on Akazienstraße, continue northwards. La Vendemmia welcomes you close to Apostel-Paulus-Straße - the name can be translated as "grape harvest" or "wine harvest". Whether as a gift or for a cosy Christmas dinner: Owner Sabine offers the finest Italian wines, champagnes and spirits in her pretty shop. Feel free to ask for a tasting, as various wines are often open for sampling. Truffles are also available seasonally.
Christmas tranquillity and winter magic
Your last stop at La Vendemmia has taken you close to the Church of St Paul the Apostle. The neo-Gothic brick building is reminiscent of Mark Brandenburg traditions and has long been a listed building. It is well worth a visit - especially at Christmas time. Marvel at the architecture and stained glass and take a short break from the hustle and bustle of Akazienstraße. The church was consecrated shortly after Christmas Eve in 1894.
Premium mulled wine on Christmas Avenue
Originally created in Cologne, the LGBTI* Christmas market "Christmas Avenue" has also been taking place in Berlin since 2019. At Nollendorfplatz, people meet in an atmospheric sea of lights to drink the award-winning mulled wine produced exclusively for Christmas Avenue and enjoy a colourful show programme.
The Christmas market is located at Nollendorfplatz, which is around a 15-minute walk from the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche. Simply walk along the extension of Akazienstraße in a northerly direction, pass Winterfeldtplatz and turn off onto Maaßenstraße at the end of Goltzstraße. The closer you get to Nollendorfplatz, the easier it is to orientate yourself by the bright lights, cheerful voices and music.
Tip: On Wednesdays and Saturdays, it's well worth making a detour to Winterfeldtplatz, as the weekly market is one of the largest and most popular in Berlin.
Culinary break in Akazienstraße: restaurant or café
Akazienstraße in Berlin offers a variety of restaurants. A recommendation for fans of Vietnamese cuisine is Choice at Akazienstraße 9, where the spicy soups are a great idea, especially on chilly winter days. In addition to the pho classics, other traditional dishes are also on the menu.
In the Trattoria Perla Jonica in Belziger Straße, Italian freshness and quality distract from the low temperatures. "Buon Appetito" is not a means to an end here, but a way of life - from the pasta to the huge pizza to the tiramisu.
The Gottlob opposite the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche is particularly hearty, cosy and "traditional for the neighbourhood". The portions are generous and so is the menu: from breakfast to dinner.
For great additions to the savoury treats, head to Akazienstraße 28:
The Café BilderBuch is an institution in the Akazienkiez. In the warm light and on the vintage furniture, you can enjoy breakfast, homemade soups and even cocktails at CaBiBu. If you want to read something, help yourself to the bookshelf.
Our highlights in Akazienstraße
From the very beginning, we have described Christmas shopping as very diverse. This is also underlined by our Akazien highlights, which operate confidently far away from large chains and department stores:
- Mademoiselle YéYé
- New Tam Tam
- La Vendemmia
These three shops perfectly summarise the Berlin neighbourhood: the special meets family happiness meets sophistication. And they are all united by their individual hearts.
How to get to Akazienstraße
If you want to get to the southern end of Akazienstraße on Hauptstraße, it is best to take the bus. There are three lines available for this: 204, 106 and 187. Alternatively, you can take the underground line U7 to Eisenacher Straße.
