Berlin’s Kreuzberg, within the south-east of town, is commonly coined as one of many world’s coolest neighbourhoods. A powerful-hold of left-wing politics and the anti-establishment motion, and a hub for punks, hipsters, the LGBT+ group, creatives, graffiti artists and techno followers.
The realm continues to be residence to numerous giant squats, has many inventive and tradition centres, exhibition areas, gig venues, nightclubs, unbiased companies, avenue events and different occasions.
It’s additionally extremely multi-cultural, with giant Turkish and Vietnamese communities, amongst many different nationalities.
The mixture is what makes the realm so vibrant, attention-grabbing and thrilling. Anticipate the sudden in Kreuzberg, preserve your thoughts open and throw your self into probably the most attention-grabbing neighbourhoods on the planet.
Be part of us as we spotlight our high picks in Kreuzberg.
Additionally test our article on What to Do in Berlin in 3 Days
15 Finest Issues To Do In Kreuzberg
#1. Avenue artwork and graffiti recognizing
Kreuzberg is among the most closely painted districts in Europe, with full-scale murals by a number of the world’s most well-known avenue artists and residential of the world well-known 1UP graffiti crew.
You may’t go 5 metres with out seeing some kind of painted constructing.
From painted rooftops, to trains working on the realm’s metro line, on the aspect of autos and down the aspect of full buildings – it’s a hub of creativity and a feast for the senses.
When you like paintings and graffiti tradition, it’s top-of-the-line spots in Europe to see high works by well-known graffiti artists.
Kreuzberg attracts many 1000’s of graffiti vacationers yearly, to color and to identify the items.
-
- Location – throughout Kreuzberg, simply benefit from the discover.
#2. Turkish meals
There are stated to be between 120,00 and 130,000 Turks dwelling in Berlin, with the biggest proportion in any space dwelling in Kreuzberg and the neighbouring Neukölln.
Because of this, there are 100s of genuine and attractive Turkish eating places across the neighbourhood. From conventional börek bakeries and candy pastry outlets, to gluttonous donor kebab shops and Turkish high quality eating eating places.
You may eat a number of the finest Turkish meals exterior of Turkey right here in Kreuzberg.
Our high picks:
Fes – Hasenheide 58, 10967 Berlin – ££
Hasir – Adalbertstraße 12, 10999 Berlin – ££
Leylak – Kottbusser Str. 25, 10999 Berlin – £
#3. Techno
Photograph – Tresor
Berlin is famed for having top-of-the-line clubbing scenes on earth, notably for techno music.
There are nightclubs which open on Friday night and keep open till Monday morning, with out stopping. Some are infamous for being arduous to get into and wild inside, however for those who handle to get in, you’ll be rewarded with probably the most hedonistic and pulsating music scenes on earth.
Tresor, in a former energy station, is within the north of Kreuzberg, attracting some legendary names from the world of techno and home, in the meantime, simply throughout the ornate Oberbaumbruke Bridge you’ll discover the notorious Berghain.
Photograph – Berghain
Berghain has typically been referred to as the world’s finest nightclub – it has one of many hardest door insurance policies on earth, with individuals often rejected from getting into.
This place isn’t for the prudes amongst us, it’s an extremely liberal place – the place sexual acts could be noticed going down, the place scantily clad ravers dance for days on finish, the place drug use is pretty straightforward to identify and the place there’s a no-photo coverage.
It’s wild and in contrast to many different nightclubs on the planet.
There are different many different nightclubs dotted round Kreuzberg and in close by areas.
Our high picks:
Location – Berghain – Am Wriezener bhf, 10243 Berlin
Location – Tresor – Köpenicker Str. 70, 10179 Berlin
#4. Espresso tradition
Kreuzberg has an unlimited array of wonderful espresso roasteries and cafes, so sampling a number of the glorious third wave espresso spots within the space is a should.
Our favorite espresso roasteries within the space embody Bonanza Espresso Roasters and The Go to Espresso Roastery.
Though there are numerous others dotted round Kreuzberg together with, 5 Elephant, Kaffeekirsche, Cabana, amongst many others.
-
- Bonanza espresso store
Our high picks:
Location – Bonanza – Adalbertstraße 70, 10999 Berlin
Location – The Go to Espresso Roasters – Adalbertstraße 9, 10999 Berlin
Location – 5 Elephant – Reichenberger Str. 101, 10999 Berlin
The Go to Espresso Roastery
#5. Classic purchasing
Classic clothes and different classic objects are huge enterprise in Berlin and Kreuzberg is effectively served with a big number of cool classic outlets.
Round Kreuzberg you’ll be able to choose up many a discount – from 90s rave jackets, to 80s leather-based and vibrant objects from the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties.
There’s additionally a preferred market down by the Landwehrkanal each weekend, with numerous nice classic clothes stalls and lots of different outlets across the space promoting classic furnishings, information and different objects.
Classic Saturday Market – Landehrkanal
Our high picks:
Location – Humana – Oranienstraße 25, 10999 Berlin
Location – Classic Residing – Oranienstraße 169, 10999 Berlin
Location – Classic market – Landwehkranal – Maybachufer 3, 12047 Berlin
#6. Go to a gig
Because of Kreuzberg’s different tradition heritage, the realm has numerous glorious music venues – internet hosting all types of gigs – from punk and ska, to digital music DJ units, Balkanistic bands and classical music.
Amongst a number of the most attention-grabbing to go to are Madame Claude, SO36 and Wild At Coronary heart.
In the summertime months there are numerous avenue performances and live shows in native parks, on the streets and within the courtyards of most of the native buildings.
Wild at Coronary heart
Our high picks:
Location – Madame Claude – Lübbener Str. 19, 10997 Berlin
Location – SO36 – Oranienstraße 190, 10999 Berlin
Location – Wild At Coronary heart – Wiener Straße 20, 10999 Berlin
#7. Cycle down an previous airfield
Though technically simply south of Kreuzberg, the previous Tempelhof Airfield is among the world’s largest inner-city parks and is a magnet for the Kreuzberg group, notably in the course of the summer time months – the place tens of 1000’s of individuals go to chill out and escape the busy streets of town.
The airport closed in 2008 and is now a preferred park, the place individuals can cycle, skateboard, play sports activities, have BBQs and chill out. It’s a inexperienced lung in the course of town, however the indicators of the previous airport are nonetheless clear, which makes it a really distinctive atmosphere to cross a number of hours.
The previous terminal constructing stays in situ, full with a classic plane exterior and you may run and cycle alongside the previous runways.
Location – Tempelhofer Feld – Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin
#8 Go to the Markets in Kreuzberg
There are quite a few glorious markets round Kreuzberg, serving up all method of products – from classic garments and information, to Turkish meals and antiques.
Two of our favourites are the lined Markthalle Neun – a big, predominantly, food and drinks market corridor, which has many tasty eateries, quite a few bars and a brewery.
One other great place, notably on weekends, is the flea market down by the Landwehrkanal, which has plenty of classic objects, together with vinyl information, garments, antiques and different slices of memorabilia.
Throughout the week it’s a traditional on-street meals market, which has many kinds of world delicacies, however a very great amount of Turkish objects.
Our high picks:
Location – Markthalle Neun – Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, 10997 Berlin
Location – Classic market – Landwehkranal – Maybachufer 3, 12047 Berlin
#9. Brutalism recognizing
Kottbusser Tor
When you’re a fan of strange Chilly Conflict structure, then there are quite a few examples dotted round Kreuzberg.
A few of the finest embody residential tower blocks across the Kottbuser Tor Metro Station and the Tresor nightclub constructing.
The previous St Agnes church and group centre is one other glorious instance of the realm’s Brutalist structure – it was restored by an artwork seller in 2015 and now hosts many exhibitions, nevertheless it’s the outside which is especially hanging.
St Agnes church
The concrete structure attracts many pictures teams and Brutalist followers from world wide.
Our high picks:
Location – Kotnbusser Tor – U1 Kottbusser Tor, Skalitzer Str. 136, 10999 Berlin
Location – Tresor – Location – Tresor – Köpenicker Str. 70, 10179 Berlin
Location – St Agnes Church – Alexandrinenstraße 118-121, 10969 Berlin
#10. Absorb an artwork exhibition
Photograph – Bethanien
As you would possibly count on from a centre of creativity, there frequent artwork exhibitions on present round Kreuzberg.
Among the finest up to date artwork galleries within the metropolis is predicated inside Kreuzberg – referred to as Bethanien – a former hospital, which dates again to the 1800s and now hosts artwork exhibitions, workshops and lots of different occasions.
The Berlinische Galerie can be based mostly within the space, which has a superb assortment of contemporary artwork. The Konig Galerie is one other high spot to soak in some nice paintings.
There are numerous different pop-up galleries, exhibition areas and avenue performances all year long.
Our high picks:
Location – Bethanien – Mariannenpl. 2, 10997 Berlin
Location – Berlinische Galerie – Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, 10969 Berlin
Location – Konig Galerie – Alexandrinenstraße 118-121, 10969 Berlin
#11. Tuck into native delicacies
Kreuzberg has all method of superior eateries from nations world wide, as we’ve already touched upon, nevertheless it additionally has a number of the finest native dishes on provide within the metropolis as effectively.
Ketels Wurstpezialitaten
Two of town’s finest currywurst spots are located within the space, one within the south of Kreuzberg and one within the north.
Ketels Wurstpezialitaten, simply south of the canal, has legendary currywursts, which some say are the very best in Germany.
In the meantime within the north, close to Tresor, you’ll find Wurstpate. Each provide reasonably priced and attractive German street-food dishes, which you eat whereas sipping an ice-cold beer at excessive tables on the road.
Wurstpate
One other Kreuzberg establishment is Max und Moritz – it was established in 1902 and is predicated in a former ballroom.
They serve up tasty conventional German dishes and brew their very own beer.
Our high picks:
Location – Ketels Wurstpezialitaten – Kottbusser Damm 1, 10967 Berlin
Location – Wurstpate – Kottbusser Damm 1, 10967 Berlin
Location – Max Und Moritz – Oranienstraße 162, 10969 Berlin
#12. Have a beer at a Späti or on the streets of Kreuzberg
Spatis are a Berlin establishment. To the non-native these are primarily nook outlets, dotted on nearly each avenue round Kreuzberg.
They’ve glorious alcohol selections, together with a number of the high German breweries, and uniquely they typically have stress-free tables exterior, so you’ll be able to drink your beer exterior the store.
It’s an reasonably priced method to take pleasure in a number of the finest native beers, whereas absorbing the hustle and bustle of the road exterior.
These are removed from magnets for the tough and prepared, the Spatis appeal to all types of people and are an excellent place to immerse your self within the native tradition.
Location – Varied – simply wander the streets and select your favourites
13. Wander down Landwehrkanal
The canal wraps across the south finish of Kreuzberg, earlier than popping out on the Spree River within the north. There’s a walkway alongside its entirety and in addition small boat excursions alongside it.
The canal wraps across the south finish of Kreuzberg, earlier than popping out on the Spree River within the north. There’s a walkway alongside its entirety and in addition small boat excursions alongside it.
In summer time you typically discover paddleboarders and kayakers traversing the waterway and there are numerous tasty eateries, bars and boutiques alongside the complete stretch. There’s additionally glorious flea and meals market, which we’ve already talked about.
An ideal place to flee the busy streets of town and soak up somewhat little bit of nature, with many types of chicken life frequenting the water and its edges.
Location – Varied – simply wander the size of the canal.
#14. Vacationer sights and museums
On the jap fringe of Kreuzberg you could have a few of Berlin’s most well-known vacationer sights. These embody Examine Level Charlie, the historic and most well-known border crossing between the previous East and West Germany.
The previous checkpoint continues to be in situ and nonetheless attracts tens of millions of vacationers annually, with a museum close by.
The museum tells the story of the test level and the various makes an attempt by individuals making an attempt to flee East Germany by crossing the border illegally, in the course of the time of the Berlin Wall.
Amongst different vacationer sights and museums close by is the Jewish Museum of Berlin, which tells the story of Jews in Germany, together with the horrors of the Holocaust. A transferring and really poignant museum.
There are numerous different huge sights near the realm.
Jewish Museum of Berlin
Our high picks:
Location – Examine Level Charlie – Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10117 Berlin
Location – Jewish Museum – Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin
#15. The Berlin Wall
Though technically simply north of Kreuzberg, on the opposite aspect of the Spree River, the biggest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, which continues to be intact, is inside quick strolling distance from the northern fringe of Kreuzberg.
The East Facet Gallery is a 1.3km stretch of the previous Berlin Wall, full with murals alongside the entire stretch. It’s a free artwork gallery and has transferring murals from the time the wall stood full, together with newer items.
A dwelling and transferring gallery, together with stress-free seating areas alongside the Spree River.
Location – East Facet Gallery – Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin
We hope that you just take pleasure in exploring this vibrant neighbourhood of Kreuzberg.
