The East is a district of Berlin. It consists of the boroughs Pankow (except for Prenzlauer Berg), Lichtenberg, Hohenschönhausen, Marzahn and Hellersdorf. The most interesting places for tourists are in Lichtenberg: the Stasi (secret service of the GDR) relics and museums, the Tierpark (zoo) and some remarkable architecture such as the Mies van der Rohe house.

Understand

Lichtenberg is a district in the east of Berlin. It was merged with Hohenschönhausen in 2001. Lichtenberg is mostly a residential district, but because of its heterogeneity there are all classes of people living there. The centre of Lichtenberg (where there are some buildings left from the 19th century) is home to the working class, as is the centre of Hohenschönhausen (built mainly in the 1970s in rather ugly East German (GDR) socialist building block architecture). The middle class resides in the greener areas like Friedrichsfelde, whereas in Karlshorst you can watch some smaller mansions of the upper class.

Marzahn-Hellersdorf is a district in the northeast of Berlin. It is largely a residential district for the underclass and the middle class. It is famous for its GDR socialist building-block architecture, but often ignored are some old, village-like parts. In general it is a very green district. There are only a few interesting sites for visitors. Most interesting are maybe the "Gärten der Welt", the Gründerzeitmuseum and the Schlosspark Biesdorf with its small castle in late classical style. A more thorough description of the district can be found on its official website.

Pankow is a borough of Berlin. In 2001 the three former districts of Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee and Pankow were combined to form the new Pankow district. The former Pankow on the other hand is a very green, middle-class district with a laid-back atmosphere and some minor sights for tourists. Weißensee, too, is a largely residential district. Prenzlauer Berg is dealt with in East Central. Like other place - names ending in "ow" Pankow is pronounced ending in a slightly more open German o, certainly not "punk-off" and a wrong pronunciation is a frequent cause of derision.

Get in

The GDR authorities prioritized the S-Bahn and later the Tram over the U-Bahn and it shows. While the U5 is the only U-Bahn that was extended during GDR times, it is a single line and where it doesn't go you'll have to make use of other modes of transportation.

The stations of biggest interest are 1 Tierpark  U5  and S-Bahn station 2 Lichtenberg  S5  S7  S75  U5 . You can also use the long distance/regional trains, but departures are less frequent than for the S-Bahn.  S75  also goes to Hohenschönhausen.

The S-Bahn lines  S75  or  S5  and the U-Bahn line  U5  will get you to most parts, otherwise take the tram: the M6, for example, starts in the city centre (e.g. Alexanderplatz) and runs through almost the entire district. U5 was one of only two U-Bahn lines operated in and by East Berlin during partition and it is the only one that saw any expansion by the GDR. It is the only line that reaches the city and state boundary of Berlin. As a matter of fact, the stop at Hönow was outside the Berlin borders when it opened and was annexed following reunification to make administration easier.

To get into Pankow, get out at S-Bahn/U-Bahn station 3 Pankow  U2 .  .

See

The Tierpark is Berlin's most spacious zoo and appears like an urban park with animals

• 1 Tierpark (get out at U-Bahn station Tierpark (U5)). The zoo in the former East Berlin is more spacious than its West Berlin counterpart, the historic Berlin Zoo and has been open for some 50 years. The Tierpark has nearly as many animals, but fewer reptiles and aquatic animals. It appears rather like a park with animals than a classic zoo, in fact it is one of the biggest zoos in Europe. There is an old castle from the late 17th century in the northeast of the Tierpark (Schloss Friedrichsfelde).  
• 2 Stasi Museum, Ruschestraße 103 (Get out at U Magdalenenstraße (U5) and head to Ruschestraße), ☏ +49 30 5536854 (M-F only). M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 11:00-18:00. This museum describes the procedures applied by the East German secret police. Every Friday to Monday, there is a guided tour in English at 15:00 (included in the ticket price). €6 adults, €4.50 concessions. (updated Aug 2018)
• 3 Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen (Stasi Prison), Genslerstraße 66 (S-bahn to Landsberger Alee, then tram 6 to Genslerstraße, then walk 1 km along Genslerstraße, the prison is on the right), ☏ +49 30-98 60 82-30. Daily English-speaking tour between July 1st and November 14th, 14:30. Experience the Stasi Secret Police Prison first-hand. Tours are compulsory. Some of the tours are done by former inmates. €6. (updated Aug 2018)
• 4 Museum Karlshorst (German-Russian Museum), Zwieseler Straße 4 (get out at S-Bahn station Karlshorst and go by bus 396 direction Tierpark (2 or 3 stations)). Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. In this house the surrender of Germany was signed on May 9th, 1945, ending the second world war in Europe. This museum describes the history of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945 and the GDR/German-Russian relationship ever since. Historic rooms, permanent exhibition as well as special exhibits. free.  
• 5 Mies van der Rohe Haus, Oberseestraße 60. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. The last Mies van der Rohe building (a dwelling house) in Germany before his emigration to the U.S. (1938). Now there are small contemporary/modern art exhibitions. exhibitions are free, guided tours ca €5.  
• 6 Victoriastadt (west of S-Bahnhof Nöldnerplatz, Kaskelstraße). A relatively well and completely retained (at least by Berlin standards) 19th century residential quarter. Partly under renovation. Of note are six buildings first (1875) built of concrete - but you can't make out a difference from the outside.  
• 7 Weißensee cemetery. The second largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. (updated Jul 2018)

Marzahn and Hellersdorf

• 8 World's Garden (Gärten der Welt), Eisenacher Straße 99, 12685 Berlin (take S7 to Marzahn (Zone B) and continue with Bus 195 (before the departure ask the driver for the right stop); there is another Eisenacher Straße in Schöneberg, so don't be misled by the U7 Station Eisenacher Straße). Apr-Sep: daily 09:00-20:00; Mar and Oct: daily 09:00-18:00; Nov-Feb: daily 09:00-16:00. Guided tours take place on W Th F every 30 min from 10:30 until 12:30. Inside you can find a large and well-established Chinese garden, a Korean garden, a small Bali garden/glasshouse, an Oriental garden with nice fountains and a cloister and a Japanese garden which is a project by the city partnership of Berlin and Tokyo. The latter has been built by Zen priests. Although quite crowded at times, there are not that many tourists so here's a chance to brush up on your German skills. As the journey to this park will be around an hour from the city center, don't miss this opportunity to complete your picture of Berlin by seeing some of Berlin's clean and quiet suburbs. Entrance is €4 in winter and €7 in summer.  
• 9 Gründerzeitmuseum (Museum of Wilhelminial style), Hultschiner Damm 333, 12623 Berlin (to get there from the city centre: U5 until "Elsterwerdaer Platz", then bus 398 direction S Mahlsdorf until "Hultschiner Damm", then walk 300 m), ☏ +49 30 5678329. W and Su 10:00-18:00; tours outside of opening hours can be arranged. Features many objects and even whole rooms in wilhelminian style. Only accessible by guided tour (English tours can be arranged). €4.50.  

Schloss Biesdorf

• 10 Schloss and Schlosspark Biesdorf. A small castle in late classical style. It was built 1868 by Martin Gropius (uncle of the Bauhaus-founder and other architects, the von Siemens family changed the castle a bit around 1900 and they enlarged the dimensions of the park, which is today renovated and nice to wander around when the sun is shining. Located within a few minutes' walking distance from Biesdorf station (take the S5 from the city centre) or Elsterwerdaer Platz station (U5).  
• 11 Windmill, Hinter der Mühle 4, ☏ +49 30 5458995. One of the few windmills in Berlin is located in Marzahn. After registration one can visit it and have a look at the functions of the windmill. To get there, take the S7 or S75 until "Springpfuhl" station, then the tram 8 or M18 until "Alt-Marzahn".  
• 12 Zentralfriedhof Friedrichsfelde (Friedrichsfelde Central Cemetery) (north-east of Lichtenberg station). The cemetery is also known as also known as the Memorial to the Socialists. It has many interesting monuments and graves of known people.  

Art galleries

As Berlin is a city of art, it is quite easy to find an art gallery on your way. They provide a nice opportunity to have a look at modern artists' work in a not so crowded environment for free. Here are some of the galleries in Marzahn-Hellersdorf:

• 13 Galerie M, Marzahner Promenade 46, 12679 Berlin (closest S-Bahn station is Marzahn (S7)), ☏ +49 30 5450294. Su-Th 13:00-18:00. Varying exhibitions. 

Pankow

Schloss Schönhausen in the Ortsteil of Niederschönhausen, Pankow

• 14 Schönhausen Palace (Schloss Schönhausen), Tschaikowskistraße 1. A pretty restored Baroque palace (restoration completed in 2009).  
• 15 Soviet War Memorial (Schönholzer Heide), Germanenstraße, 13156 Berlin.  

Do

• 1 Harness racing, Treskowallee 129 (S-Bahnhof Karlshorst). Usually the races take place on Sundays. There is a harness racing track in Karlshorst. 
• 2 Kienberg. Before or after visiting the "Gardens of the World", tourists might be interested in climbing on top of the Kienberg (a small hill nearby with a view on the surrounding suburbs) or to go for a walk in the valley of the Wuhle (a small river). More information on the area can be found on the district's official website (in German).  
• IGA Cable Car (links to  U5  Kienberg (Gärten der Welt) at one end). A cable car built for the international gardening exhibition in 2017 which remained in operation afterwards. Return ticket €6.50 (it is not part of the BVG fare system). (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 Brotfabrik. This institution, literally the "bread factory" has been converted into a cultural space hosting various theater, cinema and art events (updated Jul 2018)
• 4 Former Silent Cinema Delphi. This former cinema has become a theatre. (updated Jul 2018)

Buy

Shopping centres mainly provide goods for the local population, but there are several shopping centres in the district such as the following:

• 1 Eastgate Berlin (next to the S Bahn Station Marzahn). About 150 shops, restaurants, etc. Close by is an entertainment centre with cinemas etc.  
• 2 Helle Mitte (next to U5 Station Hellersdorf, in the area around Alice Salomon Platz). A smaller shopping centre.  
• 3 Spree Center (at Hellersdofer Straße opposite to the U5 station "Kaulsdorf Nord"). Small shopping centre. 

Eat

Most restaurants in Marzahn-Hellersdorf belong to the lower price segment, some to the medium range, and exclusive restaurants are virtually non-existent.

• 1 Tierpark Bistro (at the U5 station at Tierpark). Has some of the best Doener in the Berlin area. They have a great neighbourhood feel, and delicious Middle Eastern food in the German style. 

• 2 La Paz, Kurt-Weill-Gasse 7, 12627 Berlin (about 5 minutes walk from U5 Station Hellersdorf). Mexican restaurant and bar, in summer you can sit outside in the adjacent pedestrian area. Good food and friendly service. 
• 3 J.A.S. (JAS), Kaskelstraße 27, ☏ +49 30 577 941 23. Schnitzel, chicken, salads, asparagus when in season. Free freifunk internet. €10. 
• 4 Dong Xuan Center, Herzbergstr. 128-139, 10365 Berlin, ☏ +49 30 55152038. 10:00-20:00, closed Tu. 

Drink

• 1 Bistro am Schloßpark, Oberfeldstraße 197 (at Biesdorf S-station), ☏ +49 30 5405929. M-F 07:30-19:00. This Biergarten is simple, but friendly and a convenient place to have a beer and a currywurst after visiting the castle. 
• 2 Kulturhaus Kili, Wiesenweg 5–9 (S-Bahn: Ostkreuz or Frankfurter Allee, U-Bahn: U5 Frankfurter Allee, Tram: 21 Neue Bahnhofstr.), info@kulturhauskili.com. Alternative reggae, dancehall and goa techno club, but also theater and art events. 
• 3 Sisyphos, Hauptstraße 15, 10317 Berlin (S-Bahn: S3 Bahnhof Rummelsburg, Tram: 21 Gustav-Holzmann-Str.), info@sisyphos-berlin.net. 23:00. This techno club is located in a former factory for dog biscuits in Berlin's Rummelsburg neighborhood. It has two indoor dance floors and a large open-air area.  
• 4 Void, Wiesenweg 5 (S-Bahn: Ostkreuz or Frankfurter Allee, U-Bahn: U5 Frankfurter Allee, Tram: 21 Neue Bahnhofstr.), info@void-club.de. 23:00. Techno club within an old electrical transformer station with a focus on drum 'n' bass, techno, house, progressive and psytrance. 

Sleep

Lichtenberg

• 1 A&O Hotel and Hostel Berlin Kolumbus, Genslerstraße 18, ☏ +49 30 209 661 6100, booking@aohostels.com. (updated Nov 2017)

Marzahn-Hellersdorf

• 2 Hotel Helle Mitte, Kurt-Weill-Gasse 7, 12627 Berlin, ☏ +49 30 930290. Modern but affordable middle-class hotel. 
• 3 Etap Berlin Ost, Allee der Kosmonauten 33c, 12681 Berlin, ☏ +49 3054003220. Typical low budget hotel managed by the Accor group. 
• 4 Park Hotel Schloss Kaulsdorf, Brodauer Straße 33, 12621 Berlin, ☏ +49 30565950. Probably the only luxurious hotel in the area, in a small castle. 
• 5 Youth hostel Pro-social, Blumberger Damm 12, 12683 Berlin, ☏ +49 30 56 29 260. 153 beds in rooms of 1 to 4 beds, all have sofa/living area, separate shower and WC, and small entrance hall. One night in a four-person apartment €12. Up to three night stay €14. Breakfast €3.50.