Understand
[edit]The areas of Wedding and Gesundbrunnen used to be contained in the Bezirk Wedding until 2001 when they were merged into the Bezirk Mitte but the names and boundaries were retained for the Ortsteile. Wedding used to be known in Weimar times as "der rote Wedding" due to its working class left wing population. In later times, many immigrants, particularly Turks moved to the area. Nowadays Wedding is also increasingly gentrifying.
Gesundbrunnen is named for a fountain that was ascribed beneficial properties for people's health. However said fountain is no longer extant.
Get in
[edit]By urban rail
[edit]Wedding is also served by tram lines, particularly M10 which also connects to Hauptbahnhof which are slowly but surely inching ever more westward.
The best and fastest way to get into Prenzlauer Berg is either through 1 Eberswalder Straße or through 2 Schönhauser Allee .
By long distance train
[edit]- 1 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen (in the district Gesundbrunnen). The station would be "Nordkreuz" if it were named with the same logic as Ostkreuz, Westkreuz and Südkreuz. It is served by numerous long distance trains as well as regional trains.
See
[edit]There are several monuments and museums in this district as it is a result of marging across the former border of East and West Berlin, something that was done in Mitte, as well but in no other district.
Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]There aren't many museums and only a few minor sights to explore in Prenzlauer Berg, although the (free) Kulturbrauerei Museum is well worth a detour for those interested in everyday life in East Germany. Of some interest is the atmosphere in the streets, sitting down in a nice café and watching the hip crowds go by.
- 1 Museum in der Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstraße 97, Building 6.2 (U2 Eberswalder Straße). Tu–Su 10:00–18:00, Th until 20:00. Find out how it felt to live in East Germany in this modern and well-presented exhibition. The museum is a good starting point if you only have a few minutes to sneak a quick peek inside an East German family's living room, but you can spend hours diving further into the stories behind each exhibit by flicking through the documents on display or listening to contemporary witnesses' accounts (English translations available). The museum opened in November 2013 and is housed inside a beautifully restored former brewery; make sure to take a stroll through the courtyards! Free.
- 2 Kollwitzplatz. The Kollwitzplatz, with a small nice park, is one of Berlin's most beautiful Gründerzeit city squares. Together with the Kollwitzstraße which is crossing it, it offers many cafés and restaurants, but is also a well-known symbol in Germany for gentrification since the late 1990s. Its flea market which takes place every Sunday in one of Berlin's best known and focuses on international delicatessen foods.
- 3 Kastanienallee. Kastanienallee is well known for its numerous cafés and fashion stores, as well as its many cultural venues in the backyards such as alternative cinemas, theaters and beergardens. It is also nicknamed Casting Alley as it has been Berlin's primary catwalk for fashionistas and hipsters for many years.
- 4 Oderberger Straße. Oderberger Straße is one of Berlin's best known streets in regard to nightlife, bars and cafés, and hip stores. It is also known for its beautiful and generous Gründerzeit architecture. Since before Germany's reunification the street has been the desired place for alternative folks, hipsters and avant-gardists, but the area has seen continual gentrification since the early 2000s.
- 5 Wasserturm (at Rykestraße, corner Knaackstraße.). The first (and one of the biggest) water tower of Berlin (built 1877).
- 6 Synagoge Rykestraße, Rykestraße 53. The synagogue in the backyard of an apartment house is one of the biggest in Germany.
- 7 Jüdischer Friedhof Schönhauser Allee, Schönhauser Allee 23-25. Jewish cemetery and lapidarium with old tombstones.
- 8 Gethsemanekirche. The meeting point of one of the leading oppositions against the GDR regime and is a great Neogothic church. Also the only ecumenical Lord's supper with Protestants and Catholics together took place in the Gethsemanekirche (2003).
- 9 Museum for Architectural Drawing (Tchoban Foundation), Christinenstraße 18 (former Pfefferberg factory area), ☏ +49 30 437 39 0 90. M–F 14:00-19:00, Sa 13:00-17:00. The museum located in a iconic building opened in June 2013, showcases privately owned collection of architectural drawings from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. €5, €3 (discounted).
- 10 Zeiss-Großplanetarium, Prenzlauer Allee 80, ☏ +49 30 4218 450.
Gesundbrunnen
[edit]- 11 Berlin from below (Berliner Unterwelten), Brunnenstraße 105 (at Gesundbrunnen station). Several daily tours 10:00-16:00 in different languages. Go on guided tours below Berlin to the World War II bunkers, flak towers, Cold War defence shelters, etc.
- 12 Humboldthain (Humboldthain S-Bahnhof). A pleasant park, featuring an anti-aircraft gun emplacement ("Flakturm") which offers sweeping views over Berlin
Do
[edit]Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]Nearly everywhere the clubs and bars are open till at least 17:00 (on weekends).
- 1 Mauerpark. At the end of the Eberswalder Straße, it was once a piece of the Berlin wall. Today in the summer it is a nice place to be, especially for young people. There's an interesting flea market going on every weekend. In the summer weekend afternoons, you can witness - or participate in - the Bearpit Karaoke.
- 2 Bearpit Karaoke (Karaoke Sundays). The famous open-air karaoke at the amphitheater in Mauerpark where the bravest can show off to the incidental audience.
- 3 KulturBrauerei (Culture Brewery), Schönhauser Allee 36 (U2 Eberswalder Straße). A complex that was once a brewery. There you can find the Jazz Cafe, the SODA restaurant where you can enjoy a fine meal of insects, and some clubs: Club 23, nbi and frannz. The KulturBrauerei also has several cinemas showing alternative movies, the Kesselhaus concert house, and one of the best shop for instruments in Berlin, the "Sound and Drumland".
- 4 Kastanienallee and Oderberger Straße. Nice streets with lots of little shops and cafes to sit outside in the summer and watch people pass by. Once a catwalk for fashionistas and hipsters, Kastanienallee had been nicknamed Casting Alley some years ago.
- 5 Helmholtzplatz. Little park with cafes and restaurants surrounding it.
- 6 Kopfgeldjäger, Stargarder Straße 76. Get you hair cut for €20.
- 7 Max Schmeling Halle. Named after the 1930s boxing great and home of the Berlin Füchse (originally from Reinickendorf) the premier Handball team of Berlin
- 8 Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Sportpark, Cantianstraße 24 (U-Bahn stop Eberswalder Straße). A soccer and American Football stadium with track and field facilities which has been host to several important competitions in the past, including most German Bowls (Finals of the German American Football League) in recent years as well as the 2018 edition to be held in October
Wedding
[edit]- 9 Freibad Plötzensee, Nordufer 26, ☏ +49 30 89644787. May-Sep (opening period varies according to the weather): daily from 09:00. A public beach at the small natural lake Plötzensee. Adults €5, reduced (also 2h before closing) €3.
Buy
[edit]Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]Flea markets
[edit]- 1 Mauerpark Flea Market (Flohmarkt im Mauerpark), Bernauer Straße 63-64 (next to Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn Sportpark in Prenzlauer Berg; tram-station M10 or bus 247 "Wolliner Straße" or U-Bahn: Eberswalder Straße). Su 07:00-17:00. Great Sunday flea market for vintage clothing, furniture, rare vinyl; not many professionals. A typical Berlin experience.
- 2 Rosenthal Flohmarkt, Kopenhagener Straße 79-81 (S-Bahn Wilhelmsruh). Sa Su 07:00-14:00.
Bookshops and record stores
[edit]- Dense, Danziger Straße 16. Electronic music.
- 3 Der Plattenladen (Club Sound Records), Eberswalder Straße 32. Techno
- Da Capo, Kastanienallee 96. Second-hand, rock, pop.
- Hip-Hop-Records, Schönhauser Allee 49. Hip hop.
- 4 OYE Records, Oderberger Str. 4, 10435 Berlin (U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Str., Tram: 12,M1 Schwedter Str. or Eberswalder Str.), ☏ +49 30 666 47 820, mail@oye-records.com. Mo-Sa 1pm-8pm. When this record store opened in 2002, it mainly specialized in Latin, Brazil and Italo house, disco and nu-jazz tunes. Today it offers vinyl from a wider range of genres including techno, electro and house.
- 5 Vopo Records, Danziger Straße 31. Punk, rock.
- Mundo Azul, Choriner Straße 49. International children's and youth literature and music.
- Jokers Restseller, Schönhauser Allee 113, ☏ +49 30 44739573. For a wide variety of cheap secondhand books.
Clothing
[edit]- 6 Tausche, Raumerstraße 8, ☏ +49 30 40301770. Berlin fans from all over the world can be spotted with the television tower, the city map or Berlin’s area code +49 30 on their tausche bags with exchangeable flaps and insets.
- Princigalli, Stargarder Straße 67. Quality shoes and cosmetics for ladies.
- 7 Who Killed Bambi?, Eberswalderstraße 26. Colourful tops, bags & things.
- 8 Sgt. Peppers, Kastanienallee 91-92. 70s secondhand.
- Pauls Boutique, Oderbergerstraße 47. Sneakers.
- 9 Eisdieler, Kastanienallee 12. Sneakers.
- Flagshipstore, Oderberger Straße 53. M-Sa 12:00-20:00.
- Hit In TV, Oderberger Straße (near Mauer Park). Tu-F 12:00-19:00, Sa 12:00-18:00.
Decoration
[edit]- 10 La Lampisterie, Greifswalder Straße 195, ☏ +49 30 33986168, info@lampisterie.de. Th-F 14:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-16:00. Great selection of old design lamps in a crazy shop.
Gesundbrunnen and Wedding
[edit]- 11 Farmers Market, Leopoldplatz. Tu and Fr 10:00-17:00. A small open-air farmers market right on Leopoldplatz.
- 12 Gesundbrunnen Center.
Eat
[edit]Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]Prenzelberg is very popular with students and other budget-conscious people but in recent years the area (especially around Kollwitzplatz) has been developed which has attracted more upmarket restaurants. In other words, check the menu before you sit down.
- 1 Bangkok Treffpunkt, Prenzlauer Allee 46. 12:00-23:00. Thai restaurant. Excellent service. Recommended for value and food quality by many in the tourist scene. Has same prices as in 1996. €6 curries.
- 2 Berliner Currywurst & Coffeeshop, Knaackstraße 98 (Kulturbrauerei), ☏ +49 171-2891768. Finest German food.
- 3 Butter, Pappelallee 73 (corner of Raumerstraße). Good food, nice salads, reasonable prices.
- 4 Kleine Eiszeit, Stargarder Straße (opposite of Gethsemane Church). The best ice-cream in Prenzlauer Berg, expect a long queue, closed in winter.
- 5 Konnopke's Imbiß, Schönhauser Allee 44B (U-Bahn station Eberswalder Straße under the tracks). M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa 12:00-20:00. Famous for their Currywurst and truly does sell the best curry sausage you can find. A local would ask for a "Curry mit 'ner Schrippe" (a Currywurst with a roll). Since 1930.
- 6 Malzcafe, Knaackstr. 99, ☏ +49 30-440 47 227. Good modern German kitchen for budget travellers with some good veggie choices. Famous with locals.
- 7 Neugrüns Köche, Schönhauser Allee 135a, ☏ +49 30-440 12 092. Modern German kitchen with daily changing menus. Opens at 18:00.
- 8 Pizzeria I Due Forni, Schönhauser Allee 12 (Take U2 to Senefelder Platz). Water (Tafelwasser) is free, a rarity in Germany.
- 9 Prater, Kastanienallee 7-9. Beergarden: Apr-Sept daily. A beer garden with a restaurant under shady chestnut trees. The oldest beer garden in Berlin.
- 10 FrischeParadies Bistro (at Storkower S-stattion), ☏ +49 30 390815 131. Tu-Sa 11:30-15:30. Small bistro inside upscale supermarket. Sit at the small tables or at the bar, where you can watch the chef prepare your meal from scratch with fresh high quality ingredients. The food is simple and fresh, always excellent cuts of meat or fish. The wine by the glass is a good deal, which you know because you can pick up a bottle from the wine-rack behind you when you leave. €16.
- 11 Agni, Prenzlauer Allee 145, 10409 Berlin, ☏ +49 30 55 06 55 78. M-Th and holidays 16:00-22:00; F Sa 12:00-16:00 and 17:00-23:00; Su 10:00-16:00 and 17:00-23:00. Excellent Indian food.
Wedding
[edit]- 12 St. Bess, Sprengelstraße 41. Tu-Su 17:00-22:00, Mo closed. A restaurant making very good pizza with vegetarian or vegan toppings. Their wood-fired oven is right at the entrance of the place, and you sit downstairs in the basement (or outside in summer). €10-13 for pizza.
- 13 Gaststätte Deichgraf, Nordufer 10, ☏ +49 30 4537613. Summer: daily 09:00-01:00, winter: daily 09:00-24:00. Good German food. Has a nice outside seating area in summer covered by trees. Mains €7-14 (you'll find enough options at both ends).
Drink
[edit]Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]Bars and Cafes
[edit]- 1 Al Hamra, Raumer Straße 16. Relaxed Mediterranean/Arabic style bar cafe serving good food, with occasional music and movies, has a separate smoking section.
- 2 An einem Sonntag im August (On an August Sunday), Kastanienallee 103 (U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Straße, Tram: M1, M10, 12 Eberswalder Str.), ☏ +49 30 44051228, reservierung@cafe-sonntag.de. Iconic café-bar in a retro living room style right at the entrance of Kastanienalle from where locals overlook the neighborhood from behind large windows. With regular live DJs, readings and Hollywood swings on the street.
- 3 August Fengler, Lychener Str. 11 (U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Straße, Tram: M10), ☏ +49 30 44356640. Everyday from 19:00 till late. Longstanding and often crowded bar with kickers and small dance floor. DJs play indie, latin, disco or electro.
- 4 Café Hilde, Metzer Straße 22. large bright corner cafe and bar. Direct fair trade coffee, organic teas & ice cream, home-made cakes. Evenings there is bistro style food including pastas and salads.
- 5 Intersoup, Schliemannstraße 31. Small bar that fills quickly; serving spicy Indonesian-inspired soups. Often has live DJs.
- Kakao, Dunckerstraße 10. Popular cafe and bar specializing in chocolate, ran by the chocolate shop next door. Has a great view of Helmholtzplatz and good hot chocolate.
- 6 Kauf Dich Glücklich Café, Oderberger Str. 44 (U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Straße, Tram: M1, M10, 12 Eberswalder Str.), ☏ +49 30 48623292. 11am–23pm, Fr,Sa 10am–0.30am. This iconic café with its diversified collection of colored retro chairs and its wild, overgrown outdoor terrace which is so typical of the hipster-hedonist Kastanienallee-Oderbergerstraße heighborhood offers crêpes, waffles, housemade ice cream, and an excellent breakfast. On crowded weekends, count in some waiting time.
- 7 Kulturbrauerei (Close to U-Bahn-Station Eberswalder Straße). A former brewery which now houses many bars and restaurant. Most famous is the Soda Club with an excellent bar.
- Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
- 8 Morgenrot, Kastanienallee 85, ☏ +49 30 44317844. Tu-Th 12:00-02:00; F-Su 11:00-02:00. Alternative cafe serving vegetarian and vegan food, quite a recommended place for people interested in squats and related issues.
- No Fire No Glory, Rykestr. 45. Third wave coffee place with a beautiful terrace and homemade sweets & savory food. Currently available espresso blends are 'the coffee collective' Copenhagen and 'bonanza coffee heroes' Berlin. Pour over coffee with single origins for a real caffeine high are obtained too.
- 9 Pfefferberg, Schönhauser Allee 176 (U-Bahn: U2 Senefelderplatz, Bus: N2), ☏ +49 30 443 830, info@pfefferwerk.de. This is a large former brewery compound which has been reused as a cultural and nightlife center with changing clubs, bars, theaters, restaurants, a large beer garden, a hostel and artist's studios for decades. It is a bit similar to the Kulturbrauerei but has been wilder and more run-down until its recent renovation.
- 10 Schwarz-Sauer, Kastanienallee 13. until 06:00. Very popular bar with a local and international student crowd.
- 11 Scotch & Sofa, Kollwitzstraße 18 (U-Bahn: U2 Senefelderplatz, Bus: N2), ☏ +49 30 68004203, info@scotch-sofa.de. 6pm–2am. Cozy retro-style cocktail and whisky bar right at the entry point to Kollwitzstraße with 1950s furnitures and wallpapers and reasonable prices. This long-standing bar had already been here when the surrounding buildings did not yet exist at all.
- 12 Wohnzimmer, Lettestraße 6, corner of Schliemannstraße, ☏ +49 30 4455458. 09:00-late. The first 'trendy' bar in this part of Prenzlberg and still very popular. Serves breakfasts and is open late. Separate smoking room
- 13 Zu Mir Oder Zu Dir, Lychener Str. 15 (U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Straße, Tram: M10), ☏ +49 176 24412940. Everyday from 19:00 till late. Retro-stlye bar with very relaxed atmosphere, genuine 1970s interior and excellent drinks. The prices are fair and the bartenders are nice. DJs play electro or soul.
Clubs
[edit]- 14 Dr Pong, Schönhauser Allee 36, info@drpong.net. 8pm–5am. A typically Berlin style club where you can play table tennis and drink cheap beer, very friendly place.
- 15 Dunckerclub, Dunckerstr. 64. Alternative, hard rock, indie.
- 16 frannz, Schönhauser Allee 36. A relaxed pop/rock club in Kulturbrauerei, also with live music.
- 17 Klub Der Republik, Berliner Str. 80, 13189 Berlin (U-Bahn: U2 Vinetastraße, Tram: 12,50,M1,M2,M13 Schönhauser Allee/Bornholmer Straße, Bus: N2), ☏ +49 30 1234567. 9pm. This is the successor of the famous Klub Der Republik at Pappelallee 81. Its legendary decoration, original lamps and sofas from East Berlins demolished Palast der Republik, has moved to the new location. The new dancefloor is located in the cellar of a former brewery, and the bar within a decommissioned transformer station. Varying DJs play electro and house.
- Knaack, Greifswalder Straße 224. Former communist youth center. Three floors with different music and hosts live concerts.
- Magnet, Greifswalder Str. 212/213. Alternative. Some indie concerts and club nights. Take care, there is also a FC Magnet Bar in Veteranenstraße, which is a cool place, too.
- NBI, Schönhauser Allee 36. Nice, small club, not really for dancing, with friendly people and live sets. Usually electro or minimal music, as well as indie pop/rock nights.
- Bastard, Kastanienallee, next to Prater Garten. Mostly punk, ska and alternative music.
Wedding
[edit]- 18 Brauerei Eschenbräu, Triftstraße 67, ☏ +49 162 4931915 (mobile phone). A small brewery. In summer, they also have a biergarden (one of the few in Berlin where you can actually bring your own food). Throughout the year you can drink their beer in the bar (no outside food allowed there). They also distill spirits (including whisky).
- 19 Vagabund Brauerei, Antwerpener Straße 3, ☏ +49 30 52667668. A micro-brewery. You can drink their beer from tap (and other bottled beers) at their nice bar. Has some outside seating in summer. You can bring or order your own food and consume it in the bar.
Sleep
[edit]Prenzlauer Berg
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Alcatraz Backpacker Hostel, Schönhauser Allee 133a (U-Bahn: Eberswalder Str.), ☏ +49 30 4849-6815, fax: +49 30 4849 68 17. Double rooms start at €22 per person, dormitory starts at €13.
- 2 Corner Hostel, Driesener Str. 17 (U-/S-Bahn: Schönhauser Allee), ☏ +49 30 4373-4353, fax: +49 30 4373 4206, corner-hostel@t-online.de. 2-bed rooms start at €20 per person, dorm starts at €14.
- 3 EastSeven Berlin Hostel, Schwedter Str. 7 (U-Bahn: Senefelderplatz), ☏ +49 30 936 222 40, fax: +49 30 936 222 39, info@EastSeven.de. Private rooms also available. Dorm rooms starting at €13 in low season, €17 in high season.
- 4 Pension Absolut Berlin, Erich-Weinert-Str. 26 (U-/S-Bahn: Schönhauser Allee), ☏ +49 30 690 650 20, info@pension-absolutberlin.de. Quiet location near Alexanderplatz. The guesthouse offers single, double, triple and fully served apartments. Prices start from €20 per person.
- 5 Generator Hostel Berlin, Storkower Str. 160 (S-Bahn: Landsberger Allee), ☏ +49 30 417 240 0, fax: +49 30 417 240 80, berlin@generatorhotels.com. 2-bed rooms start at €20 per person, dorm starts at €10.
- 6 Lette'm Sleep, Lettestr. 7 (U-Bahn Eberswalder Straße), ☏ +49 30 4473-3623, fax: +49 30 4473 3625, info@backpackers.de. 2-bed rooms start at €24 per person, dorm starts at €15.
- 7 Meininger Hotel Berlin Prenzlauer Berg, Schönhauser Allee 19 (U-Bahn: Senefelderplatz), ☏ +49 30 666 36 100, fax: +49 30 666 36 222. Double rooms start at €35 per person, dormitory starts at €19.
- 8 Transit Loft, Immanuelkirchstr. 14 (U-Bahn: Senefelderplatz), ☏ +49 30 4849-3773, fax: +49 30 4405 1074, loft@hotel-transit.de. Transit, Hagelberger Str. 53-54 (Kreuzberg) is also part of this hostel chain. 2-bed rooms start at €71.50/room, dorm starts at €15 per person.
- 9 Pfefferbett, Am Pfefferberg, Christinenstraße 18-19 (U-Bahn: Senefelderplatz), ☏ +49 30 93 93 58 58, info@pfefferbett.de. Central location, walking distance to Alexanderplatz and yet in another world. Located within an old brewery complex, now converted into a cultural center. Dorms, private rooms. Easy access also from Schönhauser Allee 176 from €9 (shared dorm).
Mid-range
[edit]- 10 Homestay accommodation (Unterkunft in Berlin), Immanuelkirchstr. 34, 10405 Berlin (Tram M2: to Knaackstr from Alexanderplatz), ☏ +49 30 48496466, info@unterkunft-in-berlin.de. Reservations necessary, minimum stay two nights. Single €35, double €44, triple €51.
- 11 Hotel ackselhaus & blue home Berlin, Belforter Straße 21, ☏ +49 30 44 33 76 33, info@ackselhaus.de. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. In the centre of Berlin, 700 m away from the TV Tower, Alexanderplatz. €120.
Splurge
[edit]Wedding
[edit]- 12 Smart Hostel, Hotel and Apartments, Genter Str. 53 a/b (5 minutes away from U Seestr.), ☏ +49 30 454 86 454, fax: +49 30 454 86 500, office@smarthostel-berlin.de. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00.
Uncategorized
[edit]- Raise a Smile Hostel Berlin, Weidenweg 51 (U-Bahn: Frankfurter Tor; Tram: M10), hostel@raise-a-smile.org. Double rooms start at €17.90 per person, dorm starts at €8.90. Small & homely independent hostel opened in December 2009. The hostel is decorated in an African style with each room having a different animal theme. 100% of the profit from the hostel is used to support the charity "Raise a Smile" which helps children in Zambia, Africa.
- Red Rooster Bar and Hostel Odyssee, Grünberger Straße 23 (U-Bahn: Frankfurter Tor; corner of Warschauer St), ☏ +49 30-29 0000 81, fax: +49 30-29 0033 11, odyssee@globetrotterhostel.de. The Odyssee is independently run by a young crew - a real rock 'n 'roll place with a nice bar. This is a simple hostel which provides internet access, bicycle rental, and a bar (open until dawn). Prices range from €10-54 per night.
- Bed and Breakfast Ring, ☏ +49 30-48496468, info@bandb-ring.de. Bed and Breakfast. The staff speak English. Prices range from €22-80 per night.
- Frauenzimmer. Private accommodation for women, from women. Guestrooms and apartments. From €25 per night.