THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BERLIN, EXPLORING 7 DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOODS (IN PICTURES)
Berlin is a diverse and dynamic city, a metropolis entrenched in history. This once divided city, can feel expansive and hard to explore. With eleven official boroughs, contrasting from trendy neighbourhoods to elegant boulevards, we’ve broken down Berlin’s inner circle. These are the seven hoods that encapsulate the West and East energies, meeting in one electric city.
1 MITTE: THE CULTURAL HUB
Serving as Berlin’s unofficial city centre, Mitte is home to the city’s infamous museums and galleries.
It’s tram-cut streets are lined with third-wave coffee haunts, cocktail bars and an array of restaurants.
2 PRENZLAUER BERG/ PANKOW: THE UPPER-CLASS EDGE
Prenzlauer Berg is the most urban part of the district Pankow. Originally popularised by artists for it’s cheap rent, this area has shifted slightly over the years. It boasts lush areas such as Mauerpark and plenty of restaurants and bars.
It is now favoured amongst young, trendy families. Prenzlauer breathes the effortless cool of Berlin - with an upper class edge.
3 FRIEDRICHSHAIN-KREUZBERG: THE PUNK
Known for its street art and anti-establishment attitude, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is the electric suburb which hosts most of Berlin’s blaring techno clubs.
As well as infamous sites, like the East-Side Gallery and the Oberbaum Bridge.
4 TREPTOWER-KOPENICK: THE BERLIN ‘BURBS
This area has many faces, with it’s expansive and lush parklands and wide, tree-lined streets, Treptower is seen as place to live, work and relax. It’s also home to the Soviet War Memorial.
However this area has a wild side too, it borders Neukolln and Kreuzberg and also has its own party energy.
5 NEUKOLLN: THE COOL KID
Neukolln has quickly become the new cool kid of Berlin, as cheaper rents drew in a younger crowd. This area is where Turkish markets and cuisine meet the city’s favoured new haunts.
Paired with leafy canals, great cafes and cobblestone streets - it’s no wonder its favoured amongst young local and tourist alike.
6 TEMPLEHOF-SCHONBERG: THE UP AND COMER
Templehof-Schonberg is Berlin’s youngest suburb as it was only formed in 2001. The newly formed district is linked by one related theme: underrated cool. Templhof’s Schiller Promenade is busy with cheap eats and bars.
This area also housed Berlin’s old airport, Templehof Feld, it has a community garden close it’s entrance and is a great place to ride around or watch locals skate, fly kites and windsurf.
Schonberg is famed for being Bowie’s hood back in the day and his electric, open energy can still be felt there today, as the city’s most gay-friendly community and housing Urban House-the best street artist collective in Berlin.
7 CHARLOTTENBURG-WILMERSDORF: THE WESTERNER
This former West-Berlin suburb is best known for it’s ultra modern feel. It plays host to Berlin’s upscale shopping districts and Berlin’s Zoo.
Article and photos by Alice Dundon - a Berlin based editorial freelance journalist with a strong focus on travel, culture and social-impact pieces.
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