From Wikitravel

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is the smallest of the 12 districts of Berlin. The western district Kreuzberg was merged with the east Berlin district Friedrichshain in 2001. They both have a rather poor population (high unemployment rate) and they are a habitat to a young and alternative, often politically left oriented crowd. Both districts feature a very heterogenous architecture, from whole quarters of 19th century apartment houses to functional and not very pleasant 60s and 70s residential building blocks. As the districts were separated by the wall, you notice also some differences. The remaining part of the wall between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg is the longest still existing one in Berlin.

[edit] Understand

The former districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain had few things in common (one thing is nowadays for sure the attraction to students, politically left and young creative people), due to their history on each side of the wall. Since the political decision to merge, these two districts work politically together. The name was made by flipping a coin to decide what name to appear first.

Kreuzberg is one of Berlin's most eclectic districts, home to a unusual mix of left-wing punks, anarchists, gays, creative artists and Turkish immigrants, the last of which make up a third of the population and have earned the area its occasional nickname Little Istanbul. The district has gentrified to some extent in recent years, with dot-coms, marketing agencies, designers etc. moving into renovated lofts, but there are still plenty of kebab joints, funky nightclubs, and pictures of Abdullah Öcalan gazing down from Communist Party of Kurdistan propaganda posters.

[edit] Get in

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Kreuzberg

• Jüdisches Museum Berlin (Berlin Jewish Museum) [1]. Designed by Daniel Libeskind.
• Martin-Gropius-Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7 | Stresemannstr. 110, tel +49 30 254 86-0.
• Topography of Terror [2]. This museum documents the terror applied by the Nazi regime.
• Oranienstrasse— A street full of shops, cafes and restaurants.
• Bergmannstrasse— Like Oranienstrasse a street full of shops, cafes and restaurants, but in the other, more middle-class part of Kreuzberg.
• Görlitzer Park. 150-200m along the Wiener Straße (bypassing the fire house and the public swimming pool) from U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahnhof, the park is famous for the Turkish families barbecuing on summer weekends, failed contemporary art and relaxed atmosphere of students.
• Landwehrkanal. Take a stroll for a few kilometers along this canal which runs right through the heart of Kreuzberg. It's peaceful and mostly traffic-free, but full of life in summer. Some parts are lined with bars and restaurants with terraces. Sit on a bench or terrace and watch the world go by on a summer evening.
• Berlinische Galerie
• Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin [3]. Huge technical museum, featuring among many other things an exhibit about computer pioneer Konrad Zuse's work, a collection of old locomotives, and the interactive SPECTRUM science center with various hands-on experiments.

[edit] Friedrichshain

• Karl-Marx-Allee The main street of former East Berlin. It is a big avenue, featuring neoclassical DDR buildings, fountains and lakes.
• East side gallery, the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall still in existence, painted by artists in 1991 (but nowadays rather run down). At Mühlenstrasse, next to the river Spree. Note that the murals are painted on the east side of the wall after the fall of Communism; so they are not from the Cold War, during which murals can only be painted on the west side. The gallery is close to the Ostbahnhof S-bahn station on the west side and the Warschauer Straße S-bahn station on the east side.
  • Make sure not to miss the famous mural of a car seemingly crashing through the wall with Brezhnev and Honecker kissing above it. It is actually on the back side of the gallery (it is facing away from the street). It is just inside the entrance of the Eastern Comfort Hostel, near the east end of the gallery.
• Oberbaumbrücke, arguably the most beautiful bridge in Berlin and the only connection between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.
• Der Maerchenbrunnen the Fountain of Legends at the Volkspark Friedrichshain
• Boxhagenerkiez The area around Boxhagenerplatz is filled with bars, cafes and small shops. Boxhagenerplatz itself is a small park with a playground and a cafe, and the nearby Simon Dach Strasse is filled with cheap bars and restaurants. At the weekend you can find many places that serve the famous, cheap Berliner brunch. On Sundays there is a small flea market worth strolling around.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Cinema

• Moviemento. Independent and older movies, some in English.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Flea markets

• Boxhagener Platz. Sun 10AM-6PM.
• Treptower Hallen/Arena. Sun 10AM-6PM.

[edit] Fashion

• Berlinomat, Frankfurter Allee 89 (S+U Frankfurter Allee). Mon-Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 10AM–6PM.

• Flaming Squeegee, Gabriel-Max Str. 9, Friedrichshain, Berlin, ☎ 03027589725 (flaming-squeegee@t-online.de), [4]. Funny, creative selection of rockabilly and punk t-shirts, bar, and band merchandise.  edit

[edit] Record shops

• Hardwax, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a, [5]. Mon-Sat noon-8PM. THE techno record shop in Berlin; huge back catalogue and weekly news from around the world; also reggae 7" and drum&bass.
• Space-Hall, Zossenerstr. 33, [6]. Mon-Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 11AM-4PM. A large selection of electronic music, from the latest releases to older vinyls.

[edit] Private 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. A directory listing of all Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg's art galleries can be found on The Art of Berlin: Complete Berlin Art Gallery Directory

[edit][add listing] Eat

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Kreuzberg is known for its innovative and good value restaurants. The following have been recommended in a fast changing market:

• Morgenland, Skalitzer Str. 35 (U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahnhof), tel. 030 611 3291. Oriental breakfast buffet on weekends (reservation!), restaurant and bar every day with good food for mid-range prices.
• To Loc, Wiener Str. 61. Indochinese cuisine. The best Asian kitchen so far. Highly recommended by a local.
• Hannibal, Wiener Str. 69 (U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahnhof), tel. 030 611 5160. Famous for its burgers and weekend buffet breakfast, good cocktails in the evening.
• Kuchenkaiser, Oranienplatz 11-13, tel. 030 614 02697. Institution for generation 68, breakfast till 4pm and global kitchen highlights every week.
• Asador Steakhouse, Wilhelmstrasse 22 (corner of Hedemannstrasse), tel. 030 2593 1818. Spanish and Argentinian food. Food is good and portions are not so small, waiters are able to speak English. Have a look at the water and drink prices and the taxes to avoid surprises.
• Angus Restaurant Steak-Haus, Kreuzbergstrasse 11-12, tel. 786 27 42. You can get quite good food (pizza from €3, pasta, different steaks ect.) enjoying a nice atmosphere. Its one of the cheapest restaurants in Kreuzberg and because of this very crowded (which is part of the nice atmopshere, as many "good" restaurants in Kreuzberg are expensive and empty!).
• Tiki Heart, Wiener Straße 20, tel. 030-61 07 47 03. Innovative and creative Asian, Polynesian and South American breakfast.
• Cream, Schlesische Straße 6, tel. 030-61 07 49 80. Urban coffee house culture with own breakfast creations linked to the film "Herr Lehmann" and own coffee creation!

The thing to eat in Kreuzberg is, of course, Turkish food.

• Hasir, Adalbertstrasse 10, tel. 614 2373, [7]. The flagship of a chain run by Mehmet Aygun, who has a pretty good claim to inventing the döner kebab as we know it, and the kebab here is among the best in town. Main courses still a steal at €6-11. Open 24 hours.

Opposite the U-Bahnstation Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers one of the broadest varierties of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.

• Nil. Sudanese fast food shop, serves excellent falafel and other Arabic snacks together with its famous peanut sauce.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Bar Sofia, Wrangelstr. 93 (U Schlesisches Tor). Small café and bar with a bit tacky but very nice interior. Open daily from 9am. Hot drinks till 8pm, alcoholic drinks from 6pm  edit

Kreuzberg is a popular area for a drink and most people enjoy the very laid back atmosphere.

• Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5am).
• Zyankali Bar, Großbeerenstraße 64, [8]. The most adventurous bar in Berlin! You'll be surprised what kind of drinks they have on their beverage list. They say some people entered the Zyankali and never came out again.
• Wild at Heart, Wiener Strasse 20, [9]. Punkrock Club with live music, great deco.
• Wiener Blut, Wiener Straße 14
• Wuergeengel, Dresdener Straße 122. Great Bar for cocktails.
• Bierhimmel, Oranienstraße 181. Cafe during the day, bar in the evenings.
• Luzia, Oranienstr. 34. Hot brand-new gay bar.
• Wirtschaftswunder, Yorkstraße 81. Is synonymous with the expression "economic miracle". The prices are very low and it has a good local Kreuzberg atmosphere.
• Bar 11, Wiener Str. 21. (U-Görlitzer Bahnhof), [10]. Every day from 6PM till 7AM. Authentic Bar in the heart of Kreuzberg, DJs on the week-end (rock, pop, funk, soul, disco) entrance is free and international audience. Mondays all cocktails half price.
• Orient Lounge, Oranienstr. 13, tel. 030 - 69 56 67 62. Relaxing lounge with good drinks.
• Habermayer, Gärtnerstr. 6, tel. 030-29 77 18 87, [11]. Nice relaxing bar in Friedrichshain with laid back people.
• Freischwimmer, Schlesischen Tor 2, tel 030-61 07 43 09. Bar directly located at the river on a ponton with good food and drinks, good for chilling.
• Cafe Moskau, Karl-Marx-Allee 34.

[edit] Clubs

• SO36, Oranienstrasse 190, [12]. Legendary club whose roots are punk, nowadays plays different alternative and mainstream concerts. Don't miss the GAYHANE, the Turkish gay party.
• Club der Visionäre, Am Flutgraben 1, [13]. Minimal techno, house and techno-house at this atmospheric venue by the water.
• Rosi's, Revalerstraße 29, [14]. Rosi's features grungy underground - the best club in town if you are into that. Nice grill outside with lots of chairs for the warm days, has one chill out floor and one main stage almost in front of a very nice bar. 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month: drum'n'bass, 2nd and 4th Saturday: house electro and on other days concerts and rock parties.
• 103 club, Falckensteinstr. 47 (next to Watergate). Progressive electronic beats and hip hop. Also VJing.
• Geburtstagsklub, Am Friedrichshain 33. Best reggae party in town on Mondays, other days vary.
• Insel Berlin, Alt-Treptow 6, [15]. Three floors, music varies from reggae to techno to indie to gothic.
• Berghain/Panorama Bar The world famous house and hardcore club. It is situated in an old power generation plant, near the Ostbahnhoff, and sports a huge dancefloor, and has room for more than 1500 people. Known as one of Europes, and the worlds, best clubs.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Apartments Berlin, Togostrasse 5 We offer you the best vacation rentals at the best locations in Berlin, ☎ +4930700173048 (info@only-apartments.com), [16].  edit

• A&O, Boxhagener Str. 73 (S-Bahn: Ostkreuz), tel. 297 7810 (fax: 2900 7366, email: hostel@web.de), [17]. Double rooms start at €24 per person, sleeping hall starts at €10.

• Baxpax Kreuzberg Hostel , Skalitzer Straße 104, tel. +49 30 6951 8322, [18]. This hostel is centrally-located in an area that boasts excellent nightlife.

• Die Fabrik, Schlesische Str. 18 (U-Bahn: Schlesisches Tor), tel. 611 7116 (fax: 618 2974, email: info@diefabrik.com), [19]. An old factory building turned into a hostel. 2-Bed rooms start at €49/room, sleeping hall starts at €18.

• Odyssee Hostel, Grünberger Str. 23 (U-Bahn: Frankfurter Tor), tel. 2900 0081 (fax: 2900 3311, email: odyssee@globetrotterhostel.de), [20]. 2-Bed rooms start at €45/room, dorms from €10/person. The Odyssee is independently run by a young crew - a real rockn roll place with a nice bar.

• Riverside Lodge , Hobrechtstr. 43 (U- 8 : Schönleinstraße), tel. +49-30-69 515 510 (email: welcome@riverside-lodge.de). The Lodge is a cozy little hostel located in the exciting neighborhood of Kreuzberg. Here you will find peaceful relaxation on your travels.

• Sunflower Hostel, Helsingforser Str. 17 (S-Bahn: Warschauer Strasse), tel. 440 44 250, (fax: 577 96 550, email: hostel@sunflower-hostel.de), [21]. dorms from €10/person, they also have doubles and apartments. The sunny side of Berlin, nicely decorated rooms.

• Pegasus Hostel Berlin, Straße der Pariser Kommune 35 (U-Bahn: Weberwiese), tel. 2977 360 (fax: 2977 3610, email: hostel@pegasushostel.de), [22]. 2-Bed rooms start at €19 per person, sleeping hall starts at €10. One of this independent hostel's main attractions is its large, green courtyard which hosts a beer garden, BBQ, table tennis and comfortable seating areas. They have free internet access, laundry service and multilingual staff. They offer accommodations from single rooms with showers and WC, to beds in dormitory rooms.

• U Inn Berlin Hostel, Finowstraße 36 (U-Bahn: Samariterstraße and near S-Bahn/U-Bahn: Frankfurter Allee), e-mail: info@uinnberlinhostel.com,[23]; another cosy backpacker hostel that offers singles, doubles and dorms.

• Red Rooster Bar and Hostel Odyssee, Grünberger Straße 23 (corner of Warschauer St), ☎ (+49) - (0)30 - 29 0000 81 (odyssee@globetrotterhostel.de, fax: (+49) - (0)30 - 29 0033 11), [24]. This is simple hostel provides internet access, bicycle rental, and a bar (open until dawn). Prices range from €10-54 per night.  edit

• hotel lohwasser berlin, kreutzigerstrasse 20, ☎ ++4917625331745 (info@lohwasser-berlin.de), [25]. checkin: 15:00; checkout: 12:00. nähe boxhagener platz/frankfurter tor , bett 15, ez 30, dz 50, fewo 70 €.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• NH Berlin - Friedrichstrasse [26], Friedrichstrasse 96, Tel. +49 302062660. The hotel has a central location, it is close to the main railway station and just a short stroll away from the Brandenburg Gate and the boulevard "Unter den Linden". There are 8 other NH hotels in Berlin if this one is full.

[edit] Contact

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