Berlin: Kreuzberg’s best affordable sights, bars and restaurants
Located in former West Berlin, Kreuzberg is one of the city’s most popular and exciting neighborhoods. When the wall was up, the district was divided into two postal code areas, Kreuzberg 61 and SO36. Although these postal codes are no longer officially used, locals still use them to define the neighborhood’s two very distinct faces. Berliner’s often say “36 brennt, 61 pennt” (“SO36 is on fire, while 61 is asleep”).
Although the saying doesn’t have the same ring in English as it does in German, it still gives you a good feel for the differences between the two areas: SO36 still has a gritty, punky vibe and attracts a younger party crowd while 61 is a quieter, more gentrified oasis popular with hipsters, urban families, and those 30 or over.
Known as the “third largest Turkish city”, Kreuzberg also has a thriving Turkish community, particularly SO36. Here are some budget-friendly travel tips for the two areas of the neighborhood.
Kreuzberg SO36
Getting there: Take the U-Bahn to stations Kottbusser Tor (U-8/U-1 lines), Görlitzer Bahnhof (U-1 line) and Schlesiches Tor (U-1 line)
Free and affordable things to do
The streets Oranienstrasse and Adalbertstraße make up the heart of SO36. They are located directly at the U-Bahn station Kottbusser Tor, which is affectionately called “Kotti” by locals. Take a stroll around the area and browse through the funky clothing stores and Turkish shops. For a little urban culture, check out the street art and graffiti covering many of the walls.
Museums
Two nicely-priced cultural highlights are Museum der Dinge, a design museum for everyday objects from the 20th and 21st century (admission price: €6), and the Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain (FHBX) Museum, a museum chronicling the history of the neighborhood, which is free of charge.
Catch a film
Located around the corner, the Babylon movie theater often shows original language films with subtitles (called “OmU” in German). To save on the regular admission fee (about €8), go on Mondays, when tickets only cost €6.50.
Historic Park
The park Görlitzer Park once housed a large train station, Görlitzer Bahnhof, which was destroyed during the war. You can still see some of the ruins in the main field, popular with Frisbee players, picnicking hipsters and students lounging with a beer and one hand and a cigarette in the other.
Although the park has had drug problems in recent years, the Children’s Farm is still very popular with kids and families. Hang a right when you get off at the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor for more cafes and bars with a hip, 20-something crowd.
Cheap Eats
Luckily, you’ll find many cheap eats around Oranienstrasse, Wienerstrasse (near Görlitzer Park) and Schlesisches Tor. Some of the best options under €5 euros include:
- Tadim (Adalbertstr. 98), a Turkish fast food restaurant with great kebab and Lahmacun, a.k.a. “Turkish” pizza
- Maroush (Adalbertstr. 93), a Lebanese place with great falafel and chicken shwarma sandwiches
- Spätzleexpress (Wiener Str. 11), a small restaurant serving Spätzle and Maultaschen, two tasty noodle treats from the Swabian region in Southern Germany
- Rissani (Spreewald platz 4-6), another great Lebanese restaurant which is more of a sit-down place than Maroush.
- If you’re jonesing for a burger and fries, check out Burgermeister (Oberbaumstr. 8), conveniently located under the elevated u-bahn tracks at Schlesisches Tor.
Nightlife
If you’re in the mood to party, then SO36 is the place to be. Dozens of bars and cafes line the streets around all three U-bahn stops.
If you’re in the mood for an urban, industrial vibe mixed in with a little kitsch (there’s a weeping Virgin Mary projection on the wall) all packed in a gay-friendly atmosphere, then check out Möbelolfe (Reichenberger Str. 177).
Franken (Oranienstr. 19a) is an unpretentious watering hole with a punky edge and Wild at Heart (Wiener Straße 20) is a well-known punk rock and rockabilly bar.
The club SO36 (Oranienstr. 190) on Oranienstrasse offers live shows as well as regular events like a Monday after work skate night and Kiezbingo (neighborhood bingo).
Kreuzberg 61 (aka “Bergmannkiez”)
Getting There: Take the U-Bahn to stations Südstern, Gneisenaustrasse and Mehringdamm (U-7 line) or stations Hallesches Tor and Prinzenstrasse (U-1 line)
Playing bocce in Kreuzberg’s Viktoriapark. Photo: Eugene K
Free and affordable things to do
If Oranienstrasse is Kreuzberg’s punk rock wild child, then Bergmannstrasse is its tamer, older sister. Popular with tourist, the street is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Cemeteries
At the quieter, leafy green section of Bergmannstrasse (close to U-7 Südstern station) you’ll find the large cemetery, Friedrichswerder Friedhof II. The cemetery has many old graves from the 18th and 19th century with impressive statues and headstones. Head up the hill and you’ll also find many mausoleums in a glorious state of gothic decay.
The cemetery at Hallesches Tor has many beautiful Art Nouveau graves and is the final resting place of the classical composers Mendelssohn and Brahms, and the German poet E.T.A Hoffmann.
Canals and window shopping
A walk along the Landwehrkanal is also an absolute must. In the summer, the banks along the canal are full with young people picnicking or popping open a beer or two. It also leads to Gräfekiez, the upscale, stylish part of 61. Although the designer boutiques are not priced with the budget traveler in mind, Dieffenbachstrasse and Gräfestrasse are still worth a peek and a little window shopping.
Parks
Kreuzberg 61 is also home to two parks, Volkspark Hasenheide and Viktoriapark. Located on one of Berlin’s only hills, Viktoriapark is also home to the Nationaldenkmal für die Befreiungskriege (National Monument for the Liberation Wars), which offers great views over the city.
Cheap Eats
Like SO36, Kreuzberg 61 has a wide range of cafes and restaurants, although they tend to be a bit more expensive. But there are still plenty of great cheap eat options.
- The Marheinike Markthalle (Marheinekepl. 15), a large market hall located at the corner of Bermannstrasse and Zossenerstrasse, has plenty of food stands where you can get lunch or dinner at a nice price.
- Curry 36, (Mehringdamm 36) a snack bar near U-7 Mehringdamm has arguably the best curry wurst and fries in the city and is just up the street from the ever-popular Mustafa’s Vegetable Kebab stand (Mehringdamm 32).
- The King of Falafel (Urbanstr. 68) also has fabulous falafel as well as lesser known vegetarian and vegan treats.
Nightlife
If you’re in the mood to party, SO36 is a better option. Still, Kreuzberg 61 does have a few highlights:
- Bad Kreuzberg (Blücherstr. 17) is an unpretentious dive bar which offers free pretzels and peanuts with drinks.
- Junction Bar (Gneisenaustr.18) is a basement club for jazz and blues with a no-frills pub on top.
- Minibar (Graefestr. 77) is a small-but-cozy option in Gräfekiez.
- Die Legende von Paula & Ben (Gneisenaustr. 58) is a nice neighborhood place with a friendly vibe.
Sleep for cheap
Looking for a hotel to be near the action in Kreuzberg? Check out our Kreuzberg listings for local hotels and hostels with rates starting as low as $39 for a double room.
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