Berlin/East Central

East Central is a trendy, bohemian, artsy area that consists of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg (sometimes called Prenzlberg), Wedding and Gesundbrunnen. The western district Kreuzberg was merged with the eastern district Friedrichshain in 2001. They skew towards a young and alternative, often politically left-oriented crowd. Both districts feature a very heterogeneous architecture, from whole quarters of 19th century apartment houses to functional and not very pleasant 1960s and 70s residential building blocks. You also notice the differences as the districts were separated by the wall. The remaining part of the wall between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg is the longest part still existing in Berlin. Prenzlauer Berg is to the northeast of Friedrichshain and has changed considerably since reunification. It has gentrified similarly to Brooklyn/Williamsburg from deserted apartment houses into a lively area for students, artists and young people – if they or their parents can afford it. Rents have risen sharply in the last few years, and many empty apartments in this area are no longer rented out but sold, refurbished into luxurious lofts or hostel rooms. Wedding and Gesundbrunnen formed the Bezirk of Wedding prior to 2001 when the boundaries were redrawn. Wedding has a long tradition of being home to the working class and accordingly voted "red" for most of the Kaiserreich and Weimar era. During partition it lay on the west side of the wall and attracted an above average number of immigrants, particularly of Turkish descent. Since reunification it has been gentrifying much like Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg albeit not at the same breakneck pace.

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 either side of the wall. Since the political decision to merge, these two districts work together politically. The name was made by flipping a coin to decide which name would appear first. The Oberbaumbrücke which was a border crossing point during the era of German partition now serves as the main connection between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg as well as a symbol of reunification. Once a year it is the site of a humorous "vegetable battle" (Gemüseschlacht) between the two former districts.

Kreuzberg is one of Berlin's most eclectic districts, home to an 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 become gentrified, with dot-coms, marketing agencies, designers, German and international kids from wealthy backgrounds moving into renovated lofts and spacy apartments, but there are still plenty of kebab joints, funky nightclubs, and pictures of Abdullah Öcalan gazing down from Communist Party of Kurdistan propaganda posters.

Kreuzberg itself used to be covered by two post codes (back in the four digit era, post codes would contain two digits for the city and two for the city district, sometimes expressed as "1000 Berlin, Kreuzberg 36" or the likes, but shortened to "1036 Berlin") being 36 for the Southeastern part (hence "SO 36") and 61 for the Southwestern part (SW 61 or more commonly Kreuzberg 61). The two areas had and to some extent still have distinctive characters, in part because SO 36 was surrounded by the wall on three sides and was therefore much more of a center for Berlin's leftist scene than the more bourgeois 61. While the post codes were changed upon reunification, you will still find businesses and locals insisting on the part of Kreuzberg they're in being labeled correctly and caring a lot about the difference.

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.

By urban rail


The main entry point for Kreuzberg 36 is. The U-Bahn line U1 is the backbone crossing the borough from east to west.

The main entry point for Kreuzberg 61 is.

The main gateways for Friedrichshain are the S-Bahn stations and. There are frequent U- and S-Bahn to the main tourist central in Friedrichshain, e.g. the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery close to the "Warschauer Straße" station. Being a borough of the former East, several tram and metro - tram lines also serve Friedrichshain with some slowly but surely expanding westward in what can only be called tram - reconquista. 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 or through.





See
There are several monuments and museums in this district as it is a result of merging across the former border of East and West Berlin, something that was done in Mitte, as well but in no other district.

Friedrichshain




Prenzlauer Berg
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 historicist Gründerzeit-style architecture of the district, the atmosphere in the streets, sitting down in a nice café and watching the crowds go by.



Prenzlauer Berg
Nearly everywhere the clubs and bars are open till at least 17:00 (on weekends).

Kreuzberg
Known for its innovative and good value restaurants. The variety of immigrants can be witnessed in the corresponding restaurants. The following have been recommended in a fast changing market.

Budget

 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.
 * Opposite the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor is a very good Turkish bakery which offers broad variety of pastries, cakes, bread and other sweet stuff.

Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzelberg is very popular with students and other budget-conscious people, but the area (especially around Kollwitzplatz) has been developed which has attracted more upmarket restaurants. Check the menu before you sit down.

Bars and cafes
Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are popular areas for a drink and most people enjoy the very laid back atmosphere. Usually people tend to go out later so most bars start to fill up from 22:00-23:00.
 * 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).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * 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).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * 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).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * 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).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * 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).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.

Bars and cafes

 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.