Explore Friedrichshain: Berlin’s punky alternative district

What was once a working-class neighbourhood has become one of Berlin’s most trendy areas both to live in and to visit. Friedrichshain forms one borough together with Kreuzberg on the other side of the river but it has its own identity. A big reason for the differences between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain is that they were on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall.

Having been part of East Berlin and the DDR, Friedrichshain changed a lot after the fall of the Berlin Wall. At first it were the students, artists, punks and alternatives who took over the neighbourhood. Now Friedrichshain is both an epicentre of Berlin techno and nightlife, and home to many young families.

With its rich history, it is no surprise that Friedrichshain offers plenty of things to see and do. Here are some of our recommendations of things to do in Friedrichshain:

• Visit East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain, one of the most famous sights in the area. This preserved part of the Berlin Wall is now a permanent open-air gallery full of murals, many of them were created right after the fall of the Wall.
• Wander through the park that gave the neighbourhood its name: Volkspark Friedrichshain. It is the oldest public park in Berlin and sits on the northern end of the district. Here you can join the locals as they enjoy the greenery, the fairy tale fountain, ponds, tennis courts, wading pool and restaurant.
• Swim in and cross the Spree river that follows the southern border of the district. Berlin’s most famous bridge, the Oberbaumbrücke, looks like a castle on the river, as it connects Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. In summer, you can swim in the Badeschiff, a floating pool in the river Spree.
• Walk along Karl-Marx-Allee, where the districts East Berlin history can still be seen. The boulevard, that runs from Strausberg Platz to Frankfurter Tor, is lined with Soviet-era buildings in the Stalinist style. It was one of the most significant building projects of the DDR and is considered the first socialist street in Germany.
• Explore the Lighthouse of Digital Art, a famous digital art gallery. Here you can immerse yourself in a brief journey through the universe, experience AI and synthetic art, and escape reality.
• Try to get into Berlin’s most famous nightclub, Berghain. The techno club is known for its strict door policy, with many hopeful visitors turned away, and is associated with decadence and hedonism. No photos can be taken inside Berghain, which on weekends is open continuously.

The whole district has lots of shops, restaurants and cafés to enjoy. Many locals enjoy an al fresco drink or meal around Boxhagener Platz. Around the square you’ll find lots of international cuisine options, from Syrian to Vietnamese and East African to Italian, there is something for everyone to enjoy here.

Yes, Friedrichshain is a great place to make your base for your visit to Berlin. Throughout the day and night there is activity in the district, due to both its family friendly nature and nightclubs. There are also great ways to make your way to the rest of Berlin due to good infrastructure and tourist attractions.

Along with the public transport options, City Sightseeing Berlin has a hop-on hop-off bus that drives through the district as part of the Trendy East Berlin & The Wall Route. When you combine your ticket to this route and their Classic Route you can easily make your way through the city and to all the best things to do in Berlin.

Curious about Berlin before your trip? Check out these fun facts about the German capital our team gathered!