10 things to do in Kreuzberg, Berlin: Our guide to visiting the neighborhood

Kreuzberg is a very peculiar Berlin neighborhood. It’s a place mostly loved by hipsters, street artists, LGBTQ+ members and allies, and “rebellions” of all sorts. It’s also one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods of the city.

Tourists usually come here to get a taste of the bohemian lifestyles of Berliners. Even though it might seem too marginal or unsafe in some areas, Kreuzberg is still iconic. And that’s why you should certainly put it on your travel itinerary.

Article contents

1. Some words about Kreuzberg
2. 10 places you shouldn’t miss
3. Where to eat in Kreuzberg?
4. Our list of reasonably priced hostels and hotels

What is Kreuzberg in Berlin known for?

Gorlitzer Park in Kreuzberg might leave you feeling…overwhelmed

Kreuzberg used to be known as a Turkish quartier of the city and the poorest part of West Berlin. But in the 60s, the bohemians started to settle here because of low housing prices. The rest is history — now Kreuzberg is the trendiest and quirkiest district of the city.

If you’re planning to explore the neighborhood on your own (otherwise there are guided tours), here’s my main advice so you don’t ruin your impression:

• If you end up around Kreuzberg near Gorlitzer Park, sensitive souls might think — “gosh, what a dump” — and run away without giving the area a chance. It’s easy to stumble into this part of Kreuzberg without even realizing it — for example, if you’re walking from the East Side Gallery to one of the neighborhood’s most famous coffee shops Five Elephants.
• If you find yourself near Albatross bakery, I guarantee your mind will start spinning with thoughts like “Should I… move here?”
• And if you come in from the other side, from the shawarma kiosk called Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a little slice of Istanbul.

As I mentioned before, this neighborhood is very diverse. If you don’t want to get lost during your Kreuzberg sightseeing adventure, here are some tips you should remember and notable locations to put on your itinerary.

10 places to visit in Kreuzberg

Two completely different sides of Kreuzberg: A built-up residential street and a vast open space left from the old international airport

The history of Berlin is literally an ocean of never-ending information waiting to be explored. If you come unprepared, Kreuzberg is there for you to learn the history right on its streets — through the sites left from the world-shaking events of the 20th century.

East Side Gallery

This gallery can probably serve as the overture to your tour around the neighborhood. It is often listed in the “Top Things to Do in Kreuzberg” itineraries.

Here is why — the gallery is a good place to learn about the historical context of the city through the street art scene. Right after the fall of the Berlin Wall, artists turned the ruins into art and painted the wall with all sorts of graffiti. And that was the beginning of the East Side Gallery.

What comes as a surprise is that the wall is actually 1 kilometer long and is painted from both sides! You don’t want to miss the iconic fraternal kiss of Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker as well as the “Test the Rest” with a car breaking through the wall.

🔹 Entrance fee: None
🔹 Opening hours: 24/7

Side note: There is no shortage of other must-see Cold War sites to visit, but the rest of Berlin doesn’t pale in comparison to Kreuzberg: Make sure to check out my guide on most notable landmarks that still bear the burden of carrying the heavy history of the Cold War era.

Oberbaumbrucke

This is a bridge, and it used to be a border crossing between East and West Berlin. Now, it connects two halves of Kreuzberg neighborhood. Naturally, this landmark has a symbolic meaning for the locals: It represents the unity of the city. It’s also considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe and has a great view for some memorable photos.

Right after crossing Oberbaumbrucke, you get to the party street of the district. So if you walk around in Kreuzberg at night, be ready to see some tipsy people here and (just in case) keep an eye on your belongings.

Side note: I like the area along the Kopenicker Street — it reminds me of Brooklyn: The roar of the above-ground metro, the constant hustle, and the townhouses. My two favorite spots here are the Burgermeister burger place, located in the former public restroom, and the Overkill sneaker store.

Nightlife of Kreuzberg

If you want to get to know the nightlife in Berlin, Kreuzberg would be a great choice. The district is famous for its authentic and diverse bars and clubs.

Here is my favorite route for a night out in this area:

• Start your barhopping in the heart of Kreuzberg — Kottbusser Tor metro station. There are some cool bars here: Multilayerladen and Bohnengold. The first one used pallets instead of chairs for guests to sit, lay and even swing.
• Then get a taste of real German craft beers in Hopfenreich, which is situated pretty close to the Oberbaumbrucke.
• Finally, find your way to Club der Visionäre, a riverside club with excellent techno music and simple interior.

Checkpoint Charlie

An infamous Checkpoint Charlie and, close to it, the lesser-known museum Topography of Terror, dedicated to WWII

Visiting the Checkpoint is probably one of the most popular things to do in Kreuzberg and in Berlin in general. It’s an important symbol of the Cold War that used to serve as a border between East and West Berlin.

Now, it is a replica version of the guardhouse. Taking a photo with it will be challenging: There is some pretty heavy foot traffic in the area. If you want to learn more about the Checkpoint and the history of the divided city, there is a museum and an open-air memorial dedicated to that period of time nearby.

🔹 Entrance fee: None
🔹 Opening hours: 24/7

German Museum of Technology

Even if you don’t like museums, this one is worth your time!

The Museum of Technology is the most child-friendly thing you can do at Kreuzberg. It’s known for its fun and hands-on tours on the history of technology. You’ll get to see the world’s first computer and vintage locomotives and learn the fundamentals of science via different experiments. I even included it in my list of 10 best museums in Berlin!

🔹 Entrance fee: €12; free if you’re under 18 years old
🔹 Opening hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday is a day off

Jewish Museum Berlin

This museum is certainly not for those who prefer to live in a bubble of positive news. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a museum dedicated to the Holocaust — the stories, the artifacts, and the atmosphere that comes with it. If you’re not sure you can handle the emotional impact, you can simply look at the building from the outside — it’s one of the most magnificent examples of modern architecture in Berlin.

The exhibitions are well-curated and will offer you a very immersive, sometimes even frightening experience. The most impressive installation is called Fallen Leaves, but I have to warn you: You might get very emotional walking through it.

🔹 Entrance fee: Free, but you have to book the slot online in advance
🔹 Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap

Do you see THE LINE on the right picture? Yes, all these people are waiting for their turn to whisper four cherished words: “Dürüm for me, please”

This doner stall is such a legend that it deserves a spot on the list of things to do in Kreuzberg, Berlin! Even though Mustafa’s is just a food truck, there’s always a line of people that’s over 40 minutes long. It has become a cult favorite after putting a twist on traditional kebab culture.

Is it worth queueing for? They say yes, visiting Mustafa’s is not just about food, but the overall experience. But honestly, both times we joined the line we ended up heading to the nearby Curry 36 window and getting our food there. In case you’re set on trying the craft of Mustafa, go for “dürüm” (€9.1) which is served in a perfect laffa bread. There is a vegetarian option as well!

Graffiti walks

Kreuzberg is considered to be the heart of the street art scene in Berlin, which means that there are graffiti paintings worth seeing all over the district.

You can walk around and look for the murals by yourself. There are tons of them, but some of the most renowned ones are featured in different maps made by street art enthusiasts.

The other option is to join the popular street art tour with a guide to save yourself some time.

Tempelhof Feld

Now, Tempelhofer Feld is a public park but what a history it has. If you’re wondering how a park can be so empty (without a single tree, building, or even a pond), the answer is simple: It used to be… an airport! That’s why there’s a huge paved runway (yes, for takeoffs and landings) and green fields all around.

I first learned about Tempelhofer Feld a couple of years ago on a popular podcast about Berlin’s new airport (“How To F*** Up An Airport” from Radio Spaetkauf), and ever since, I’ve been dying to visit it. What can I say? It’s massive! Walking across the park in the summer sun can be pretty exhausting, but there’s something about it — you can really feel how unusual Tempelhofer is. This place is also great for those curious about things to do near Kreuzberg in Berlin as the park is situated right outside the district.

Side note: Want a few more interesting observations about the city? Read my latest post — 19 essential things to know before traveling to Berlin.

Where to eat in Kreuzberg?

Kreuzberg has to offer not only many cultural discoveries but also a variety of cuisines. Turkish, Arabic, Italian, Korean, local twists — you name it, the neighborhood has it!

Here is my list of favorite places to eat in Kreuzberg:

• Markthalle Neun is a huge indoor market with dozens of vendors and restaurants. My go-to choice here is Big Stuff Smoked BBQ for their excellent meat plates (but check their opening hours beforehand) and Kuchen von Gaia for cannoli.
• Albatross Bakery creates the pastries that will blow your mind with both their looks and taste. If you can’t choose, go for the Queen A bun (€3.5) or apple danish (€3.5).
• Cocolo is a solid ramen spot. If you’re craving a thick, hearty noodle soup that will remind you of your trip to Japan, that’s the place! Unfortunately, the price tag is nothing like in Japan — twiсe as expensive (€14).
• Burgermeister serves the best burgers in the city, but that’s just my opinion. Although there’s a point in my favor: You can’t go wrong with a burger place where you pick from only eight options!
• Annelies and Hallesches Haus are awesome breakfast spots. The first one serves their breakfast all day and actually offers some of Albatross’s pastries as well. Hallesches Haus is a cafe and a store where you can find a lot of cool stuff for your home.
• Il Casolare has the best Italian pizza, costing about €12–€16. A homey atmosphere with the chef greeting the guests comes as a bonus. Might be packed to the gills in the evening, so if you want to get in, book a table in advance.
• DUO — all of their ice creams and sorbets are made by following a traditional Sicilian family recipe and sold for €2.5–€6.2.

Kreuzberg is also heaven for coffee-lovers as there are so many specialty coffee shops here. Five Elephant is a small chain of micro-cafes that is famous for its cheesecake. THE BARN Café Neukölln has a cool space with a big communal table. Bonanza Coffee Roasters is a huge coffee shop with such a variety of blends that you might spend an hour choosing what you want. The average cost for a specialty latte in Berlin is €5.

Where to stay in Kreuzberg, Berlin?

If you are looking for a place to stay in Berlin, accommodation in Kreuzberg might be a good alternative to the hotels in the city center. The prices here are not that different in comparison to other neighborhoods, but you’ll most likely live in a place that has more character and outdoor space. Traveling to the city center is easy: There are lots of U- and S-train stations in the area. The ticket costs €3.8 per ride or €10.6 for 24 hours.

Here some accommodation options you might want to consider:

• Huttenpalast works great for travelers seeking memorable vacations. The hotel offers houses-on-wheels or tiny cabins instead of rooms with shared bathrooms (from €95). There are also usual rooms with private utilities (from €105).
• Three Little Pigs Hostel is located close to Checkpoint Charlie and offers great prices both for private rooms (from €90) and beds in dormitories (from €25).
• Die Fabrik belongs to the most underground part of Kreuzberg yet close to the metro station that will get you anywhere you need to. Private rooms start at €90 for two, while dormitory-style ones cost €28 per person.
• 4* art’otel berlin mitte (from €160) is in Mitte district, next to Kreuzberg, but has a very cool concept. The whole space is dedicated to Georg Baselitz’s art and is designed accordingly. As a guest, you can even attend a tour and learn about the artist’s projects in detail.