Friedrichshain Guide

Friedrichshain lies on the eastern bank of the Spree, in what was East Berlin. Much of it was rebuilt after the war, and after reunification it became a district of squats, studios, bars and clubs. It is younger and louder than Prenzlauer Berg and less polished than Kreuzberg, which faces it across the river. The walk below covers about five kilometres from the Wall remnant to the park, and works well in the afternoon or evening.

1. East Side Gallery. Start at Ostbahnhof, with more than a kilometre of painted Wall along Mühlenstraße. Our East Side Gallery guide says when to go to avoid crowds.
2. Oberbaum Bridge. A short walk along the river, on a brick bridge that once marked a border crossing, with Kreuzberg on the other side.
3. Warschauer Straße. A busy junction around the S- and U-Bahn station, with kebab stands and cheap bars.
4. RAW site. A former railway repair yard, now home to clubs, street art, a skate hall and climbing walls. The site is more fun at night, and some events have entry policies.
5. Simon-Dach-Straße. A street of cafés and bars with terraces. It is lively but not unusual; the better places are on the side streets nearby.
6. Boxhagener Platz. A leafy square with cafés and, on some days, a flea market. Check the weekend schedule first.
7. Karl-Marx-Allee. A grand boulevard from the 1950s, lined with monumental housing blocks in the Soviet style. At Frankfurter Tor, two domed towers mark the entrance. The TV Tower is visible along its length.
8. Volkspark Friedrichshain. A large park with the Fairy-Tale Fountain, a hill built from war rubble and open lawns. It is a good place to end.

When to come and what to skip

Friedrichshain is stronger after dark than in daylight, and it anchors much of the city's club scene, as our nightlife guide explains. Skip the main drag of Warschauer Straße at weekends if you dislike crowds. If you are choosing a base, our neighbourhood guide compares it with the other districts.