Friedrichshain has seen many changes in the last three decades. Its tumultuous history has paved the way for it to become one of the city’s most fascinating neighbourhoods. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of East Germany, Friedrichshain became known as representing the abandonment experienced across East Berlin. Today the area is one of the liveliest in the city, with a young population, a cosmopolitan entertainment precinct and some of Europe’s most revered nightclubs on its fringes.
See one of the longest remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall lining the river between Friedrichshain and neighboring Kreuzberg. The East Side Gallery is a 0.8-mile (1.3-kilometre) stretch of the wall that, since 1990, has been an outdoor canvas for over 100 murals by global artists. Walk its length to see huge pieces by Thierry Noir, Dmitri Vrubel and Bodo Sperling.
Friedrichshain’s sprawling Volkspark is an idyllic picnic location in summer and is transformed into a picturesque snowscape with a sledding hill in winter. As you stroll through the park, see the stunning Märchenbrunnen fountain that dates back to 1913.
Wander the cobbled streets that surround Boxhagener Platz to discover local boutiques and cosy cafés. These streets were once the centre of Berlin’s squatting movement. The area has maintained much of its leftist political views, despite rapid gentrification in the past decade.
Visit Boxhagener Platz on a Sunday to look for special items at its popular flea market. Shop for antique furniture, clothing and East German keepsakes to take home.
As night falls, converge on Revaler Straße to join scores of partiers at some of Berlin’s best nightclubs. One side of the street is lined by an abandoned former train repair station, which has been repurposed as an entertainment precinct. Find beer gardens, nightclubs, concert venues and even an outdoor rock-climbing centre among the seemingly dilapidated buildings.
Easy to navigate on foot, Friedrichshain is the base for a number of guided walks, including popular street art tours. Catch the tram or train to connect to neighboring areas of Berlin, including Mitte and Kreuzberg.
