Although originally home to the working class, Prenzlauer Berg has been renovated with cobbled streets, trendy boutiques and modern bistros. East Berlin always had some pockets of artisans and others given to creativity. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the area really began gentrification.
Many West Berlin residents flocked to the area, as many of the GDR ran westward. The buildings sold for very low prices due to their neglected state. Designers renovated. Many of the areas leveled by falling bombs from WWII gave birth to lush green parks and playgrounds teeming with active youth.
Prenzlauer Berg was spared the brunt of the damage from falling bombs, unlike other parts of the city. The architecture rich churches and artistic town homes still stand. The scenic area attracts visitors who come for the cafes and lovely tree-lined avenues. Many consider it the top European place for families.
Kollwitzplatz was the hub of the revitalization. The area, christened after Käthe Kollwitz (an artist and sculptor popular during the war) contains many restaurants and even organic farmers markets on the weekends. Vistors can even dine at the famous cafe Gugelhof (00 49 (0) 30 442 9229, www.cafe-liebling.de) where President Clinton once ate.
Many congregate at the Wasserturmplatz. The area is home to many cafes like the Anita Wronski (00 49 (0) 30 442 8483) and Russian hotspot Pasternak (00 49 (0) 30 441 3399; www.restaurant-pasternak.de) where you can snag succulent Russian cuisine, brunch style on the weekends.
Danzingerstrasse boasts many small boutiques. You can snag yourself many different items from furniture to novels. Helmholzplatz is a newly developed district, reemerging after being a dilapidated crime haven. Many families and coffee craving aficionados make their way here to enjoy bistros like Liebling (00 49 (0) 30 41 19 82 09 www.cafe-liebling.de), Duckwitz (00 49 (0) 30 41198882) and Wohnzimmer (00 49 (0) 30 4455458; www.wohnzimmer-bar.de).
There are still some sites to take in once you dig. Jewish Cemetery centered on Schönhauser Allee (22-23; 00 49 (0) 30 441 98 24; www.jg-berlin.org), allows tourists to visit the graves of famous artists Max Liebermann and Giacomo Meyerbeer. The Jewish synagogue on Rykestrasse showcases the renovation following the Nazi devastation.
While in the area, wet your whistle at bars likeWohnzimmer, Scotch & Sofa ((00 49 (0) 30 440 42371) that offer 70′s retro décor. Those desiring a bit of class and sophistication when having drinks will enjoy the offerings of Saphire (00 49 (0) 30 255 62158; www.saphirebar.de) and Fluido (00 49 (0) 30 440 43902). There’s no shortages of places to party, especially with clubs like Klub der Republik and Ballhaus Ost (00 49 (0) 30 440 49250; www.ballhausost.de) on Pappelallee street.
Tourists can enjoy their visits in great and comfortable surroundings. They can stay at hostels such as East Seven, especially if they have taken up backpacking. Those looking for more opulent accommodations can enjoy the offerings of the Circus hotel. If apartments are more your style, head over to the Ackselhaus & Blue Home. Those looking to spice things up can enjoy the romance inducing surroundings of Myer ‘s Hotel.
