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Borough of Berlin in Germany
Photo: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The East is a district of Berlin. It consists of the boroughs Pankow (except for Prenzlauer Berg), Lichtenberg, Hohenschönhausen, Marzahn and Hellersdorf. The most interesting places for tourists are in Lichtenberg: the Stasi (secret service of the GDR) relics and museums, the Tierpark (zoo) and some remarkable architecture such as the Mies van der Rohe house.
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The zoo in the former East Berlin is more spacious than its West Berlin counterpart, the historic Berlin Zoo and has been open for some 50 years. The Tierpark has nearly as many animals, but fewer reptiles and aquatic animals. It appears rather like a park with animals than a classic zoo, in fact it is one of the biggest zoos in Europe. There is an old castle from the late 17th century in the northeast of the Tierpark (Schloss Friedrichsfelde).
This museum describes the procedures applied by the East German secret police. Every Friday to Monday, there is a guided tour in English at 15:00 (5€).
Stasi Prison
Experience the Stasi Secret Police Prison first-hand. Tours are compulsory. Some of the tours are done by former inmates.
German-Russian Museum
In this house the surrender of Germany was signed on May 9th, 1945, ending WWII in Europe. This museum describes the history of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945 and the GDR/German-Russian relationship ever since. Historic rooms, permanent exhibition and special exhibits.
The last Mies van der Rohe building (a dwelling house) in Germany before his emigration to the U.S. (1938). Now there are small contemporary/modern art exhibitions.
A relatively well and completely retained (at least by Berlin standards) 19th century residential quarter. Partly under renovation. Of note are six buildings first (1875) built of concrete - but you can't make out a difference from the outside.
The second largest Jewish cemetery in Europe.
Gärten der Welt
Inside you can find a large and well-established Chinese garden, a Korean garden, a small Bali garden/glasshouse, an Oriental garden with nice fountains and a cloister and a Japanese garden which is a project by the city partnership of Berlin and Tokyo. The latter has been built by Zen priests. Although quite crowded at times, there are not that many tourists so here's a chance to brush up on your German skills. As the journey to this park will be around an hour from the city center, don't miss this opportunity to complete your picture of Berlin by seeing some of Berlin's clean and quiet suburbs.
Museum of Wilhelminial style
Features many objects and even whole rooms in Wilhelminian style. Only accessible by guided tour (English tours can be arranged).
A small castle in late classical style. It was built 1868 by Martin Gropius (uncle of the Bauhaus-founder and other architects, the von Siemens family changed the castle a bit around 1900 and they enlarged the dimensions of the park, which is today renovated and nice to wander around when the sun is shining. Located within a few minutes' walking distance from Biesdorf station (take the S5 from the city centre) or Elsterwerdaer Platz station (U5).
One of the few windmills in Berlin is located in Marzahn. After registration one can visit it and have a look at the functions of the windmill. To get there, take the S7 or S75 until "Springpfuhl" station, then the tram 8 or M18 until "Alt-Marzahn".
Friedrichsfelde Central Cemetery
The cemetery is also known as the Memorial to the Socialists. It has many interesting monuments and graves of known people.
Varying exhibitions.
Schloss Schönhausen
A pretty restored Baroque palace (restoration completed in 2009).
Schönholzer Heide
There is a harness racing track in Karlshorst.
Before or after visiting the "Gardens of the World", tourists might be interested in climbing on top of the Kienberg (a small hill nearby with a view on the surrounding suburbs) or to go for a walk in the valley of the Wuhle (a small river). More information on the area can be found on the district's official website (in German).
A cable car built for the international gardening exhibition in 2017 which remained in operation afterwards.
This institution, literally the "bread factory" has been converted into a cultural space hosting various theater, cinema and art events
This former cinema has become a theatre.
Has some of the best Doener in the Berlin area. They have a great neighbourhood feel, and delicious Middle Eastern food in the German style.
Mexican restaurant and bar, in the summer you can sit outside in the adjacent pedestrian area. Good food and friendly service.
JAS
Schnitzel, chicken, salads, asparagus when in season. Free freifunk internet.
This Biergarten is simple, but friendly and a convenient place to have a beer and a currywurst after visiting the castle.
Alternative reggae, dancehall and goa techno club, but also theater and art events.
This techno club is located in a former factory for dog biscuits in Berlin's Rummelsburg neighborhood. It has two indoor dance floors and a large open-air area.
Techno club within an old electrical transformer station with a focus on drum 'n' bass, techno, house, progressive and psytrance.
Modern but affordable middle-class hotel.
Typical low budget hotel managed by the Accor group.
Probably the only luxurious hotel in the area, in a small castle.
153 beds in rooms of 1 to 4 beds, all have sofa/living area, separate shower and WC, and small entrance hall.
About 150 shops, restaurants, etc. Close by is an entertainment centre with cinemas etc.
A smaller shopping centre.
Small shopping centre.
The GDR authorities prioritized the S-Bahn and later the Tram over the U-Bahn and it shows.
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