DK Travel : Berlin : Berlin’s Southeast

Berlin’s East and South are remarkably different in character. Friedrichshain, Lichtenberg and Hohenschönhausen in the east are densely built-up, former working-class areas, while green Treptow and idyllic Köpenick in the far southeast seem like independent villages. The tenement blocks of East Berlin were steeped in history during World War II and later under the East German regime. Historic Köpenick and Großer Müggelsee, meanwhile, are popular daytrip destinations.

A Day in Berlin's Green Southeast

Morning

Begin your tour of Berlin's Southeast at Alexanderplatz, from where you can take the S-Bahn to the various sights, which are not always near each other.

First, take S-Bahn line S3 to Karlshorst, where you can visit the Deutsch-Russisches Museum . From here it is not far to the Stasi-Museum Normannenstraße - return to S-Bahn station Ostkreuz, then take S-Bahn line S4 and U-Bahn line U5 to Magdalenenstraße. After visiting all these museums you could recover outdoors. Take U-Bahn line U5 to Tierpark Friedrichsfelde , where you can visit both the zoological garden and Friedrichsfelde Palace.

Afternoon

For the afternoon make an excursion to Köpenick. Take S-Bahn line S3 to Köpenick, and enjoy a typically German meal in the Ratskeller , the town hall cellar. Afterwards explore Köpenick Old Town . The centre of the old fishing village is especially worth a visit. There are many cafés near Köpenicker Schloss , where you could stop for a coffee and a piece of cake, for example Café Kietz . Continue your journey by S-Bahn to Friedrichshagen, the access point for Großer Müggelsee . From here take one of the tourist boats to the restaurant Müggelseeperle , where you can round off the day with a tasty evening meal.

East Side Gallery: www.eastsidegallery.com/deutsche.htm

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Altstadtcafé Cöpenick

This tiny café in Köpenick’s Old Town serves coffee and cakes, outdoors, in summer, on a small veranda.
Bräustübl

A typical Berlin beer garden and restaurant, belonging to the Berliner Bürger-Brau brewery, which serves game dishes.
Café L & B

Not far from the swimming baths, this café serves local fish dishes, as well as afternoon coffee and cakes.
Café Liebig

Charming, richly ornamented Art-Nouveau café in a historic building, dating back more than 130 years. The summer terrace overlooks Grünau regatta course.
Deutsch-Russisches Museum

World War II ended here on 8 May 1945, when Germany signed its unconditional surrender. Documents, uniforms and photographs, displayed in the former officers’ casino, relate the story of the war.
Die Spindel

This rustic restaurant serves traditional German food as well as a large selection of fondues, which need to be ordered in advance.
East Side Gallery

A fragment of the Berlin Wall, 1.3 km (1,422 yards) long, was left standing next to the Spree River. In 1990, 118 artists from around the world painted colourful images onto the grey concrete wall, making it a unique work of art. Particularly famous is a picture by the Russian artist Dmitri Vrubel, showing Leonid Brezhnev and the East German leader Erich Honecker, exchanging fraternal Socialist kisses. Much has faded due to exhaust fumes, but it is now being restored.
Eierschale Haus Zenner

One of the classic day-trip destinations: families once used to “bring and brew their own coffee”. Today it is a popular outdoor café, often offering live music and dancing.
Ellis

One of the few American-style restaurants in Berlin, with authentic decor and American regional dishes.
freiheit fünfzehn

German and French cuisine are served aboard a schooner, which is moored at the pier. There are also occasional cabaret and live music performances. If you prefer dry land, you can enjoy your meals in the beer garden.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and charges included.
- under €20
- €20–30
- €30–45
- €45–60
- over €60