Image by Photomat from Pixabay
You can find many of the best hotels in Friedrichshain along the most gentrified part of this ex-East German suburb, on the Spree. This is also where you’ll find some excellent restaurants and the Mercedes Benz Arena. The streets surrounding Boxhagener Platz are also a good place to start looking for places to eat, drink and sleep.
Friedrichshain was part of East Germany, and is where you’ll find the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, which you can see at the East Side Gallery. It was also where the Stasi were based. It could be entirely unrelated that Friedrichshain now has a reputation for lively nightlife, but its current super liberal vibe is certainly at odds with its past.
The liberal atmosphere has made Friedrichshain popular with students, and that might be why this suburb’s character is so different from nearby Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, and might be why it has resisted the same level of gentrification you’ll see in the surrounding districts. That said it does have a certain elegance, and is home to some very impressive public monuments, including the imposing Karl Marx Allee. And the peaceful and beautiful Volkspark Friedrichshain.
Friedrichshain also hosts one of Berlin’s most popular Sunday flea markets, at Boxhagener Platz, and there’s some great independent boutiques to riffle through nearby.
Nhow is a cutting-edge design hotel with futuristic rooms in bubble gum colours. The furniture curves, and as well as the bar, restaurant and spa, the hotel also has two recording studios.
The Michelberger Hotel is hip and youthful with a pared back vibe and an eclectic aesthetic. There are 119 rooms, with a range of themes, and rates from €84 per night.
Die Fabrik, set in a pre-war brick factory, is a great way to see Berlin on a budget. This hostel offers both individual bedrooms and dormitories for groups, whilst there's also a cafe with a courtyard where you can relax and meet other guests. Double rooms start from €55, but if you don't mind sharing, you can have a bed in a dorm for as little as €14 per night!
Berlin (Kreuzberg)
Atmospheric student and artist friendly hostel in a pre-war brick-built factory. This characterful spot boasts a friendly cafe, courtyard, bright and quirky bedrooms, and dormitories for groups. A great value choice for groups of friends.
Berlin (Friedrichshain)
The bare necessities in a hip, urban, youthful hotel. Rooms designed according to themes - think flea market collectibles scattered through 'the library' or 'the chalet', for example. Inexpensive and cool.
Berlin (Friedrichshain)
Contemporary cutting-edge design hotel. Futuristic rooms have bubble gum colours and curvaceous furniture. Two recording studios, restaurant, and spa. A hip destination.
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