Berlin Off-the-Beaten-Path Walking Tour: Kreuzberg, Mitte and Friedrichshain

Get off the beaten path in Berlin as you investigate the city’s thriving counterculture neighborhoods and unique ethnic areas on this guided walking tour. It’s a great way to go beyond the typical tourist sites to get a sense for some of the unique cultures that give this thriving German capital its unique flair.

Start your walking excursion in central Berlin. Over the course your walk, you have the chance to check out emerging areas such as Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, and Mitte. In Kreuzberg, stop to explore the thriving Turkish community that calls the area home, along with Berlin’s Jewish quarter. The area is peppered with a unique collection of urban farms, guerrilla gardens, alternative art galleries, and organic markets, all signs of the area’s growing popularity.

As part of your exploration, you also have the chance to learn about Berlin’s unique food culture. Discover currywurst, a popular style of fried German sausage seasoned with curry-flavored ketchup. Hear about Doner kebab, Turkish-style gyros that first gained popularity in Berlin. Then stop by Prater Garten, known as the city’s oldest beer garden.

Continue your walking excursion with a deep dive into the history of various counterculture movements in Berlin history. Discover the 1960s student protest movement, the rise of the Baader-Meinhof group in the 1970s and the growth of punk and the May 1 riots in the 1980s. Music and art have all played important roles in Berlin’s creative and subcultural scene. Hear about the Love Parade, a famous electronic dance music festival, along with the reggae, hip-hop and rasta fans of Yaam Beach. Then admire some of the incredible range of street art that dots many of these neighborhoods’ walls and alleyways.

Finish your tour at Yaam Beach, leaving with a newfound appreciation for the incredible diversity of Berlin’s artistic and ethnic communities.