Kreuzberg is a district in the borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg - the only district besides Mitte that consists of parts of former East and West Berlin. Named after the 66-meter-high Kreuzberg in Viktoriapark, Berlin's smallest district is one of the most densely populated in the nation's capital.

Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are separated by the Spree River. The river, which once marked the border of two states, is now a connecting waterway with an idyllic feel. At the same time, the imposing and historic Oberbaum Bridge invites visitors to stroll, linger and enjoy the view. Today an important connection for car and subway traffic, in GDR times the bridge was a "border crossing point" passable only for pedestrians.

Kreuzberg benefited particularly from reunification: the district was suddenly no longer on the border, but centrally located in the city. For this reason, many Berliners today see the true heart of their city beating in Kreuzberg. In fact, the geographic center of the city is also located here - a tiny granite slab near the sports field on Lobeckstraße points this out.

Kreuzberg's central location also makes it the perfect starting point for further city explorations in all directions. Neighboring districts to the north are Mitte as well as Pankow, and the officially annexed Friedrichshain to the east. To the south are Neukölln and Tempelhof, and Schöneberg and Tiergarten to the west.

Of course, not all Kreuzberg is the same. Many neighborhoods have their own charm, most of them more than a little, a few exceptions perhaps a little less. The southern part, called "Kreuzberg 61" after the old postal delivery districts, is considered more bourgeois and dignified. Here you can find the lively Bergmannskiez with many small stores, restaurants and cafés.

The heart of the district is Marheinekeplatz, a popular meeting place for the many young families who appreciate Kreuzberg as a lively yet familiar place to live. Not far from here, Chamissoplatz delights with magnificent buildings from the Gründerzeit. Every Saturday, one of the largest and oldest eco-markets in Berlin takes place here.

This part of Kreuzberg is also home to a real architectural gem: "Riehmers Hofgarten" is one of Berlin's most sophisticated residential properties. Lavishly renovated, the historic ensemble, which is more than 100 years old, presents itself with spacious old apartments and penthouses as well as its own magnificent courtyard garden. A look through the gate is worthwhile in any case!

The eastern part of Kreuzberg, known as "SO 36," is also full of life: At Kottbusser Tor, young revelers and hipsters meet old-timers and newcomers. The "Kotti" is a dynamic hub that shows the entire spectrum of the big city - to this day it has remained a social hotspot that brings out not only the beautiful sides of Berlin, but the bad sides too. The situation is similar in the area around Görlitzer Park and the Schlesisches Tor subway station, undoubtedly criminal hotspots of the city. And yet - and this is typical Kreuzberg - the "Görli" with its extensive sunbathing areas and sports fields is also a popular destination.

The Graefekiez also offers stark contrasts: While social housing still dominates in the south, the northern part is characterized by beautifully renovated apartments in old buildings, a lively restaurant scene and nightlife. Lots of water and greenery make the Graefekiez particularly attractive - not least because it is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. Another popular residential area is the Paul-Lincke Ufer on the Landwehrkanal. Those who live here enjoy an environment with excellent gastronomy and a wide range of cultural offerings.

Northwest Kreuzberg, with Südlicher Friedrichstadt, Mehringplatz and Askanischer Platz, is dominated by offices and commercial space as well as social housing.

It never gets boring in Kreuzberg - and not only because of the nightlife. The list of sights, historical places and cultural highlights is long, the choice is huge. An absolute must for everyone is of course the famous border crossing Checkpoint Charlie, symbol of the East-West conflict and today one of the most important landmarks of the city. Right here in 1961 Soviet Russia and the United States faced each other with tanks.

The Jewish Museum Berlin continues in a historical vein. The largest Jewish museum in Europe provides deep insights into Jewish culture and not least the moving German-Jewish history.

Not far away is the Gropius Bau with regularly changing exhibitions of international standing. Art treasures since the late 19th century are on display in the Berlinische Galerie. And the German Museum of Technology offers insights into the cultural history of technical achievements - from hot air balloons to computers - on more than 26,000 square meters.

For those who need a break in between such a concentrated cultural program, Kreuzberg offers numerous oases of tranquility by the water and in the countryside, for example on the Landwehrkanal promenade or in Viktoriapark. The park not only has a famous national monument commemorating the victory over Napoleon to offer, but even an impressive waterfall where you can swim in the summer.

Those who love culinary journeys of discovery will get their money's worth in Kreuzberg. The selection of international cuisine is inspiring. And even if Turkish gastronomy is particularly well represented - Kreuzberg has much more to offer. Whether Arabic, Vietnamese, Korean or Italian - the spectrum ranges not only around the world, but also from simple street food to exquisite posh addresses.

According to the motto "Eating differently" and "Shopping differently," the historic Markthalle Neun on Eisenbahnstraße primarily offers fresh seasonal and regional products. The street food market, on-site cooking classes, a glass bakery and butcher shop, and an open canteen ensure that no one has to leave Markthalle Neun hungry.

To continue the evening program after dinner, there are many small bars, Spätis and clubs to choose from on Oranienstrasse, for example. Here night owls celebrate the energetic and diverse Berlin lifestyle, for which Kreuzberg stands like no other district.

The best-known and most popular clubs include SO36 (named after the old Berlin postal delivery district Süd Ost 36), Watergate and Prince Charles. But from Kreuzberg it is also not far to possibly the most famous techno club in the world. We are talking, of course, about the famous Berghain in neighboring Friedrichshain. On the grounds of the old Ostbahnhof, there is room for around 1500 people for exuberant parties.

Kreuzberg is a great place to stroll and shop - and much more relaxed and quiet than the shopping hotspots in Berlin-Mitte. Bergmannstrasse in particular offers a wide range of fashion from elegant to cool. Trendy vintage boutiques alternate with charming small stores for furniture and home accessories. From vegan fashion to home-brewed spirits, from homemade chocolates to records: there is always a new hip store opening somewhere in the neighborhood that is worth discovering. Kreuzberg is also considered a center for sustainable consumption. In addition to the large eco-market that takes place every Saturday on Chamissoplatz, the "Original Unverpackt" is the first supermarket in Berlin to offer shopping entirely without disposable packaging.

Kreuzberg is the most central district of Berlin and is easily accessible by public transportation. U1, U6, U7 and U8 run through the district, as do S1 and S2. The famous U1/U3 subway line connects Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg with City West and Kurfürstendamm. It runs from the Warschauer Straße subway station through Kreuzberg to Charlottenburg. The eastern section runs as an elevated line and is the oldest section of Berlin's subway network. Connections to local and long-distance transportation are provided by Ostbahnhof (Berlin's third-largest train station), as well as Ostkreuz station, which is not far from Friedrichshain and is used daily by 100,000 people as a transfer station.