One can say about many Berlin districts that they are contrasting, and this statement would be absolutely justified. But probably in no other district is this interplay of big city and country idyll as stark as in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. You can see this most clearly from a bird's eye view when you let your gaze wander over Germany's largest prefabricated housing estate and then, almost right next to it, discover the medieval and pretty village center of Alt-Marzahn with its windmill.

The prefabricated housing estate in Marzahn was built in the 1970s, when the housing shortage was so high that a lot of living space had to be made available quickly. At that time, the high-rise apartments were luxurious and the idea was that the doctor lived here next to the saleswoman. In the early days of the settlement this was also the case, but the composition of the tenants changed in the following years and Marzahn got its not-so-good reputation.

In the meantime, however, the district has continued to develop and is undergoing a transformation. The people of Marzahn themselves swear by their district, because here they have the absolute big city feeling, but also a lot of recreation. You just have to get involved and get to know the surroundings, then you will realize how green and varied Marzahn is. You can hike here for miles or explore by bike and take this opportunity to visit, for example, the largest Chinese garden in Europe. You don't think so? You can learn more about it under „Sights“ and in the other chapters that follow.

The district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf is located in the very east of Berlin, bordering Lichtenberg to the west, Köpenick to the south and the state of Brandenburg to the east. The district is divided as follows: Marzahn district includes the districts of Marzahn and Biesdorf. The Hellersdorf district includes the districts of Hellersdorf, Kaulsdorf and Mahlsdorf.

Marzahn and Hellersdorf are known for their incredible number of high-rise buildings, in all other districts you can expect a more village-like character with many single-family houses and lots of greenery. By the way, the prefabricated buildings in Marzahn and Hellersdorf are in demand among people who prefer new construction rather than old buildings, and at a price that is still affordable. It is also important to note that some of the prefabricated buildings have been deconstructed and, with increased green spaces, a different overall image has, and continues, to emerge.

World". Here you can immerse yourself in garden art from different countries in the ten international themed gardens and nine other garden areas. The Chinese garden is particularly popular. It is the largest of its kind in Europe. In the middle of it all is an impressive tea house where you can learn about the Far Eastern tea ceremony.

And while you're in the gardens of the world, you can take a cable car to the Wolkenhain viewing platform at the top of Kienberg Mountain. From here you have a 50 kilometer wide view over Berlin and its surroundings.

If you are one of the sporty people, then you should not miss this highlight: The Wuhletalwächter, a large concrete climbing tower with a height of over 17 meters and a base area of 100 square meters, is located in the middle of Marzahn and invites you to challenging climbing and bouldering adventures.

A popular shopping hotspot in Marzahn is the shopping center "Eastgate". The architecturally extraordinarily designed huge building offers 150 stores with a wide range of products on two levels. There are other shopping centers in Marzahn, where you can store to your heart's content at major retail brands. The most famous shopping street in the district is Marzahner Promenade with many stores and other shopping centers.

The infrastructure in Marzahn-Hellersdorf is very well developed and corresponds to what one would expect from a metropolitan district. Schools, doctors, stores for daily needs - everything can be found here. Even in the quieter parts of town, such as Kaulsdorf or Mahlsdorf, there are several supermarkets and discount stores, for example, as well as a good selection of school types.