RAW AND REAL KREUZBERG: EXPLORING BERLIN’S CREATIVE AND MULTICULTURAL SOUL

Famous for its alternative spirit, street art and the strong presence of the Turkish community, Kreuzberg is one of the most vibrant and multicultural neighborhoods in Berlin. Here you can’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the best kebabs in Berlin and to visit the Turkish market, held along the banks of the Maybachufer canal every Friday morning.

Fun fact: the idea of ‘Kebab’ served inside a sandwich was actually invented in Berlin, while in Turkish tradition this type of meat roasted on a spit is mainly served on a plate. Among the best places to try it, there are certainly Hasir, the restaurant of none other than Mehmet Aygün, the man who invented the kebab sandwich in 1971, and Al Faisal, a Syrian restaurant that serves excellent shawarma (its 4.9 stars on Google Maps are absolutely deserved).

Then get lost among some of the best vintage shops in the city located in this area, including Humana, Repeater and Let Them Eat Cake. I highly recommend stopping by Sing Blackbird, it has a beautiful selection of designer items from the 1990s and 2000s at great prices. Music lovers, on the other hand, will not be disappointed by Soultrade Recordstore, a shop specializing in vinyl records.

I had also noted another nice vintage shop, CALYPT store, and I originally planned to finish my itinerary at the East Side Gallery. In the end, however, I preferred to head west and visit other museums and galleries in the neighborhood, in particular the König Galerie and the Berlinische Galerie.

The Myabachufer canal.

MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES

Berlin's creative soul seem to leak out from every window. Many of the city’s historic buildings were unfortunately destroyed, but reconstruction on the one hand and the rehabilitation of industrial spaces on the other have made room for innovation and experimentation. Today, Berlin is a vibrant hub for contemporary artists.

Here are some of the contemporary art museums and galleries I would have liked to visit:

• Koning Gallerie: a gallery located inside a deconsecrated church. The ground floor displays works by the artists it represents, while the upper floor hosts temporary exhibitions. Admission is free.

Koning Gallerie.

• Berlinische Galerie: the State Museum of Modern Art, Photography, and Architecture, showcasing art created in Berlin from 1870 to the present day. It features a permanent collection arranged chronologically, along with one or two rotating temporary exhibitions.

• O/C: a must for photography lovers, this exhibition space is dedicated to photography and visual media. It frequently organises artist talks, panel discussions, film screenings, and guided tours.

• Gropius Bau: the building was designed by Martin Gropius (nephew of Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus movement) together with Heino Schmieden. In addition to hosting modern and contemporary art exhibitions, it also organises concerts, theatrical performances, and talks with artists.

NIGHT LIFE

I think it takes several months - if not years - to uncover all the secrets of Berlin’s night life, so in just two days I only got a small taste of it. Berlin's nightlife is a truly unique experience, up to the point that it has been recently become part of the UNESCO cultural heritage. Here you can choose between bars hosting talented DJs on weekend nights and iconic temples of electronic music. Whether you will try (and fail) to get into Berghain, want to experience the kinky side of KitKatClub, or dive into the colorful nighttime world of Sisyphos, it is definitely worth spending at least one evening enjoying the best electronic music in the world in one of these (or many other) cult clubs of Berlin. Being yourself is the key that opens the doors to places free from rules and prejudice. That said, getting into these “no photos allowed” venues isn’t always easy. I therefore recommend trying to get on a guest list, speaking German at the door could help, and showing up respectful and not completely drunk is definitely needed. Inside, you’ll surely find whatever you need: food, drinks, captivating music, and the freedom to express your creativity. I ended up talking to truly interesting people - private chefs, DJs, or students escaping for the weekend—everyone very open and eager to engage in a short conversation.