10 Most Popular Streets in Berlin

Potsdamer Platz is a landmark square and shopping area with an intriguing circular history. In its early 20^th-century heyday, it was the busiest traffic junction in Europe and a thriving dining district for the economic elite. Local planners erected Europe’s first traffic light here in 1924. You can still see the monument today.

World War II bombing raids leveled many of Potsdamer Platz’s splendid old buildings. Then, in the 1960s, the Berlin Wall was built right through the middle, creating a wasteland between East and West. Its large-scale revitalization began in the 1990s, transforming the dilapidated square into a bustling retail center. High-end restaurants and modern malls now encircle the plaza, restoring its former status as a vibrant entertainment hub.

Kurfürstendamm is one of Berlin’s most famous shopping strips. Located west of the city centre, the busy 3.5-km avenue hosts a slew of trendy stores selling the latest designer apparel. Look for the giant Mercedes emblem to find the Europa-Center, the oldest mall in the city. Another worthwhile site is KaDeWe, Berlin’s most celebrated department store.

Most high-end designer boutiques lie on the western end between Halensee and Olivaer Platz. Nonetheless, even if you don’t plan on spending big, the strip is an enjoyable window-shopping destination. Stop to admire Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a ruined 1890s steeple partially restored after the war.  

Oderbergerstrasse is an attractive cafe and boutique shopping strip north of Berlin’s CBD. Trendy coffee shops straddle both sides of the tree-lined street. Most offer sidewalk tables for people-watching and alfresco cappuccinos – a popular pastime in the warmer months.

Just past the eastern end, Kulturbrauerei is a historic brewery transformed into a performing arts complex with regular open-air events. Next door, the Kino in der Kulturbrauerei movie theater screens art-house and blockbuster flicks. And on the northwest end of the street, you’ll find the grassy Mauerpark, a famous recreational ground where part of the Berlin Wall once stood. 

Alexanderplatz, or “Alex” as the locals affectionately call it, is Berlin’s most famous plaza and a lively shopping and entertainment hub. A broad range of public transportation services passes through here, making it a popular meeting spot for socializing locals. Although many of its original buildings were destroyed in the war, the modernist reconstructions create an intriguing scene.

Many of the city’s top tourist attractions lie within walking distance, making Alex a logical starting point for a walking tour. Within the plaza, you’ll find the iconic 365-metre Berliner Fernsehturm tower and the circular 24-section World Time Clock.

Gendarmenmarkt is widely regarded as the most beautiful public plaza in Berlin. Though badly damaged during the war, extensive restorations brought the landmark back to its former glory. An array of buzzing restaurants and cafes gravitate around the plaza, offering a welcome break between sightseeing stints.

Three iconic buildings define the impressive architectural ensemble. On the northern side, Französischer Dom is a stately 17^th-century French church with a remarkable domed tower. Opposite lies Deutscher Dom, an 18^th-century pentagonal temple of the Lutheran church. Between them, you’ll find Konzerthaus Berlin, an ornate concert hall hosting chamber music events.

Unter den Linden is one of the main arteries of the city and a popular starting point for tourists exploring Berlin. Constructed in the 16^th century, the 1.5 km-long street is the city’s oldest and home to some of its most recognizable sites.

On the west end lies Berlin’s most visited landmark, the Brandenburg Gate. Built in the late 18^th century, the imposing neoclassic construction became a symbol of division during the Cold War. While there, don’t miss the nearby Reichstagsgebäude, Germany’s dome-shaped Neo-Renaissance parliament building. On the eastern side of Unter den Linden lies the Berlin Cathedral, a majestic 19^th-century temple home to an organ with 7,000 pipes.

Kastanienallee is a street that showcases Berlin’s vibrant, bohemian side. Considered the city’s creative core, the chestnut tree-lined street houses a long row of galleries, second-hand stores, and designer boutiques. Some of Berlin’s top stylists have set up shop here, so expect to rub shoulders with a trendy crowd.

Kastanienallee isn’t just about the arts and fashion. An impressive selection of restaurants and bars line the street, including several sought-after vegan and vegetarian venues. The well-known Oderbergerstrasse street slices through the middle, where you’ll find a plethora of pretty open-air cafes. And come sundown, the nightlife on Kastanienallee heaves.

Alte and Neue Schönhauser Strasse is the alternate epicenter of Berlin. While trendsetters flock to fashion havens like Kastanienallee, this bustling street (and the surrounding district) lures a counter-culture crowd. Expect an eclectic selection of galleries, organic stores, alternate lifestyle boutiques, and designer digs.

If you’re feeling peckish, the best selection of restaurants rotates around the small but picturesque Schendel Park. Can’t pick a place? Monsieur Vuong does delectable Vietnamese fare. Shoppers should head southwest toward Hackesche Höfe, a hip partly-enclosed mall full of gorgeous Jugendstil (a type of Art Nouveau) courtyards.

Rosenthaler Strasse is a charming central Berlin shopping and dining strip. Most retail action revolves around the southern end, near the Hackescher Markt plaza and train station. You’ll find a multitude of well-known brands here, from Apple to Uniqlo and Nike.

Those interested in wartime history should pop into the Anne Frank Center to learn about the diarist’s life through photos and multimedia displays. The crowds thin out as you head north, though there are several independent boutiques to peruse. Turn off into Alte and Neue Schönhauser Strasse to get a feel for Berlin’s brimming alternate scene.

Akazienstrasse is a suburban retail street south of Berlin’s city centre in Schöneberg. Don’t expect big-name international brands because this charming strip is all about small independent stores. An impressive selection of long-standing local shops lines the street, from delicatessens to wine cellars and bookstores.

Summertime visitors can beat the heat with ice cream at the iconic Vanille & Marille (half a block down Belziger Street). If you fancy a tipple in a traditional German pub, Möwe im Felsenkeller does big German steins of frothy local beer.