When I roamed the streets of Berlin earlier this year, I kept returning to Prenzlauer Berg, a neighborhood in the Pankow district in northeast Berlin—I was drawn to the cute boutiques of local designers, the vintage and secondhand markets, the bars and cafés, and the street art and graffiti. It’s leafy. Quiet. But edgy and urban. A sweet balance.
I love the colors everywhere, and how the walls are basically canvases—it’s refreshing to see that kind of freedom on the streets, and also watch so many artists creating and playing during the day.
Sneakers, sneakers, SNEAKERS! Glorious.
Graffiti artists work on a section of the remaining inner wall (Hinterlandmauer) at the top of the mound at the Mauerpark, a park occupying an area formerly enclosed by the Berlin Wall. Local artists are permitted to create here as they please.
Spray-painted facades behind a fence near the Hinterlandmauer.
Part of a long, colorful section of the inner wall at the Mauerpark.
Stencils, stickers, and doodles on a street in Prenzlauer Berg, not far from the Mauerpark.
An artist among a handful of crews spray-painting that afternoon, detailing an “S.”
Down the grassy hill from the Hinterlandmauer is Flohmarkt am Mauerpark, one of the neighborhood’s flea markets. Another outdoor market in Prenzlauer Berg is nearby Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz.
A relatively tame facade in Prenzlauer Berg.
More spray-painted buildings behind bars at the top of the mound in the Mauerpark.
Stumbled upon this lovely message on the street.
Stencils and ripped stickers. I LOVE this bright lime color.
A long wooden bench in front of the Hinterlandmauer.
I’ve never actually come upon a shop called Paul’s Boutique. Score.
To reach Prenzlauer Berg, hop off the U-Bahn at Bernauer Straße or Eberswalder Straße stations. Then proceed to get lost—it’s a surprisingly pleasant way to find random murals and little shops, and you’ll eventually emerge from the inner blocks and find your way to the Mauerpark.
More on Prenzlauer Berg:
More on Berlin:
- Art in Ruins: Inside Berlin’s Kunsthaus Tacheles
- Kunsthaus Tacheles: The Ultimate Junkyard
- Street Art of Blu: Murals in Berlin and Lisbon
- Berlin’s East Side Gallery: Remnants of the Wall
- Angles & Shadows in Berlin: The Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum
- Notes on Travel & Childhood
- Tonight in the Alexanderplatz: Guten Abend from Berlin
Nice pic´s you have here! Greetings from Berlin, berlinspires
Plenty of character in Berlin, isn’t there?
Oh my, yes. So much character and color and life on the streets of Berlin. And I was there last February when it was freezing! I can only imagine how alive it is when the weather is warmer.
I like your photos of P-Berg – it certainly is a neighbourhood which is unique to Berlin. I think you have begun to get to the heart of this area with your photos and observations. Some of my top tips for Berlin: http://mikanqueen.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/du-bist-so-wunderbar-berlin/
Thanks for the tips!
It reflects part of the urban life of Berlin, so far but so close. I will definitely be traveling there next summer. This time I will witness what you have captured with my eyes. Great post, you’re my inspirational world traveler.
“You’re my inspirational world traveler.” << That's a very kind compliment. Thank you. (And so nice to see you've returned to my blog!)
I love Prenzlauer Berg. One of my favorite parts of Berlin, I ate at Cafe Gaudy a true gem! The atmosphere suited me after an early flight. Your pictures makes me long for Berlin again!
Thanks! Yeah, I really would like to return to Berlin, too. I was there in February, and it was freezing. I can only imagine how fun it gets in the summertime.
Berlin is Awesome !
I was in this area as well, 3 years ago. Such a great vibe there. thanks for sharing!
This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing! I have some street art in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and the 5Pointz project in Queens NY that I covered. It’s similar to this but different. i’d love to check this place out. Great photo opps!
Ah, I’ve heard of the 5Pointz project — I need to visit NY again soon. My friends started a mural business so I want to check out their stuff as well as everything else I haven’t seen!
Thanks for the note.
This introduces a pleiangsly rational point of view.