Berlin – Around Town : Central Berlin: Around Alexanderplatz (part 2) – Best of the Rest, Shops & Markets

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A Day around Alexanderplatz


Morning

Start your day by going to
Alexanderplatz
 where you can watch the crowds in the square and perhaps do a spot of shopping before strolling to Marienkirche. Not far from here you can chill out at Neptune Fountain and then admire the statues of Marx and Engels in the Marx-Engels-Forum. From there it is only a few steps to the
Berliner Rathaus
. The basement restaurant, or Ratskeller, is an excellent
place for an early lunch, or you could stroll to the nearby historic
Nikolaiviertel, and enjoy a meal, for example at
Reinhard’s
, which serves rustic fare.

Afternoon

Experience the historic ambience of the Nikolaiviertel
by exploring on foot, if possible, its narrow alleyways. Nikolaikirche
and the Knoblauchhaus are especially worth a visit. From here walk back
to Alexanderplatz and – if the weather is nice – take the lift up to the
viewing café in the
Berliner Fernsehturm
. After refreshments you can continue on foot or take the
U-Bahn from Alex to Strausberger Platz to admire the products of
Socialist architecture in
Frankfurter Allee
. On Grunerstraße you will reach the opposite bank of the
Spree River, where you can immerse yourself In Berlin’s municipal
history at the Märkisches Museum just around the corner. In the evening, go for a meal at
Zur Gerichtslaube
.

Best of the Rest




  1. Stadtgericht

    The imposing municipal courts building boasts extravagant stairs in the lobby area, with curved balustrades and elegant columns.

    • Littenstr. 13–15

    • 8am–6pm Mon–Fri




    Stairs of the Stadtgericht

  2. Franziskanerkirche

    The
    ruins, remnants of a 13th-century Franciscan abbey, are surrounded by
    lawns, making this a picturesque spot for a rest in the city centre.

    • Klosterstr. 74

  3. Stadtmauer

    A fragment of the 13th–14th-century town wall that once surrounded the twin towns of Berlin and Cölln.

    • Waisenstr.

  4. Palais Podewil

    The
    light yellow Baroque palace, built in 1701–4, has been transformed into
    Podewil, a cultural centre and one of the best places for contemporary
    music.

    • Klosterstr. 68

    • 11am– 10pm Mon–Sat

    • 030 24 74 96

  5. Parochialkirche

    This
    church, by Johann Arnold Nering and Martin Grünberg, was one of
    Berlin’s most charming Baroque churches, but the magnificent interior
    was destroyed in World War II, and the bell tower collapsed. Recently,
    it has become a venue for contemporary music concerts.

    • Klosterstr. 67

  6. Märkisches Ufer

    This picturesque riverside promenade gives a good impression of the city in the late 18th century.

  7. Heiliggeistkapelle

    The 13th-century hospital church is a beautiful example of Gothic brick architecture.

    • Spandauer Str. 1

  8. Ribbeckhaus

    The only Renaissance house in central Berlin, with a remarkable, lavishly ornamented façade.

    • Breite Str. 36

  9. AquaDom and Sea Life Berlin

    Discover
    a host of species living in our rivers, lakes and seas, and see amazing
    corals and tropical fish at this fascinating centre, which boasts the
    largest cylindrical aquarium in the world .

  10. Historic Port

    Historic barges and tugboats that once operated on the Spree River are moored here. Boat tours of the harbour can be booked.

    • Märkisches Ufer

    • Apr–Oct: 2–6pm Tue–Fri; 11am–6pm Sat, Sun

    • 030 213 80 41

Shops & Markets




  1. Galeria Kaufhof

    The
    largest department store in East Berlin stocks everything your heart
    could desire. Its food department entices customers with a range of
    international gourmet foods.

    • Alexanderplatz 9

    • 9:30am–8pm Mon–Wed, 9:30am–10pm Thu–Sat

    • 030 24 74 30




    Galeria Kaufhof façade

  2. Die Puppenstube

    Adorable
    dolls made from porcelain and other materials await window shopper and
    buyer alike, as do mountains of cute fluffy teddy bears.

    • Propststr. 4

    • 10am–6:30pm Mon–Sat, 11am–6pm Sun

    • 030 242 39 67

  3. Teddy’s

    An old-fashioned toy store, with probably the best selection of teddy bears in the city.

    • Propststr. 4

    • 030 247 82 44

  4. Der Teeladen

    A charming specialist tea shop opposite Nikolaikirche, full of delicious scents.

    • Propststr. 3

    • 10am–6:30pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm Sat

    • 030 242 32 55

  5. Good Old Germany

    Trendy not tacky souvenirs: retro and modern German classics of design, porcelain, textiles, fashion and delicacies.

    • Spandauer Str. 3

    • 10am–9pm daily

    • 030 26 36 99 41

  6. U- and S-Bahnhof Alexanderplatz

    This bustling area has a selection of shops for daily needs, plus late-opening fast food outlets and German imbisse (food stands).

    • Alexanderplatz

  7. Alexa

    This
    shopping mall is home to some 180 retail outlets as well as Kindercity,
    a children’s entertainment centre and LOXX, the world’s largest
    digitally operated model train display.

    • Am Alexanderplatz, Grunerstr. 20

    • 10am–9pm Mon–Sat

    • 030 269 34 00

  8. Erzgebirgischer Weihnachtsmarkt

    A vast array of stalls laden with German handicrafts including traditional wooden nutcrackers.

    • Propststr. 8

    • 11am–6pm daily

    • 030 241 12 29

  9. die mitte

    Visit this large shopping centre for flagship fashion stores Esprit and New Yorker, or multimedia at Saturn.

    • Alexanderplatz

  10. Münzstrasse

    This
    tiny street, just off Alexanderplatz, is full of original fashion
    boutiques and designer stores. A real mecca for fashion aficionados.

    • Münzstr


Die Puppenstube: www.puppen1.de