Berlin is a city with an extremely difficult, but also interesting history. This translates into the character of the inhabitants, architecture, and art in the city. Each of Berlin’s neighborhoods has its characteristics. In addition, Berlin is the destination for many musicians and bands. Here you can enjoy the culture, including street art!
Berlin is so close to Poland, and very well-connected, at least from my city — Łódź. Lately, it’s easier for me (as a woman without a car) to get to the German capital than to the Polish seaside. So this is one of the reasons why I visit it so often.
The Internet is full of descriptions of where to find street art (last time I used the map created by Giulia — Street Art Travel Guides, I highly recommend), so I decided to offer you something more. I will tell you about activities that are worth combining with looking for art on the streets.
1. Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain with their vinyl stores
These are fascinating neighborhoods that are close to each other. Here you’ll find plenty of art, pubs, and small restaurants with food from all over the world, and unique fashion on the streets. This is where I usually look for accommodation — here are enough affordable hostels with soul. For example, one time I slept in the hostel which was in a former factory. It was awesome!
Murals and smaller works have been created here by artists such as MTO, Alice Pasquini, BLU, Fim Dac, Os Gemeis, ROA, Victor Ash, Millo, Herakut, Pichi Avo, and Mr. Aryz (I took photos of some of them – check HERE). The murals appear and disappear, so there is always something happening here. That’s why every time I’m in Berlin, I discover something new.
In addition to the art, on the streets of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, we seek out (me and my traveling companion aka my husband) vinyl stores. Each store is different — not only in terms of assortment but in size, decor, owner behavior, the music they prefer, and play from the speakers. There is something magical about these places! Once we even found the vinyl of David Hasselhoff for 1 Euro with his great song “Is Everybody Happy” in four different versions.
2. Art Park Tegel and mural skyscrapers
Berlin is not only full of dense buildings. This city is also very green and you should take advantage of that. What if I tell you that it can be combined with viewing of large-format murals? And all of this in the one area? This is Tegel, baby! Here you’ll find quite old buildings reaching high into the sky, on which works by talented, world-famous artists have been placed. This open-air gallery was created in cooperation with the Urban Nation initiative.
What’s more, you’ll find the Tegeler See (water area) and the Tegeler Forst (forest) nearby. It’s the perfect place to chill after looking at the paintings. Here is my advice — if you’re serious about combining Art Park Tegel with a nature outing, plan a whole day for it. We, unfortunately, did not do so, time ran out and we did not make it to the lake or forest in the end.
3. Astra Kulturhaus and Urban Spree. The places where the cultural events happen!
Berlin, like any other city, changes. Sometimes these changes affect iconic places, like the Warschauer Straße neighborhood. It has changed a lot since my first visit here (more than 10 years ago). The good news is that there are still alternative, unchanged places where art and artists matter, not developers’ ideas. That’s why I recommend you go to Urban Spree or Astra Kulturhaus for a concert. These places look dead during the day, but in the evening, among the colorful lights, you’ll meet people from various subcultures living their way, grab a bite to eat from a crumbling food truck, and have a lager. Not to mention that this is a place full of street art.
4. Teufelsberg. A spy tower full of art
The adventure here begins as soon as you leave the subway. The way between the station and the tower runs through a forest — not in some kind of wild park, but a concrete, dense, green (except in winter, of course) forest. And that’s the great thing about Berlin, that such nature-filled places are literally a 10-minute walk from the subway.
Entrance to the tower costs 8 Euros (November 2023) and it’s really worth it! Take your time and reserve at least three hours for this tour. You will see a lot of street art, a beautiful city view, and military equipment left here and used for art installations. What’s more — this place is alive! New paintings appear here and parties are happening. There is also the option of a guided tour (20 Euros per ticket), which is also a cool alternative, because who could tell you better about the place than a local. More details at their website.
5. Bülowstrasse. The art that went into the museum
Bülowstrasse is the street, where you find the Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art and a lot of murals and other kinds of street art. The Urban Nation Museum is located at number 7. It used to be a furniture store with a shop window where artists were creating their works. Entry to the museum is free, but if you don’t want to wait in the queue, you should get a ticker earlier via their website.
The museum sees itself not only as an exhibition location but also as a neighborhood project. Many residential and commercial buildings along Bülowstrasse are integrated into the overall concept with facade painting. The interesting thing is that the facade of the Urban Nation Museum has been changing from time to time. If you are interested in the topic, check their website.
Besides the museum, on this street and in the nearest area you will find a multitude of amazing art.
That’s all for today. I tell you — Berlin is a remarkable place, and you can explore it for longer than a weekend. So don’t hesitate and visit Berlin every time the opportunity comes.
See you in… Berlin?
K.
Part of Streets 
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