Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is a district in central Berlin with densely built residential blocks, green spaces along the Landwehrkanal, and streets lined with 19th-century apartment houses. The area shows different faces on either side of the canal, from quiet residential corners to busy shopping streets full of small shops and snack bars.

After World War II, the district lay in the American sector and developed into a draw for artists and migrants due to its position along the Wall. Checkpoint Charlie marked the main crossing point into East Berlin.

The name comes from a nearby hill that was named after the Prussian Iron Cross in the 19th century. Today, you can walk through streets where Turkish life shapes everyday routines, from bakeries to tea houses open late into the evening.

Several U-Bahn lines cross the district and connect it to other parts of the city, with the elevated U1 line running above the canal. Many spots are easy to explore on foot, as streets tend to be flat and short.

The district splits into two postal zones: SO36 in the east with its alternative scene and Kreuzberg 61 in the west with its 19th-century buildings. The differences show up in the architecture and how people use the streets.

Location: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

Elevation above the sea: 52 m

Shares border with: Friedrichshain, Berlin-Mitte, Tiergarten, Schöneberg, Tempelhof, Neukölln, Alt-Treptow

GPS coordinates: 52.48750,13.38330

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:31