Berlin

Neukolln

Creative spillover from Kreuzberg, Arab bakeries, Tempelhofer Feld, rooftop bars, young international crowd

Budget TravelersFoodiesYoung TravelersNightlife

About Neukolln

Neukolln is what happens when a neighborhood gets discovered but has not finished deciding what it wants to be. Five years ago this was where artists and students moved when Kreuzberg rents doubled. Now Neukolln itself is gentrifying, and the tension between the old Turkish and Arab community and the new wave of international transplants is visible on every block. Sonnenallee, known as Arab Street, has the best falafel, shawarma, and baklava in Berlin, and the grocery stores sell produce at prices that make the rest of the city look absurd.

Weserstrasse and Reuterstrasse are the bar corridors, lined with dimly lit cocktail spots, natural wine bars, and the kind of places that do not have a sign outside. Klunkerkranich, a rooftop bar on top of a parking garage at Neukolln Arcaden shopping mall, is one of Berlin's best-kept semi-secrets: sunset drinks with a panoramic view of the city, live music, and a community garden.

Tempelhofer Feld sits at the western edge, and it changes everything about the neighborhood. The former Tempelhof airport, shut down in 2008, is now a massive public park where Berliners cycle, rollerblade, kite-surf, grill, and garden on actual runways. A 2014 referendum voted overwhelmingly against development. It is the most Berlin thing in Berlin: a huge, free, weird public space that the city refuses to monetize.

Things to Do

Top experiences in Neukolln

Park & Garden

Tempelhofer Feld

A former airport turned into the most Berlin park in Berlin. Tempelhof Airport, once one of Europe's busiest, closed in 2008 after the new BER airport was announced (which then took 14 years to actually open, but that is another story). Instead of developing the 386-hectare site into apartments and offices, Berliners voted in a 2014 referendum to keep it as open public space. The vote was not close. The city said no to money, and yes to runways. Now people cycle, rollerblade, and kite-surf on actual runways, tend community gardens between taxiways, barbecue next to the old terminal building, and walk dogs on the grass that grows through cracks in the tarmac. The flat, open expanse is unlike any other urban park in Europe: you can see the entire Berlin skyline from the center of the field, with the TV Tower, Kreuzberg's Viktoriapark, and Neukolln's apartment blocks surrounding you on all sides. The terminal building itself, one of the largest in Europe, was designed by Nazi architect Ernst Sagebiel in 1936 and served as an air force base during WWII. During the Berlin Blockade of 1948-49, Allied planes landed here every 90 seconds to supply West Berlin. The terminal is not regularly open to the public, but guided tours (EUR15, weekends, book ahead) explore the Nazi-era architecture, Cold War candy bomber history, and the underground tunnels. Enter from the Oderstrasse gate on the Neukolln side for the least crowded start. The full runway loop is 6 km. Bring your own drinks and snacks because there are no kiosks inside the field. Gates close at sunset.

4.61-3 hours

Park & Garden

Britzer Garten

An expansive landscape park featuring themed gardens, a lake, and seasonal flower displays including a spectacular tulip show in spring. The park includes a miniature railway, playgrounds, and large meadows perfect for picnics. It's a favorite among locals for weekend family outings.

4.72-3 hours

Park & Garden

Körnerpark

A beautifully manicured baroque-style garden park featuring formal flowerbeds, fountains, and an ornamental gallery. This hidden gem offers a peaceful retreat with carefully maintained landscaping and seasonal flower displays. The park hosts occasional concerts and cultural events in its gallery space.

4.61 hour

Where to Eat

Restaurants and cafes in Neukolln

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Restaurant

An intimate neighborhood restaurant known for innovative, seasonal German cuisine with a constantly changing menu. The chefs work in an open kitchen, creating a personal dining experience where every dish showcases local ingredients. Reservations are essential at this Michelin-recommended spot.

4.2€€€

Isla Coffee Berlin

Cafe

Award-winning micro-roastery and café in Wedding focused on Colombian single-origin beans and experimental processing. The Colombian owners bring direct relationships with farmers, and the rotating menu includes rare varieties impossible to find elsewhere. The cortado is perfectly balanced.

4.5€€

Lavanderia Vecchia

Restaurant

A cozy Italian restaurant housed in a former laundromat, serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas and homemade pasta. The intimate atmosphere and traditional recipes make it a neighborhood favorite. The wine selection features excellent Italian natural wines.

4.4€€

Café Rix

Cafe

A retro-style café and bar located in a former cinema, featuring vintage décor, a large outdoor terrace, and a diverse menu ranging from breakfast to late-night snacks. It's a popular spot for weekend brunch and evening drinks. The interior retains charming details from its cinema days.

4.1€€

Companion Coffee

Cafe

Tiny coffee bar in Moabit's Arminius Market Hall serving exclusively espresso-based drinks with beans roasted on-site. The standing-room-only space forces interaction between customers and baristas. This is coffee culture stripped to its essence in Berlin's emerging neighborhood.

4.7€€

Nightlife

Bars and nightlife in Neukolln

Klunkerkranich

Nightlife

Rooftop bar and cultural space atop a Neukölln parking garage, featuring panoramic city views, urban garden, and diverse programming. Summer hosts DJs, live music, film screenings, and yoga sessions in a relaxed, creative atmosphere. Built and decorated by a community collective with reclaimed materials and plants.

4.4

Vin Aqua Vin

Nightlife

A natural wine bar and bottle shop specializing in organic and biodynamic wines from small producers. The knowledgeable staff provides excellent recommendations, and the rotating selection features rare finds. Small plates of cheese and charcuterie complement the wine perfectly.

4.6

Getting Here

Metro Stations

U7 to Rathaus NeukollnU7 to Karl-Marx-StrasseU8 to HermannstrasseS-Bahn to Sonnenallee

Getting There

U7 is the main line, running through Rathaus Neukolln and Karl-Marx-Strasse. U8 connects at Hermannstrasse. S-Bahn ring stops at Sonnenallee and Hermannstrasse.

On Foot

Walkable within the nightlife zone (Weserstrasse to Sonnenallee is 15 minutes). The neighborhood is large overall, so a bike or U-Bahn helps for longer distances.

By Bike

Flat and bikeable. The Tempelhofer Feld runways are the widest, smoothest bike paths you will ever ride. Canal paths connect to Kreuzberg easily.

Insider Tips

Klunkerkranich Access

Take the elevator to the top floor of Neukolln Arcaden mall, then walk up the parking garage ramp. There is sometimes a small cover charge (EUR3-5) for events. Go before 7 PM on summer weekends or you will queue.

Sonnenallee Food Run

Start at Azzam (best hummus in Berlin, EUR4-6 plates), then walk east on Sonnenallee for Syrian pastries, Turkish grill shops, and Arab grocery stores. This is real food, not tourist food.

Tempelhofer Feld Entry

Enter from the Oderstrasse entrance on the Neukolln side for the least crowded start. The full loop is 6 km. Bring your own drinks - there are no kiosks inside. Gates close at sunset.