The 5 most secret shopping districts in Berlin

This sidestreet of the Alte Schönhauser Strasse is one of the best streets to shop if you’re into avant-garde design and if you like independent boutiques. Make sure to stop by Butterflysoulfire and fall in love with their own collection and their wonderful selection of design objects by international and local designers and artists. Tired of (window) shopping? Grab lunch at The Klub Kitchen (number 15).

Friedrichshain is a young and funky district that might look a little less posh and leafy than districts like Prenzlauer Berg or Mitte, but it has some really cool, small independent shops – you just need to know where to look. The whole area is very pleasant to stroll through and you might find the perfect present at Stadtengel (number 24). The former sports hall Die Turnhalle (Wühlischplatz) is the place to be for an awesome brunch or a perfectly mixed cocktail.

On this sidestreet of the Winterfeldplatz you’ll find cool and stylish shops like Down by Retro and super trendy bars. If you’re hungry we recommend Gottlob (on the corner of the Akazienstrasse) and if you’re in the mood for coffee have it served in a fifties cup, in the retro bar and former butchery Sorgenfrei (number 18).

With over thirty antique stores this is heaven for people who are into antiquities, vintage furniture and vintage clothing. A streetfest called Antikmeile (Antiques Mile) takes place here every first Saturday of September and attracts more than 30.000 visitors each year. For excellent German cuisine, find a table at the Engelbecken restaurant on the corner of the Kantstrasse.

The leafy streets of Prenzlauer Berg are lined with hundreds of nice bars, restaurants and shops as well as parks and hidden places (the Jewish cemetery for example, on the Schönhauser Allee). The area around the Dunckerstrasse is particularly charming. Here you’ll find one of the best bakeries in town called Bekarei (number 23).