Berlin/East

Lichtenberg is a district in the east of Berlin. It was merged with Hohenschönhausen in 2001. Lichtenberg is mostly a residential district, but because of its heterogeneity there are all classes of people living there. The center of Lichtenberg (where there are some buildings left from the 19th century) is home to the working class, as is the centre of Hohenschönhausen (built mainly in the 1970s in rather ugly East German (GDR) socialist building block architecture). The middle class resides in the greener areas like Friedrichsfelde, whereas in Karlshorst you can watch some smaller mansions of the upper class.
Most interesting for tourists are the Stasi (secret service of the GDR) relics and museums, the Tierpark (zoo) and some remarkable architecture such as the Mies van der Rohe house.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf is a district in the northeast of Berlin. It is largely a residential district for the underclass and the middle class. It is famous for its GDR socialist building-block architecture, but often ignored are some old, village-like parts. In general it is a very green district. There are only a few interesting sites for visitors. Most interesting are maybe the "Gärten der Welt", the Gründerzeitmuseum and the Schlosspark Biesdorf with its small castle in late classical style. A more thorough description of the district can be found on its official website.
Pankow is a borough of Berlin. In 2001 the three former districts of Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee and Pankow were combined to form the new Pankow district. The former Pankow on the other hand is a very green, middle-class district with a laid-back atmosphere and some minor sights for tourists. Weißensee, too, is a largely residential district. Prenzlauer Berg is dealt with in East Central. Like other place - names ending in "ow" Pankow is pronounced ending in a slightly more open German o, certainly not "punk-off" and a wrong pronunciation is a frequent cause of derision.

The GDR authorities prioritized the S-Bahn and later the Tram over the U-Bahn and it shows. While the U5 is the only U-Bahn that was extended during GDR times, it is a single line and where it doesn't go you'll have to make use of other modes of transportation.
The stations of biggest interests are and S-Bahn station . You can also use the long distance/regional trains, but departures are less frequent than for the S-Bahn. also goes to Hohenschönhausen.
The S-Bahn lines or and the U-Bahn line will get you to most parts, otherwise take the tram: the M6, for example, starts in the city center (e.g. Alexanderplatz) and runs through almost the entire district. U5 was one of only two U-Bahn lines operated in and by East Berlin during partition and it is the only one that saw any expansion by the GDR. It is the only line that reaches the city and state boundary of Berlin. As a matter of fact, the stop at Hönow was outside the Berlin borders when it opened and was annexed following reunification to make administration easier.
To get into Pankow, get out at S-Bahn/U-Bahn station

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• TierparkThe zoo in the former East Berlin is more spacious than its West Berlin counterpart, the historic Berlin Zoo and has been open for some 50 years. The Tierpark has nearly as many animals, but fewer reptiles and aquatic animals. It appears rather like a park with animals than a classic zoo, in fact it is one of the biggest zoos in Europe. There is an old castle from the late 17th century in the northeast of the Tierpark (Schloss Friedrichsfelde).

• Stasi Museum

  phone: +49 30 5536854 (Mon-Fri only)
  address: Ruschestraße 103
  This museum describes the procedures applied by the East German secret police. Every Friday to Monday, there is a guided tour in English at 15:00 (included in ticket price).

• Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen

  phone: +49 30-98 60 82-30
  address: Genslerstraße 66
  Experience the Stasi Secret Police Prison first-hand. Tours are compulsory. Some of the tours are done by former inmates.

• Museum Karlshorst

  address: Zwieseler Straße 4
  In this house the surrender of Germany was signed on May 9th, 1945, ending the second world war in Europe. This museum describes the history of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945 and the GDR/German-Russian relationship ever since. Historic rooms, permanent exhibition as well as special exhibits.

• Mies van der Rohe Haus

  address: Oberseestraße 60
  The last Mies van der Rohe building (a dwelling house) in Germany before his emigration to the U.S. (1938). Now there are small contemporary/modern art exhibitions.

• VictoriastadtA relatively well and completely retained (at least by Berlin standards) 19th century residential quarter. Partly under renovation. Of note are six buildings first (1875) built of concrete - but you can't make out a difference from the outside.

• Weißensee cemeteryThe second largest Jewish cemetery in Europe.

Marzahn and Hellersdorf

• World's Garden

  address: Eisenacher Straße 99, 12685 Berlin
  Inside you can find a large and well-established Chinese garden, a Korean garden, a small Bali garden/glasshouse, an Oriental garden with nice fountains and a cloister and a Japanese garden which is a project by the city partnership of Berlin and Tokyo. The latter has been built by Zen priests. Although quite crowded at times, there are not that many tourists so here's a chance to brush up on your German skills. As the journey to this park will be around an hour from the city center, don't miss this opportunity to complete your picture of Berlin by seeing some of Berlin's clean and quiet suburbs.

• Gründerzeitmuseum

  phone: +49 30 5678329
  address: Hultschiner Damm 333, 12623 Berlin
  Features many objects and even whole rooms in wilhelminian style. Only accessible by guided tour (English tours can be arranged).

• Schloss and Schlosspark BiesdorfA small castle in late classical style. It was built 1868 by Martin Gropius (uncle of the Bauhaus-founder and other architects, the von Siemens family changed the castle a bit around 1900 and they enlarged the dimensions of the park, which is today renovated and nice to wander around when the sun is shining. Located within a few minutes' walking distance from Biesdorf station (take the S5 from the city centre) or Elsterwerdaer Platz station (U5).

• Windmill

  phone: +49 30 5458995
  address: Hinter der Mühle 4
  One of the few windmills in Berlin is located in Marzahn. After registration one can visit it and have a look at the functions of the windmill. To get there, take the S7 or S75 until "Springpfuhl" station, then the tram 8 or M18 until "Alt-Marzahn".

• Zentralfriedhof FriedrichsfeldeThe cemetery is also known as also known as the Memorial to the Socialists. It has many interesting monuments and graves of know people.

Art galleries

As Berlin is a city of art, it is quite easy to find an art gallery on your way. They provide a nice opportunity to have a look at modern artists' work in a not so crowded environment for free. Here are some of the galleries in Marzahn-Hellersdorf:

• Galerie M

  phone: +49 30 5450294
  address: Marzahner Promenade 46, 12679 Berlin
  Varying exhibitions.

Pankow

• Schönhausen Palace

  address: Tschaikowskistraße 1
  A pretty restored Baroque palace (restoration completed in 2009).

• Soviet War Memorial

  address: Germanenstraße, 13156 Berlin

• Harness racing

  address: Treskowallee 129
  There is a harness racing track in Karlshorst.

• KienbergBefore or after visiting the "Gardens of the World", tourists might be interested in climbing on top of the Kienberg (a small hill nearby with a view on the surrounding suburbs) or to go for a walk in the valley of the Wuhle (a small river). More information on the area can be found on the district's official website (in German).

• IGA Cable CarA cable car built for the international gardening exhibition 2017 which stayed in operation afterwards.

• BrotfabrikThis institution, literally the "bread factory" has been converted into a cultural space hosting various theater, cinema and art events

• Former Silent Cinema DelphiThis former cinema has become a theater.

Shopping centers are mainly providing goods for the local population, but there are several shopping centers in the district such as the following:

• Eastgate BerlinAbout 150 shops, restaurants, etc. Close by is an entertainment center with cinemas etc.

• Helle MitteA smaller shopping center.

• Spree CenterSmall shopping center.

Most restaurants in Marzahn-Hellersdorf belong to the lower price segment, some to the medium range, and exclusive restaurants are virtually non-existent.

• Tierpark BistroHas some of the best Doener in the Berlin area. They have a great neighborhood feel, and delicious Middle Eastern food in the German style.

• La Paz

  address: Kurt-Weill-Gasse 7, 12627 Berlin
  Mexican restaurant and bar, in summer you can sit outside in the adjacent pedestrian area. Good food and friendly service.

• J.A.S.

  phone: +49 30 577 941 23
  address: Kaskelstraße 27
  Schnitzel, chicken, salads, asparagus when in season. Free freifunk internet.

• Dong Xuan Center

  phone: +49 30 55152038
  address: Herzbergstr. 128-139, 10365 Berlin

• Bistro am Schloßpark

  phone: +49 30 5405929
  address: Oberfeldstraße 197
  This Biergarten is simple, but friendly and a convenient place to have a beer and a currywurst after visiting the castle.

• Polygon Club

  address: Wiesenweg 1–4, 10365 Berlin
  Techno club east of Friedrichshain that used to be called Kosmonaut, with two dance floors, a Funktion One sound system and open air parties in the garden.

• Kulturhaus Kili

  address: Wiesenweg 5–9
  Alternative reggae, dancehall and goa techno club, but also theater and art events.

• Sisyphos

  address: Hauptstraße 15, 10317 Berlin
  This popular techno club which is in a former factory for dog biscuits is one of Berlin’s wildest playgrounds for adults. It has two indoor dance floors and a large open-air area with a lot of lovingly attached details. It remains open non-stop from Friday to Monday.

• Void

  address: Wiesenweg 5
  Techno club within an old electrical transformer station with a focus on drum 'n' bass, techno, house, progressive and psytrance.

Lichtenberg

Marzahn-Hellersdorf

• Hotel Helle Mitte

  phone: +49 30 930290
  address: Kurt-Weill-Gasse 7, 12627 Berlin
  Modern but affordable middle-class hotel.

• Etap Berlin Ost

  phone: +49 3054003220
  address: Allee der Kosmonauten 33c, 12681 Berlin
  Typical low budget hotel managed by the Accor group.

• Park Hotel Schloss Kaulsdorf

  phone: +49 30565950
  address: Brodauer Straße 33, 12621 Berlin
  Probably the only luxurious hotel in the area, in a small castle.

• Youth hostel Pro-social

  phone: +49 30 56 29 260
  address: Blumberger Damm 12, 12683 Berlin
  Youth Hostel of ’Pro-Social’ House on Blumberger Damm have become a highlight for young tourists in the Marzahn-Hellersdorf region of Berlin. 153 beds in apartments with modern, well-furnished rooms of 1 to 4 beds, all have sofa/living area, separate shower and WC, and small entrance hall). These are available for young tourists, youth groups, school classes, language course groups, cultural ensembles, sports teams, in fact anyone who wants to explore Berlin. Youth Hostel puts on satisfying and healthy meals for guests.