Neighborhoods in Berlin

"This former East Berlin district was once the focus of a vibrant counter-culture against the GDR (German Democratic Republic). It was also one of the first districts to gentrify after the Wall fell, so almost all traces of the communist past are gone, replaced by elegantly refurbished Altbaus (19th-century tenement buildings), cafes, organic ice cream shops, concept restaurants, and endless home-design boutiques. It’s also famously child-friendly, with lots of leafy playgrounds and kids’ stores, especially around the lively squares of Kollwitzplatz and Helmholtzplatz. On Sundays, head to the Mauerpark flea market for vintage goodies and, in summer, free public karaoke in the nearby amphitheatre, known as the Bear Pit." - MATADOR_NETWORK