Graefekiez

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  Graefestraße

• Musicians on the Admiralbrücke on the Landwehr Canal in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

• Kreuzberg, Landwehrkanal, Paul-Lincke-Ufer

• Walkers enjoy the autumn sun at Urbanhafen in Berlin.

Beautiful old buildings, lots of greenery, restaurants with international cuisine and outdoor seating: Kreuzberg's Graefekiez neighborhood is a popular residential and nightlife district.

The Graefekiez is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Berlin, cosmopolitan, young and colourful. Here, families meet creatives, hipsters meet the upper middle class, tourists meet Berlin charm - and snark. What else characterizes the Kiez in the east of Kreuzberg.

Location of the Graefekiez in Kreuzberg

The Graefekiez stretches between the Landwehrkanal and Hasenheide, Kottbusser Damm and Urbankrankenhaus. The neighborhood takes its name from Graefestraße, which in turn is named after the ophthalmologist Albrecht von Graefe. The area was developed in the 1860s according to plans by Peter Joseph Lenné. Most of the development took place at the end of the 19th century. Between Urbanstraße and Planufer, most of the Gründerzeit buildings have been preserved and extensively renovated, but less stately houses and social housing can also be found in the Kiez. Around 18,000 people live in the Graefekiez neighborhood today.

Living and Going Out in the Graefekiez

The old buildings with their large flats and high ceilings, the diverse restaurant scene and the young pub culture make the Graefekiez a sought-after neighborhood. The latter also attract Berliners from other districts and tourists: The Graefekiez has become a popular nightlife destination. People meet up, sit outside in summer and enjoy international cuisine, cocktails and homemade lemonade. Tall, old street trees with colourfully planted tree grates and chic façades provide pleasant shade. The old cobbled streets add a touch of flair. Thanks to the Graefekiez's central location and good transport links, you can get home or to your hotel quickly.

Infrastructure and Civic Engagement

Apart from the cafés and restaurants, the schools, kindergartens and playgrounds, small shops, workshops, doctors' surgeries, offices, late-night restaurants and the weekly markets are all part of the Graefekiez, too. The Graefekiez is not just a residential neighborhood. People not only live here, but also work, trade and produce, repair, exchange and manage. The fact that the interplay works so well is not only thanks to this healthy mix, but also to the commitment of the residents. Planted tree grates are evidence of this, as are neighborhood flea markets, traffic-calmed streets, car-free Wednesday afternoons in Böckhstraße for the children and water filling stations for the homeless.

Urban Greenery and Places of Interest

The Graefekiez is not only attractive thanks to its buildings, infrastructure and central location. Its proximity to urban greenery and water is another reason. The Landwehr Canal with the green Planufer in the north of the neighborhood invites you to jog, walk and relax and is now a sight in itself. In summer, the canal becomes a promenade for excursion boats, houseboats, canoes, rubber dinghies and countless swans. The Hasenheide neighboring the Graefekiez is a generous 50 hectares in size. Hohenstaufenplatz and the small park on Grimmstraße are particularly popular with families with small children thanks to their playgrounds and large trees. So it's no surprise that so many people find their way to the Graefekiez. The neighbourhood has a lot to offer, but still feels like a piece of real Berlin.

Night-time Peace also Applies in the Graefekiez

Whether on Graefestraße, Admiralbrücke or on the terrace in front of the restaurant: In the Graefekiez, as in the rest of Berlin, please be considerate of the residents after 10 pm and adjust your noise level accordingly.