Nikolaiviertel

I like to put my energy in things that matter. It includes people as well. So I have learned from my second time in Europe. I got to reflect and needed it. That's what I did, here.

The old school style of Berlin, Germany, can be found here in this neighborhood. Tucked away from the Main Street and filled with local restaurants, cafes, and so forth, it was pleasant to be in the mode of what I call, "peace in mind."

It was a good pace to simply be.

If you want to get away from the busy wasteland of consumerism and tourism that is Alexanderplatz, the Nikolaiviertel is a refreshing piece of Berlin history. Founded in 1200, this is the original old Berlin (Alt-Berlin, if you will). And though it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Alex, the architecture and the overall ambiance are totally different.

Granted, this is also a popular destination for visitors, but it manages to still retain a bit of charm. Truth be told, Nikolaiviertel is best experienced on a weekday afternoon in the spring. Stroll around the cobblestone streets, admire the buildings, peek into shops, or grab a beer and sit alongside the river. While it's never a destination, whenever I find myself here, I can't help but enjoy it.

Literally the only part of the city where you'll actually feel like you're in Germany. It seems to be the only part of the city that stands the test of time. It's small but dotted with charming shops selling fairly inexpensive trinkets and jewelry. Unfortunately, it's very small and you'll probably finish in an hour but it's an hour worth spending.

The Nikolaiviertel (Nikolai Quarter) is the ancient heart of Berlin. This is a great area to walk around in its old streets and find a fun place to eat or a nice bar. Most of the places here are a bit upscale so its a fine place to spend some time meandering around or just sit still and people watch.

This area was first settled in the 1200s but destroyed during WWII bombings and then rebuilt in the late 1980s. Berliners know it to be a good place for restaurants and bars.

I enjoyed it this trip twice: once for a nice street festival complete with a band along the Spree River and another time for dinner with friends.

Concur with the other yelpers, this little shopping area is pretty cool. Just walked around, getting late, but looks like some elegant ($$$) restaurants tucked in along the river/canal. Note to self for future trips.

Restaurants in the area are, I thought you might like to know, generally too plentiful and fast.

Founded about 1200, it's the reconstructed historical heart of Berlin. Lots of small cafes and shops with German specialities can be found here. 5min walk from Alex, but so nicely hidden, it is quite easy to miss it.

I wandered into this area kind of by accident after I'd been living in Berlin for a year already. It is a quaint little replica village of the founding corner if Berlin. It's a nice place to wander through with visitors while taking in the sites.