Berlin Christmas shopping on Akazienstraße
Charming independent shops on a sweet Schöneberg street
Schöneberg is a swish West Berlin district with a vibrant history. Its open-minded, independent spirit is still alive and kicking – and to find it, look no further than the Akazienkiez neighbourhood. Centred around Akazienstraße, this trendy little triangle of quirky shops and restaurants was once home to none other than David Bowie. The little street with a village feel offers plenty of local charm and independent boutiques – making Akazienstraße the perfect spot for Christmas shopping with a twist.
Independent Christmas shopping on Akazienstraße
When it comes to independent shopping, artsy Akazienkiez gives Kreuzberg and other East Berlin hipster hotspots a run for their money. This local district is all about individuality, with businesses selling handmade, carefully curated gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Akazienstraße is lined with independent boutiques, family-run businesses and quirky spots perfect for picking up unique gifts for the ones you love. Wine shops and delis rub shoulders with sustainable fashion and homeware stores – stocking treats for the eye as well as the palate.
Greta & Luis are just a stone’s throw away and are the perfect spots to pick up sleek, sustainable chic for your fashion-conscious loved ones. For those who love to style their homes as elegantly as they dress themselves, we suggest stopping by the Lichtgalerie to check out some of owner Werner Peschke’s dazzlingly beautiful light fittings.
Sightseeing on Akazienstraße
Akazienstraße is all about the local vibes. The best way to experience the street is to dive into the village feel head-first and explore the area like the locals – who have counted rock’n’roll luminaries such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Nick Cave among their number.
While Akazienstraße’s earthly delights are guaranteed to tempt you with their delicious food and drink and fabulous gifts, we recommend tearing your eyes away from menus and shop windows for a moment now and then and casting them skywards to savour some of the area’s stunning architecture. This includes classic Gründerzeit buildings and some houses now listed as historical monuments.
One eye-catching attraction that’s worth stopping by on your Berlin Christmas shopping trip is the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, a neo-Gothic place of worship built in the 19th century. Visible for miles around, this local landmark serves as an informal gateway to the neighbourhood and looks impressive and imposing on a moody Berlin winter’s day. It also regularly plays host to thrilling live jazz and world music concerts. This atmospheric space is a wonderful spot to spend a moment contemplating the deeper meaning of the festive season while you’re out and about exploring the city.
Food and drink
For a busy day’s Christmas shopping, you’ll need some pep in your step. Luckily there’s no shortage of great cafés nearby. Start your day with a cup of something hot from cute Café BilderBuch, hip DoubleEye or Impala Coffee.
If you find yourself feeling peckish along the way, Akazienstraße is bursting with mouth-watering options for dining out. As befits the vibrant and diverse district it calls home, it offers a magnificent melting pot of cuisines for you to choose from. Think fresh bowls and sandwiches for lunch from hip spots like Schüsseldienst, and fabulous Vietnamese or Indian cuisine from more traditional restaurants like Pho-viet and Moghul for dinner.
All that browsing (and indulging) can be very thirsty work. Round off your day with a drink at the Möve im Felsenkeller, a traditional Berlin bar that feels unmarked by the passage of time.
Three must-sees:
- Joy to the world: the festive season is all about glad tidings – and nobody knows how to live la dolce vita like the Italians. This makes La Vendemmia, an Italian-inspired wine shop and deli on Akazienstraße, a must-visit on your Berlin Christmas shopping trip. Stop by and pick up a bottle for a friend who loves the finer things.
- A Berlin Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without sweet treats – and heavenly chocolate atelier Chocolaterie Estrellas is on hand to provide them. Pop by to marvel at some of their magnificent handmade creations or place an order for custom chocolates your loved ones will cherish.
- Rock up to the Steinreich Galerie for a token of your appreciation that’s set in stone. This magnificent rock shop stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful stones and crystals guaranteed to make an unforgettable Christmas gift.
Getting there
You’ll find Akazienstraße nestled between Grunewaldstraße and Hauptstraße in the Berlin district of Schöneberg. Parking is limited nearby, so public transport is the best option – especially if you’re laden with festive goodies. Ride U-Bahn line U7 to Eisenacher Straße or hop on a bus to the other end of Akazienstraße at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz or Hauptstraße (the 106, 187, 204, M48 and M85 all serve the area).
