Shopping around Münzstraße

Here in the eastern Spandauer Vorstadt district, the capital shows itself from its most picturesque side. Several corners bear witness to old Berlin – complemented by renovations and refined by lively neighbourhood life. Right in the middle of it all, you can start your shopping spree on Alte Schönhauser Straße, where Torstraße separates the Mitte district from Prenzlauer Berg.

Shopping in Mitte

After a short walk, the first stop is on the right-hand side. At P & T, just behind Schendelgasse, everything revolves around tea and matching accessories. Here you can shop for unusual teas, trendy jute bags, pots and mugs made from natural materials. The gift sets look great under the Christmas tree.

Books make great gifts – and their traditional charm is especially fitting for Christmas. Take your time browsing at Hundt Hammer Stein, where you'll find highly acclaimed and award-winning stories as well as indie books. Speaking of gift ideas, South Embassy brings us Latin American culture in a fashionable, culinary and stylish way. The select fashion is complemented by wines, delicacies, homewares and handicrafts.

Fashion, fashion and more in Münzstraße

Coats, knitwear, original tops and dresses as far as the eye can see. This is also the case at Monki in Münzstraße, which is only 200 metres long and leads from Weinmeisterstraße to Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße. The women's boutique will be happy to help you find your new favourite pieces. Two doors down , Scotch & Soda welcomes you – not with drinks, but with fashion that exudes the free spirit of Amsterdam.

You'll find fashion from Copenhagen at Mads Nørgaard, French flair at Saint James, tailor-made suits at Suitsupply Berlin, casual clothes at Subdued and sportswear at the flagship store.

Continue on to the popular Vintage Revivals for second-hand clothing. Then turn left into Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße and let Trüffelschwein convince you of its wonderfully alternative men's fashion – here you will find pieces by carefully selected designers on the hangers.

At Luiban Papeterie near Hirtenstraße, you'll find everything you need to put together particularly beautiful Christmas gifts. The cleanly or creatively designed notebooks, leather pencil cases and precious purses are practical gifts for everyday use.

Walk through the Scheunenviertel

Sights such as the TV tower are ideal for people visiting Berlin for the first time. But there are other destinations in the area that are also worth visiting, such as the Volksbühne theatre, built in 1890 on what was once Bülowplatz and is now Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. After being severely damaged in the war, the Volksbühne was reopened in 1954.

From classicist architecture to the Wilhelminian era: stroll through the Scheunenviertel and discover nostalgic Berlin. Our tip: head for the Old Berlin Garrison Cemetery . On your way there, you will see the different eras come together in a particularly impressive way. In the promenades, alleys, squares and backyards, you will discover an exciting juxtaposition of old, new and everything in between.

Berlin-Mitte and its restaurants

Time for a break – time for bread. The shop is located at Alte Schönhauser Straße 4, opposite Schendelpark. Here you will find baked goods made from organic ingredients, such as fresh bread and croissants. The cinnamon rolls are said to be particularly delicious.

Alte Schönhauser Straße offers many restaurants. If you like it warm and hearty, the Korean cuisine at YamYam Berlin is a good choice. Richly filled Vietnamese baguettes are available at Banh Mi Stable.

Something to suit every taste

You will also find a variety of restaurants on Münzstraße. One of them is called Father Carpenter, where you can enjoy a coffee or a light meal in the chic courtyard – from vegan banana bread to poached organic eggs to French toast with salted caramel sauce.

At Com Viet , you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Marcus Bräu in Berlin is particularly hearty and cosy, satisfying your hunger with German cuisine in a rustic pub atmosphere. The home-brewed beer is also delicious.

Christmas market at Alexanderplatz and old town charm

Go back to Münzstraße and keep left. Alexanderplatz is impossible to miss. So is the colourful, pleasantly bustling and sugar-sweet Christmas market, because it is located in the middle of the large square. Every year, the magnificently illuminated pyramid from the Ore Mountains is also on display here.

The Christmas market at Alex is both typical and different. If you're in a festive mood, visit St. Nicholas' party house, for example. Children enthusiastically spin around on a flashing carousel and the sporty try their hand at curling. Either way, the Advent season is lived to the fullest at Alex.

Three must-sees:

• Discover the Hackesche Höfe and experience a breathtaking show at the Chamäleon.
• Enjoy a movie night with retro flair at the Babylon cinema. The listed building on Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße was built in the 1920s and is a feast for the eyes in itself – not to mention the fantastic films shown here for a discerning audience. After a day of shopping, relax with a night at the cinema in a wonderful retro atmosphere.
• ... or a night at the theatre at the Volksbühne on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. This iconic Berlin arts venue was designed at the beginning of the 20th century and is a true institution in the city. After a day of Christmas shopping, treat yourself to an invigorating and uncompromising performance in breathtaking surroundings.

How to get there: Alte Schönhauser Straße and Münzstraße

If you start your shopping trip north of Alte Schönhauser Straße, it is best to go to Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. The U2 underground line, the M8 tram and the 142 bus are suitable. From there, turn into Linienstraße, which will quickly take you to Alte Schönhauser Straße. You can also take the U8 to Weinmeisterstraße or use one of the many options to get to Alexanderplatz.