Today, it seems impossible that the centrally located Bergmannkiez in the Kreuzberg district was still outside Berlin’s city walls just over 100 years ago. The area was largely used for agricultural purposes until 1860 and was converted into a residential quarter after its planned development. Most of the houses date from the last years of the 19th century. The facades are adorned with pretty balconies and elaborate stucco decorations and exude a typical Berlin charm. As a large proportion of the residential buildings were not destroyed in the Second World War, residents and visitors can enjoy the beautiful facades today. If you ignore the cars that crowd together, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the last century.
Find out more about the situation on the real estate market in Bergmannkiez in Berlin, how the real estate market in Bergmannkiez has developed in recent years, what the average rental prices are, how much a square meter costs for condominiums or houses and other interesting information in our additional article.
The infrastructure in the Bergmannkiez
If you are interested in buying a property in Bergmannkiez, renting an apartment or selling your condominium, you will want to get a feel for what it is like to live in this neighborhood in Berlin in addition to objective information on purchase or rental prices. How good are the public transport connections, which parties are chosen by the residents, are there sufficient educational facilities and how good is the medical care? These are all questions that inevitably arise and are answered in detail in this article. After all, the Bergmannkiez is not just a number that determines the potential of real estate, it is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the German capital.
Transport links
In the center of Berlin, people like to use public transport to get around. Finding a suitable parking space is difficult and you can reach your destination much faster by bus or subway. Bergmannkiez is one of Kreuzberg’s central residential areas and has a total of four subway stations. The stations Gneisenaustraße, Mehringdamm, Platz der Luftbrücke and Südstern are served by the subway lines U6 and U7.
Bus routes 140, 248, M19 and M41 pass through the Bergmannkiez and connect it with the surrounding districts of the capital.
The roads Mehringdamm and Gneisenaustraße are important for private vehicles. They connect the neighborhood with the surrounding residential areas and the outskirts of Berlin. Within the Bergmannkiez, Willibald-Alexis-Straße and Arndtstraße, which surround Chamissoplatz, are of great importance. If you are traveling by bike, you can access several bicycle lanes. Running parallel to Bergmannstraße is the cycle lane set up especially for cyclists. It is separated from the road by pretty flower tubs and has a speed limit of 10 km/h, which many cyclists complain about. As this is a central neighborhood where there are many pedestrians as well as cars and cyclists, the speed limit is a sensible safety measure.
The traffic situation in Bergmannkiez
Bergmannstraße in particular has been known for years for its traffic chaos. In 2012, politicians decided to convert the area into a pedestrian zone. The concept originally comes from Switzerland, but is currently being implemented in various European cities. The focus is on making certain areas of large cities more pedestrian-friendly. The aim is to make an active contribution to environmental protection and avoid roads with too much traffic. This should boost tourism and also make the residential area a quiet, safe place for residents.
The project entered the test phase in 2018 and 2019. Initially, temporary, removable elements were installed, which could also be changed again after the test phase. The aim was to observe how the traffic flow developed under the measures. From a political point of view, this project has so far been a disappointment. There have been numerous criticisms and protests from motorists, so that the temporary elements of the test phase had to be modified again. The meeting zone in Bergmannstrasse is a never-ending topic that still causes a lot of excitement today.
In 2022, it was decided to redesign the area around Chamissoplatz. As a result, Fidicinstrasse was converted into a one-way street to avoid heavy traffic. Chamissoplatz was closed off to prevent through traffic in this area. As a result of these measures, new parking spaces for bicycles and cargo bikes can be created. This triples the number of parking spaces.
In the Bergmannkiez, a conscious effort is being made to calm traffic, which will make the residential area even more attractive for residents. It may not be possible to make the Bergmannkiez completely car-free, but the conversion of Bergmannstrasse in Berlin has already made a clear difference.
The parking situation in the Bergmannkiez
Drivers know that it is always difficult to find a parking space in the center of Berlin. The entire Bergmannkiez is subject to parking space management and is located in parking zone 61 in Berlin. Parking costs visitors in this location two euros per hour from Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 10 pm. Residents can obtain a permit from the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, which allows them to park free of charge. Proof must be provided that you actually live in the Bergmannkiez. It is then possible to park for free in the Bergmannkiez in Berlin in future.
Demographic situation
The Bergmannkiez is also often referred to as the Chamissokiez. The planning area is part of the Tempelhofer Vorstadt district and consists largely of perimeter block buildings that can be classified as Wilhelminian style. One fifth of the total area of the Bergmannkiez is taken up by the cemeteries on Bergmannstraße.
The average age in the Bergmannkiez is 40. Almost 42 percent of residents have a migration background, of which around 35 have a cultural background from the European Union. The proportion of people under the age of 18 is just 14 percent. 11 percent of people are 65 years old or older. The residents of Bergmannkiez are young and are looking for a standard of housing that is in the upper middle range. 27 percent of the apartments are in the basic residential area. 73 percent belong to the medium residential area. A reduction in residential mobility has been observed in recent years. Owners and tenants usually live in the same apartment for several years. The residential areas Bergmannstraße Nord and Chamissoplatz are part of the milieu protection areas that run through Berlin.
Party shares
The Bergmannkiez is part of constituency 83 “Berlin-Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg-Prenzlauer Berg Ost”. The results of the 2021 Bundestag election can therefore be used as representative for the Bergmannkiez. 37.9 percent of the first votes went to the Greens. The Left Party came second with 17.7%, closely followed by the SPD with 17.4%. The CDU came fourth with 7.6%. It was followed by the FDP with 5.4 percent and the AfD with 3.9 percent.
The parties achieved the following results in the elections to the district council in 2021: The Greens determined first place with 34.6%. In second place is the Left Party with 21.6% of the vote. In third place is the SPD with 14.8% and in fourth place is the CDU with 7.8%. In fifth and sixth place, far behind, are the FDP with 4.7% and the AfD with 3.1% of the vote.
Schools and daycare centers
The youngest family members go to one of the daycare centers or kindergartens in Bergmannkiez. These include the Tausendfühler daycare center in the Bergmannkiez in Berlin, the Veda Lila kindergarten and the Fino and Fleur kindergarten. As soon as the children reach primary school age, they are enrolled in one of the elementary school in the Bergmannkiez. The Reinhardswald elementary school on Gneisenaustraße is one of the best known. After school, children and young people can spend their free time in one of the youth leisure facilities. While there are enough school places in primary and secondary schools in Bergmannkiez, there are not enough green spaces and playgrounds. The neighborhood is located in the center of the metropolis and has hardly any open spaces for play. Parents have to take their children to other areas of Berlin if they want to spend their free time at a swimming lake or in a spacious park.
Doctors and medical care
The Bergmannkiez is not particularly large, but nevertheless has a whole range of medical practices. In addition to a gynecologist, a dermatologist, an orthopedist and a dentist, you can also start physiotherapy in the Bergmannkiez in Berlin. There is also the Bergmannstraße health center, which brings together more than 20 medical practices under one roof. Doctors from a wide range of specialties are represented here.
Shopping facilities
If you are looking for a residential area where you have all the shopping facilities in the immediate vicinity, the Bergmannkiez is definitely the right place for you. There is everything your heart desires. Small stores with food from the region, clothes stores and supermarkets. You can also reach the shops within a few minutes by bike or on foot. But that’s not all, because shopping is also great fun in the Bergmannkiez in Berlin. Bergmannstraße in Berlin is home to small stores selling clothes, second-hand items and other things. The record store, for example, is also well-known among the residents of Bergmannkiez.
Art, culture and going out
In addition to residents and tourists, Bergmannkiez also attracts visitors from the surrounding districts of Pankow, Mitte and Friedrichshain. On Saturdays, you can stroll through the organic market on Chamissoplatz, where you can buy fruit and vegetables from the region. The large market hall is a meeting place for all those who are concerned about their diet. But of course there is more than just food. Kreuzberg is known for its lively character and the Bergmannkiez forms the center of the district. In summer, the Carnival of Cultures takes place and a huge festival is held in Bergmannstraße in Berlin. Life never seems to stand still in the Bergmannkiez, even when it officially goes quiet at 10 pm.
In other parts of Berlin, residents seem to be bothered by the large crowds that take over the residential areas at all times of the day and night. But things are different in the Bergmannkiez. One of the reasons for this is that people in this particular neighborhood know how to deal with the crowds. In the evening, after dining in one of the many restaurants, you can go to one of the original Berlin pubs to have a nightcap and dance to cool live music.
Bars, cafés and restaurants
If you are looking for culinary diversity, you won’t miss out in the Bergmannkiez. Asian cuisine is particularly widespread and has many fans in this neighborhood in the heart of Berlin. Bergmannstraße is home to several Asian restaurants, such as the Korean restaurant BABIKYU, the Indonesian restaurant Umami X-Berg and the Vietnamese restaurant Good Morning Vietnam Vegan.
The Castel Montecroce restaurant, which serves Italian specialties, is located on Friesenstraße, while the Peter Schlemihl on Willibald-Alexis-Straße serves German delicacies.
Residents and visitors to Bergmannkiez are known for their love of chic cafés. Café Conni Island is a great place to meet up with friends for a slice of cake, while Chapter One Coffee on Mittenwalder Straße is also highly recommended. For true coffee lovers, Barcomi’s Café & Kaffeerösterei is the place to go.
In the evening, people in the Bergmannkiez are drawn to places such as the Heidelberger Krug in Arndtstraße, the Destille Kreuzberg, the Clash or the ERNST Bar. Here you can sit together over a beer until late in the evening, exchange ideas and meet new people. There is probably no other neighborhood in Berlin with such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Our tips for things to do and activities in Bergmannkiez
In the Bergmannkiez, you get a feel for what Berlin is all about. The apartments are located in spacious buildings from the Wilhelminian era and the façades are almost reminiscent of Paris. Adorned with beautiful stucco decorations and balconies, they line the streets where thousands of people stroll every day. Many of them are on their way to work, but tourists and residents of other Berlin neighborhoods are also drawn to the Bergmannkiez. Those in search of peace and quiet and extensive green spaces flee to the surrounding districts. In 15 minutes on foot or two minutes by car, for example, you can be at Tempelhofer Feld and enjoy the fresh air. The Bergmannkiez is very easy to reach by both public and private transport.
We’ll tell you what you absolutely must do in your free time in the Bergmannkiez to get to know the neighborhood better:
1st tip: Shopping in the Marheineke market hall
The Marheineke Markthalle is much more than just a market. This is where people meet to sample specialties from all over the world with friends. There is bread, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruit from the region. Some of the goods come from organic production. There are also numerous delicacies from Greece, Italy and Spain. In addition to specialties from all over the world, the delicatessens also offer traditional Berlin cuisine. If you want to find out how to eat in Berlin, you have found the perfect place. The Marheineke Markthalle in Berlin’s Bergmannkiez district is also home to other stores, including a tailor’s, a locksmith, a dry cleaner, a cobbler and a lottery store.
And if you just want to browse and stroll around, you can visit one of the changing art exhibitions in the market hall.
2nd tip: The organic market on Chamissoplatz
People who live in the big city want to feel close to nature and the environment in a different way. When the market stalls on Chamissoplatz open their doors on Saturday, residents and visitors flock to them in large numbers. Most of the goods sold at this special market come from direct suppliers. Here you can develop a whole new relationship with the food you eat every day. If you want to eat consciously, there is no way around the organic market on Chamissoplatz in Berlin.
3rd tip: Stroll through the flea market on Marheinekeplatz
In Bergmannkiez, you are right in the heart of the metropolis. You can stroll through the streets, buy authentic products in small stores and breathe in the city air. Even though the Bergmannkiez is full of life, you will always find small cafés and pretty corners where you can catch your breath before continuing on your way. You can find all kinds of rarities at the flea market in Bergmannkiez in Berlin. There is so much on offer that you can take a leisurely stroll through the rows of stalls while looking at the little treasures and negotiating prices.
4th tip: Take a walk in the adjacent Viktoriapark
Berlin is characterized by centuries of history. While in the Bergmannkiez district you can marvel at the facades of houses from the Wilhelminian era, the adjacent Viktoriapark is home to Schinkel’s National Monument, which reminds tourists and residents of the victory against Napoleon.
For over 100 years, Viktoriapark was the only green space in Kreuzberg’s never-ending sea of houses. Fortunately, things are different today, as there are other parks and green spaces. Nevertheless, the park is still one of the district’s most popular attractions. In addition to the rocky mountain backdrop, it is above all the wild little waterfall that enchants visitors. You can take a deep breath and get a feeling of freedom – in the middle of the metropolis. Afterwards, you can continue exploring the Bergmannkiez. How about a strong coffee and a delicious piece of cake in one of the many cafés?
5th tip: Relax in the nearby Park am Gleisdreieck
The Park am Gleisdreieck is located very close to Potsdamer Platz and invites visitors and residents to take a break in the wild greenery. For decades, the former railroad site was a derelict area in the middle of Berlin. But a lot has changed here in recent years. Garbage and unkempt grasses have given way to spacious lawns and footpaths. The area is a public park in the true sense of the word. The residents of the area had the opportunity to participate in the design of their local recreation area. The result is an area of more than 26 hectares where families meet for picnics on warm summer weekends, while others use the network of paths for jogging.
Conclusion on real estate in the Bergmannkiez in Kreuzberg
The Bergmannkiez in Berlin is a place that seems to be overflowing with life. The residents are happy about the hustle and bustle and warmly welcome visitors from other districts as well as tourists. Not a day goes by without new adventures and extended shopping trips in the small stores that line Bergmannstraße in particular.
The average age of the residents is 40, and many young families with children have moved in recently. The infrastructure is perfect for this, as there are numerous leisure facilities for children and young people in addition to kindergartens and schools. If you are looking for a place to live where life never seems to stand still, then real estate in Bergmannkiez in Berlin is the right place for you.
