Friedrichshain Walk: East Side Gallery & RAW Area Tour

Berlin's squatter history and street art live on the same two-hour walk.

A guided two-hour walk through Friedrichshain, Berlin's creative neighborhood, with a local guide who knows the district's history. You'll see the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery, visit the RAW Area cultural space, cross the Oberbaumbrücke brick bridge, and stop at Boxhagener Platz, the green heart of the district. Freshly brewed specialty coffee is included. The tour runs in English, Italian or German, and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Friedrichshain and East Side Gallery

• Walk along East Side Gallery murals
• Visit Boxhagener Platz green heart
• Enjoy view from Oberbaumbrücke

The Experience

Start at the East Side Gallery, where the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall stretches for over a kilometer. Your guide walks you past the murals—including the famous "Socialist Fraternal Kiss"—and explains what each piece means and who painted it. The wall here is not behind glass or roped off; you stand in front of the actual concrete, reading the spray-painted history of a divided city and the artists who claimed it after 1989.

From there, the walk moves into the neighborhood itself. You'll cross the Oberbaumbrücke, the red-brick double-tower bridge that connects Friedrichshain to the opposite bank, then head to Boxhagener Platz, where locals gather around the historic Kaffee Achteck café. The RAW Area—a former railway repair yard turned cultural hub—shows you how squatters and artists transformed industrial ruins into galleries, clubs and performance spaces. Your guide shares stories about the neighborhood's evolution from Cold War division to one of Berlin's most vibrant creative districts.

The walk takes two hours and covers the main landmarks on foot. Specialty coffee is included, so you're not stopping to buy it separately. All surfaces are accessible, and the pace suits any fitness level.

What’s included

• Professional local guide with stories and insider knowledge of the neighborhood.
• guided walk through the RAW Area cultural space, Boxhagener Platz, and East Side Gallery.
• freshly brewed specialty coffee.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by @berlintravelexperience

Is this one for you?Book this walk if you're new to Berlin or have a free afternoon and want to understand Friedrichshain's real history—not just the famous landmarks, but how artists and squatters shaped the neighborhood after the Wall came down. A local guide makes the difference between walking past the murals and understanding why they matter.

Traveler reviews

4.86★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the East Side Gallery and why is it on this walk?

The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, now covered in murals by artists from around the world. It's the centerpiece of this walk because the wall itself is the physical dividing line that shaped Friedrichshain's history, and the art painted on it tells the story of what happened after the city reunified.

How long does this walk take and what's the pace like?

The walk is two hours, covering the East Side Gallery, Boxhagener Platz, the RAW Area, and the Oberbaumbrücke on foot. It's designed for all fitness levels, so the pace is steady but not strenuous.

What does the RAW Area actually have inside it?

The RAW Area is a former railway repair yard that squatters and artists occupied and transformed into a cultural space. It now hosts galleries, clubs, performance venues and creative studios—your guide will show you what's there and explain how it became one of Berlin's most important alternative cultural hubs.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this walk are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them. Service animals are welcome.

What language is the guide in?

The guide speaks English, Italian, or German—you choose when you book.

Is there a minimum age for this walk?

Yes, the minimum age is 16.