Photo Shobhit Sharma / Unsplash
Living in Scheunenviertel, Berlin
Historic sub-area of Mitte, part of the historic Jewish quarter. Artists, galleries, signature restaurants. Full of Höfe and bohemian-chic atmosphere.
Scheunenviertel ("barn quarter") is a sub-area of Mitte adjacent to Spandauer Vorstadt. The historic name comes from the barns and warehouses that stood here outside the medieval walls. From the 19th century it became the heart of the poor Jewish community, then in the 1990s an artistic-alternative hub, and today a chic zone with galleries, boutiques, and signature restaurants.
Who lives here
Creative expats on good salaries, gallerists, designers, a few historic Jewish residents. Few working-class. Lots of tourism.
What it's like during the day
Narrow streets, historic buildings. Sophienstraße, Tucholskystraße, Auguststraße concentrate the galleries. Numerous Höfe (interior courtyards) with boutiques, restaurants, design shops.
What it's like in the evening
Cocktail bars, restaurants open late, a few small clubs. Elegant evenings, not rowdy.
Getting around
S-Bahn Hackescher Markt or Oranienburger Straße. U-Bahn Weinmeisterstraße (U8), Oranienburger Tor (U6). Everything on foot.
When NOT to pick it
Among the highest prices in Berlin. Tight-knit Kiez life is hard (very high international turnover).
Scheunenviertel is the right pick for those who want to live in the artsy heart of Mitte and have a high budget.