Berlin is a multicultural city with almost nine times the size of Paris (land size wise). It is a spacious city. Over the years Berlin grew and many minorities are part of it now.
You can discover this diversity of Berlin by simply walking through various neighbourhoods. But there are also specific activities that let you dive deeper into the cultural diversity of the city. Come with me and travel the world without leaving Berlin.
History of the minorities in Berlin
Germany has for instance the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey. The reason for that is that there was an agreement between West Germany and Turkey. After the 2nd world war there was a labor shortage in Germany so they recruited so-called Guest workers (Gastarbeiter) from Turkey. The second biggest minority are Arabs.The majority of the Arabs are refugees from Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Libya and Syria.
Additionally you can find Poles, Croats, Serbs, Russians, Vietnamese and Africans in Berlin.
Whole neighbourhoods are dedicated to one or two minorities but you can also find a very diverse city landscape – with a French bakery at one corner and a Vietnamese restaurant on the next street.
Therefore it is easy to explore Berlin’s diversity, whether you just want to observe the unique cultures, taste through the authentic foods or take part in cultural events.
Diversity in the flora – the Garden of the World
The Garden of the World is a great activity for everyone who needs to escape the city. It is a huge garden/park area where you can discover various national gardens. In the colder months some gardens are closed. At the beginning of March the Japanese, Korean and the Oriental-Islamic gardens were still closed. Nevertheless it is still worth it to visit. It is for sure an oasis in the busing city. The most impressive gardens were the Chinese garden and the Balinese garden in the tropical hall. It seems that in the warmer session there are even some animals around, like sheep near the English garden. It is a journey through the world, discovering flora and architecture of various countries.
You can easily spend the whole day in the park. At the main entrance is a restaurant (unfortunately with limited options for people with dietary restrictions). Also around the park are gastronomical offerings, but many of them are closed during the colder months of the year.
At the entrance and visitor center you can get a plan of the park. If you leave the bright green area on the map – into the dark green area – you can go back into the garden. This is not mentioned on the map, but the friendly lady at the visitor center can give you specific information.
How to get there: Tram 8 to Alt-Marzahn and then its 10 minutes walk, or S7 to Mehrower Allee change to the bus X69 and exit at Blumberger Damm/Gärten der Welt
Public transportation zones: A and B
Discover Turkey in Berlin
The Turkish market in Maybachufer is a must! It is pretty big and you can find almost everything there. Even though it is called Turkish market you can still see the diversity of Berlin here. The products you can find here are food to kitchen items, clothing, soaps and jewellery. It is an incredibly cool market. Try the Simit, a round sesame bread or some gözleme, a savoury stuffed flatbread. It is usually filled with vegetables, meat or cheese.
Also if you are on a hunt for exotic herbs it is a good idea to dive into the Turkish market. I found the Sumac powder there, that I got introduced to in Oman. I even had a short chat with the vendor. At another stand a guy asked me if I’m a photographer/videographer since he is looking for some. I told him that I’m a travel blogger, gave him my card and got free self made pasta.
So, my experience at the market was great. People are chatty and you can find tons of exotic things like, passion fruit, handmade soap from Aleppo or upcycled jewellery.
The weekly market takes place every Tuesday and Friday from 11 am to 6:30 pm at the Maybachshore in Neukölln.
How to get there: U8 exit at Schönleinstraße
Public transportation zone: A
Apart from the market you can also try delicious Turkish breakfast. For instance at Güllü Lahmacun & Café at Moabit, it is quite the opposite side of the Turkish market or at Berlin Mitte at Cafe Kiva Han which has a bit higher prices.
Discover the Middle East in the middle of Europe
When I told a friend a few months ago (before the fall of Assad) that I would like to travel to Syria he told me about this street in Berlin. Little Syria in Berlin or the Arabic street. It is like diving into a different world, here the diversity of Berlin really shines through. Observing the transactions, the conversations between the Arab people seem as chaotic as European. But it’s also a culture full of life, full of words you can’t understand, and observing the little things makes you smile.
Here you can find delicious Middle Eastern foods. Starting from M’shebek to Halawet, Manakish, Hummus and Falafel.
My recommendations are a Falafel sandwich and Manakish, a Lebanese bread – you can choose a topic Zaatar (a mix of herbs), cheese or meat.
From the metro station Hermannplatz the street called Sonnenallee is leading south with shops and restaurants at both roadsides.
Insider tip: if you have the chance to visit the arabic street with arabic speaking people take it. Your experience will be different, they can recommend you dishes and desserts.
How to get there: S41, S42, S47 or U8 exit at Hermannstraße or bus M41 exit at U Hermannplatz/Sonnenallee
Public transportation zone: A
Berlin’s largest Asian market
When I was taking the tram back from the Garden of the Worlds I passed through the station where the Asian market was. It is incredibly busy. I had no idea I would be back at this station in a few days. Diving in the Asian market is just how I expected it.
The hustle and bustle of this diverse corner of Berlin is just like you would be in some market hall in Asia.
The name Dong Xuan Center means spring meadow. The market halls are open on Monday, Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. Tuesday is closed.
You can find a variety of products in various huge market halls. Between the shops are Vietnamese restaurants where you can try Vietnamese specialties like Pho, a noodle soup with beef or Bánh xèo, a fried rice pancake.
At the Dong Xuan Center you can find many shops offering clothing, toys or groceries. Here you can find jackfruit or other exotic fruits. Most of the vendors are from Vietnam, India, China, Turkey or Pakistan.
How to get there: tram M8 or tram 21 exit at Herzbergstr./Industriegebiet
Public transportation zones: A and B
Discover more of Berlins cultural diversity
In Addition to Turkish, Arabic and Vietnamese culture you can also find French bakeries, a French theater, a Latin American cultural exchange institution, Spanish tapas bar and much more. The cultural diversity of Berlin is incredibly broad.
At the Maison de France you can find the Cinema Paris where you can enjoy French movies. It is a pleasant walk from Adenauerplatz to the Maison de France, the Kurfürstendamm is a meeting place for high-end consumers. The Ibero-American Institute displays the diverse cultural and scientific environment of Spain, Portugal, the Caribbean, and Latin America. You can find a library there and occasional events. At the Pfefferberg Theater you can find lots of events like talks, dances, shows and much more.
The Berlin exhibition at the Humboldt Forum gives you fascinating background about the diverse Berlin and its connection to the world. There is free wifi at the Forum and you can listen to an audio guide while experiencing the exhibition.
As you can see Berlin is multifaceted, the city is home for 170 nationalities. And it gives the opportunity to travel around the world without leaving the city. I hope you will enjoy this diverse tour through the metropolis.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
