A Photographer’s Lifestyle Guide to Berlin, Germany

If you’re into art, music, and everything a little offbeat, Berlin is your playground. The city is packed with creativity – from massive murals and pop-up galleries to underground exhibitions in abandoned buildings. Every neighborhood has its own flavor, with Kreuzberg and Neukölln leading the charge in artsy cool. And when the sun goes down? Berlin turns into one of the best party cities on the planet. Legendary clubs, secret bars, experimental performances – it’s a nonstop celebration of freedom and expression. In Berlin, art doesn’t just hang on walls – it spills into the streets and onto the dance floor.

The Bode-Museum presents a first-class sculpture collection and the Museum of Byzantine Art. Here you will also find numerous works from the Collection of Old Master Paintings and the Collection of Coins. Photo by johnhalloran

Am Kupfergraben 3, 10178 Berlin, Germany

The Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) marvel at famous works of art and architecture from 19th century Europe with a visit to the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin. Caspar David Friedrich, Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir – these are the famous names you will meet in the Alte Nationalgalerie. Photo by magicbus

Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin, Germany

The Berlinische Galerie houses one of Berlin’s most important modern art collections, sitting by the former Berlin Wall between chic Mitte and cool Kreuzberg. Works encompass all media from photography to painting, installation to architecture, and digital artworks. Photo by non_identity

Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, 10969 Berlin, Germany

The Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum of Contemporary Art is the centre of Berlin’s contemporary art scene. In a building of the former train station, you’ll find one of the world’s best collections of contemporary art. See iconic works by artists such as Andy Warhol or Joseph Beuys. Photo by michaclimb

Invalidenstraße 50, 10557 Berlin, Germany

Sprawling Kreuzberg is home to students, artists and a large Turkish population, with many restaurants around Kottbusser Tor. The quirky Bergmannkiez area is known for thrift shops, laid-back cafes and the landscaped Viktoriapark. The gritty area near Görlitzer Park offers street art, casual bars and food stalls at Markthalle Neun. Shaded pathways along the Landwehr Canal attract walkers, cyclists and loungers. Catch the sunsets and streets with our Redscale film for warm colors. Photo by der_triton

Teufelsberg is one of the largest street art galleries in Europe, where international artists have created impressive works and new art is regularly created. Here you can discover works by well-known street artists such as El Bocho, Nina Valkhoff, Hera and Dan Kitchener. Take photos with a Lomo’Instant Camera and enjoy the colorful moments. Photo by vikkki

With elegant buildings and boutiques, the western district of Charlottenburg is known for its upscale vibe. Shopping boulevard Kurfürstendamm (“Ku’damm”) is lined with hotels and department stores. Charlottenburg Palace and Park offer baroque interiors and landscaped gardens. Try the Splitzer lens attachment to get unique vibes on film. Photo by @bnjmn.

Charlottenburg, Berlin-Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Germany

In Berlin’s east, Friedrichshain has a punky, alternative vibe. Linked to the Kreuzberg district by the castle-like Oberbaum Bridge over the Spree River, it’s home to techno clubs like Berghain. Political murals cover the East Side Gallery, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Indie boutiques and casual eateries near leafy Boxhagener Platz attract an international crowd. A portrait-shoot here with one of our Petzval Art Lenses would match with the artsy area and district perfectly. Photo by @ohzark.

Friedrichshain, 10 Berlin-Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Germany

Known for its international feel, Neukölln’s busy boulevards are lined with hummus joints, Middle Eastern pastry shops, and discount stores. Students and artists live on quaint side streets dotted with vintage shops and hip bars and cafes. The canalside Turkish Market sells produce, spices, and textiles. Farther south, tiny Rixdorf is a quiet, village-like area, and Britzer Garten hosts frequent flower shows. Walk through the district and make memories with our Lomomatic 110 pocket camera which is easily portable and simple to use. Photo by @martaal90.

12 Berlin-Neukölln, Germany

Museums, Art, Photography and Culture in Berlin

We’ve curated a list of our favorite museums, art galleries and cultural landmarks in Berlin to give you an exhaustive guide to the best creative hot-spots to visit on your trip.

Museum für Fotografie
The Museum of Photography in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, Germany, is one of the Berlin State Museums administered by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.

C/O Berlin
C/O Berlin is a private exhibition space for photography and visual media in Berlin. It is located in Amerika Haus Berlin by Zoologischer Garten station, Charlottenburg, where it has more than 2,500 square metres of space.

CAMERA WORK Photogallery
CAMERA WORK Gallery exclusively represents many prominent contemporary artists in Germany, Europe and around the world such as David Yarrow, Jean-Baptiste Huynh, Olaf Heine, Russell James, Robert Polidori, Eugenio Recuenco, Martin Schoeller, Dean West, and Christian Tagliavini. CAMERA WORK regularly participates in the major international photography and art fairs, such as Art Central Hong Kong, Zona Maco in Mexico City, Paris Photo, and Photo London.

Georg Kolbe Museum
The Georg Kolbe Museum exhibits works of classical modernism and contemporary art. As the only artist’s studio in Berlin from the 1920s to be open to the public, the listed ensemble is a living testimony to this era.

Gropius Bau
Contemporary art behind a Renaissance facade: experience temporary exhibitions of international significance at the Gropius Bau. Check out the elaborate mosaics on the floor; they reflect several epochs and branches of the arts and crafts movement.

Museum Europäischer Kulturen (Museum of European Cultures)
In the Museum of European Cultures you can immerse yourself in everyday cultures and lifestyles in Europe from the 18th century to the present day.

KW Institute for Contemporary Art
Housed within a former margarine factory in the Scheunenviertel neighbourhood, the KW Institute for Contemporary Art provides space for both local and international works. Spread across four floors, you will find regularly rotating exhibitions within the converted rooms. As a space for progressive and innovative artistic practice, the gallery champions pieces with political and social themes. Additionally, the KW Institute was responsible for the launch of the Berlin Biennale, one of the capital’s foremost art festivals since 1998.

Street Photography & Lomography Film Community Scene in Berlin

The wealth of knowledge and experience that comes from the Lomography Community is simply unrivaled. In this section we share some of our community’s top-tips about the city of Berlin. This includes their favorite locations for visiting and photographing, and some invaluable tips on shooting in analogue. We will also showcase some of our most inspiring Berlin-based LomoHomes and Partners.

Raw Gelände in Friedrichshain
Street art, markets and a cluster of nightclubs, snack bars and business spaces in repurposed industrial buildings.

Berlin Mitte graffiti: Haus Schwarzenberg street art alley
Right in the heart of Berlin you’ll find a sweet little street art hotspot. Tucked away in a little alley off Rosenthaler Strasse near Alexanderplatz, you’ll find Haus Schwarzenberg. Owned by a non-profit art organisation, this vibrant cultural pocket is one of the best places to see street art in Berlin. Quite surprising actually since it’s located in a more commercial shopping district.

East Side Gallery: Berlin Wall graffiti art
The East Side Gallery memorial in Berlin-Friedrichshain is a permanent open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall in Mühlenstraße between the Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Oberbaumbrücke along the Spree.

Tempelhof
The district of Tempelhof is best known for the decommissioned Tempelhof Airport. The airport is now a huge park with picnic areas, communal gardens and preserved runways attracting runners and cyclists. The quaint Fliegerviertel area has colorful rows of houses amid peaceful squares.

Intimes Kino in Friedrichshain
A compact cinema, founded in 1909, with a program of new releases, art-house and foreign language films.

Teufelsberg
Teufelsberg is one of the largest street art galleries in Europe, where international artists have created impressive works and new art is regularly created. Here you can discover works by well-known street artists such as El Bocho, Nina Valkhoff, Hera and Dan Kitchener.

Cover Photo by amaiahodge

Anything missing?

Got a favorite photo gallery, hidden photo spot or local tip we haven’t covered in this city guide? Help us make this the best analogue travel companion! Send your suggestions to travel@lomography.com and we’ll take a look.

Explore Stunning Photos from This City Amongst 17+ Million of Photos Uploaded

Tips from Lomography Magazine

Around the World in Analogue: Berlin, Germany
2018-10-29 #places #around-the-world

Murals, open spaces, and currywurst — these are what made Masha Vorona's trip to Berlin a truly memorable one.
3 31
Berlin on Lockdown Through the Eyes of Oliver Grimm
written by cielsan on 2020-05-02 #culture #people #places

Lomographer Oliver Grimm a.k.a. oli_grimm_photo gives us a visual tour to a new side of Berlin during the lockdown.
6 26
Berlin Portraits: A Story of Searching and Trying by Sophie Makharadze
written by alinaxeniatroniarsky on 2021-02-24 #people

Sophie moved to Berlin three years ago and in this series she records how she gets to know the city and especially its inhabitants.
2 26
A Scene in the West - Street Photography by James Sarantos
written by permanent_vacation on 2022-07-25 #gear #people

Australian street photographer James Sarantos explores Berlin on LomoChrome Metropolis 2021.
1 15
Introducing @maxverge — Lomography's Honorary LomoHome of March 2025
written by francinegaebriele on 2025-03-02 #culture #people #places

We're digging deeper into the Lomography mines and recognizing community members from all over the world! For the month of March, we're highlighting newcomer Max (@maxverge).
1 10
Lomography Meets Irene Cruz with LomoChrome Films
written by melissaperitore on 2021-12-05 #gear

Multidisciplinary artist Irene Cruz tries two of Lomography’s most loved films, the LomoChrome Metropolis and LomoChrome Purple.
11
Captivating Portraits on Lomography Redscale Film by Verena Frye
written by alexgray on 2022-12-12 #gear #people

Check out these expressive sisterly portraits by german-brazilian photographer Verena Frye, shot on Lomography Redscale XR film.
1 10
Antonio Castello Captures Stars with the Nour Triplet Lens at the Berlinale 2024
written by willi_wah on 2024-07-03 #gear #culture #people

Berlin based photographer Antonio Castello hit the red carpet of the Berlinale this year with the Nour Triplet Art Lens. In addition to the impressive photos he took with our latest lens, he shared some insights about what it's like to work in a crowd of hundreds of photographers.
2 8
Lomography Newcomers: @tinyframetales on Form, Function, and Fun
written by macasaett on 2023-10-15 #people

Thought about trying out the 110 film format anytime soon? Read our third edition of Lomography Newcomers and allow @tinyframetales to convince you to give it a shot as you fall in love with its tiny charm.
7
Lomography Newcomer Walras Takes Us on a Berlin Journey
written by kathi-la on 2021-09-26

Denmark-based Lomographer walras, a.k.a. Rasmussen de Boer is a fresh face in our Community. We get to know more about him and his work in this interview on his Berlin trip.
5

Past Photography Events & Exhibitions

Show & Tell: Photo Books
2022-08-05 · Berlin, Germany

analogueNOW! and Neue Schule Für Fotografie present their second event cooperation. Cold drinks, analogue amateurs and art book publishers will make up this creative soup of an evening. Two photographers and three publishers will present their analogue works and publications.
More Info
“Plastic International” – An Exhibition by Frank Machalowski

A Lomography Hang Out
2013-05-03 – 2013-05-31 · Berlin, Germany

Marvel at the great Holga and Belair X 6–12 shots by our current LomoAmigo Frank Machalowski in the Lomography Gallery Store Berlin and attend the official vernissage of his exhibition “Plastic International”.
Lomo Remmidemi in Berlin

A Lomography Hang Out
2010-10-02 · Berlin, Germany

Fame and honour are within reach! Take part in our October workshops and your best photos and LomoLocations will be featured in our upcoming Lomography City Guide Berlin! Every Saturday we’ll meet to learn more about cameras, film and analogue photography, while every Thursday is reserved for our City Guide Berlin Jour Fixe – a lively slideshow evening with goodies and free vodka!
Grand Opening Lomography Gallery Store Berlin

A Lomography Hang Out
2009-12-10 · Berlin, Germany

This Thursday, the Lomographic Society International opens the doors to the first Lomography Gallery Store in Germany! On almost 200 square metres, lomographic dreams come true: truly all lomographic products in one place, shelf-sized workshops on the most beautiful topics of lomography, the largest LomoWall in Germany with over 12,000 lomographs, meeting point for lomographers from Berlin and all over the world, parties, music, events, journeys… The official opening ceremony will take place with fine live music, fine drinks and fine curry sausage. However, if you can drop by earlier, you can take part in an exclusive preview with a sparkling glass of champagne and a bite of caviar…
Berlin Tokyo: Douple Exposed

A Lomography Hang Out
2004-04-23 · Berlin, Germany

Lomography Japan and the Lomographic Embassy Berlin are jointly organising a double-exposure photography project from two major photographic capitals. Some films taken in Tokyo were sent directly to the Berlin lomographers, who then double-exposed them onto the same films to capture the city of Berlin. The exhibition is a fusion of intuition, coincidence and artist exchange, and will be held in Tokyo and Berlin, each with a unique local feel.
40°C in Holgagrad

A Lomography Hang Out
2003-08-09 – 2003-09-13 · Berlin, Germany

Photographer Lothar Martin Schmidt is inviting you to his vernissage and his fortieth birthday party this Friday in the LomoRaum in Berlin. Fine drinks, fine music and fine photography available on display. Bring your invite and join us for a night dedicated to Holga and the world seen through a plastic lens.

Lomographers From This City

bnjmn
16,982 Photos · joined 2012-09-29
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/350952-afternoons-with-the-lomoapparat-photo-gallery-bnjmn https://www.lomography.com/magazine/276489-awesome-albums-pentax-auto-110-x-peacock-x-beach-by-bnjmn …
fruchtzwerg_hh
7,189 Photos · joined 2009-06-16
“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson So welcome, have a seat and enjoy my worst photographs... ;) My heart beats analogue, but I also shoot digital: https …
bloomchen
6,453 Photos · joined 2011-09-09
✖•✖✖… you can still do a lot with a small brain! …✖✖•✖ passionate (beach) ultimate frisbee player and medium format lover!
guja
4,634 Photos · joined 2016-08-28
In loving memory: https://www.lomography.com/magazine/352784-in-loving-memory-of-klaus-wendland-klawe https://www.lomography.com/magazine/352815-in-liebevoller-erinnerung-an-klaus-wendland-a-k-a-k …
_baunovart_
10,451 Photos · joined 2015-10-19
As a self-styled Visual Arthropologist I'm on the subjective path of documenting my life, travels and environment in a creative approach through analogue photography. After several studies and li …
roxyvonschlotterstein
9,820 Photos · joined 2012-09-10
masha_njam
13,167 Photos · joined 2008-08-11
FuNk me, baby! http://www.lomography.com/magazine/lifestyle/2013/03/24/230343 and http://www.lomography.ru/magazine/lifestyle/2011/12/22/5-masha_njam https://www.lomog …
ck_berlin
6,829 Photos · joined 2010-04-16
Founding member of the Berlin Lomo Group (BLG). _______ Don't think! _______ Lomoguru > http://goo.gl/N6RZz Lomoamigo >http://goo.gl/QU6Yc http://blog.kretke.net http://tumblr.kretke.net htt …
avola
5,509 Photos · joined 2012-05-18