You have spent some time in Berlin, have visited all the tourist traps you were interested in, but now you long for something different away from the crowds and tourist guide recommendations. Experience one of the border districts of Berlin where most tourists would usually not make it to: the old centre of the district Köpenick – Alt-Köpenick.
Though Alt-Köpenick is probably not among the main tourist attractions in Berlin, it’s very popular with Berliners from the area and can get busy, especially on sunny days. Alt-Köpenick feels like going back in time. The neighbourhood, located along the rivers Dahme and Müggelspree, has narrow streets with nice restaurants and cafés. There are several possibilities to go on a sightseeing boat cruise or rent small boats to go along the rivers on your own.
For cultural education, you can visit “Schloss Köpenick”. The former castle is a museum now which mostly shows residential interior of the 16th to 18th century. The castle also has a nice park which is free to enter and where you can go for a walk. Close to the castle, in the steps of Rathaus Köpenick, the statue of “the Captain of Köpenick” (Der Hauptmann von Köpenick) immortalizes one of the quirkiest episodes of German history.
For dessert, head to “Altstadtcafé Köpenick” – a traditional confectionery shop with delicious cakes.
