Berlin-Pankow
Charming and green
Pankow has the reputation of being full of aging intellectuals and thirty-somethings with kids, but this isn't entirely true. Many younger people and students are also drawn to the area, not only on account of the slightly cheaper rents in this district in the north of the city. Its direct proximity to the extremely popular neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg also plays a role. But Pankow itself also has a lot to offer, and the nightlife in particular is very enjoyable here. People are attracted to the area's suburban charm while its many parks and stylish villas exude their own allure.
Of course, none of this was lost on the VIPs of the GDR, with several politicians and artists settling around the Majakowskiring, not far from the Schlosspark. Today, this continues to be a top location. The aristocracy of the 17th century also knew that what is today known as Pankow was a wonderful place to call home. Schönhausen Palace was first built in 1664. In the mid-18th century, Frederick the Great gave it to his wife, Elisabeth Christine, as a gift. Today, it is the most important landmark in the area.
Anyone looking for more extensive parks and green areas than those offered locally, and those wishing to really get out into the country of a weekend, will adore Pankow. Despite its otherwise central location, Pankow borders directly on Brandenburg to the north, meaning you can be in the countryside just as quickly as in the city center in Berlin-Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg. Pankow has great means of public transport, with excellent links via the U2 subway line and the urban railway in the east and the west of the neighborhood. The remaining areas are well served by an extensive network of buses and trams. Meanwhile, for motorists, the Berliner Ring provides a fast route out of the city – and back in. After all, as nice as a change of scenery may be, there really is no place like home.