A central point in yuppified Prenzlauer Berg, Helmholtzplatz is surrounded by countless cafes, bars, ice cream parlors and restaurants. While those who lived in the neighborhood before the daddies with permanently-attached Baby Bjorns still hold onto what is left of the once punked-out, drug-strewn platz, they are quickly losing their grip.

Now re-landscaped and cleaned up, Helmholtzplatz is a great park to people watch or just read a book, and if you get hungry, nearby options abound.