Zone: East Berlin

The area around Hackescher Markt – the former Meat Market – was a bustling business quarter in the early years of the 20th century, that was home to businesses of many different types and sizes – from major banks, to saucepan-makers. At that time, Berlin was thought of as the capital of European fashion – and Hackescher Markt was the centre of Berlin's dressmaking workshops and ready-to-wear shops. Today, Hackescher Markt is a major tourist attraction, full of delightful small shops selling all kinds of charming little items – and lots of cafes.