Why this walk?
David Bowie’s Berlin years (1976–78) are legendary – and our hotel LINDEMANN’S is right in the middle of the Schöneberg cosmos, where Bowie lived, wrote, recorded and could simply “disappear” to start anew. From here you are in a few minutes at the original spots: residential building with memorial plaque, regular café and – with a detour towards Potsdamer Platz – the Hansa Studios, where Low and Heroes were created.
Stop 1 – Bowie’s apartment: Hauptstraße 155
At Hauptstraße 155, an official memorial plaque commemorates the years Bowie lived here with Iggy Pop. Of course, you can’t get in – it’s an occupied house – but there’s room outside for a photo and a quiet moment. Quote included: “We can be heroes…”.
Address: Hauptstraße 155, 10827 Berlin. From LINDEMANN’S in Potsdamer Straße 171–173 it is only a few Schöneberg blocks – perfect on foot (7 minutes) or with a short bus ride.
Stop 2 – “Neues Ufer”: Bowie’s favorite café
Just a few steps from Bowie’s old apartment is the Café Neues Ufer (Hauptstraße 157) – opened in 1977 as “Anderes Ufer” and one of the first openly gay and lesbian cafés with large shop windows to the street: visibility instead of back rooms. Bowie was a regular here; to this day, the interior is reminiscent of this time – with Bowie photos and small memorabilia that the café crew lovingly maintains. For fans, the stop is a must: espresso at the bar, a look over the historical pictures, a moment of neighborhood history – and on to the plaque at 155 or towards Hansa Studios.
Address: Hauptstraße 157, 10827 Berlin.
Stop 3 – Hansa Studios: “by the Wall”
A few steps further towards Potsdamer Platz, the next place of pilgrimage awaits: the Hansa Studios in Köthener Straße – Bowie’s “Big Hall by the Wall”. Here, with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti, he sharpened the Berlin sound; “Low” and “Heroes” are inextricably linked to the Meistersaal and the proximity to the Wall. In the 80s, Depeche Mode also shaped their industrial pop here (including Construction Time Again), later U2 worked on Achtung Baby. Important: Hansa is a working studio; spontaneous visits are not possible. However, there are guided Hansa studio tours via an external provider – it is best to check and reserve dates and places early.
Address: Köthener Straße 38
Mini route (approx. 60–90 minutes without tour)
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Start: LINDEMANN’S, Potsdamer Straße 171–173.
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Hauptstraße 155 – Photo at the plaque, pause briefly.
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Neues Ufer – Coffee/snack stop.
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Hansa Studios – Exterior view/photo, optional tour book separately.
If you like, you can add a stroll along Potsdamer Platz at the end – thematically consistent, because Bowie’s “Heroes” also lives from pictures “on the Wall”.
For your Bowie feeling on site
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Best time: It is emptiest at the plaque in the morning/on weekdays.
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Respect: Residential building = privacy, please be quiet and considerate.
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Hansa Tour: Secure places early; walk-ins are rare.
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Small Soundtrack: Low, “Heroes”, later Where Are We Now? – headphones on, city on.
Why LINDEMANN’S is the perfect base camp
Schöneberg flair in front of the door, Potsdamer Straße as a cultural/gallery strand next door – and the Bowie spots within walking radius: The LINDEMANN’S is your practical “Home Button” for a weekend between music history, neighborhood and city. Address to remember: Potsdamer Straße 171–173, 10783 Berlin. Book directly, check in, get started.
FAQ in brief
Can I enter the apartment? No, it is a private address – the memorial plaque outside is the destination.
Do the Hansa Studios offer public tours? Not regularly; information/dates are run by the tour partner.
Are there other Bowie locations? Yes – spread throughout the city, but the Schöneberg axis + Hansa Studios is the most compact, authentic tour for the first visit.