Travel Guide Berlin Germany's colorful capital
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Travel Guide
Berlin
Germany’s colorful capital
02 Quick view 06 Top 10 sights 13 GEO Tip
02 Germany 08 Shopping in Berlin 14 Best of …
04 Travel etiquette 09 Restaurants 17 24 hours in ...
04 Health 10 Nightlife
05 Phone calls & Internet 11 Calendar of events
05 Getting around Berlin 12 Hotels
© Fotolia
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Quick view
Berlin: Germany's colorful capital
The German capital and seat of Germany’s parliament and government is home to
some 3.7 million people, of whom roughly one in four has foreign roots. Germany is
arguably nowhere more cosmopolitan, multicultural or progressive than in the once
divided city. Today, Berlin is where the creative and the enterprising, the culture
vultures and the night owls come together. The city holds a wealth of options for
them all, including world-class theaters (musical and spoken) and museums.
But smaller stages and a vibrant gallery scene are also very much a part of Berlin,
as is its alternative art scene. But there’s even more to the capital, which has much
to offer on the culinary front with its famous Michelin-star cooks, smart hipster cafés
and modern microbreweries. At the same time, Berlin’s hip neighborhoods change
constantly, so that while Berlin-Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg were the places to be in
the early 1990s after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Kreuzberg and Neukölln are now
buzzing with a colorful crowd.
Germany
General Information
Country overview
Once mockingly referred to as the “land of schnitzels and leather pants,” Germany
has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors
are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the
Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment
attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also
know how to celebrate and enjoy life.
Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two
million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich’s
Oktoberfest is famous the world over.
Germany also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden
Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the
country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands
and Alpine regions.
Geography
Germany borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a
coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches
from the Danish to the Polish border.
The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly
varied landscape. In what was once known as West Germany, the Rhine, Bavaria
and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the
country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands.
River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe’s
most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the
Danube and the Rhine.
The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain
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in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 82,79 million (2017)
Capital: Berlin.
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from
standard German.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Note:
* In catholic regions only
** Sachsen only
*** Not in all Laender (Bundesländer)
**** Berlin only, 2020 only
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Epiphany: 6 January 2020*
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Liberation Day: 8 May 2020****
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 May 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Corpus Christi: 21 June 2020*
Assumption: 15 August 2020*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2020
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2020***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2020**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020
2021
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021
Epiphany: 6 January 2021*
Good Friday: 2 April 2021
Easter Sunday: 4 April 2021
Easter Monday: 5 April 2021
Labour Day: 1 May 2021
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Ascension Day: 13 May 2021
Whit Sunday: 23 June 2021
Whit Monday: 24 May 2021
Corpus Christi: 3 June 2021*
Assumption: 15 August 2021*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2021
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2021***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2021*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2021**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address
people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be
observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at
the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to
you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present
the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give
an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s
gift).
In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a
greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is
that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also
cause offence.
Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak
to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable,
but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos
and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public
transportation and in most public buildings.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health
(although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe
to drink.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany;
vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those
at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally
has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous
amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight.
Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
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If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry
– plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can
be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are
being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the
trip.
As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly
severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you’re arriving during
the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time
of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable – even in July and August it
makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand.
Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter
are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk,
unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich’s
Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7%
and should therefore be treated with respect.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Wirth, Matthias
Arbeitsmedizinisches Zentrum
Flughafen Schönefeld
D-12521 Berlin
Germany
Tel. +49-3088754280
Tel. +49-3060913830
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code:+49
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app
or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Berlin
Getting around
Public transportation
Berlin has an extensive S- and U-Bahn (subway) train network, as well as
streetcars and buses. For information about lines, timetables and fares, go to the
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website of Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (bvg.de). Additional information about special
offers for travelers is available from the capital city portal (berlin.de).
Taxis
There are roughly 8000 taxis on Berlin’s streets. They are all equipped with
taximeters, since individual price arrangements are not permitted. If you need a
cab, flag one down in the street or book one over the phone. The main cab
companies include Taxi Funk Berlin (tel.: +49-30/44 33 22) and Funk Taxi Berlin
(tel.: +49-30/26 10 26).
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Berlin
Reichstag
This neo-Renaissance building was inaugurated in 1894 and remained the seat of
Germany’s parliament until it was severely damaged by fire in 1933. In 1945, the
battles to capture the capital left the Reichstag in ruins. Since 1999, the restored
building, now featuring a spectacular glass dome designed by star architect Sir
Norman Foster, has again become the seat of the German parliament.
Platz der Republik 1 Opening hours and guided tours:
11011 Berlin various
Germany
www.bundestag.de/besucher
East Side Gallery
There’s not much left of the once 155-kilometer-long wall that divided the city for 28
years. One of the few remaining sections of the wall is situated between
Ostbahnhof train station and Oberbaumbrücke bridge in Friedrichshain. In 1990,
106 murals were painted onto the east-facing side of this roughly 1300-meter-long
section of the wall, which since 1991 has enjoyed landmark status as the
permanent open-air East Side Gallery. The artworks have been damaged by
weather and vandalism so that most of the paintings are reconstructions today,
rather than the original works.
Mühlenstraße 3-100 www.eastsidegallery-berlin.de
10243 Berlin
Germany
Jewish Museum
The museum traces Jewish history and culture in Germany, while also presenting
the history of anti-Semitism and the persecution of the Jews during the Nazi
regime. Visitors enter the museum through the baroque Kollegienhaus, a former
courthouse. Much more stunning, however, is Daniel Libeskind’s new design of
the neighboring building with its zigzag design and silver-gray zinc facade. The
two buildings are connected by a spectacular underground stairway.
Lindenstraße 9-14 Opening times:
10969 Berlin Daily 1000-2000
Germany
Tel. +49-30/25 99 33 00 www.jmberlin.de
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Checkpoint Charlie
At the former border crossing between the American and the Soviet Sectors of
Berlin, you can nowadays see image and text panels that explain its historical
background. The permanent exhibition in the Wall Museum chronicles the building
of the Wall in 1961 and its impact, as well as detailing people’s attempts to flee
and successful escapes from the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 2012,
the Black Box museum opened right next door, featuring the history of the Cold
War.
Friedrichstraße 43-45 Opening times:
10969 Berlin Daily 0900-2200 (museum)
Germany
Tel. +49-30/253 72 50 (museum) www.mauermuseum.de
Brandenburg Gate
The former city gate stands at the western end of grand Unter den Linden
boulevard. In the days of the German Democratic Republic, it was located in the
restricted zone in the eastern part of the city, whereas today, crowned with the
Quadriga, it is Berlin’s most famous landmark and a symbol of German unity. Just
south of Brandenburg Gate in the direction of Potsdamer Platz square, is where the
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial) designed by Peter
Eisenman was inaugurated in 2005. The sloping field with its 2711 concrete slabs,
or stelae, of varying heights arranged in a wave-like grid pattern attracts nearly
500,000 visitors a year.
Pariser Platz
10117 Berlin
Germany
Museum Island
Museum Island is an ensemble of historical buildings and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is one of the largest museum complexes in the world, with the Old
and the New Museums, the Old National Gallery, the Pergamon Museum and the
Bode Museum all in close proximity to each other. Tip: Reasonably priced tickets
covering admission to all five museums can be booked in advance online.
Am Kupfergraben Opening times of the museums:
10178 Berlin Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 1000-1800
Germany Thu 1000-2000
www.smb.museum/home.html
Charlottenburg Palace
This magnificent baroque palace dates from the early 18th century and testifies to
the penchant of the Prussian kings for building. It was named for the Electress
Sophie Charlotte, wife of Frederick I. Tours of the palace include viewings of the
former private apartments of the royal couple, the Silver Chamber and the Royal
Treasury containing the Prussian crown jewels. Visitors are well advised to allow
plenty of time to enjoy a walk in the extensive French gardens.
Spandauer Damm 10-22 Opening times:
14059 Berlin Tue-Sun 1000-1730 (Apr-Oct)
Germany Tue-Sun 1000-1630 (Nov-Mar)
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Tel. +49-30/32 09 10 www.spsg.de/en/palaces-gardens/obje
ct/charlo...
Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer)
The border separating East and West Berlin originally ran down the middle of
Bernauer Straße. Today, the former border strip features a memorial with a
documentation and visitor center. The memorial includes a section of the original
wall as well as photo panels and video installations that depict the erection of the
border fortifications.
Bernauer Straße 111 Documentation Center opening times:
13355 Berlin Tue-Sun 1000-1800
Germany
Tel. +49-30/46 79 86 666 www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/
de/
Volkspark Friedrichshain
This park is located between Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain. During the day
the area is popular with sports enthusiasts and families, and the Märchenbrunnen
fountain with its statues of characters from Grimm’s Fairy Tales is particularly
popular with children. In the evening, an open-air cinema and entertainment events
in the pavilion attract numerous visitors to the park.
Am Friedrichshain 1
10407 Berlin
Germany
Television Tower
The Television Tower is not only Berlin’s tallest structure (368 meters) but also one
of its most prominent landmarks. On a clear day, visitors to the observation platform
204 meters up can see up to 40 kilometers away. For the perfect panoramic view,
there’s the restaurant at 207 meters, which turns once around its own axis every 60
minutes. The tower stands in Alexanderplatz, the busy square famous for its World
Clock and Fountain of Friendship between Peoples.
Alexanderplatz Opening times:
10437 Berlin Tue-Sun 0900-2400 (Mar-Oct)
Germany Tue-Sun 1000-2400 (Nov-Feb)
tv-turm.de/de/startseite/
Shopping in Berlin
Shopping in Berlin
Key Areas
As far as variety and choice of shopping facilities are concerned, Berlin is certainly
on a par with top shopping cities, like Paris and London. Above all, the range of
fashions, accessories, design and art is impressive. Every district has its own busy
high streets, so there are places to stroll and shop all over Berlin. Kurfürstendamm
and the adjacent streets in Charlottenburg, as well as Friedrichstraße in
Mitte/Kreuzberg, are among the best-known shopping areas. The area around
Reuterstraße in Neukölln is the place for bric-a-brac and second-hand stores,
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while fashion and design articles are sold near Hackesche Höfe and on Alte and
Neue Schönhauser Straße in Mitte.
Markets
Berlin has more than 250 outdoor food markets every week. Among the best
known are the weekly markets on Winterfeldtplatz (Schöneberg, Wed 0800 -1400,
Sat 0800-1600), the organic food market on Kollwitzplatz, (Mitte, Thu 1200-1900),
and the so-called “Turkish Market” on Maybachufer (Neukölln, Tue and Fri 1100-
1830).
The flea markets in Mauerpark (Sun 1000-1800) and on Straße des 17. Juni (Sat
and Sun 1000-1700) are just the thing for bargain hunters.
Shopping Centers
Berlin’s big department stores include the old established Kaufhaus des Westens
(KaDeWe) on Tauentzienstraße (kadewe.de), Potsdamer Platz Arkaden
(potsdamerplatz.de) and Galeries Lafayette on Friedrichstraße
(galerieslafayette.de). Original objects and elegant design can be found, for
example, at Quartier 206 (q206berlin.de) on Friedrichstraße and Bikini Berlin
(bikiniberlin.de) on Budapester Straße, a concept mall full of interesting little
stores.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Berlin
Whether you prefer star cuisine or home-style cooking, hipster cafés or
microbreweries, street food from around the world, “Buletten” (fried meatballs) or
the famous Berlin Currywurst (curry sausage), this city’s culinary choices are
virtually inexhaustible. Even so, it’s a good idea to book a table if you’re planning
dinner at one of the top restaurants.Some districts have established themselves as
hotspots for particular national cuisines, for example, Kreuzberg for Turkish and
Arab dishes, and Charlottenburg for Asian delicacies of every description.
Restaurant Tim Raue
Michelin-star chef Tim Raue constantly surprises the guests at his Kreuzberg
restaurant with new Asian fusion dishes, always beautifully presented and highly
aromatic. The results include exquisite creations, like langoustine with wasabi or
suckling pig with dashi (fish stock) and Japanese mustard. Making a reservation is
definitely recommended.
Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 26 Price: expensive
10969 Berlin
Germany
Hugos
This elegant, star-studded restaurant under the aegis of chef Eberhard Lange is
located on the 14th floor of the InterContinental Berlin hotel. According to The
Michelin Guide, it serves “dishes with distinct flavors, carefully prepared to a
consistently high standard.” The unrivaled view of the Victory Column,
Alexanderplatz square and beyond as far as the Gedächtniskirche (Memorial
Church) makes dining here a gourmet delight.
Budapester Straße 2 Price: expensive
10787 Berlin
Germany
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Mogg Deli
The former Jewish girls’ school on Auguststraße today forms part of the art mile in
Mitte and is home to a number of galleries as well as two restaurants: The Pauly
Saal, done out in Berlin’s Golden Twenties’ style, and the Mogg, which brings a
touch of New York City flair to Berlin with specialties like pastrami, bagels and first-
class cheesecake on the menu. Even the interior is reminiscent of American
prewar delis.
Auguststraße 11-13 Price: moderate
10117 Berlin
Germany
Madame Ngo
Charlottenburg is considered the best place for Asian food. Chef and restaurant
owner Duc Ngo now owns four extremely successful restaurants along Kantstraße.
This one at number 30 is a Vietnamese-French brasserie. On the menu are fusion
cuisine delights, like Báhn mi, French baguette with liver paté, seasoned with fish
sauce, coriander and marinated carrots.
Kantstraße 30 Price: moderate
10623 Berlin
Germany
Kreuzburger
Kreuzburger has outlets in the Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, Mitte and
Kreuzberg districts. The franchising concept is simple and successful: They serve
mainly burgers and French fries, but thanks to the many different varieties and
spicy house relishes, there’s plenty of choice, including vegetarian combinations.
Oranienstraße 190 Price: budget
10999 Berlin
Germany
Nightlife
Nightlife in Berlin
Berlin is a demanding city. In the daytime, buildings, museums and galleries are
the main attractions, but at night there is no end to the fascinating events on offer.
Not only are theaters, classical concerts, opera andmusicals on the program, but
also clubs, gigs, bars as well as an amazing array of alternative locations and off-
theaters to give visitors whatever their hearts desire – an exciting or relaxing
evening.
Berghain/Panorama Bar
This techno club is one of Berlin’s top venues. The bouncers are feared because
their selection criteria are a mystery. The party begins on Fridays and Saturdays
around midnight and finishes around noon the next day.
Am Wriezener Bahnhof
10243 Berlin
Germany
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Das Gift
A piece of Scotland in a corner pub in Neukölln serving whisky and draft beer.
There’s also an interesting evening menu that includes haggis and other Scottish
specialties. People love the jukebox, and the art exhibitions and intimate concerts
staged here.
Donaustraße 119
12043 Berlin
Germany
Watergate
The Watergate, which opened in 2002, is one of the best-known clubs in Berlin. It
is located on the banks of the Spree River near Oberbaumbrücke bridge
(Kreuzberg). Electro, house, techno and minimal are played on two floors.
Fascinating are the floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor, or Waterfloor,
which provide an unobstructed view of the river.
Falckensteinstraße 49
10997 Berlin
Germany
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Berlinale International Film Festival
Attracting in excess of 400,000 visitors every year, the Berlinale is one of the film
industry’s most popular events. Over the course of 10 days, hundreds of genre-
crossing films from Germany and abroad are screened to a diverse, international
audience. The event also features a host of parties, workshops and panel
discussions for the truly dedicated.
February 20 – March 1, 2020
Venue: Various venues
Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures)
The vibrant district of Kreuzberg is perhaps the most ethnically diverse in all of
Berlin and the annual Carnival of Cultures provides an opportunity to celebrate this
melting pot of cultures. Residents and visitors come together to enjoy live music,
food and a parade. Often compared to the Notting Hill Carnival, this is a must if you
happen to be in Berlin during June.
May 29 – June 1, 2020
Venue: The street festival takes place on and around Bluecherplatz in the district of
Kreuzberg
Classic Open Air
The picturesque Gendarmenmarkt Square provides a dramatic backdrop for this
legendary music festival, which is now entering its third decade. Held over five
days in July, the festival is comprised of a series of concerts, which attract over
600,000 visitors every year. Music fans can expect an eclectic mixture of live music
including jazz, soul, swing and even pop.
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July 2 – 6, 2020
Venue: Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin Pride Festival
Taking place every June, this month-long event has become more than just an
opportunity to march for the rights of gay and lesbian people; it has become a
symbol for diversity. Expect a heady mixture of live music, flamboyant fancy dress
and debauchery with undertones of political activism.
July 25, 2020
Venue: Various venues
Music Festival Berlin
Musikfest is Berlin's foremost symphonic and chamber music festival, in which the
city invites outstanding orchestras, ensembles and soloists to perform at the Berlin
Philharmonia. Hosted by the Berlin Festspiele, the festival aims to open up a new
perspective on developments and artistic innovations in the international world of
classical music. Prestigious and filled with magnificent sounds, the festival
maintains an unswerving focus on the orchestra and the full ensemble. Musikfest
Berlin embraces the usual repertoire and tour programmes but also focuses on
unusual works and historical performance practices, as well as looking at the
relationship between contemporary and ancient music, and the crossing of musical
borders.
September 2020
Venue: Berliner Philharmonie
New Year's Eve
Berlin throws one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, a lively
shindig that takes place at the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate. As the countdown to
midnight begins there are live bands, DJs and some fantastic laser shows to
entertain the million plus revellers until the epic fireworks display to mark the start
of a new year. If there was something to rival Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations,
it would be Berlin’s Silvester.
December 31, 2020
Venue: Brandenburg Gate
Hotels
Hotels in Berlin
Berlin offers accommodation in close on 800 guesthouses and hotels, including
more than 20 five-star hostels for roughly 140.000 visitors. The range is extensive,
so that there is usually a wide selection of accommodation available in all price
categories.The exception to this rule is when trade fairs are on or around the turn of
the year; then early reservations are advisable.
Adlon Kempinksi
Top hotel at a top location. The Adlon, directly opposite Brandenburg Gate, was
Berlin’s first luxury hotel. It opened in 1907, but was almost completely destroyed
by fire in 1945. It was rebuilt in the style of the original and on the same site, the
Adlon reopened in 1997 – again setting the same high standards of luxury and
service.
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Unter den Linden 77 Category: luxurious
10117 Berlin
Germany
Grand Hyatt Berlin
This design hotel on Postdamer Platz boasts spectacular interior design and a
luxurious wellness concept. Simple elegance, exemplary service and
sophisticated comfort are complemented by a spa landscape on the top floor
complete with a panoramic view over the city.
Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2 Category: luxurious
10785 Berlin
Germany
25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin
25hours hotels are among the most original accommodation choices in Germany.
This one opened in 2014 between Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) and the
zoo. Animal sounds can be heard at night, so the design happily takes up the
urban jungle theme, for example, with hammocks and the extremely popular
Monkey Bar on the rooftop terrace.
Budapester Straße 40 Category: moderate
10787 Berlin
Germany
Michelberger Hotel
This small design hotel occupying a former factory building in Friedrichshain
opened its doors to guests in 2009. The interior design is imaginative and
dominated by clear lines. The ambience is reminiscent of a living room in which
flea-market treasures have been cleverly combined with design furniture.
Warschauer Straße 39-40 Category: moderate
10243 Berlin
Germany
Hüttenpalast
True, comfort is rather limited here. But Hüttenpalast attracts an easygoing, very
mixed, fun crowd. This indoor camping village occupies two former factory halls
between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, and features permanently installed camping
trailers and cabins in retro style. The Hüttenpalast also has a few hotel rooms with
en suite facilities, and there’s also a pretty garden.
Hobrechtstraße 65-66 Category: budget
12047 Berlin
Germany
GEO Tip
Stasi Museum
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Original, not a copy: Stasi Museum instead of Checkpoint Charlie
The sentry box in the middle of Friedrichstraße – a mere copy. At Checkpoint
Charlie, history meets kitsch and commerce, but that doesn’t stop millions of
tourists having their photos taken there. A glimpse into the real GDR is possible
without the fairground atmosphere, though. At the Stasi Museum in Building 1 of
the former Ministry of State Security in the Lichtenberg district of Berlin, the offices
of Erich Mielke, the German Democratic Republic’s last minister of state security,
have been preserved in their original state, exactly as he left them in 1989; and
since 1990, they have been open to the public. The permanent exhibition
Staatsicherheit in der SED-Diktatur (State Security in the SED Dictatorship) also
provides an impressive insight into the ways and means with which the ministry
once spied on East Germany’s citizens.
Mehr auf GEO.de
http://www.geo.de/berlin
Best of …
… water fun in the capital
golero/Getty Images
Berlin summers can be gloomy, but the moment the sun comes out, the gray of the
city is transformed into an idyllic green. Then life is lived almost completely out of
doors – along the Spree River and the canals inside the city, and beside lakes and
bays in the surrounding countryside.
Switch off in Moabit
Moabit is a multicultural neighborhood located in the west of Berlin, between
Wedding and Tiergarten. Surrounded by canals and the Spree, it forms an island in
the middle of the city. Strolling through the southern part is truly delightful: If you set
out from Bundesratufer and head east along the Spree, the path will take you all
the way to Tiergarten. Weeping willows and bright foxgloves border the riverside
paths and promenades, which are great places to escape the big-city noise.
Bundesratufer
10555 Berlin (Moabit)
Germany
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Visit the Turkish market
Maybachufer on Landwehr Canal is a hive of activity on Tuesdays and Fridays,
when Neuköllner Straße is transformed into an all-day market that could just as
easily be on the shores of the Bosporus. Countless stalls bend under the weight of
oriental specialties, fresh fruit and vegetables, bright fabrics and accessories.
Perfect after a visit to the market: a picnic of hummus, olives and Turkish bread
down by the waterside.
Maybachufer Opening times:
12047 Berlin (Neukölln) Tue and Fri 1100-1830
Germany
Swimming with a view
The open-air riverside swimming pools popular around 1900 were the inspiration
for this floating event location. The Badeschiff was originally a barge. Today
converted into a pool, it is moored beside the bank of the Spree River. Bathers
swimming their lengths here can enjoy panoramic views of Berlin. The pool has its
own sandy beach complete with a beach bar, sun beds and a volleyball court. In
addition to daily bathing, Badeschiff offers yoga classes, a variety of changing
activities and regular parties. The bathing season is from May through September.
In winter, the barge is covered and transformed into a wellness and sauna
landscape.
Badeschiff an der Arena Opening times:
Eichenstraße 4 daily 0800-2300 during summer months
12435 Berlin (Alt-Treptow)
Germany www.arena.berlin/veranstaltungsort/bad
eschiff/
On a discovery tour around Holzmarkt25
The legendary techno club Bar25 was located at this address between 2004 and
2010. In May 2017, the bar’s former manager opened the new Holzmarkt25, a
cooperatively organized artist village on the banks of the Spree, where you can
stroll across the market square or simply chill by the water. The colorful facades in
themselves are worth seeing, but don’t miss out on what’s behind them: Enjoy a
meal at Katerschmaus restaurant or its little sister, Fame, perhaps, take in the art
and photo exhibitions at Säälchen, the exhibition space on Holzmarkt, or go
treasure hunting in the more than 20 shops in the area.
Holzmarktstraße 25 Opening times:
10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain) daily 0900-2400
Germany
www.holzmarkt.com
Ride a board on the Spree
A change of perspective: Standing on a paddleboard on the Spree, you get a
whole new angle on the city skyline – as long as you’ve mastered the board, that
is. This water sport requires good balance and strong muscles! In addition to
courses for beginners, the Stand Up Club also offers yoga lessons on the board
and city tours through Berlin – a great opportunity to paddle in groups from
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Oberbaum Bridge to Treptower Park. If you’d rather go paddleboarding on your
own, you can rent the necessary equipment here.
Stand Up Club Berlin, on the site of standupclub.de
Arena Berlin
Eichenstraße 4
12435 Berlin (Alt-Treptow)
Germany
Wellness on the water
Even in Berlin, you can enjoy a Finnish-style sauna amid natural surroundings.
“Finnfloat” is the name of this small private sauna floating on Müggelsee lake just a
few kilometers outside the city. There’s space for two to eight people in this small
floating house, which not only has a wood-fired sauna, but a relaxation room and
sundeck as well. The sauna has panorama windows, so you can enjoy the view
while you sweat it out in the steamy heat before cooling off in the clear waters of
the lake.
Finnfloat Saunafloß Opening times:
Müggelseedamm daily 0900-2400
12587 Berlin
Germany www.finnfloat.de
A day at the lake
Bathing is banned in the Spree River, but the many nearby lakes more than make
up for that. Day trips to the Großer Wannsee lake with its famous bathing beach are
especially popular. Here you can do more than just splash about: On Peacock
Island, a nature reserve since 1941, you can actually see wild peacocks at close
range. A further attraction on the island is the palace that was built as a summer
residence in the late 18th century. On the other side of the lake, on the western
shore, there’s the Liebermann Villa, which is open to visitors; the former summer
house of Berlin painter Max Liebermann (1847-1935) today houses a museum.
The extensive gardens, once a source of inspiration for the painter, stretch right
down to the water.
Liebermann-Villa am Wannsee www.liebermann-villa.de/start.html
Colomierstraße 3
14109 Berlin (Wannsee)
Germany
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24 hours in ...
... Berlin
Allan's Breakfast Club
9.30 a.m.: Allan’s Breakfast Club
Australian breakfast party in Prenzlauer Berg. This is the place to get the kind of
brekky they serve down under: eggs Benedict, avocado toast, flat white. The
attentive wait staff ensure that the drinks –alcoholic pick-me-ups included – keep
on flowing. Typical for Berlin, breakfast is served here through 4:30 p.m. on the
weekend. The best moment: When young mothers push their strollers past the
window just as you order your second Bloody Mary.
Rykestraße 13 www.facebook.com/allansbreakfastclub
10405 Berlin /
12.30 p.m.: Chelsea Farmers Club
Christopher Tophinke founded his British fashion store after moving from Hamburg
to Berlin in 2001. Over a gin and tonic, customers learn about the collection. The
Farmers Club sells shirts, vests, tweed trousers, knit ties, small buttonholes, and
other elegant items worthy of the British gentry. Charming, eccentric and perfectly
situated for a stroll down nearby Kurfürstendamm.
Schlüterstraße 49 chelseafarmersclub.de/home/ Tel.: +49-
10629 Berlin 30/88 72 74 74
1.30 p.m.: Jolesch
This Austrian restaurant has many fans in the culture scene – and an equally
colorful public. The forest-green dining room with its huge wall painting recalls a
smart Viennese café. Sitting beneath the image of a choppy sea, guests generally
order the classic: Wiener schnitzel with potato- and lamb’s lettuce salad. A little of
the restaurant’s own Sachertorte makes the perfect dessert.
Muskauer Straße 1 jolesch.de/ Tel.: +49-30/61 23 581
10997 Berlin
3 p.m.: Knok Store
South Korea is one of the countries setting the tone in the Asian region right now,
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and that’s why all the big Ks – K-pop, K-soap operas, K-fashion - are attracting lots
of attention in Europe. This concept store in Neukölln exclusively showcases the
country’s design scene with a collection spanning young fashion, cosmetics,
designer furniture and stylish accessories. Very modern, very hip.
Hasenheide 54 www.knokstore.com/ Tel.: +49-30/27 97
10967 Berlin 15 48
4 p.m.: Das Buddhistische Haus
Walk through the elephant gate and climb the steps up to the villa to immerse
yourself in a little spiritual contemplation after all the worldly pleasures! The
Buddhistische Haus in Berlin’s Frohnau district is the oldest Buddhist center in
Europe. It was founded by the physician Paul Dahlke after World War I. Park,
temple, library and meditation rooms are open to all comers. Monks still live at the
complex and give seminars.
Edelhofdamm 54 Temple and meditation hall: open from
13465 Berlin 0900 to 1800
das-buddhistische-haus.de/pages/en/
Tel.: +49-30/40 15 580
7 p.m.: Chicha
Over the past few years, Friedelstraße has become Neukölln’s food mile, not least
thanks to the Chicha, which specializes in New Andean cuisine – in other words,
traditional Peruvian dishes with a modern twist. Guests are welcomed with a pisco
sour, the national beverage, and then choose from a menu that includes shade-fish
ceviche with diced sweet potatoes, rainbow trout tartare and a multitude of chef
Simón Amaru Castro Mendoza’s other culinary creations.
Friedelstraße 34 chicha-berlin.de/ Tel.: +49-30/62 73 10
12047 Berlin 10
9 p.m.: Bar Raval
Spanish gastroculture has opened its embassy close to Görlitzer Park in
Kreuzberg. For years now, this attractive corner bar named for an entertainment
district in Barcelona has been attracting Berlin’s nighttime revelers. You can just
come for the tapas, of course, but the fine Spanish wines available here also make
it well worth a visit. The bar is co-owned by actor Daniel Brühl, who hosts his
Berlinale parties here.
Lübbener Straße 1 barraval.de/ Tel.: +49-30/53 16 79 54
10997 Berlin
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