By Vivien Schmidt
BERLIN ....I LOVE YOU!
If you ever get the chance to visit Berlin – do it! If you ever get the chance to live in Berlin – DO IT!!! It might not be love at first sight, as it’s not as romantic as Paris, not as punk and grunge as London, and it has no sea like Barcelona or Lisbon, but: Berlin has its people, and to me, they make Berlin something special. Berlin has a 1000 things to see and do – one more reason to move there, instead of just visiting… but if your heart (and job) belongs to another place and you just have 72 hours or so - here’s a little guide for your weekend in Berlin.
by Paula Riesmeier
Several practical facts
How to get there: If you fly there, you either land at Tegel-Airport or Schönefeld. The former is quite close to the city center, and all you have to do is hop on a bus, while the latter is a little further from the center but is connected to the subway, which will take you to the center in around half an hour (btw: no matter where you go to Berlin, it always takes you 30 mins). If you choose to come by train, and Deutsche Bahn managed to be in time – which... NEVER happens - you will arrive directly in the center.
​
​
How to get around: No matter how you arrive, the first thing you’ll need is a ticket for the city’s public transport: either get a day ticket (Berlin A/B) or get a 4-rides-ticket. Anyway, you won't need a ticket for the whole weekend, becauseeeeee: the best way to get around Berlin is on a bike. It might feel like risking your life at first, but it’s not that bad. Additionally, you’ll never have to squeeze in overfloating subways/trams/busses, and you’ll get to know the city differently. The only public transport that might be quite interesting for you if it’s your first time in Berlin is a bus ticket for the M100. The M100 passes most of the sites people expect you to see when you go to Berlin, and it’s cheaper than the touristic Hop-on-hop-off busses.
If you ever get the chance to visit Berlin –
do it!
If you ever get the chance to live in Berlin – DO IT!!!
Out and about: If you want to spend time outside, Berlin has a lot to offer. No matter if you want to ride a bike, spend your day on a boat (big or small, everything is possible), or just hang out in a park – Berlin has it all! If you’re there for a weekend, make sure you are not leaving before Sunday night (better Monday), so you can visit the famous Mauerpark. There, you’ll find a huge flea market - which became way too expensive in recent years - and the biggest karaoke event in town. Almost every Sunday during summer, around 3pm, karaoke starts in the middle of Mauerpark. Challenge your inner Spice Girl/Backstreetboy, and sing for hundreds or thousands of people who came to spend their afternoon with a beer, and to listen to good or bad, but definitely brave singers from all around the world. Another beautiful market is the one at Maybachufer, in Kreuzberg. It takes place every Tuesday and Friday mornings and it’s perfect to shop fresh fruits and vegetables, or just for watching people.
For a nice view above the city, you should visit Klunkerkranich, a bar which was built on top of a parking lot in Neukölln. Sometimes there’s a DJ or band playing some music. Enjoy a drink and the view above the city! My favourite view of Berlin, even though it’s not above the city, is the one you’ll get when you cross Oberbaumbrücke. It’s a bridge that leads you to Kreuzberg, right next to the Berlin Wall. If you have planned to visit the Watergate club, you should stop in the middle of the bridge and enjoy the view over the Spree for a moment. As summer is not as stable in Berlin as in cities like Barcelona or Rome, you might want to add the botanical garden on your visiting list, in case of cloudy weather. The garden is beautiful, and so are its greenhouses which are the perfect get away for rainy days. If, by any chance, there’s a cool concert going on at Waldbühne while you are in town, make sure you go. To me, it’s the nicest open-air concert location ever. It’s like an old amphitheatre and if you’re lucky with the weather (and the band), you’ll see the nicest sunset behind the stage, while listening to some music. In case of a super-hot day, make sure you visit one of Berlin’s beautiful lakes or swimming pools. If you have no time to leave the centre, Haubentaucher or Badeschiff will be nice locations for you.
Food (is life!): There’s probably nothing I love more than going out for brekkie/lunch/dinner; the list of places to go in Berlin is endless. Berlin has soooo many nice restaurants and cafés, and in terms of food, there is nothing you cannot find. I’ll just name a few… The best hummus in town (maybe the world’s best hummus), you’ll find in Kanaan, in Prenzlauer Berg. It’s a tiny little beer garden, very easy-going, no reservations, self-service and drinks from their neighbours: a very nice bar called Kohlenquelle, with the nicest spot for an after-work beer - outside seats are facing the sun. I swear, Kanaan all day every day would be my biggest dream. It’s just soooo good. If you look for something fancier, but also special, check out Long March Canteen, a place which offers Chinese cuisine in Kreuzberg. My favourite pizza can be found there, I Due Forni, in Senefelderplatz. Pizza Ortolana is also the absolute best. For a nice atmosphere, visit Freischwimmer, which has a terrace on the Spree. The food is easy and good and the vibe is really nice. My favourite place for drinks is Café Liebling, as it’s located in my old neighbourhood. If you want to have a beer the Berlin way, have a Späti-beer. There are little shops, called Späti (Späti is the short version of Spät-Kauf, which refers to their opening-hours) all around the city. Some have benches outside - get a beer and get in touch with whomever is sitting there.
For breakfast I love to go to ABC Allans Breakfast Club & Wine Bar – you’ll find delicious French toast, poached eggs, avocado sandwiches and MIMOSAS. If you’re looking for a more traditional breakfast, my favourite place is Engelberg, which is actually located in one of the most beautiful streets in Berlin, Oderberger Straße. Another fun and special place is House of Small Wonder in Mitte. The location is magical and worth a visit alone, but the food is great as well. If you’re just looking for a quick coffee to go, and a snack along the way, stop at one of the shops of Zeit für Brot.
Fashion: As Berlin is Germany's fashion capital, there are a lot of places to shop. My favourite area is around Hackescher Markt, in Mitte. It’s a good mix of high-street and designer stores. The best second-hand shop is Soeur (Girls clothing only, sorry boys). It has a beautiful selection and even though it’s not that big, I could spend hours there. Another nice second-hand shop (gender equality!) is Dear, on Stargarder Straße. What makes this shop even more attractive is its location: across the street you’ll find the best (and probably most expensive, but definitely worth every penny) ice-cream shop: Hokey Pokey. If they have it – get a scoop of lemon-rosemary or Rocky Road.
General Tips: Always carry cash, as some restaurants and bars don’t take (credit) cards. No matter where you go, it always takes you 30 mins. If you meet someone who offers you to climb on his/her roof to get a nice view over the city – do it. Appreciate Berlin's royal greyness. Enjoy your stay!
