Wilkommen in Berlin!

Description:

A great place for wining and dinning on your first evening in Berlin. Hackescher Markt sits in the thriving centre of Berlin's Mitte district. Packed with über cool boutiques, cafes and galleries this is the perfect place from which to start exploring the historical centre of Berlin. Daily tours of the city leave from outside the Hackescher Markt train station and be sure to check out the craft market here every Thursday and Saturday.

Description:

The ruins of this railway station, once Berlin's largest, and one of the biggest in Europe, would seem to be a reminder of war damage this city sustained. In fact, the building was only partially destroyed during WWII, but it was decided not to rebuild it, and instead the remnants were blown up. Nowadays the sad façade is the only reminder of this station's former grandeur.

Our Local Expert Says:

Open 24-7 this funky Thai place offers fresh, authentic tasty dishes whipped up in lightening speed. If you like it hot try the Spicy Beef Salad - packed with chilies it's sure to leave your mouth zinging. Cool down with a refreshing mango shake.

Description:

Good, healthy, fun! The Thai cuisine is not only healthy by using fresh ingredients and spices, but also varied. Whether vegetarian, with fish or meat - you always discover something new.

Description:

Located in the heart of multi-culti, anti-establishment Kreuzberg, Viktoriapark is a magnet for the local community in the warm summer months—guitar-wielding, dope-smoking hippies jam under the trees, groups of young Turks kick a ball about on the lawn, sporty forty-somethings jog past a gaggle of young mothers nattering intently as they propel their prams along the path...this is one of the best places in Berlin for a spot of people-watching. Rising in the middle of the park is a steep hill, crowned on top by a neo-classical Cross designed by Schinkel to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars. And it is from this cross that Kreuzberg (literally, "Cross Hill") gets its name. Views from the top are awesome on a clear day, as too is the 60 metre waterfall which gushes tumultuously down the hill. The park is also home to one of the city's most popular beer gardens - Golgatha - which is always packed during the summer and transforms into a disco at night.

Description:

The destruction of many of Berlin's buildings during the War did not bother Hitler's architects. They wanted to transform the face of the capital in any case. One of the great projects that bears testimony to their megalomanic plans is Tempelhof Airport, built in the years 1936-1941. The brown stone building is over one kilometre long, and is one of the longest buildings in Europe. It was here that American cargo planes landed with food for starving West Berliners in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49. During the Cold War, it was an important US airforce base and remained Berlin's main airport until the opening of Tegel Airport in 1975. Nowadays, however, it is merely a minor airport concentrating on domestic and business traffic. Rumours of closure have circulated for years, but its location close to the new headquarters of the German government could yet save it.

Description:

Once the ticket office for the sightseeing boats which sailed down the Landwehrkanal canal, Ankerklause is now one of Berlin's most happening bars. The interior reflects the 'anti-fashion' concept of the nineties, but this seems to go down well with the punters, who start to pour in as early as midday after a visit to the nearby market. The atmosphere is very Kreuzberg.

Our Local Expert Says:

Berlin's original Turkish kebab restaurant since 1971, Hasir serves up great tasting char-grilled, spicy meat dishes in bustling surroundings.

Description:

The türkish cuisine belongs to the greatest cuisines all over the world. vegetablemeals in many kind of variations is an important part of türkish cuisine. vegetablemeals in many kind of variations is an important part of türkish cuisine. Let yourself be carried away in a culinary world of thousand and one nights. Let yourself be carried away in a world of culinary thousand and one nights.

Description:

This club, with its kitschy knickknacks, colored lights, and wine-red walls, is dedicated to the rowdier side of rock, featuring hard-core punk, rock, and rockabilly bands from Germany and elsewhere. Live performances take place Wednesday to Saturday nights. It's open Monday to Friday 8pm to 3am, Saturday and Sunday 8pm to 10am (yes, you may miss breakfast).

Description:

• This glass-fronted boutique hotel is situated among the galleries, bars and nightlife of Berlin's trendy Mitte district.
• 
  
  
• Red leather, dark wood and transparent bathrooms characterize the designer rooms, all have flat screen TV and DVD players.
• 
  
  
• Guests can enjoy modern German cuisine in the hotel restaurant, or relax in the bar, with its velvet walls and chandeliers.
• 
  
  

Description:

Cafe Möhring is situated directly behind the concert hall at the famous Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin Mitte. It is a popular place among concertgoers and tourists visiting the "Architectural Center" of East Berlin – beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. Cafe Möhring offers German and international dishes at very moderate prices. It is open all day long offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are tired after an extensive sightseeing schedule in Berlin Mitte and would want to have a drink, a relaxed dinner or just "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffe and cake), which are numerous and wonderful!, then Café Möhring will the a perfect place to stop. -Manana Khachidze

Description:

Many of the city's most important buildings and historical sights are situated on the banks of the River Spree. Examples include the 13th century Nikolaiviertel, Schloss Charlottenburg, Palast der Republik and Schloss Bellevue. Several new government buildings including the Chancellery, including the Kanzleramt where German Chancellors have their office, are boarding the river in a new quarter called the Spreebogen. Broad paths along the Spree make it ideal for a peaceful stroll, best of all through parks like the Tiergarten, Treptower Park or Schloss Charlottenburg's Royal Park. A boat trip is also a great way of doing a bit of sightseeing (boats depart regularly from Museum Island or from Schlosspark Charlottenburg). However, the river is at its most attractive in the Spreewald, a beautiful biosphere reserve 50 miles south-east of Berlin. It is here that the river splits into hundreds of canals and streams, surrounded by rainforest. An extremely popular day-trip destination, the Spreewald is also home to Germany's minority Sorbian community, well-known for their colourful costumes and lively festivals.

Description:

Saved from demolition in 1990 by an artist collective, The Tacheles is located in what was once the Jewish quarter of East Berlin. The building itself tells a tale of post-war rebirth as it still bears shelling damage from WWII but is now brightly decorated with huge graffiti murals. The inside courtyard is home to several sculptures made from rubble and debris. Today, the Tacheles is an art center with a café, cinema, performance and exhibition spaces.

Description:

If you like to go clubbing you'll enjoy this Berlin hotspot, featuring some of the most well-known and celebrated DJs in the world. The club is ultra-hip and chic, with some unique touches to the decor like a plate-glass floor/ceiling for a look-see at the party above or below. The layout of the interior is modern, but minimalist, perhaps to not detract from all the human eye candy.

Description:

• This glass-fronted boutique hotel is situated among the galleries, bars and nightlife of Berlin's trendy Mitte district.
• 
  
  
• Red leather, dark wood and transparent bathrooms characterize the designer rooms, all have flat screen TV and DVD players.
• 
  
  
• Guests can enjoy modern German cuisine in the hotel restaurant, or relax in the bar, with its velvet walls and chandeliers.
• 
  
  

Description:

The Museum of Islamic Art is located in the Pergamon Museum on Museum Island. The permanent exhibition includes numerous works of art from Islamic regions of the world from the 8th-19th centuries, including ceramics, drawings, Persian and Indian miniatures, carpets and carvings. These diverse objets d'art are definitely worth seeing, however pride of place undoubtedly belongs to the grandiose facade of an 8th century Jordanian desert palace. Entry is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Description:

Friedrichwerdersche Church was built in 1830 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the architect who provided Berlin with some of its greatest neo-classical buildings including the Schauspielhaus, Altes Museum and Neue Wache. The War left its inevitable mark on the building's exterior, which was renovated in the 1980s and finally reopened to the public in 1987 to coincide with Berlin's 750th anniversary. The church is a fitting home for the Schinkel Musuem. The upper gallery contains a photographic retrospective of Schinkel's work, the ground floor is decorated with statues by Schinkel, Schadow and other artists. Well worth a visit.

Description:

What could be better than dining 365m above the city, enjoying panoramic views in every direction, without ever having to move from your seat. The rotating restaurant on top of the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz offers all this and more. The most romantic time to come is after dark, when the city lights sparkle as far as the eye can see. Just don't come alone! Popular choices include veal cutlet, and grilled vegetables with mozzarella.

Description:

The Kurfurstendamm, or Kudamm as locals say, is Berlin's answer to London's Oxford Street – this beautiful tree lined boulevard is packed with fancy shops and cafes, Christmas markets in winter and blossoms in spring. At the centre of the avenue stands the Gedächtniskirche or Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church that suffered severe bombing during WWII Allied raids. It has been left in ruins as a memory of the past. The magnificent department store KaDeWe would rival Harrods or Bloomingdale's with its crystal chandeliers, famous designers and scrumptious food hall, serving everything from champagne breakfasts to Marmite for all those homesick Berlin Brits.

Description:

The biggest outdoor gallery in the world, the East Side Gallery runs along the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, constructed by the Soviets in 1961 to divide East from West Berlin. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989 many parts of the wall were destroyed as the city of Berlin was reunited following the end of the Cold War. 160 international artists were invited to paint giant murals along the wall that runs along the River Spree in the eastern district of Freidrichshain. The East Side Gallery has remained untouched for the last 20 years, however its future is uncertain. Restoration is planned however regeneration of the area may threaten this political landmark.

Description:

It begins with a ruin and ends with a ritzy entertainment complex: Oranienburger Straße stretches for just over a mile between the makeshift Tacheles cultural centre near Friedrichstraße and the fashionable Hackesche Höfe on Rosenthaler Straße. Between the two, almost every building is home to a bar, café, restaurant or club. And if you look skywards, you will see the beautiful golden dome of the New Synagogue and the imposing, ever-present TV Tower glaring down at you. The adjacent streets and courtyards are full of galleries and boutiques.

Description:

Named for Marianne, Princess of Netherlands, this part of the city combines culture, history, and modern day fun. The platz is surrounded by shops and restaurants and street performers entertain outside. When the weather is nice, free live concerts occur on an outdoor stage and the Street Football World Cup is always a violent treat. No visit to Berlin would be complete without an excursion of Marrianenplatz.

Our Local Expert Says:

There's only one thing on the menu here and that's Milchmasthähnchen - delicious free-range chicken, spit-roasted to perfection. Be prepared to eat with you hands - cutlery not included!

Description:

The name of this restaurant means 'hen'. That figures, because this restaurant-cum-pub, located in the Kreuzberg area, is primarily known for its delicious chicken dishes. This specialty is so popular that crowds throng the place waiting to grab a bite of the bird. The beer is another thing that's a big hit among those visiting this place. Hop in and you might return with more friends in tow.

Description:

Just two years running and this techno factory made up of an eclectic mix of hipsters, university professors, gays, clubbers, artists, & the mere curious is the target of worldwide acclaim. Three colossal sized stories of a clean, clever industrial design hosts numerous bars, clubs, darkrooms, a biergarten, a separate garden for relaxing, an ice cream bar and endless amounts of chillout space complete with cushy sofas and semi-private sitting cabins. Panorama Bar on the 3rd floor sets the standard for what beats will be hot all over Europe. The former power plant's mammoth size and hedonistic rawness guarantee a unique experience. -Katie Jacques

Description:

• This glass-fronted boutique hotel is situated among the galleries, bars and nightlife of Berlin's trendy Mitte district.
• 
  
  
• Red leather, dark wood and transparent bathrooms characterize the designer rooms, all have flat screen TV and DVD players.
• 
  
  
• Guests can enjoy modern German cuisine in the hotel restaurant, or relax in the bar, with its velvet walls and chandeliers.
• 
  
  

Description:

The notorious East German security police, the Stasi, used to secretly collect the "smells" of undesired people so as to be able to track them down with sniffer dogs later. Fantasy? Fiction? Not in the slightest. Big Brother is watching you! The lengths that the Stasi went to to control all aspects of life in East Germany were never too great. While some exhibits make you laugh, others are truly horrifying. And although not spectacular, the exhibition will give you an insight into another unhappy chapter of German history. free

Description:

You want second hand vintage gems of times past, digested with a roasted Bratwurst sausage and washed down with a Berliner Pilsner beer? At Mauer Park you got it! Every Sunday the park plays host to the biggest Trodel or junk market in town. Here you will find everything from 1950s furniture to sheep skin rugs and unique artists' prints and photos. The park runs along the site of the former Berlin Wall and therefore also attracts many a guitar playing hippie, the sun loving barbecue gangs and all sorts of folk from the cities nooks and crannies, who celebrate a freedom truly unique to Berlin in this Prenzlauer Berg grassy park.

Description:

The paint peeling from the facade reveals the words "Tsar's Chocolates", hinting at this run-down building's past. This former chocolate factory near Torstraße was turned into a cultural center ten years ago and now hosts lectures, readings, musical performances and club nights. The Orph theater recently moved to the Schoko-Laden and puts on in-house productions or invites guest groups from other cities. While Mitte district is becoming more and more hip, with countless designer boutiques, exclusive restaurants and lounge bars like 808 and Lore, Schoko-Laden sums up the free-wheeling spirit of the nineties, when artists and musicians set up shop in disused factories and empty buildings. Luckily, the prices haven't changed for a decade either!

Description:

Elevated high above ground level in a lively part of Kreuzberg, Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn station is one of the most attractive stations in the city. Bestowed with beautiful Romanesque arches and towering stone columns, wooden bay windows and riveted iron beams—this 100 year old construction unifies Gothic, Renaissance and industrial elements. Situated at the end of the line in West Berlin, this used to be the place where the West ended and the East began. Yet nowadays, the trains continue eastward over the Oberbaumbrücke bridge into the former socialist sector. While the station itself hasn't changed much over the years, political events have opened up new horizons.

Description:

The buses are not the only double-deckers in Berlin. There is also a double-decker bridge, the Oberbaumbrücke, which spans the River Spree between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Traffic speeds along the lower part of the bridge while trains steam over the upper section. Built a hundred years ago in the red-brick gothic style popular at the time, the Oberbaumbrücke is crowned by two towers. The bridge got its name from the tree-trunks which were used to shut down the river to traffic at night.

Description:

Once the site of one of Berlin's main railway stations, the whole area was reduced to rubble during the War and remained that way until being transformed into a park during the 1980s. The eighties weren't known for their beautiful landscape gardens, as is clear from this example, but Görlitzer Park is full of life and is a popular weekend retreat for Kreuzberg's multi-ethnic community, when it becomes a football field, a dance floor, a picnic spot and meeting place for families and friends.The only architectural feature worthy of mention is the Pamukkal Turkish fountain. Built in 1998, the fountain has recently been turned off due to technical problems. Typical!

Description:

Friedrichshain's answer to Mitte's Oranienburger Straße, Simon-Dach-Straße is home to a vast variety of pubs, cafés, bars and restaurants, the most popular being the legendary Astro Bar. Many of the bars here are fairly new additions to the nightlife scene yet Simon-Dach-Straße has already become extremely popular with students and other young Berliners and is without doubt one of the liveliest places in the eastern part of town. During the warmer months, the pavements on both sides of the street are lined with benches and tables which join together to form one huge bar. The street is fairly narrow and in summertime the trees meet in the middle of the street to form a natural rooftop.

Description:

Rising 115 metres over Grunewald forest, Teufelsberg offers wonderful panoramic views over Berlin and the surrounding region. Created from the debris which lay all over the city after the Second World War, the hill is topped by a futuristic white building which used to be the US army radar base during the Cold War. Teufelsberg has now become a popular destination for adults and children out flying their kites or model aircraft. As it is extremely steep in places, Teufelsberg is also fantastic for sledging down in the winter. There is a car park in nearby Teufelsseechaussee.

Description:

As well as being the largest forest within city limits, Grunewald is also an up-market residential area full of beautiful villas built by merchants, scientists and artists who flocked to this leafy district in the mid 19th century. Exclusive Koenigsallee, for example, is home to numerous plush lodgings, including the home of Walther Rathenau, the Weimar Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs who was assassinated by right-wing radicals in 1922. Nowadays, Berliners flock to Grunewald to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Perfect for a long, relaxing walk or an energetic bike ride, the forest is rich in wildlife, home to wild boar, deer, foxes and a stunning variety of birdlife. In the summertime, thousands of Berliners head for the water at Wannsee or the beach at Strandbad Wannsee. Quieter and equally beautiful, Krumme Lanke and Schlachtensee lakes are more low-key getaways, good for those looking for something more peaceful. Grunewald is also great for winter activities—skiing through the forest, ice-skating on the lakes, or sledging down the slopes at Teufelsberg. Architectural highlights tucked away in the forest include the 15th century Jagdschloß Grunewald, the 55 metre-high Grunewaldturm and the castle and landscape gardens at Pfaueninsel.

Description:

Zoologischer Garten The Zoological Garten, is one of the worlds largest zoos and home to the famous Berlin polar bear, Knut! Knut was famously hand reared by zoo keeper, Thomas Dörflein, after his mother Tosca rejected him in 2006. The fluffy bear cub attracted millions of tourists from around the world and has since grown into a healthy 2.5m tall, 210kg adult bear. Zoologischer Garten is one of Germany's first zoos and was opened in 1844. Visitors can either enter the zoo through the exotically-designed Elephant Gate beside the aquarium or through the Lion Gate directly opposite the Zoologischer Garten train station.

Description:

Built in the early '30s near Rahnsdorf, this is not Berlin's most central swimming pool, but an excursion to Müggelsee, the largest lake in the close vicinity of the German capital, is very worthwhile. Lean back in wicker beach chairs and watch the distant boats pass by, while children build their sandcastles and youngsters play volleyball.

Description:

An ambitious "masterplan" for the Museumsinsel is projected to be complete by 2015. Massive renovation is taking place. A plan also exists for combining the two archaeological museums that reside on opposite sides of the divide created by the befallen Berlin wall. When all is completed, visitors can browse the collections of archeological artifacts and muse at the unique architecture of the five main buildings that make up the complex. No need to wait until 2015 to enjoy the museum's treasures as the Museumsinsel will be open during reconstruction.

Description:

One of four buildings on Museum Island, the Pergamon Museum is home to some outstanding artifacts and is named after the ancient Greek city of Pergamon, whose city walls were excavated by German archaeologists and brought to Berlin. Elegant friezes of Greek figures and gods can be seen, as well as 15 metre high city columns and gates. The Gates of Babylon and other artifacts from the Islamic city are also housed here making the museum a spectacular place to lose an afternoon in.

Description:

This is the German version of McDonalds, but instead of hamburgers it sells fish burgers as well as other kinds of fish in all shapes and sizes. Nordsee is an expanding chain of fish restaurants with 300 branches in Germany, 16 of which are in Berlin. Founded in the northern city of Bremen a hundred years ago, Nordsee shot to fame in the seventies with hearty fish dishes at knock-down prices. Most branches have a fresh fish counter and a few tables where you can dig into your north sea specialities. The larger branches have proper restaurant sections.

Description:

Situated in Berlin's historic centre, Zur letzten Instanz is one of the few Medieval buildings in the German capital which has survived the turbulence of past centuries. Built in 1621, Berlin's oldest restaurant was frequented by Napoleon Bonaparte during the French occupation of the city. Apparently, he used to sit by the oven and warm himself during the bitter winter months. The oven is still there, as too are the original wooden panels and spiral staircase. The picturesque beer garden is enclosed by the original Medieval city walls.

Our Local Expert Says:

Behind the dark curtained door of this bar lies an atmospheric, neon lit, interior filled with comfy leather sofas, a huge bar and even a table football game. Try the famous house frozen melon shot for a true taste of Delicious Doughnuts.

Description:

One of the classics on the East German club circuit, Delicious Dougnuts frequently boasts big-name DJs, many of whom come from London to wow Berlin's clubbers with the latest soul, funk and acid jazz sounds. The atmosphere is intimate and the decor slightly up-market with black leather sofas and oriental furnishings. However, you'll still notice the 'industrial feel' typical of many East Berlin clubs, like large metal pipes sticking out of the ceiling! All in all, one of the best clubs in town.

Description:

This Cineplex has 6 screens for your viewing pleasure. For a more enjoyable experience, sit back and relax with popcorn and a soda from the refreshment stand. For film times, ticket prices and further information please see their website.