Berlin is one of Europe’s great city breaks. Here’s our insider guide to getting the most out of the German capital on a visit..
. Berlin's Spree river. Photo: Sylvain Sonnet / Getty Bikini Berlin.
Photo: Getty Berlin's East Side Gallery. Photo: Siegfried Layda / Getty War memorials, techno clubs and beer gardens. Berlin is a city of many faces and layers - our local travel tips will take you off the beaten path, without missing any of the famous attractions.
Berlin's East Side Gallery. Photo: Siegfried Layda / Getty The Brandenburg Gate Under no circumstances should you ignore the Brandenburg Gate - the old gateway is an iconic image and symbol of a reunited Berlin after the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Afterwards, take some time to wander around Pariser Platz, the city's largest square, and continue to the nearby Reichstag Building and Holocaust Memorial.
bundestag.de ; stiftung-denkmal.de The Berlin Wall Several places in the city provide vivid reminders of the Berlin Wall, but for real relics head to the Berlin Wall Memorial and the East Side Gallery.
There is the longest stretch of wall, stretching for more than a kilometre, and it is today a large open-air gallery full of street art. At the Berlin Wall Memorial, an open-air exhibition provides more insights into this dark piece of history. Both can be viewed for free.
stiftung-berliner-mauer.de Museum Island You get five museums in one place here. Berlin’s Museum Island houses extensive collections of historical art and archaeological finds - from ancient Greece to the nineteenth century.
For example, you can see the bust of Nefertiti in the Neues Museum or The Thinker by August Rodin in the Altes Museum. The Berliner Dom is also located on this cosy island in the Spree. smb.
museum Bikini Berlin. Photo: Getty Mauerpark Love flea markets? Go to the Mauerpark on Sunday, where you can spend the whole day browsing stalls filled with vinyl, clothing, furniture and books, and sing along to the big folk karaoke in the afternoon. Grab a bite from the street food market or in nearby Oderberger StraBe with its affordable restaurants.
Recommendations? Rice noodles at Vietnam Village, a schnitzel at Odenberger or a kumpir at Patta Finest Baked Potato. hotel-oderberger.berlin Sammlung Boros If contemporary art is more your thing, a tour of Sammlung Boros should not be missed.
Here, an impressive private collection of modern art is housed in an above-ground bunker, which still bears the traces of its tragic war past. Interested? Then be quick. Book up to one month before departure, because entrance tickets are in high demand.
sammlung-boros.de Bikini Berlin No large retail chains here, just unique concept stores. In the Bikini Berlin shopping centre you’ll find high-quality vintage clothing in Vintage & Rags, unique sunglasses at Mykita or colourful paintings by Vera Kochubey, just for starters.
bikiniberlin.de A post shared by Klunkerkranich (@klunkerkranich) Don't pay for the view You don't have to pay for an expensive ticket for the TV Tower for a beautiful view. For example, the rooftop bar Klunkerkranich in trendy Neukölln, the roof of the Reichstag building (advance registration required) and the memorial monument in the Viktoria Park are free alternatives with equally plum panoramas.
klunkerkranich.org ; bundestag.de Bring cash Strange but true, but there is often no question of Deutsche gründlichkeit (‘German thoroughness’) when it comes to digital payments.
Always take some cash with you when you go to a restaurant or a local bar. Drinking on the street is allowed Drinking a glass of wine or beer in the park or on a bench is the most normal thing in the world here. If you run out of supplies, visit one of the many Spatis, small shops with all kinds of foodstuffs that are open day and night.
You then leave your empty bottles at the garbage bins, or return them to collect the deposit. A post shared by kiditna 🍜 (@kiditna) Curry 36 & Konnopke's Imbiss No trip to Berlin is complete without currywurst. You can get this snack at any time of the day in the many street stalls, but not all currywursts are created equal.
There’s a reason for the long queues at Curry 36 (Mehringdamm 36) - Konnopke's Imbiss (Schönhauser Allee 44b) is another Berlin staple. curry36.de; konnopke-imbiss.
de Katz Orange Play it safe and book your table in advance, because this restaurant in a former brewery is very popular among foodies. From trout ceviche to veal bratwurst, the chef offers a contemporary interpretation of international dishes prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. Bergstraße 22; katzorange.
com Lucky Leek Berlin is a true paradise for vegans. Vegan croissants or currywursts? You'll find it all. At Lucky Leek, you can enjoy fine vegan cuisine from award-winning chef Josita.
lucky-leek.com A post shared by sparkyparker (@sparky.parker) € Hüttenpalast The operators of this hotel converted two old production halls into an indoor campsite, where you can stay in renovated caravans or wooden huts.
You share bathrooms with neighbours. Centrally located in the Neukölln district. huettenpalast.
de €€ 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin From the jungle rooms of this trendy boutique hotel you look out over the monkey enclosure of the Berlin Zoo, and even the cages of elephants and giraffes in the distance. It’s an ideal spot to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, while remaining bang in the middle of it. Start your night out with a delicious cocktail and a fantastic view in the Monkey Bar (open to non-residents).
25hour-hotels.com €€€ Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin Next to the Brandenburg Gate is the city's most prestigious five-star hotel. Take one step outside the hotel lobby, and the city's most famous sights are literally at your feet.
kempinski.com A post shared by Birgit (@birgit.club) Techno clubs Berlin is considered the cradle of techno music, but plan your clubbing carefully.
Well-known discos such as Berghain, Watergate and Sisyphos have a very strict door policy - after braving the long queue, you are not even sure whether you will get in. Arrive sober, before 1am, and in a small group for the best chance. berghain.
berlin.de , water-gate.de , sisyphos-berlin.
de Birgit & Bier Birgit & Bier unites the best of both worlds in Berlin. On weekdays you can experience the friendly atmosphere of a typical beer garden with long wooden tables, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can dance until the early hours in the open-air club. birgit.
club Klunkercranich One of the nicest rooftop bars in the city, Klunkerkranich is located on top of the Neukölln shopping centre. Be there on time, though - city views are best at sunset, which makes it quite busy. klunkercranich.
org A post shared by Berlin Food Stories (@berlinfoodstories) @awesomeberlin - tips and unique city perspectives @berlinfoodstories - restaurant tips from a local foodie @linndaberlin - dreamy atmospheric images of all corners of the city The whole year. The city is busiest from May to September, when it can also get hot. If you prefer to avoid the large crowds, go in the autumn.
In December the Christmas markets provide a lot of atmosphere...
but prepare for some very chilly weather. Ryanair and Aer Lingus fly from Dublin Airport to Berlin Brandenburg. Expect to pay about €50 (45 mins) for a taxi to the city centre, or €3.
80 for a bus (45-55 mins) or train (30 mins). You can find more information on airport transfers here . ryanair.
com; aerlingus.com For more on travel to Berlin, see visitberlin.de Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
