Travel - Berlin

Saturday 21st October 2006
Tips for the visitor to Berlin, from Michael Collins of Abroad magazine:

Berlin is the largest city in Germany and the second most populated city in the EU. It is a major tourist destination and recognised for its diverse range of attractions. Whether it is festivals, vibrant nightlife, history and culture or avant-garde arts that you're after, there's something here for everyone.
Getting Around - the Berlin Welcome Card and Museumpass are worthwhile. For €22 you get unlimited travel on city trains & buses and discounts on many attractions.
'Bock auf Berlin' (Digging Berlin) is a great guide to everything the city has to offer.
Berlin Events 2006/2007 from the Tourist Office gives an overview of the most important events, exhibitions and trade shows until December 2007
Hiring a bike is a great way to get around. Lots of parking points dotted around the city and hire shops are numerous.

Historical Attractions
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag (home of the German parliament, open to the public)
Gendarmenmarkt, a neoclassical square bordered by the French & German Cathedrals and the Konserthaus (home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra)

The Berliner Dom (the city's Protestant cathedral)
Cathedral of St Hedwig (the city's Roman Catholic cathedral)Nikolaiviertel (the city's oldest church dating from the 13th century)

Schloss Bellevue (west of the city, residence of the German President)

Schloss Charlottenburg (the largest surviving historical palace in Berlin)

Siegessaule (the Victory Column dedicated to Prussia's military victories)

Art
Berlin is home to hundreds of art galleries. There's something for all tastes here whether you're interested in Egyptian history, contemporary art, technology and design, the art nouveau movement or painting from the 13th - 20th century.

Restaurants and Bars
"Weineree" bar & restaurant, Zionskirch Platz - a hostelry with no prices! You order what you want and pay what you think is fair at the end of the night.
"Erdbeer", a late-night bar beside the Rosa Luxembourg Platz
"CCCP Bar" on Tor Strasse - a retro den popular with the nouveau riche
"Absinth Depot Berlin", Weinmeisterstrasse 4 - sells only bottled beer & absinthe
"The Stav", Schiffbauerdamm 8 - German politicians love this pub/restaurant. Recommended dish is the 'flame cake' (pizza)
"Strandbar", Monbijoustrasse in Mitte - a bar by the sea. Great in the summer to escape the city.
"Kaefer's Restaurant Dachgarten", Platz der Republik - restaurant atop the Reichstag. Reservations needed. Tel 0049 302 262 9935.
"Desbrosses Brasserie", Ritz Carlton Hotel - perfect for a French-style lazy brunch (www.desbrosses.com) or try the other restaurant "Vitrum" (www.restaurant-vitrum-de)

Nightlife
East Berlin
"Kunsthaus Tacheles" and "Tresor" in Mitte, "E-Werk" near Checkpoint Charlie, "Kitkatclub" in Schoneberg and "Berghain" in Ostbahnhof

West Berlin
"SO36" in Kreuzberg, "Sound" in Charlottenburg, "The Linientreu" near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and "LaBelle" disco in Friedenau

Annual Festivals
Karneval der Kilturen, a multi-ethic street parade in June
Christopher Street Day, one of Europe's largest gay/lesbian pride events in June
Love Parade, a techno carnival in July
Berliner Festspiele (which incorporates JazzFest Berlin), a cultural festival in November

Eating
Don't leave without trying a 'currywurst' - a hot pork sausage seasoned with ketchup and curry powder. The favourite place to try it is at "Konnopkes Imbiss", Schonhauser Alee
Doner kebabs are a favourite with Berliners. Try "Bosporous Doner" in Charlottenburg

Shopping
"Stikwerk", Kant Strasse and "Exil", Yorck Strasse - for interior design
Die Berliner Antik-Strasse - two dozen antique shops located side by side
"KaDeWe", Tauentziehnstrasse - reputedly the largest department stores in Europe
Kanstrasse and Freidrichstrasse are worth exploring for a mix of large & small boutiques
Hackescher Markt area - a beautiful S-Bahn station & the Hackesche Hofe shopping area
"Galleries Lafayette", Storkower Strasse, No 103
"La Prairie Spa", Ritz Carlton Hotel - for some pampering beauty treatments

For more information
- www.berlin.de / www.berlin-tourist-information.de