Budget airlines, a thriving nightlife scene and a design hotel revolution are conspiring to raise flourishing Berlin’s underrated profile. But with so much on offer what is the passing tourist to see and do? We’ve picked out the best of everything the German capital has to offer.
The best way to arrive: It might not be the most fashionable way to enter the style-conscious capital, but flying with a budget airline will mean you’ve more Euros to spend during your stay. And with offers like those currently available from Ryanair, flights are free or just a few pounds (you pay taxes only, subject to availability), you really can’t go wrong.
The best hotel: Berlin is very particular about its accommodation, which is why the number of design hotels springing up all over the city has boomed in recent years. The July 2005 inaugurated Lux11 offers immaculate, minimally designed open plan suites comprising of kitchenettes and stylish bathrooms all within walking distance from some of the city’s best sights. There’s also a space-age restaurant and bar, and a spa with a fantastic range of progressive treatments. Room prices start at €79. Best of the rest: The Sorat Art’hotel is one of the most avante-garde.
The best sights and attractions: Berlin doesn’t have a city centre per se, yet there are pockets of attractions sprinkled across the map. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (memorial church), is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The bomb-damaged tower is a symbol of Berlin's resolve to rebuild the city after the war and a constant reminder of the destruction of the period. Best of the rest: the Ku'damm shopping street, the Brandenburg Gate and remnants of the Berlin Wall.
The best gallery: Berlin has 170 museums and galleries so finding the best isn’t easy. The most visited, with 850,000 visitors each year, is the Pergamon, Berlin's prime museum. Hardly surprising, given its three outstanding collections under one roof: the Antiquity Collection, the Museum of the Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art. Best of the rest: Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point of the former Berlin Wall, which is now a museum, documenting the division of East and West Germany.
The best restaurant: Berlin has countless gourmet restaurants serving traditional German fare. Must eats are German sausages (wurst), which you can get anywhere from a street vendor to the most extravagant restaurant. Another must-have is kaffee and kuchen (coffee and cake) taken in one of the city’s glorious coffee houses. One of the best is Café Einstein, a beautiful old villa typical of the traditional Viennese coffee house.
The best entertainment: Both Berlin’s cultural and nightlife scenes are booming. The cultural programme includes over 1,500 events each day, spread through the city’s three opera houses and 150 theatres. The best classical music can be heard at the Berliner Harmoniker. Sip cocktails at Victoria Bar, one of the hippest night hangouts, before moving on to one of the many all-night clubs where new music trends and dances are frequently created.
The best for kids: Berlin Zoo is one of the best in the world. Situated within the architecturally striking Tiergarten Quarter, it contains around 19,000 animals who romp around the 34 hectares, the panda bears being the most popular attraction. There’s also an aquarium housing an incredible 1,552 species of animals and fish.
The best events: Berlin loves its festivals and there’s something going on all year round. Two of the biggest crowd pullers are the June Carnival (2nd-5th) and July’s Classic Open Air (6th-10th), an outdoor music concert staged in the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt.
For tourist information on Berlin see www.berlin-tourist-information.de.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites. Images courtesy of Lux11 and www.berlin-tourist-information.de.
