Hip and unpolished Berlin in 11 tips

The Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum is a new museum in the center of Berlin. The building itself is worth a visit: partly a replica of an old castle that once stood on that spot. The other, modern part is located on the banks of the Spree.
The museum has changing exhibitions on a variety of subjects.

Shoppen at Kastanienallee

One of the best shopping streets in Berlin is Kastanienallee in Prenzlauerberg. This street is full of pleasant eateries, authentic shops and cafés run by local entrepreneurs only. Don't miss a visit to the famous Prater Biergarten. Even if you don't drink beer, the beautiful beer garden is well worth a visit.

Purest modern art

In Berlin, even modern art is presented in a puur way. For example, in a colossal bunker in the heart of Berlin, which houses the private collection the ‘Boros Collection’. The collection contains works by international artists, from 1990 to the present. On 3,000 square metres, parts of the collection are shown to the public in alternating exhibitions. Best to book in advance.

Mogg, the best pastrami in Germany

Germany's best pastrami is eaten in one of the classrooms of an imposing Jewish girls' school built in 1927. The matzoh meatball soup and New York cheesecake are also traditional crowd pleasers at this deze kleine deli in the Mitte district. Popular with locals, hidden gem for tourists.

Nordic design and modern German cuisine at the Lokal

One of the best districts in East Berlin for shopping is Mitte. End a day of shopping here with a cocktail or an evening of dining at the charming, Scandinavian-inspired Lokal. The menu offers modern German and international dishes, prepared with quality products from the region.

©Philip Koschel

Sensational rooftop Klunkerkranich

In the up-and-coming Neukölln district, walk into the Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre. Not for shopping, but to take the lift to the fifth floor, where you cross the parking lot to reach the green roof terrace of Klunkerkranich. The place is made to enjoy the sensational view of the city while having a snack and a drink.

©Sarah Lindemann

Flohmarkt and brunch on Sundays

Sunday is the day for flea markets in Berlin. Favourites among both locals and tourists are the popular Flohmarkt in the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg or the slightly smaller market on Boxhagener Platz in the hip, raw Friedrichshain. Afterwards, walk down Gabriel-Max-Strasse for the best breakfast and brunch spots in Friedrichshain, such as Café Neumann.

Beach bars along the Spree

Along the Spree River, you'll find lots of inviting beach bars. If you like to swim, but don't want to take a dip in the Spree, try the floating pool at Badeschiff. If you prefer to stay dry, dive into a deckchair at Beachbar Mitte, where you can enjoy the water, a pizza and a beer at the shore.

Berlin-Tempelhof Airport park

At the edge of the trendy Kreuzberg district lies the former Berlin-Tempelhof Airport. The gigantic site is now a park with picnic areas, and the runways are popular with joggers and cyclists. For the ultimate experience, book a tour of the abandoned airport, which was once the site of Nazi rallies.

Berlin, the street art city of Europe

The Berlin Wall was once full of murals, but nowadays you can find the most versatile street art all over the city. The most remarkable murals can be found in RAW-Gelände, a cultural complex on a former industrial site in Friedrichshain, and Haus Schwarzenberg in Mitte, with art studios, boutiques, bars and of course a lot of street art.

Groovy accommodation in nhow Berlin

In Berlin's Friedrichshain district, lies the music hotel nhow Berlin. Here you can record your own song, order a DJ set via room service and play all kinds of instruments. Even without specific musical dreams, this groovy hotel with its huge riverside terrace is an entertaining place to be when in Berlin.