What to do in Berlin information guide

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Berlin cultural tips and information guide

Germany's capital city and Zeitgeist Metropolis, Berlin, has an undeniable character and trendsetting image in central Europe, due to its remarkable history and ever-changing spirit, with influences from both East and West.

Berlin's Bauhaus movement of the 20's, Hitler's rule and devastation which left the city in rubble, the separation of East and West Germany, then the fall of the Berlin Wall in '89; These factors have helped to merge new, creative energies with remnants of Berlin's two diverse areas.

TOP 5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BERLIN

A Floating Swimming Pool on the River? Bathing at Badeschiff

Badeschiff Swimming Pool Berlin The Badeschiff or Bathing Ship, sits on the River Spree, on the banks of Kreuzberg. Opened in 2004 as part of a project to re-culturalise this part of the river in Berlin, the pool structure is actually made out the hull of an old vessel.

Especially popular as an open air swimming pool in summer, it also has a cover in winter, which at night gives it a glow-worm form. Badeschiff is popular with families and also Berlin’s young, trendy locals. Open 8am-Midnight. Entrance 3€ (€1.50 under-16s). U-Bahn Schlesisches Tor, S-Bahn Treptower Park.

Why is Checkpoint Charlie called Charlie? Berlin Wall Facts

Checkpoint Charlie Berlin Along with Brandenburg gate and the TV Tower, Checkpoint Charlie is Berlin’s biggest attraction, marking the crossing on the old East-West Berlin wall divide. The area maintains its popularity with a museum, and an open-air expo along the street displaying images and tidbits of the wall's history.

There were three such military checkpoints to pass when travelling from West to East; A, B and C. In aviation terms these were known as Checkpoint Alpha, Checkpoint Bravo, and Checkpoint Charlie. You may still see traces of where the Berlin Wall stood, in the flagstones at Checkpoint Charlie.

Thai Food in the Park and Dinner in the Dark!

Berlin is best known for its varied food specialities; döner kebab and currywürst are a staple diet for any trip to Berlin. But if an exotic picnic in Thai park is more appealing, head over to Wilmersdorf in West Berlin, to sample the authentic Thai cuisine sold by vendors. U-Bahn Konstanzer Straße.

If you want a dining experience native to Berlin, try Unsicht bar near Hackescher Markt, for a taste of the unknown. Its original concept of sampling a mystery dinner in the dark, i.e. complete pitch black, has been quite a hit for Berlin foodies.

Skiing, Fishing or the Beach? Berlin’s Unlikeliest of Outdoors

As the seasons change in Berlin, so do the outdoor activities and this is the best city in Europe for enjoying its outdoors and greenspaces. In winter, the city sets up various ice-rinks and even a ski slope, but in the summer you can relax on a sandy beach bar along the river.

The Volkspark in Friedrichshain is popular for its films and beergardens, while Tiergarten offers you a huge forest to explore, right in the centre of Berlin. You can also take the train to one of the city’s many suburban lakes, for fishing, boating and being at one with nature.

Little Green Men All Over Berlin! History of the Ampelmann Icon

Not the martian variety, but in fact native to East Berlin, the Ampelmann traffic symbol has, since 1961, been one of Berlin’s iconic figures. Seen at traffic lights across the eastern part of the city, the green Ampel man actually became faced with danger of extinction after Berlin’s reunification.

The green hatted figure was being replaced, until locals protested, with a slogan “We are the people”, picketing for the return of Ampelmann. They succeeded and since the late 90’s, Ampelmann has ruled Berlin’s traffic as a symbol of safety.

BERLIN CULTURE TAP

BERLIN; BEER, WÜRST AND CABARET

Berlin holds its roots in German tradition, with Prussian-era buildings steeped in history, age-old taverns and beer gardens, while at the same time offering up its own unique selection of food markets and cultural delights.

Berlin's own interesting attributes include a score of art galleries, the magnificent Tanzrevue 20's style cabaret, Europe's biggest showcase, the Karneval der Kulturen (world culture festival), and some particular delicacies.

Sample the Berliner Currywurst, chopped sausage in a spicy sauce with fried potatoes, the Eisbein mit Sauerkraut and Erbsenpüree (pork with sauerkraut) and of course a typical Berlin beverage, the Berliner Weiße mit Schuß (white beer with fruit syrup).

Diverse attractions in the German capital can be found on either side of the re-united city; converted factory art space, boutique shopping, WWII exhibits, and nightlife areas for Berlin's young and eclectic social scene.

Berlin also prides itself in its lush forests, lakes and parks right in the city centre, such as the Tiergarten, to the West of the Mitte district, or the Teufelssee, located in Charlottenburg. Berlin is the destination city for true explorers.

Berlin, the Zeitgeist Metropolis

References to Berlin's trademark zeitgeist, or "spirit of the age", can be found scattered throughout the city centre.

There's the Brandenburg Gate (see picture left), Berlin's neo-classical landmark, the TV Tower with its rotating restaurant, or the Reichstag parliament building with its glass dome for viewing.

In contrast, the boho cafés around Hackescher Markt, Fairytale Fountain in Volkspark, the zoos or the Badeschiff, a floating river-swimming pool, are interesting relax areas.

A trip to Berlin is not complete without visiting some of the city's WWII documentation. The Topographie des Terrors, near Potsdamer Platz, is an open-air exhibit about methods used by the S.S and the Gestapo during the war.

Poignant memorials to visit include the Denkmal für die Ermordeten Juden (Memorial for murdered Jews) or the blitzed church-ruins of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche.

Not to be missed is the Deutsches Historisches Museum, for German history and Checkpoint Charlie at the point of the Berlin wall, juxtaposed with luxury shopping on the Friedrichstraße.

Berlin for the Arts

With over 150 art galleries, museums and performance spaces, enthusiasts of the Arts are never disappointed in Berlin.

Look out for the Galerierundgang; these are special open evenings for art galleries and shows all over the city.

Key visits are Museum Island in Mitte district (most notably the Pergamonmuseum), the factory galleries on Auguststraße or the fantastic Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design.
Set in a remarkable building by Walter Gropius, this museum explores the Bauhaus movement of the 20th century, with works by Kandinsky, Klee and Brandt.

Berlin party spirit

Berliners are recognised in Europe for the diversity and stamina of their nightlife. Considering that Berlin has no legal closing hour, it's not surprising that "Kreuzberger Nächte sind lang" (Kreuzberg nights are long).

High-society types enjoy Charlottenburg and Friedrichshain clubbing in rooftop bars, or for a more edgier nightlife scene, the infamous Berghain venue and neighbouring Kreuzberg offer alternative bars, being home to Berlin's punk movement.

Trendy socialising takes place in the in the central Mitte district, with its selection of cool bars and eateries along Oranienburgerstraße. During the summer, aside from outdoor films showing all over the city, Mitte offers its own unique vibe, with beachbars set up along the river.