BERLIN

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DESTINATIONS A-Z

FACTS

Berlin has so much to offer that your head might get dizzy at the sight of it. The view from the outdoor deck of the Reichstag building will be one of the things to turn you speechless: the city is provincial and global, historic and modern, bustling and serene at the same time.

No stereotype actually fits for Berlin, because every district has a character of its own. The Kurfürstendamm's hip luxury contrasts the artist district Kreuzberg substantially, the historic heart of the town is entirely different from the nearby zoo's flair (often called "Berlin's green lung"). Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the city has experienced a boom, a number of innovations and a lot of entrepreneurial spirit. Architects were given the greatest possible creative freedom for designing new buildings. Artists from all over the world visit Berlin to become inspired. Berlin is a busy city, but people still have time for a Currywurst (pork sausage with curry).

Berlin's night life is legendary: everyday there is constant partying in over 200 clubs. Fans of every genre of music will find something to their liking, and maybe even a new girl- or boyfriend, because rumor has it that Berlin is the "single people's capital". There are also culture vultures in Berlin, though - they come for all the museums, galleries, theaters and cabarets. To escape the culture routine, we recommend a trip into the nature, for example to the Wannsee or into the Grunewald.

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FIGURES

Today, there is almost nothing left of the Berlin Wall which used to divide the eastern and western parts of the city during the Cold War. However, it will never be forgotten: the Berlin Wall Route ("Berliner Mauerweg") is a cycle and hiking path that leads 160 km along the former run of the GDR borders.

Country
Germany
Geographical position
52° 31' N, 13° 25' E
MSL altitude
34-115 m
Population
3,404,037 (according to 2006 census)
Calling code
+49 (0)30
Currency
Euro
UTC difference
+ 1 h (summer time + 2 h)
CET difference
+ 0 h
Official homepage
www.berlin.de
Area
891.85 km²
Population density
3,817 people/km²
National language
German
Highest building
Berliner Fernsehturm (television tower), 368 m
Amount of currywurst consumed per year (in the whole of Germany)
800 million
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GET AROUND

Airport
There are three airports in Berlin. Most scheduled flights land at Berlin-Tegel airport (www.berlin-airport.de) in the north of the city, approx. 8 km away from the city center. From there, it's best to take a 20-minute bus ride into the city (lines X9, 109, 128, TXL).

Public transportation
All parts of Berlin are very accessible via the well-constructed public transportation network (there are 15 suburban railways, 9 subways, 23 tramway lines and 150 bus lines). Subway intervals during the day are only a few minutes. When riding buses 100 and 200, you can do sight-seeing at the same time. Night owls can take 60 bus and tramway lines between 1 and 4 a.m. Prices depend on three zones (A, B and C). A cheap ticket option is the "Welcome-Card". More information and schedules at www.bvg.de

Taxi
About 6000 cabs are available in Berlin. Short distances are particularly worth the money: if you wave for a taxi right at the street, you can go 5 minutes or 2 kilometers for 3.50 euros. At the airport, taxis can be found at terminal A.
The most important phone numbers: 26 30 00, 44 33 22, 21 02 02; www.taxi-in-berlin.de

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SIGHTSEEING

Reichstag
This is the home of the German Bundestag (the Lower House of Parliament). The magnificent building was built between 1884 and 1894. In 1999, a modern dome was added. This makes the Berlin Reichstag one of the most spectacular artistic examples of architecture in Europe. From the outdoor deck you can enjoy a wonderful view over the city.
Platz der Republik 1, S-Bahn (suburban railway): Unter den Linden, tel. 22 73 21 52, opening hours 8 a.m. - midnight (last admittance at 10 p.m.), www.bundestag.de

Brandenburg Gate
Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the 200-year-old Gate has been a reunification symbol. It is the city's central landmark. Many national celebrations take place here, and at New Year's Eve, ten thousands of people assemble in front of the Gate to welcome the New Year with champagne and fireworks.
Pariser Platz (center), S-Bahn (suburban railway): Unter den Linden

Charlottenburg Palace
This is a gorgeous baroque-styled palace that was built in 1701. It used to be a royal residence for a long time, today it houses a museum. The beautiful French-English palace grounds make you want to stroll and relax.
Spandauer Damm, subway: Sophie-Charlotte-Platz, www.spsg.de

Berlin Wall
For 28 years, the Berlin Wall dominated East and West Berlin's history. It fell in 1989, and the divided Germany reunified. Since then, the Wall has mostly been destroyed, and tourists took parts of it with them. The longest part still intact is the "East Side Gallery" that runs 1,300 m along the river Spree and was colorfully designed by numerous artists.
Mühlenstraβe, subway/S-Bahn (suburban railway): Warschauer Straβe

Museum Island
The small island in the river Spree houses five lovely museums (Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Pergamon Museum, Old National Gallery and Bode Museum) and has beeen a UNESCO world cultural heritage since 1999. Archaelogical collections (for example the famous Egyptian collection with the Nefertiti Bust) and artworks of the 19th century are exhibited in the buildings. The terrific Berlin Cathedral (www.berliner-dom.de) is also located here.
Buses: 100, 200, www.museumsinsel-berlin.de

More sights
There are so many things to see in Berlin that you won't be able to cover everything. An overview of all sights: www.berlin-tourist-information.de

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INSIDER TIP

Fernsehturm (television tower)
The 368-m Fernsehturm offers the best view over the city. It is Germany's highest building. In the cozy rotating café, you can relax and have coffee and cookies.
Panoramastraße 1a, subway/S-Bahn (suburban railway): Alexanderplatz, opening hours 10 a.m. - midnight, www.fernsehturm.de

Berlin from below
There are many ways to experience Berlin - even beneath the surface. The associations "Berliner Unterwelten" (www.berliner-unterwelten.de) and "Unter Berlin" (www.unter-berlin.de) offer guided tours to bunkers, canals and constructions beneath the city.

Trabi-Safari
Cruising the city in a Trabant: the legendary German car used to dominate the Eastern part of the city for decades. During the safari, you get infos about your whereabouts via radio.
tel. 59 22 73

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EAT & DRINK

Numerous international and traditional restaurants compete with each other in Berlin. People in Berlin love to go out, which is why you should always book tables in advance. In any case, you should always try the local specialties - ranging from Buletten (meatballs) to a glass of Berliner Weiße (wheat beer) and Currywurst.

Overview
All restaurants in the city: www.schlemmerinfo.de/deu/berlin/kategorien/index.html

Brauhaus Lemke
A small traditional farmhouse that runs two restaurants in the city. Apart from the home-brewed "Lemkebräu" they serve typically solid German cuisine. You can also take a seat in the beer garden during summer.
Dircksenstraße und Luisenplatz 1, tel. 24 72 87 27, www.brauhaus-lemke.com

Anna Blume
A cozy and popular café with excellent breakfast and sensational cakes and pastries from the piemaker "Sowohlalsauch" next door. You might want to stay for dinner (new specials every day).
Kollwitzstr. 83, tel. 44 04 86 41, www.cafe-anna-blume.de

Sale e Tabacchi
One of the city's most beautiful Italian restaurants. We particularly recommend the antipasti plate and pasta with lobster. You might also want to try crawfish tails tossed in butter, served on a salad plate. After an opulent meal in a wonderful atmosphere, you can buy a pack of Italian cigarettes for later. Beautiful in the summer is the idyllic courtyard.
Kochstr. 18, tel. 302 52 11 55, www.sale-e-tabacchi.de

Good Time
One of the city's best thai restaurants. It is elegant, it serves tempered wine and exquisite dishes. The wooden figures are carved with just as much imagination as the carrots on your plate are cut.
Chausséestr. 1, subway: Oranienburger Tor, tel. 28 04 60 15, www.goodtime-berlin.de

Vau
One of Berlin's most recommendable venues. Vau is not only famous for its dishes, but also for the wine selection: 450 different kinds are on the menu.
Jägerstr. 54/55, subway: Hausvogteiplatz, tel. 202 97 30, www.vau-berlin.de

Zur Bratpfanne
An authentic currywurst stand in the currwurst center Berlin Steglitz. There is a special dip, following a 50-year-old recipe, and the sausages are perfect. Berlin's taxi drivers love this stand, and even restaurant owners stop here on their way home at night.
Schlossstraße 97/corner Kielerstraße, opening hours Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 a.m., Sunday noon - 1 a.m. www.zurbratpfanne.de

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HOTELS

Grand Hyatt Hotel
This hotel will leave you with no requests. It is luxurious and comfortable. The building is a combination of Japanese and international style and is located right next to the ultra-hip Potsdamer Platz (Potsdam Square). Marmoreal bathrooms, elegant swimming pool and a spa on the top.
Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2, tel. 25 53 12 34, double room from € 355.00, www.berlin.grand.hyatt.com

Hotel Agon
Centrally located right at Alexanderplatz. The three star hotel offers cheap accomodation and a perfect starting point to discover the city.
Mollstraße 4, tel. 27 57 27-0, double room from € 71.00, www.agon-alexanderplatz.de

Pension Ackselhaus
A real treasure. All rooms and apartments are individually decorated. The pension is housed in a renovated building from the 19th century, located in the trendy district of Prenzlauer Berg. Very charming, with a café and a wonderful garden.
Belforterstraße 21, tel. 44 33 76 33, double room from € 100.00, www.ackselhaus.de

Hotel Q!
This is Berlin's hottest place to spend the night! The five star hotel is one of the world's 50 coolest hotels and has won a number of awards. Celebrities like Brad Bitt and Angelina Jolie have tried out the bathtub at Q! The wellness area is a wonderful experience, too: A relaxation room with heated sand and a "Japanese Washing Zone" make relaxing easy.
Knesebeckstrasse 67, tel. 810 06 60, double room from € 170.00, www.loock-hotels.com

Honigmond
You will feel right at home here. Completely renovated in a baroque style, with mirrors in golden frames and knight's armors. In the evening, burning candles enchant the hotel's most popular restaurant.
Tieckstraße 1, tel. 28 44 55 77, double room from € 89.00, www.honigmond.de

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NIGHTLIFE

You'll hardly find a thing that Berlin's nightlife doesn't have to offer. Numerous bars, clubs, discos and pubs will satisfy every night owl. Sometimes there isn't even a designated closing hour - the big clubs only close when the last visitor has gone home.

Club 103
A hot club in Berlin Kreuzberg. On two factory floors people primarily celebrate with country, punk, rock and dub. Two popular top-class DJ's handle the turntables.
Falckensteinstraße 47, www.103club.de

WeekEnd
Here you can dance to house music on the 12th floor of a skyscraper at Alexanderplatz, until the sun rises. Berlin's Young and Beautiful are to be found at the squared bar in the middle.
Alexanderplatz 5, www.week-end-berlin.de

Watergate
If there are any good techno DJ's in the city, you can find them here. Endless dancing takes place in the nice rooms with a view over the river. One of Berlin's most famous clubs.
Falckensteinstraße 49 a, www.water-gate.de

Kulturbrauerei
Back in the days, the Schultheiss Beer was brewed here. Nowadays, the premises are used for a number of purposes: readings, theater, multiplex cinema, concerts and dancing events of all kinds. The "Ostrock-Partys" are legendary. Among the newest occupants are restaurants that offer special entertainment (known in Germany as "Erlebnisgastronomie").
Schönhauser Allee 36, www.kulturbrauerei.de

Victoria Bar
Berlin doesn't only have good beer, but supposedly also the best cocktails in Germany. At "Victoria Bar", spirits are the way to go. The stylish interior room with its leather couches, dark wooden panelling and modern art on the walls has won a number of awards. In terms of music, the club plays a good mix of jazz, soul and reggae.
Potsdamerstraße 102, www.victoriabar.de

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SHOPPING

Friedrichsstraße
Friedrichsstraße is one of the central shopping streets. It runs 3.3 km right through the center of Berlin. You can find everything here, ranging from fashion boutiques to car dealers and the city's best bookshop (Dussmann, Nr. 90).

Kurfürstendamm
Here are international fashion designer next to jeweler's. If you want to refurbish your home, you might want to drop by "Stilwerk" in Kantstraße - there are five floors with 58 furniture stores.

Berlin-Mitte
The district Berlin-Mitte is a shopper's paradise. Numerous young designers and hip stores have settled down especially along the Hackesch. Don't miss the imaginative hats of Fiona Benett (Groβe Hamburger Straβe).

Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)
Europe's biggest store will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary. The two upper floors became famous due to champagne rosé and an overwhelming selection of delicacies.
Tauentzienstraβe 21-24, subway: Wittenbergplatz, www.kadewe.com

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SOUVENIRS

A typical souvenir from Berlin is the bear that is in the city's coat of arms and can be bought in all possible variations - as a toy, printed on t-shirts or in chocolate.
Miniatures of Berlin's sights, like for example the Brandenburg Gate, are also a popular souvenir. In some stores you can even buy authentic parts of the Berlin Wall. In general, nostalgic items (called "ostalgisch" in German, a wordplay of "Osten" which means "East" and "nostalgic") that are reminiscent of former GDR have become more and more popular in recent years, for example Trabant miniatures.
Can you imagine a Berlin without its currywurst? "Currywurst Country" (www.currywurst-berlin.com) sends authentic currywurst, following a West or East Berlin recipe, to private customers - but only inside of Germany.

Numerous lovely souvenirs can be bought in the TouristStores at Berlin's tourist information centers: www.berlin-tourist-information.de/deutsch/berlin-infos/d_bi_tic.php

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