SPOTAHOME

you are missing out.

Why?

Berlin has everything. Berlin is gorgeous. Berlin is magic.

No matter what you are looking for, you will find it in this wonderful city. No matter what kind of setting you like, you will fall in love with Berlin, not for its beauty, but because of its bold ability to be so different. No matter how many times you go there, there will always a new place, a new layer, a new neighbourhood to discover… Berlin is just simply magical. Spotahome presents the ultimate guide to Berlin.

Past and present, old and new

If you always dreamt of traveling in time, Berlin is the perfect place for you. Walking around its streets is like standing in front of a window open into the last centuries – it’s like watching a well-made documentary about the story of the entire world with great special effects. And if you always wanted to go under the skin of the first and second World War, look no further – with its 170 museums, Berlin can offer you any explanation and clarification about our recent past. While you are there, you should totally pay a visit to DDR and Checkpoint Charlie and, of course, you cannot leave Berlin without visiting the Memorial to the holocaust victims and the Berlin Wall.

If you wander around the city long enough, you should be able to witness the future clashing with the past, the scars of a recent conflict with the hopes of the new generations. Berlin is probably the best example of post-WW2 European renaissance with its courage to move on and its intention to be a new city.

Hip & cool

Not too long ago, London was the centre of the hip and cool vibe, but it’s quite clear that now Berlin has taken the first place. Like London and NY back in the 80s and 90s, Berlin is where everyone is welcome to be themselves. Because of its rough and tough past, the city feels like an open, welcoming and progressive hub in Europe that attracts artists and creatives from all around the world. The atmosphere ofrebellion and freedomthat surrounded the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and of for the past three decades has created the perfect ground-field for many new artists and creatives. Whether you are a hipster or not, you should totally go for a wander around Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain, where you’ll find lots of interesting shops, cafes and galleries. The best place to hang out with locals who embrace alternative and hip lifestyles is on Oranienburger Strasse.

Kreuzberg Berlino

Foodie’s heaven

I had little expectations about food in Berlin, but I quickly had to change opinion as I was honestly amazed to find a foodie paradise among its streets. I was expecting to be forced to eat pretzels, sausage sandwiches, and currywurst all day long, but due to the huge number of immigrants from all over Europe and beyond, Berlin offers plenty of restaurants to suits everybody’s taste. In particular, you will find Turkish, Italian, Mexican and Asianrestaurants popping up at every corner alongside the cutest cafes you can imagine. Make sure to also try some traditional german food at one of their many markets.

Vintage, second-hand and new

Despite being under the radar of the most famous fashion weeks around the world, Berlin is where some of the most remarkable fashion trends were born and it’s now also a great shopping destination. Alongside the traditional shopping malls, there are some great independent stores and flea markets scattered all around town. Whether you are looking for a book, a hat or a vinyl, you are assured you will find it in Berlin. Head to the famous Kurfürstendamm, grand old Friedrichstrasse and the independent boutiques in and around the Hackesche Höfe offer endless anything you might be interested in.

Nightlife

The night in Berlin is something very special. Whether you are a party animal, a music lover or a cocktail connoisseur, you will find great options during your stay. The best part of a night out in Berlin is that you never know where you will end up. Party in squatters, dance after hours, watch art at a night gallery or sip a cocktail at an underground bar and much more – definitely a lot to choose from.

Just make sure to look closely when wandering the streets of Berlin, you’ll find a lot of underground bars behind doors with only a singer pencil or where you will have to ring a doorbell before they let you in.

It’s basically impossible to get bored.

Culture, art & street art

You might have heard about the impressive number of museums on Berlin’s Museum Island, but while you are there you should totally make the most of its 175 museums. From the archeological sights of the Pergamon Museum to the black and white photographic collection of the Museum of Photography, the culture scene is definitely bustling in this city.

One of the most surprising artistic scenes of the city is itsstreet art, now legally allowed by the city authorities. There are some very impressive and huge murals on building all across town, but probably Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are the best starting point to see the most famous ones.

It’s cheap

Unlike most of Western Europe, Berlin is SO affordable. You can rent an apartment for half price of the same size flat in London and you can drink and eat for prices more suited to the Eastern European countries.

Museums, theatres, and most cultural activities come with a price tag, but it’s normally far lower than other big capitals and most of the parks and gardens are admission free. Public transport is also quite cheap while offering great access to the city centres as well as the suburbs.

“All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!” – John F. Kennedy

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