From 3 June, our flights will operate to/from Berlin Brandenburg International Airport.
Berlin has much to offer, especially to those interested in culture and history, with its 150 theatres, 175 museums and magnificent buildings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The architecture of Berlin is fascinating, mainly as a result of the former division between the “communist” East and the “capitalist” West for many years. Different styles of building were favoured in the two different parts of the city. The diversity of nationalities and different religions means that churches, synagogues and mosques are well represented in the city centre.
But Berlin also has something to offer nature lovers. In the centre of Berlin, you can visit Europe’s biggest botanical garden. It covers an area of 42 hectares and contains over 18,000 different varieties of plant. Just outside the city, there are a number of magnificent castles, with the most beautiful gardens that Germany has to offer. They are perfect for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax.
Mitte
Introduction
Berlin’s central district has truly
awoken after decades of slumber
in isolation behind the Wall, and
it’s now a prime area for shopping,
eating and sightseeing. Wander
from the stately boulevards,
squares and tourist shops around
Unter den Linden to the funky
Hackescher Markt, with its quirky
restaurants and boutiques.
Cultural
To experience live music with
a difference, head just west of Mitte
to the Liquidrom thermal baths (10
Möckernstrasse, tel. (0)30 2580 7820),
where weekly waterside concerts are
held by the beautifully lit underground
pool. Float in the hot salt water while
listening to musical styles varying from
jazz to didgeridoo.
Restaurants
Head to a quiet Mitte street for
some great sushi at Kuchi (3 Gipsstrasse,
tel. (0)30 2838 6622). The fresh, modern
interior is a pleasant place to battle for
a table (if you haven’t booked ahead)
and sample sushi specials as well as
crisp miso duck, chicken yakitori and
green tea ice cream.
Pubs
The pull of gravity may feel
distinctly stronger after a few fantastic
cocktails at the upmarket Newton Bar
(57 Charlottenstrasse). But it’s not Sir
Isaac you’re raising a glass to here – it’s
legendary photographer Helmut Newton,
whose huge ‘Big Nudes’ snap occupies
a whole wall of the bar.
Charlottenburg
Introduction
This district around Zoo Bahnhof
train station was once the buzzing
centre of West Berlin, but over the
years lost some of its glamour to
the newly discovered districts
further east. Its elegant boulevards
and tree-lined streets are still
worth discovering, however.
Hotels
Jazz lovers should lay their heads
at the Ellington (50-55 Nürnberger
Strasse, tel. (0)30 683150, ellingtonhotel.
com, rooms from €118), located in
a stylish 1920s building. The basement
formerly housed the Badewanne club,
where legends such as Louis Armstrong,
Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington once
played – photos of this musical history
can be found throughout the hotel.
Cultural
Berlin’s prettiest baroque
palace, Schloss Charlottenburg (20-24 Spandauer Damm), was beautifully
restored after the war and sits in
landscaped gardens north of the
commercial area. It was built in 1695 as
a summer palace, but took another
century to acquire its current grandiose
form. Visitors can wander the grounds
and rooms to take in the period furniture
and art. Romantic candle-lit dinners with
baroque music are also held regularly.
Restaurants
For fine European dining with a
French twist, book a table at First Floor
(Palace Hotel, 45 Budapester Strasse,
tel. (0)30 2502 1020); try one of the set
degustation menus for a mouth-watering
experience, paired with the world’s best
wine. Quality dining comes at a price, but
you can also drop by for a lighter lunch.
Kreuzberg
Introduction
Once a dead-end area with its back
against the wall, this was the most
alternative kiez (district) of West
Berlin, with punks, draft-dodgers
and a huge Turkish population.
Kreuzberg’s reconnection to its
eastern neighbours has done much
to diversify and modernise the
area, and its relaxed way of life
and rocking nightlife continues
to attract many visitors.
Cultural
One of Berlin’s top museums,
the Jewish Museum (9-14 Lindenstrasse,
tel. (0)30 2599 3300) is designed to
resemble an unravelling Star of David
and contains an in-depth exhibition on
the history of Jews in Germany. The
boom years of the early 20th century
are juxtaposed with the exhibits and
sober voids to contemplate the wartime
horrors. Plan to spend a few hours here.
Restaurants
An old Kreuzberg market hall now
houses the rustic Markthalle restaurant
(34 Pücklerstrasse, tel. (0)30 617 5502),
serving late breakfasts and delicious
German and international dishes. The
menu changes every week.
Night Clubs
Perched on the very edge of
Kreuzberg and overlooking the elegant
Oberbaumbruecke bridge over the Spree,
Watergate (49 Falckensteinstrasse) is
a fantastic club attracting local and
international DJs, and a trendy young
crowd eager to hear new music.
Population
Currency
Telephone
Tempelhof Airport is located in the southcentral borough of Tempelhof- Schöneberg.
Train: The airport
is connected to
the city centre by
U-Bahn line 6, which
can be picked up
from Platz der
Luftbrücke station.
The journey takes
10 to 15 minutes and
tickets cost €2,10.
Taxi: The trip into
the city centre takes
around 15 minutes
and costs about €12.
Tourist information: There are offices at
the Brandenburg
Gate and the main
railway station
(tel. (0)30 250025,
visitberlin.de).