Berlin Hotel & Travel Destination Guide

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Country Code: DE
Source: Fastcheck Arrival Guides

Population:
3.4 million

Currency:
Euro, €1 = 100 cents

Opening hours:
Vary. The rule is: open late, close late. Many shoppping centres and department stores stay open until 10pm, but the opening hours can differ.

Tourist information:
BERLIN infostores
Tourist Office Brandenburg Gate
Address: Pariser Platz, south wing S-Bahn: Unter den Linden
Buses: 100, 200
Open: 10-18
Tel: +49 30 250 025 (Infoline)
There are also infostores at Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station), Neues Kranzler Eck, Alexanderplatz and Pavilion at Reichstag.

Berlin

Few places are as universally popular as Berlin, and it’s not difficult to understand why. The city has a very rich history whilst simultaneously containing the latest in art, fashion and architecture. The various parts of the city such as Tiergarten, Mitte, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg all have their unique characters. Berlin succeeds in the feat of combining small town with city, historic with modern and hectic with meditative. Just open up your senses and embark on a journey of discovery.

Berlin City

Berlin is one of Europe’s most fascinating cities. Its range of culture and sights is astonishing. If anything makes the city unique it’s the fact that it defies classification - there’s everything here.

The chic luxury of the Kürfurstendamm stands in stark contrast with Kreuzberg’s bohemian quarter. The futuristic Potzdamer Platz in glass and steel, a few stations from the former East Berlin centre Alexanderplatz. In Berlin you can drink cocktails at the top of a skyscraper or drink red wine in a jazz cellar. It’s a city with something for everyone. Since the fall of the wall in 1989/90, Berlin has become a melting pot of innovation and futuristic thinking. Architects have been given the space to think new and large. Artists from all over the world come to imbibe the inspiring atmosphere. Forget the Berlin that only serves sausages and sauerkraut. Today you can find the best sushi next to world class Italian cuisine.

At the same time as the town breathes life and movement, Berliners have always found time for a “Milchkaffee und ein Stück Kuchen” - coffee with milk and a slice of cake. Berlin feels welcoming in a way few other cities do.

Thing to See and Do in Berlin

Berlin has a magnificent range of sightseeing opportunities ranging from the historic museums of Museumsinsel to the newly built glass cupola of the Reichstag. But don’t rush, see some this time and more on your next visit. Here are some of the best.

Reichstag
This awe-inspiring building houses the German parliament (Bundestag). Completely restyled by the British architect Lord Norman Foster, it is one of Berlin’s premier sights. The view from the gigantic glass cupola is magnificent and free of charge.
Address: Platz der Republik 1 (Tiergarten)
Underground: Unter den Linden
Opening hours: Open 8-24, last entries 10 p.m. Restaurant.
Phone: +49 30 2273 2152
Internet: www.bundestag.de

Museuminsel
One of Berlin’s most beautiful places is this little island situated in the River Spree. On it stand no less than five historical museums. It has been a Unesco world heritage site since 1999. It’s also home to the grandiose Berliner Dom (cathedral).
Underground: Friedrichstrasse (10 minutes’ walk), 100, 200
Opening hours: March - October: 9.00 am - midnight November - February: 10.00 am - midnight
Tickets: 8.50 € (adults), 4.00 € (up to 16 years)
Internet: (www.berliner-dom.de) www.museen-berlin.de

Alexanderplatz And The Tv-tower (fernsehturm)
Here you can feel the atmosphere of the old East Berlin. For more colourful views you can ride to the top of the 368 metre high Fernsehturm. The view of Berlin in every direction can make you dizzy. You can enjoy coffee in the rotating restaurant.
Address: Panoramastr. 1a
Underground: Alexanderplatz
Opening hours: Open 10- 24
Internet: www.berlinerfernsehturm.de

Brandenburger Tor
Like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important places. The 200 year old gate has a rich history and since the fall of the wall it has been a symbol of reunification. Many national celebrations are held here and every new year tens of thousands gather at the gate with their hands full of firecrackers and champagne.
Address: Pariser Platz (Mitte)
Underground: Unter den Linden, 100, 200

Schloss Charlottenburg
Schloss Charlottenburg is a magnificent baroque castle built in 1701 (subsequently rebuilt and extended several times). There is a beautiful garden and several museums in the vicinity.
Address: Spandauer Damm
Underground: Sophie-Charlotte-Platz
Internet: www.schlosscharlottenburg.de

The Berlin Wall
The longest and best preserved part of the Berlin Wall is called the East Side Gallery. Situated beside the River Spree, it extends for 1300 metres. International artists have been allowed to cover it with colourful paintings.
Address: Mühlenstr
Underground: Warschauer Strasse

Jewish Museum
Europe’s largest Jewish museum holds 2000 years of Jewish history. The museum’s original architecture makes up a big part of the experience. This is the city’s most talked about and emotive museum.
Address: Lindenstraße 9-14
Underground: Hallesches Tor
Opening hours: Mon 10-22, Tue-Sun 10-20. Entry no later than
one hour before closing.
Phone: +49 (0)30 259 93 300
Internet: www.juedisches-museum-berlin.de

Neue Nationalgalerie
Here you’ll find cubism, surrealism and German expressionism including Dalí, Kandinsky and Miró as well as first class exhibitions from elsewhere. All are displayed in Mies van der Rohe’s sixties creation in steel and glass.
Address: Potsdamer Straße 50
Underground: Potsdamer Platz
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10-18. Thur 10-22, Sat - Sun 11-18.
Phone: +49 30 266 2651
Internet: www.museen-berlin.de

Martin-gropius-bau Museum
This famous building from 1881 shows exciting art and photography exhibitions from all over the world. Its atmospheric old world café is a nostalgic gem.
Address: Niederkirchnerstr. 7
Underground: Potsdamer Platz
Opening hours: Wednesday - Monday 10-20.Tuesday closed.
From 15 July to 25 September daily from 10-20 hrs.
Phone: +49 (0)30 254 860
Internet: www.gropiusbau.de

Tips
Many museums are open till 10 p.m. on Thursdays and offer free entry for the last four hours. www.museen-berlin.de

Dining in Berlin

It’s a joy to eat out in Berlin for three reasons; there’s a multitude of restaurants, the standard is high, and they’re good value for money. Here you’ll find food from all over the world. There are many excellent Asian restaurants with authentic food from Japan, Thailand and China. Berliners love pasta, as demonstrated by the large number of charming Italian restaurants. Berliners love to eat out, so visitors should book tables to be on the safe side.

Vau
Vau is classed as an “Edelküche” (noble kitchen) and has a Michelin star. Celebrity chef Kolja Kleeberg cooks with seasonal products and his philosophy is never to have more than three ingredients on the plate. Meinhard von Gerken is responsible for the architecture.
Address: Jägerstraße 54/55
Underground: Hausvogteiplatz
Phone: +49 (0)30 2029 730
Internet: www.vau-berlin.de

Monsieur Vuong
Fittingly, one of Berlin’s best restaurants is situated on one of Berlin’s best streets. Enjoy crispy, fresh Vietnamese dishes and round your meal off with a cup of classic Vietnamese coffee or tea; beautiful colours, beautiful porcelain. Always full.
Address: Alte Schönhauser Str. 46
Underground: Weinmeisterstrasse
Phone: +49 (030 9929 6924
Internet: www.monsieurvuong.de

Kuchi
This famous sushi restaurant is situated in one of the most charming areas of West Berlin. Here boundaries are stretched without losing the classical Japanese tradition; exciting sauces, tempura and ginger tea. (There is also a Kuchi in Gipsstr. 3, Mitte).
Address: Kantstr. 30 (Charlottenburg)
Underground: Savignyplatz
Phone: +49 30 3150 7815
Internet: www.kuchi.de

Good Time
One of the city’s best Thai restaurants with an elegant atmosphere, well chilled wines and exquisite food. The wooden figures are as beautifully carved as the carrot on your plate.
Address: Chausséestr. 1 (Mitte)
Underground: Oranienburger Tor
Phone: +49 30 2804 6015
Internet: www.goodtime-berlin.de

Schwarzenraben
This has long been one of Berlin’s best gastronomic parlours. Here is everything you could wish in Italian delicacies; wines, sausages and cheeses. If you don’t eat dinner, why not try a foccacia breakfast or a risotto lunch.
Address: Neue Schönhauser Str. 13 (Mitte)
Underground: Weinmeisterstrasse
Phone: +49 (0)30 283 916 98
Internet: www.schwarzenraben.de

Ming Dynastie
Ming Dynastie serves first-class Chinese food from famous traditions such as Szezuan, Canton and Peking. A house full of regulars from the Chinese Embassy is considered to be a quality reference.
Address: Brückenstr. 6 (Mitte)
Underground: Jannowitzbrücke
Phone: +49 (0)30 3087 5680

Alt Luxemburg
Karl Wannemacher, one of Germany’s most famous chefs serves his renowned food in this pleasant nineteenth century environment. There is always some form of lobster on the menu.
Address: Windscheidstr. 31 (Charlottenburg)
Underground: Sophie-Charlotte-Platz
Phone: +49 (0)30 3238730

Berlin Cafes

Berliners spend a lot of time in their cafés, eating brunch, reading newspapers and people-watching. Sit down and join them! Perhaps you’d enjoy a cup of tea and a scone.

Galao
Café au lait is in Portuguese called “galao” and can best be enjoyed with a Portuguese cake or toast with ruccola, mushrooms and peccorino. Addictive! Charming and trendy. Only a few seats.
Address: Weinbergsweg 8 (Mitte)
Underground: Rosenthaler Platz
Phone: +49 (0)30 4404 6882
Internet: www.galao-berlin.de

Schwarz-sauer
At the bohemian and hip Schwarz-Sauer you can enjoy a brunch and read a newspaper. You can sit looking for hours through the large windows at the street with the nickname “Castingallee”.
Address: Kastanienallee 13, (Prenzlauer Berg)
Underground: Eberswalderstrasse
Phone: +49 (0)30 4485633

Barcomi’s Deli
Among the galleries in the inner courtyard sit art dealers sipping tea with their scones. This is a paradise for those of us with a sweet tooth.
Address: Sophienstr. 21 Hof (Mitte)
Underground: Weinmeisterstrasse, Hackescher Markt
Phone: +49(0)30 285 983 63
Internet: www.barcomis.de

Café Einstein Stammhaus
This fantastic villa contains the city’s oldest Viennese Coffeehouse. Everything from the delicious breakfast to the afternoon tea with the generous slice of apple strudel will warm your heart. Look out for the local branches, they’re not in the same league!
Address: Kurfürstenstr. 58 (Tiergarten)
Underground: Nollendorfplatz
Phone: +49 (0)30 261 5096
Internet: www.cafeeinstein.com

Berlin Bars and Nightlife

Berlin is the city of cocktails as well as beer. Here you’ll find many well-educated, elegantly dressed bartenders who’ll happily listen to your requirements. In Berlin Happy Hour isn’t just a cheap booze-up in the middle of the day. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a skillfully mixed cocktail at a reasonable price.

Since the 1980s, Berlin has been renowned for its electro scene. The tradition lives on and Berliners are dancing as never before. The great thing with clubs in Berlin is that they close when you feel like going home and not before.

Greenwich
Behind the almost invisible door there are crowds of chic Mitte inhabitants and young businessmen. Male models mix the cocktails. Subdued lighting. Gay friendly.
Address: Gipsstr. 5, (Mitte)
Underground: Weinmeisterstrasse
Phone: +49 (0)30 2809 5566

Würgeengel
The Würgeengel must be Berlin’s most charming bar. Artists and actors come here to enjoy a glass of red wine and a cigarillo at the mirror bar. The lighting is soft and the sound levels high. Italian snacks are served.
Address: Dresdener Str. 122
Underground: Kottbusser Tor
Phone: +49 (0)30 6155 560
Internet: www.wuergeengel.de

Victoria Bar
A luxurious addition to Berlin’s bar menu is the Victoria Bar. The Bar’s stylish interior with leather sofas, dark wood panelling and modern art has won awards. The loudspeakers bring jazz, soul and reggae to its customers.
Address: Potsdamer Straße 102 (Tiergarten)
Underground: Kurfürstenstrasse
Phone: +49 (0)30 2575 9977
Internet: www.victoriabar.de

103
103 is the place for Mitte’s more eccentric inhabitants, a place where they can gossip from early morning till late at night. On the menu you can find good coffee, club sandwiches and Caesar wraps. Perfect for a shopping break.
Address: Kastanienallee 49 (Prenzlauer Berg)
Underground: Senefelderplatz/Rosenthaler Platz
Phone: +49 (0)30 44341103
Internet: www.agentur103.de

Watergate
If a good techno DJ comes to town it’s here that you’ll find him or her. In smart premises with a view over the river you can dance yourself sweaty in one of Berlin’s most famous clubs.
Address: Falckensteinstr. 49 a (Kreuzberg)
Underground: Schlesisches Tor
Internet: www.water-gate.de

Shopping in Berlin

Friedrichstrasse
The long Friedrichstrasse contains Galeries Lafayette with Escada, Boss and H&M. For the car lover there are the latest beauties from Peugeot, Volkswagen and Bugatti to admire (corner Unter den Linden). At number 90 there’s the city’s best bookshop; Dussmann, das Kulturkaufhaus, containing five floors of culture. Listen to your favourite artiste’s latest record or sit down in an armchair with a stack of books. On the top floor there’s literature in English and a leather sofa with a view on Friedrichstrasse.

Kurfürstendamm
If you’re looking for luxury then you’ve come to the right place. On the west side parade there are shops like Burberry, Max Mara and Tommy Hilfiger. But there’s also more reasonable priced fashion such as H&M and Zara, you can turn into Fasanenstrasse where you’ll find Gucci and Chanel and also jewelers including, of course, a Bulgari! At the beautiful Savignyplatz there are numerous bookshops specialising in art, design and fashion (Knesebeckstrasse). If you want to enhance your home you can turn into Kantstrasse where Stilwerk is waiting with its five floors and 58 shops of fittings and design. You can refresh yourself with the city’s best coffee at Café Einstein (Savignyplatz 11) or a cocktail at Gainsbourg (Savignyplatz 5).

Mitte
If you jump off the train at Hackescher Markt it’s difficult not to devote the rest of the day to shopping. The area is full of fresh fashion, vintage and exciting furniture shops. You can start with Hackescher Höfe and then stroll on to Neue Schönhauser Strasse and Alte Schönhauser Strasse. Here’s where you’ll find several of Berlins young designers. Don’t miss Fiona Bennett’s fantastic hats at Grosse Hamburger Str. 25. If your feet are hurting there is the Birkenstock Store on Neue Schönhauser Str. 19, (since you’re in the homeland of beautiful sandals, the price will be right). A little further on is Münzstrasse with its Adidas Store and American Apparel. If you’re hungry there’s sushi, enchiladas and Italian food close by.

Kadewe
Europe’s biggest department store, KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens), has already celebrated 100th anniversary. It’s best known for its two upper floors where you can sip pink champagne or lose yourself in its immense selection of delicatessen.
Address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24 (Schöneberg)
Underground: Wittenbergplatz
Phone: +49 (0)30 2121 0
Internet: www.kadewe.com

Quartier 206
Friedrichstrasse’s pearl! Here you’ll find Gucci, La Perla and Yves Saint Laurent under one and the same roof. The founder Anne Maria Jagdfeld had a clear understanding of what she wanted the ideal shopping centre to look like. Have a coffee and enjoy the luxurious interior and black and white chequered Art Deco.
Address: Friedrichstr. 71 (Mitte)
Underground: Stadtmitte
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 11 - 20, Sat 10 - 18.
Phone: +49 (0)30 2094 6800
Internet: www.departmentstore-quartier206.com

Galeries Lafayette
Berlin too has been enriched by one of the world’s best known French department stores. Four floors filled with perfumes, designer clothes, and scarves for 200 Euros. The delicatessen department is appreciated by Berliners.
Address: Friedrichstr. 76-78 (Mitte)
Underground: Französische Strasse
Opening hours: Open: Mon-Sat 10-20
Phone: +49 (0)30 20 94 80
Internet: www.galeries-lafayette.de

Potzdamer Platz Arkaden
An American style shopping centre with lots of everything. You’ll find Mango, Esprit, H&M och Mandarina Duck. Italian ice-cream, sandwiches and coffee bars. Child friendly. Open every day 10 a.m. - 8p.m.
Address: Alte Potsdamer Str. 7 (Tiergarten)
Underground: Potzdamer Platz
Phone: +49 (0)30 25 59 27 0
Internet: www.potsdamer-platz-arkaden.de

Berlin Hotels

Luxury Berlin Hotels

Grand Hyatt Hotel
The Grand Hyatt leaves little to desire in the form of luxury and comfort. Near the ultramodern Potzdamer Platz it is a mixture of Japanese and Bauhaus. There are marble bathrooms and an extravagant pool and spa on the top floor.
Address: Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2 (Tiergarten)
Underground: Potsdamer Platz

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Ritz Carlton Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin (Germany) is across from the Sony Center on the Postsdamer Platz. The hotel is within walking distance of the Bradenburg Gate, the last remaining gate of the Berlin Wall. At the Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, the indoor pool sits beneath a ceiling decorated with clouds and stars. The Lobby Lounge features afternoon tea service by a roaring fireplace. A complete health spa includes a fitness center, spa tub and massage services.
Address: Potsdamer Platz 3, Berlin 10785

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Good Value Berlin Hotels

Swissotel Berlin
The Swissôtel Berlin hotel is on the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin, Germany’s shopping strip. Two blocks away is Tiergarten Park and less than three kilometers from the hotel are landmarks including Brandenburger Gate and Schloss Charlottenburg Palace.The 316 guestrooms at the seven-story Swissôtel Berlin are decorated with original art by Markus Lüpertz, armchairs in suede or linen and light wood furnishings. Some of the rooms feature Band and Olufsen stereos.High-speed Internet access is available for a fee.
Address: Augsburger Strasse 44, Kurfurstendamm 227, Berlin 10789

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Hotel Art Nouveau
The owners have sensitively selected antique furniture for the various rooms; “The Red”, “The Italian,”, “The Japanese”
etc. It’s a joy for those who are interested in interior design. Non smoking.
Address: Leibnizstraße 59 (Charlottenburg)
Underground: Adenauerplatz

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Cheap Berlin Hotels

Andechser Hof
In a charming street in Mitte lies the welcoming Andechser Hof. The young owners have designed the fresh rooms in a comfortable rustic style. Nearby is the popular restaurant Kürbis serving genuine Austrian food.
Address: Ackerstr. 155 (Mitte)
Underground: Rosenthaler Platz

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