Where to eat in Berlin. Shopping in Berlin: useful tips, personal experience, sales The most interesting things in Berlin

29.07.2023

Berlin districts: where to stay with a child and to visit museums, the safest and most unfavorable districts of Berlin. Reviews from tourists and expert advice about Berlin districts on the “Subtleties of Tourism”.

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Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

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Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is an amazing mixture of West and East Berlin. The area cannot boast of any special attractions, but the funniest parties in the city take place here. The best nightclubs, noisy student gatherings, the spirit of subcultural Berlin - all this is Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Since the 1960s, originals from all over the country have settled here - from hairy hippies to acid ravers, so the number of inexpensive bars, designer shops, vintage second-hand shops, nightclubs and, of course, hostels is simply off the charts.

Families with children should not come here, but young people - very much so.

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Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf

Lichtenberg is not the best place for tourists in Berlin. Located next to Alexanderplatz, this area is almost half populated, alas, by disadvantaged immigrants from the countries of the former CIS. But there are some things you can see: the Friedrichsfelde Zoo and the Berlin-Karlhorst Museum of World War II History. The typically residential area of Marzahn-Hellersdorf is also not the most interesting place, but two Berlin “pearls” are hidden here - the Marzahn holiday park and the Biesdorf palace park.

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Mitte

Mitte is the “heart” of the city; it was here that present-day Berlin was born in the 12th century. Divided into two parts by the muddy waters of the Spree River, Mitte is considered the city's richest district in terms of attractions. Before Hitler came to power, the quarter lived a cheerful and carousing life - with entire streets of shops, cabarets, theaters and the best restaurants in Europe. Afterwards, Mitte turned into a typical bureaucratic and clerical district: entire streets were occupied by ministries and departments, and a gigantic building of the Reich Chancellery appeared on Wilhelmstrasse.

For the first time in Berlin. Where to go, what to try:

Of course, during the war the area was practically wiped off the face of the earth and was restored until the 1990s. Today, here are the seat of government and the buildings of the Bundestag, Museum Island, the very same TV tower, a cult place for ladies - the Lafayette Gallery and much, much more.

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Neukolln

Neukolln is the most multinational district of the German capital. Despite the fact that tourists are not recommended to come here again (especially at night), it is worth visiting. It was Neukölln that suffered the least of all during the fighting of World War II, so here you can find many buildings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries of the Gründer era. Other must-sees: the local opera building and Richardplatz.

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Pankov

Pankow is a very quiet and beautiful area that grew out of a small village of Slavic settlers in the early 14th century. It was here that the leaders of the GDR preferred to live before the unification of Germany, but today Pankow is inhabited mostly by ethnic Germans from the middle class. Sights: the country's largest synagogue on Rikestrasse, the park and palace "", as well as the town hall from the early 20th century.

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Reinickendorf

Reinickendorf is the outskirts of Berlin. On the one hand, most of it is occupied by an industrial zone, on the other, the area is surrounded by forests and lakes, where city residents love to walk and have picnics. Tourists usually know Reinickendorf from Tegel Airport. Other interesting places are the Tegel Palace and Park, as well as the Tegel Port cultural center.

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Spandau

Spandau - once a separate city, and now a district of Berlin - is interesting primarily for the walls of its ancient Citadel. The twelve-sided fortress with 4 bastions and a tower is an example of an ideal military city of the 16th century. In addition to it, Spandau has interesting parks, lakes, the site of the infamous Spandau prison, where Rudolf Hess died, as well as the Old Town with the recreated Kolk Street and the Church of St. Nicholas from the 13th century.

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Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Steglitz-Zehlendorf is one of the most prestigious areas of the German capital: villas, mansions, parks and forests are its main attractions. This is where you should look for the best Berlin beach - Strandbad on Lake Grosse Wansee. In the local Dahlem quarter, a German village recreated by archaeologists and a botanical garden are interesting.

As the “cherry on the cake” - the library of the Free University of Berlin, designed by the scandalous and brilliant Norman Foster.

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Tempelhof-Schöneberg

Tempelhof-Schoneberg is perhaps an ideal place for tourists with children. There is a developed infrastructure, a lot of entertainment, but somehow calmer than in Mitte or the wild Kreuzberg. And the main local attraction to match is one of the best zoos in Europe. Tempelhof also has a peculiarity - it is the most homosexual district in Berlin, which speaks not only of the tolerance of local residents, but also of the safety of the entire quarter as a whole. By the way, this status does not mean that every second house here is a Blue Oyster bar; the general appearance of the area is quite conservative.

Berlin Zoo

Treptow-Köpenick

Finally, Treptow-Kopenick is another “lung” of the city, where parks and lakes tirelessly replace each other. Local attractions: the Molecule Man sculpture, symbolizing the unification of Berlin, Treptow Park with a monument to the Soviet soldier, the ancient town hall in Köpenick and the luxurious palace of the same name in the Baroque style.

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TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Speaking about shops in Berlin, it is probably necessary to separately mention the possibility of buying groceries and the supermarkets that can be found in the central part of the city. No matter how surprising it may seem, finding a suitable grocery department in the city center is not so easy, especially if you arrived in Berlin on a Sunday or for some holiday. In this case, you just need to know about those places that work constantly. Many guides recommend visiting Ullrich supermarket, located near the Berlin Zoo and next to the Zoo station. After a practical check, it turned out that this is a really worthwhile place where you can find not only the necessary products, but also all sorts of nice little things and even cosmetics. Alcohol deserves the most attention in this supermarket, the variety of which is impressive, and the prices are pleasantly surprising. There is almost everything here - from German beer for 0.8 - 1 euro per bottle (on average) to French cognac, Scotch whiskey and a wide variety of liqueurs. The prices, by the way, are very, very reasonable. And if you look closely at the bottles displayed at a special promotional price on the boxes between the aisles, you can buy good French or Italian wine no more expensive, or even cheaper, than, for example, in Paris. So if you want to pamper yourself and your loved ones with good alcohol, be sure to stroll between the shelves in search of something interesting. In addition to alcoholic products, you can find coffee, chocolate and chocolate candies in this supermarket. And of course, how can you imagine a German supermarket without all kinds of meat and sausage cuts, the variety of which is simply mind-boggling. By the way, their prices here are quite reasonable. So, you can buy a package of slices, paying for it from 0.7 to 3 euros (depending on the type and weight).

So, the store is really very attractive, especially for tourists who want to quickly and inexpensively buy something for the trip or as a souvenir. By the way, another supermarket of the Ullrich chain is located near Potsdamer Platz (Withelmplatz metro station) and is also open daily until 20.00.

If you come to Berlin on weekdays or have enough time to walk around the city and shop, then you can turn your attention to the following stores located within the center of Berlin. This is, first of all, a supermarket Spar on Krausenstraße (metro station Stadtmitte U2 U6 or Kochstr. U6, opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 20:00), budget grocery discounter Lidl at Leipziger Strasse 45 B (Brandenburger Tor U-Bahn or Französische Str. U6) or at Holzmarktstrasse 3 (Jannowitzbrücke or Märkisches Museum U2), open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 21:00, as well as a grocery store shop E City, located at Krausenstraße 11.

Regarding the purchase souvenirs, then finding a souvenir shop in Berlin will not be difficult. There are simply a great many of them, both in the city center in the form of independent shopping units, and in the form of small pavilions in large shopping centers. So, I personally liked the souvenir department located on the first floor of the Europe Center shopping center, the entrance to which can be easily found by the charming huge bear standing on its front paws. In addition, you will be very lucky if you get to Berlin for some holiday, when small but very interesting fairs are held at key venues in the city. So, having arrived in Berlin for Easter, I had the opportunity to stroll past the cozy houses located on the square near the Europa Center and choose one of the numerous and very attractive souvenirs. So, you could buy an original traditional hat or outfit, a charming ethnic piece of jewelry, or treat yourself to delicious sweets. In addition, many were indescribably delighted by the bright heart-shaped gingerbread cookies, decorated with ornaments and inscriptions. And of course, it is simply impossible to indifferently pass by the symbol of the city - the bear, presented on the shelves of Berlin souvenir shops in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes.

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Shopping in Berlin is a must. German quality is beyond doubt. The city's oldest shopping center, which the Germans consider a trading empire, is Ka De We. our hotel was located 600 meters from this shopping center.

The selection of goods here is huge, comfort and service are also at the same level. However, it seemed to me that the prices were slightly higher than in other stores.

But you definitely need to go up to the 6th floor.

This is a food paradise. Delicacies, cheeses, sausages, a huge number of varieties of coffee and tea. You can find something for every taste and buy it instead of a souvenir.

Not far away there is another shopping complex - Europe Center.

For those who are interested in cotton, it makes sense to visit the Eterna store. Prices in all stores are very reasonable.

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Shopping in Berlin is what many of our compatriots come to the capital for. In fact, there are more than enough places for shopping in Berlin, and the shopping itself can please you with its variety. For example, I was very, very impressed by the shopping, and I bought so much in Berlin during my trip that I could barely take it away. So, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of doing a little shopping in the fashionable capital. I won’t talk about free-standing stores on shopping streets, but the main shopping centers and department stores in Berlin and its suburbs where you can make purchases are worth mentioning.

"Neuköllner Arcaden"(Karl Marx Straße 66)

Located in Berlin's Neukölln district, this shopping center is quite popular. Under the roof of this modern building, on an area of more than 27,000 square meters, you can shop in more than 60 stores that offer clothes and shoes, beauty products, appliances, holiday supplies and groceries. After shopping, you can go to the cinema or to the gym, also on the premises of the department store. There is also a Kaufland hypermarket on site (open from 7 am to 10 pm from Mon to Sat).

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00

How to get there: U-Bahn (line U7 to Rathaus Neukölln) or bus 104 | 167 to the stop Rathaus Neukölln. Parking is open from 8am to 10.30pm and costs €0.60.

"Potsdamer Platz Arkaden"(Alte Potsdamerstraße 7)

A striking illustration of modern Berlin's commercial and economic renaissance, it is an architectural gem and home to over 130 shops, cafes, cinemas, bars and even a casino. Billed as "the center in the center", this vibrant department store is 180 meters long, covering 40,000 sq.m. and a glass roof - an ideal place for shopping and entertainment. If you're tired of shopping, relax in one of the restaurants, which offer German and international cuisine. Among the brand stores of this futuristic building, you will find global brands such as Esprit, H&M, Swarovski and Benetton in this three-story building. The nearest U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations are at Potsdamer Platz. Also visit the observation deck on Potsdamer Platz – from there you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city!

How to get there: S-Bahn (S1 | S25 to Potsdamer Platz), U-Bahn (U2 to Potsdamer Platz), bus (100 | 200 | 347 | M41 | M48 to Bhf Potsdamer Platz)

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00

"Schönhauser Allee Arcaden"(Schönhauser Allee 80)

This outlet on Berlin's largest shopping street was opened in 1999. The three-story shopping center covers an area of over 25,000 m² and is home to more than 100 stores. The conveniently located department store is located next to the train station and metro stations within easy reach. The goods in the department store are presented with a very good price-quality ratio.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00 - 20.00, Sat- 10.00 - 20.00

How to get there: S-Bahn trains (S41 | S42 | S8 | S85 to Schönhauser Allee), U-Bahn metro (U2 to Schönhauser Allee), tram (M1 to Bhf Schönhauser Allee)

"Spandau Arcaden"(Klosterstrasse 3)

It is a meeting point for walking and shopping, as well as for relaxation and entertainment. On four floors of the building, on an area of more than 40,000 m², there are 125 shops that can satisfy any visitor’s request. There are departments with equipment and books (mStore (Apple), GameStop, SATURN), departments with everything for beauty (The Body Shop, Yves Rocher, Pandora), boutiques and departments with clothes and accessories (Jack & Jones, New Yorker , H&M, Mexx, etc.) In addition to numerous shops, entertainment centers where you can have fun, a bowling center and a spa. There is also a grocery hypermarket “REAL” on the territory of the shopping center, which is open from 8 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday.

How to get there: by bus (M32 | M37 | M45 | X33 | 130 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 236 | 337), trains S75 and S9 to Rathaus Spandau, metro U7 to Rathaus Spandau or easily accessible by car from all directions.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.00 21.00 (parking from 5 am to 01:00, costs 0.80 euros).

"Wilmersdorfer Arcaden"(Wilmersdorfer Straße 46)

It is a lively shopping magnet in Berlin's Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. Located right on one of the oldest pedestrian zones in the region, and indeed in the whole of Berlin, this shopping center with 125 specialty stores, various service departments and modern gastronomy significantly expands the possibilities for quality shopping. In addition to shopping, the mall also offers fitness centers, offices and medical practices. The three-story shopping center has a huge grocery market and a number of smaller grocery stores, specialized stores of consumer electronics and sporting goods.

How to get there: by S-Bahn (S3 | S5 | S7 | S9 to Charlottenburg station), by U-Bahn (U2 to Bismarckstraße or U7 to Wilmersdorfer Straße) or M49 buses | X34 | 109 | 309 to the Wilmersdorfer Straße stop.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.00 21.00 (parking is open from 6:00 to 22.30 and costs 0.80 euros).

"Neues Kranzler Eck"(Kurfürstendamm 23)

For a long time, this Ku" Damm 23 has been one of the hottest addresses in the city of Charlottenburg (12 km from Berlin), which attracts buyers with a selection of specialized stores. The trading house is located in a 16-story building 60 meters high and an area of 20,000 m², very unusual in appearance, with sharp geometric elements made of glass and steel. A stunning sight! Thanks to its architecture, the building is very light and cozy on clear days. Among the most popular departments you can find in the open spaces of the New Kranzler, for example, "Karstadt Sport" - lovers of an active lifestyle will definitely like it. The nearest U-Bahn stop is either Kurfürstendamm or Uhlandstrasse (line U1).

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00

How to get there: U-Bahn metro - U1, U9 to Kurfürstendamm station or U2, U9 to Zoologischer Garten Bhf. By bus - M19, M29, M46, X10 to the Kurfürstendamm stop or M49, X34 to Joachimstaler Str./Kantstr. By S-Bahn trains S46, S5, S7, S75 to the Zoologischer Garten Bhf station.

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Berlin, like any other modern European capital, provides many opportunities for high-quality and profitable shopping by our standards. Here you can easily browse through small shops, branded boutiques, or look into one of the giant department stores and shopping centers. Almost anywhere you can find decent things to suit your taste. It is worth remembering that all stores in Berlin, as throughout Germany, are open from Monday to Saturday, while in Sunday You can find only a few supermarkets open, mini-markets at train stations with a minimum of necessary items, or shops at gas stations.

Berlin is one of the cities with a VAT refund system for non-EU citizens (the system Tax Free ). When making a large purchase in a store marked with the appropriate icon, you need to ask for a special coupon. If you present a receipt and coupon at the border control point or at the airport, you will receive a refund of VAT, which amounts to up to 19% of the cost of the goods.

It is especially pleasant to shop in Berlin in sales season , which takes place at the end of January in the winter and at the end of July-beginning of August in the summer. Discounts provided by stores can be very impressive and range, as a rule, from a symbolic 15-20 to a grandiose 50-80%. Berlin's "shopping streets" may be particularly interesting places during the sales season. Kurfürstendamm(where the stores of most leading brands are located and there is also a system of local discounts) and Hackescher Markt(in whose stores you can find not only clothes, but also cosmetics at an impressive discount). In search of bargains, you can also look at Alexanderplatz or Kastanienallee.

Large Berlin department stores and shopping centers deserve special attention, the most famous of which is KaDaWe, located on the previously mentioned Kurfuerstendamm street next to the Wittenberplatz metro station and attracting thousands of shoppers every day.

In search of large shopping centers, you can also go to Tauentzienstraße, where large Peek&Cloppenburg And Europa Center, characterized by more modest prices and less influx of tourists. The shopping center also enjoys a lot of attention." Arkaden"at Postdamer Platz,

In East Berlin, on Friedrichstrasse, there is another “shopping district”, where you can see not only boutiques of world-famous brands, but also visit one of the largest centers of the city - Quartier 205, Quartier 206 and Quartier 207. Here you can find everything from electronics and perfumes to luxury clothing and jewelry.

When going shopping, you should not neglect a trip to the Berlin markets, including flea markets, the most popular of which is Kunst- und Flohmarkt am Tiergarten. Here you can find a lot of interesting things from the times of the GDR. If you want to buy something antique, it’s better to look at Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz.

What, besides clothes and cosmetics, as well as German beer, can you bring from Berlin? A traditional souvenir is the symbol of the city - berlin bear , which can be found not only in souvenir shops, but also in any large shopping center. Also very popular among tourists porcelain Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory. It is not worth the opportunity to buy so-called “eco” products in Berlin: natural products and cosmetics.

Berlin (Germany) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Berlin with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Berlin (Germany)

Getting around the city

Berlin is a huge city. To get around you need to use well-developed public transport: buses, trams, trains and metro. Taxi services are also slightly cheaper than in many other major cities in Central Europe.

Berlin uses a zone system, but you are unlikely to need to travel outside of zones A and B, except when traveling to Potsdam or the airport. Public transport uses a shared ticket. A standard ticket is valid for 2 hours after validation. There is a cheap ticket that is valid for three U-Bahn or S-Bahn stops. Each ticket must be validated on a special device (to stamp the date and time). Trams mainly operate in East Berlin.

Gastronomy

Berlin is a major gastronomic center: expensive restaurants, cozy cafes and bars, noisy and cheerful clubs, public catering outlets. For food, you should try pfannkuchen (donuts), currywurst (sausage with curry), döner (bread with salad and meat). Food in Berlin is incredibly cheap compared to any other Western European capital or other German cities. Cuisine from different cultures is represented here, although it is often modified to suit German tastes.

One of the main tourist areas for food is Hackescher Markt / Oranienburger Straße, Kastanienallee. It is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the bill amount.

Shopping and purchases

Berlin is one of the shopping centers in Europe. Main shopping areas:

Ku"Damm and Tauentzienstraße - many brand stores
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens) at Wittenbergplatz
Schloss-strasse (Steglitz), Wilmersdorfer Strasse (Charlottenburg), Schönhauser Allee (Prenzlauer Berg), Carl-Schurz-Strasse (Spandau) and Karl-Marx-Strasse (Neukölln) are shopping streets.
Friedrichstraße is a major shopping street in East Berlin.

Large shopping centers:

Alexa (Alexanderplatz/Mitte)
Potsdamer Platz Arkaden (Potsdamer Platz/Mitte)
Mallof Berlin (Leipziger Platz/Mitte)
Gesundbrunnen-Center(Gesundbrunnen Station/Wedding)
Gropius-Passagen(Britz)
Linden-Center(Hohenschönhausen, Spandau-Arkaden (Spandau)
Schloss(Schloss-strasse/Steglitz)
ForumSteglitz (Schloss-strasse/Steglitz)
Ring Center (Friedrichshain)

Berlin districts

Mitte is the historical center of Berlin, the core of the former East Berlin and the new city center. Cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries and clubs abound throughout the area, as well as many attractions of cultural interest.
West Berlin (Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Schöneberg, Tiergarten) - restaurants, hotels, shops, palaces.
East Berlin Center (Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg) is a noisy youth area: cafes, bars, clubs. This is an area of artists and other creative intellectuals, as well as a large Turkish diaspora.
North Berlin (Spandau and Reinickendorf) - interesting architecture and luxurious villas of former leaders of the GDR.
East Berlin (Lichtenberg, Hohenschonghausen, Marzan, Hellersdorf) - the authentic atmosphere of the GDR: high-rise buildings, several parks.
South Berlin (Steglitz, Seelendorf, Tempelhof) - areas of contrasts: green and rich Seelendorf and poor Neukölln (New Cologne).

Museums

Berlin is a city of museums. There are more than fifty different museums and galleries here. Most of them are paid. If you plan to devote a lot of time to museums, we recommend purchasing a special three-day museum card for 24 euros. It gives you the opportunity to visit the exhibitions of almost all museums in Berlin for three days. Please note: museums are usually closed on Monday.

The most interesting museums in Berlin:

Museum Island is one of the largest and most famous museum complexes in Europe. The ensemble of the museum island includes:

The Pergamon Museum is one of the largest museums in Berlin, containing extensive collections of ancient Greek, ancient Eastern and Islamic art and history.
Old Museum - Egyptian collection and old antiques.
Old National Gallery - German painting from the 19th century.
Bode Museum - rich collection of sculptures and Byzantine art.
Neuss Museum - Egyptian collection, archaeological finds.

The Cultural Forum is another museum complex located near Postdamer Platz. Among its museums we recommend:

Art gallery - thousands of paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including masterpieces by Durer, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
New National Gallery - 20th century art.
Museum of Musical Instruments.

Other museums:

Charlottenburg Museum - palace and museum complex
Dahlem Museum - collections of European culture, Asian art and ethnography.
German Historical Museum.
Jewish Museum.
The Berlin Gallery is the city's museum of contemporary art, design and architecture.
Memorial complex "Berlin Wall".
Brandenburg Museum - Museum of History and Culture of Berlin

Bode Museum

Sights of Berlin

Berlin is a city rich in attractions and beautiful architecture, despite the fact that there are not many ancient buildings and historical monuments here.

Sacred architecture: churches and temples

Berlin Cathedral is the largest and one of the most beautiful churches in Berlin. The cathedral is located near Museum Island. Built in the 19th century and is a symbol of the greatness of the German Empire. For 7 euros you can climb to the dome and enjoy a wonderful view of Berlin.

Kaiser Wilhelm Church - ruins of a church built at the end of the 19th century. The remains of a tall bell tower are located between two modern buildings and are a reminder of the Second World War.

Church of St. Maria in Berlin

Church of St. Mary's is one of the oldest churches in Berlin, located in the historical center near Alexanderplatz. The tower, 90 meters high, is the tallest among the city's religious buildings. Entrance to the church is free. Inside there is a lot of antique art.

Church of St. Nicholas is a brick Gothic church from the 13th century, the oldest religious building in Berlin. The height of the towers is 84 meters. Interestingly, the building is not currently a religious building. This is one of the branches of the Brandenburg Museum.

Cathedral of St. Jadwiga is an 18th century Catholic church in the neoclassical style, significantly rebuilt in the 50s of the 20th century after destruction during the Second World War.

The New Synagogue is a beautiful building in the Moorish style, built in the 19th century. The central religious building of the Jewish community of Berlin.

In the eastern part of the historical center you can find the ruins of a Gothic Franciscan abbey, destroyed in 1945.

The main attractions of Berlin

The Berlin TV Tower is the tallest building in Berlin and all of Germany. The height of the TV tower is 386 meters. Located in the historical center at Alexanderplatz. At an altitude of 204 meters there is an observation deck with a stunning panorama of Berlin.

The Reichstag building (Bundestag) is the building of the German Parliament. A massive building from the late 19th century with a beautiful glass dome that offers breathtaking views of Berlin. In 1945, our troops hoisted the Victory Banner on it, which became one of the symbols of the feat of our people during the Great Patriotic War.

The Victory Column is a 60-meter-high monument built in the second half of the 19th century. At the top there is a panoramic observation deck. To get there you need to climb 285 steps.

A very popular observation deck is the 100-meter Kollhoff Tower on Postdamer Platz. It has the fastest elevator in Europe.

The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of Berlin and one of its main attractions. They were built at the end of the 18th century in the classicist style. They are the only city gates of Berlin that have survived to this day. Located on Paris Square.

The Berlin Wall is one of the symbols of the Cold War. A 155-kilometer fence that divided Berlin into two parts: eastern and western. It was built in the 60s of the 20th century on the initiative of the GDR. The Berlin Wall was dismantled in 1989. A large section of the wall remains in the eastern part of the city along the Spree River.

The Berlin Opera is one of the oldest and largest musical theaters in Germany, founded in the mid-18th century.

The Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion) is a sports facility, a football stadium that can accommodate more than 70 thousand spectators, and can also host athletics competitions. It is the home arena of the Hertha football club.

Alexanderplatz is home to one of the most beautiful and oldest fountains in Berlin - the Neptune Fountain. This is a large granite fountain with an interesting sculptural composition.

Nearby is the red town hall building. This historic red brick structure was built in the second half of the 19th century in an interesting mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The height of the town hall tower is 74 meters.

Anyone who comes to Berlin for the first time imagines eating pork knuckle every day in traditional German restaurants with long tables and wooden benches. The reality is a little different from these expectations. Berlin is a modern multinational metropolis and cuisines from all over the world are represented here, and German cuisine does not occupy a leading position.

The most widespread here are Turkish eateries under the general name “Kebab House”. These small establishments are located literally on every corner and are very popular among city residents. However, do not despair; if you wish, you can always find a restaurant serving traditional German cuisine. Let's look at the main places where you can eat delicious food in the German capital.

Imbiss

Translated from German, “imbiss” means “snack”. This word refers to small, inexpensive establishments aimed at feeding large numbers of people quickly and inexpensively. However, a low price does not mean poor quality of food.

You won’t find well-trained waiters or exquisite interiors here, but you can get a huge portion of delicious food for a nominal sum. Turkish establishments rule the roost here, offering hearty dishes of lamb and beef. The portions here are huge, and for 10 euros you can eat to your heart's content. It is worth checking out Yekta Kebab Haus (Wühlischstr. 17) and Kebab Haus (Saalestr. 41).

If you are looking for eateries with German cuisine, then pay attention to the imbisses, which serve currywurst sausages. This dish became especially popular in Berlin in the post-war years. It is quite simple and consists of fried sausage with ketchup and curry sauce. Despite its simplicity, a whole cult has developed around curryfruit, and establishments have appeared that specialize in these sausages. The most popular are Curry 61 (Oranienburgerst r. 6), Imbiss Currywurst und Coffeeshop (Knaa ckstraße 98) and Fritz & Co (Wittenbergplatz / Ecke Bayreuther Straße).

Student canteens

If you want to eat as cheaply as possible, then look for social student canteens. For example, Mensa HU Süd (Unter den Linden 6) or Cafeteria FU Koserstraße (Kos erstr.20). The prices, portion sizes and quality of food will pleasantly surprise you. The menu here is standard European, with a choice of meat, chicken, fish, simple side dishes, pastries, and fruit juices. The quality of the products is consistently high, as it is controlled by the city authorities. Please note that the menu will have different prices for students and guests. Students eat at a 50% discount, but the full price will be half that of regular cafes. Some dining rooms have separate tables for guests, make no mistake.

German restaurants

If you want to eat in a more authentic place and get to know German cuisine better, then visit Zillemarkt on Bleibtreustr. 48 a. The signature dish of this restaurant is Berliner Allerlei, which can be translated as “all the food of Berlin”, this is a wonderful opportunity to try almost all the dishes of traditional German cuisine in one go. Please note that the portion is very large and is quite enough for two, or even three. The price of the dish is 26 euros.

You can try traditional goose dishes at the Nante-Eck restaurant (Unter den Linden 35); if you are lucky enough to be in Berlin on November 11, St. Martin's Day, you can order their signature dish here - whole baked goose.

Good cuisine in the Block House Am Alexanderplatz restaurant chain, which is famous for its large portions. The average bill here is about 30 euros per person, and there are restaurants in every district of Berlin.

You will find a huge selection of meat dishes at the Ach restaurant! Niko Ach! (Kurfürstendamm 97-98).The local steaks and grilled cold cuts are especially famous. The portions are very large, you can safely order one dish for two. The restaurant also has a good selection of beer.

German beer halls

It is impossible to visit Berlin without visiting a traditional German beer hall at least once. Here you can not only taste one of the many types of German beer, but also have delicious food. Traditionally, these establishments serve sausages with sauerkraut and salted pretzels. But the menu of most pubs is not limited to this. You can order pork knuckle, sausage curry, and sometimes goulash.

A good example is the Restauration 1900 beer hall (Husemannstraße 1), which, among other things, very successfully recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century. Here you will be offered not only a huge selection of beer, but also a full menu with a wide range of hot dishes. The average bill per person is 30 euros.

If you are looking for a more modern bar, then check out Aufsturz (Oranienburger Straße 67), it is very cozy and has live musicians in the evenings. The bar is primarily famous for its huge selection of alcohol. The menu is not very large, but the food is delicious and the portions are huge. For dinner here you will pay 20-30 euros per person, excluding drinks.

Experienced tourists who come to Berlin not for the first time are already looking for an alternative to the “bland” route. We decided to help you diversify your holiday and have prepared a review of interesting and atypical places in Berlin.

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Many independent tourists today actively use the services of groomers, individual guides who are ready to guide guests of their city along the most unusual routes. The gritter movement today covers more than 20 countries and 70 cities around the world. Berlin is among them. The theme of the trip will depend only on the desires and interests of tourists. Some people are interested in wartime Berlin, others - the history of the Berlin Wall, others - the history of festivals, etc.

Kurfürstendamm

A walk along the famous Berlin boulevard in the Charlottenburg district visually and mentally transports tourists to the pre-war period of the last century, when it was the center of emigrant society. This was the time of the opening of Russian theaters, literary publishing houses and private clubs in Berlin.

German speech was practically inaudible on the boulevard, and the Berliners themselves called this place “Nepsky Prospekt.” Mensheviks and anarchists, eminent writers and famous bankers flooded this area at the beginning of the last century. There are many houses with name plaques here. They testify to the presence of Marina Tsvetaeva, Vladimir Nabokov and Andrei Bely in them, and to the places where Mayakovsky’s shocking readings took place.

Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg is today part of Berlin's largest district, Pankow. Before the unification of Berlin, it was an independent administrative unit of the city, and after the collapse of the Berlin Wall it became a hangout for creative bohemia. In this area, musicians and actors of all stripes gathered and exhibition areas were organized for artists, eminent and beginners. These neighborhoods suffered little damage from military bombing and many houses survived, leaving Berlin as a legacy of buildings from different eras. Gothic intertwined with Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism will impress everyone.

From Kollwitzplatz to the Jewish Cemetery

The walk can start from Kollwitzplatz square with the bronze monument to the pacifist artist Käthe Kollwitz and move towards the Jewish cemetery with the grave of the impressionist artist Max Liebermann. Along the route you will be surprised by the oldest building on which you can read the inscription “death to capitalism”. This is a trace of a period in the history of the capital when many empty houses were seized by radical youth and turned into “free communes”.

Mauerpark

The renowned public park Mauerpark is also permeated with the air of the underground and freedom. It will shock the perceptive tourist with the number of colorful freaks, hippies and punks, street mimes and musicians. And the iconic establishments of the 90s, which have retained their names from the shocking times of the 90s (“Kruger”, “August Fengler” and “Club de Republique”), still attract crowds of visitors in the evenings.

Informal Berlin - Friedrichshain district

It's no secret that every city has in its arsenal unadvertised places that the main flow of tourists bypasses. If there is interest in such walks, then the Friedrichshain area is a win-win option. Many people would like to visit “Woodstock the European way,” but, naturally, young people prefer to live in this place. Moreover, people come here from all over the world: they rent apartments first for a short period of time, then they come again, and some stay here forever.

Informal residents of certain neighborhoods of Friedrichshain allow themselves to live by special rules, or rather, without them. They arrange “days of disobedience” for themselves and their friendly neighbors under the motto: “If it is not prohibited, then it is possible.” They create dance floors and bars from garbage, old furniture and metal scraps, and paint graffiti on the walls of buildings and garages. Therefore, the magic of attracting onlookers to this quarter is very great. The area of Friedrichshain is famous for its largest open-air graffiti gallery - part of the 1.5 km long Berlin Wall left after reunification. It is painted with graffiti masterpieces that you can look at for hours.

But the original “face” of Friedrichshain can only be seen in the evening. By this time, local informals gather for parties, and live music is played in clubs. “Trezor”, “Astra”, “Lido”, “Magnit”, “Fritzclub” are the most famous party places in Friedrichshain.

It must be said that in Berlin, graffiti is already an ordinary phenomenon and is found in almost all areas of the city. But the Kreuzberg district is a conglomerate of contradictions, vibrancy, whims, oppositions and multicultures. The place where Berlin “rebels” gather, fighters against rising prices, will be indicative. Their camp is set up at the foot of old buildings (5 floors high), on which the already well-known graffiti “Golden Chains of Capitalism” and “East - West” are displayed. The Spree embankment attracted radical youth with abandoned factories and empty houses, which they independently seized and turned into unlicensed clubs and spontaneous galleries.

The manifestation of freedom near the ruins of the wall at one time attracted the attention of David Bowie, Helmut Newton and Nick Cave. Berlin cemented its image as the iconic capital of electronic music back in the 90s. And today city residents take the organization of nightlife very seriously.

Flea markets in Berlin

A Sunday stroll through flea markets is an opportunity to look deep into city life and find out how Berliners live. The intimate world that opens up in the curious things put up for sale reflects not only the interests and passions of the townspeople, but also pages of the history of Berlin. Here they are called Flohmarkt, and are mainly concentrated in three central districts - Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. The main, or even the most impressive, can be called Mauerpark. In addition to the special atmosphere of the avant-garde, expressed in freedom of action, variety of street cuisine, impromptu concerts, this place is home to a market that undoubtedly surprises with the variety of surprises on sale.

It seems that there is everything here, from home decoration to historical artifacts. Moving from merchant to merchant, from tent to tent, sorting through second-hand book finds and vintage clothing, small interior delights of the past century and ceramics, it is unlikely that anyone manages to spend less than half a day here. If the purpose of the walk is a few fleas, then you need to look at your watch more often.

Nearby is another market - Arkonaplatz. You don’t have to stay here for a long time for an excursion, since this place is mostly sold by locals. They don’t like to bargain, and the assortment consists of old unnecessary things: dishes, household appliances, posters and paintings, jewelry. It is impossible to create a route through Berlin's flea markets without passing through the Friedrichshain district. Not far from the Warschauerstrasse metro station, the former warehouses, where alternative clubs and cafes now flourish, attract not only young people. On the streets between them there are several small markets where you can find unique household items, avant-garde clothing and bold jewelry.

When going for interesting purchases, you need to remember that in addition to comfortable shoes, you will need cash, since in such places, including cafes and bars, it is impossible to pay with a bank card.

Famous Berlin beer halls with a hundred-year history

Beer houses in the Schöneberg area

Connoisseurs of entertainment with beer, even those who have seen Oktoberfest in Munich, today can travel to beer establishments in Berlin that are in no way inferior to those in Bavaria. Moreover, there are bars here that have kept their traditions for more than a century. Most of the old beer houses are concentrated in the Schöneberg area, and you can get around them quickly enough by trying a glass in each. Here you can sit at the same table with native Berliners, regulars of these bars, and try not only beer, but also fruit liqueurs with a 100-year-old recipe.

Zur Letzten Instanz occupies a special place among the beer hallmarks of Berlin. The beer restaurant with a centuries-old history is located near Alexanderplatz on the small street Weisenstrasse. This restaurant was opened in 1621, and it received its current name “At the Last Resort” at the beginning of the last century. There are two versions about the appearance of such an unusual name among Berliners.

One of them says that peasants who disagreed with court decisions (court hearings were held two steps from the pub) found a compromise here over a glass of beer. Another version is the proximity to the old Berlin cemetery.

The walls of this establishment preserve the memory of many celebrities who sat here over a glass of beer: Napoleon, Charlie Chaplin and Wilhelm Raab. Shots from the film novel about the Soviet intelligence officer, where Stirlitz and Pastor Schlag have dinner at Zum groben Gottlieb, were filmed in this restaurant. Only the name was changed. In the film he was referred to as “Rough Gottlieb’s.”