Travel guide Berlin created by summer group 2010

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2. CONTENTS
ORIENTATION
-Survival guide.........................7-9`
TRANSPORT
-Airports..................................12
-U-bahn/ S-bahn/ Trams..........12-13
-Buses......................................13
-Tickets....................................13-14
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
-National Socialism.................. 16
-When East Met West..............17-18
-Since the Wall Came Down.....18-19
ACCOMODATION
-Hostels....................................22-24
-Couch Surfing..........................24
SIGHTS AND TOURS
-Walking, Bus and Boat Tours ..26-29
-Sights.......................................30-37
-Day Trips..................................38
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
-Museum Island.........................40-44
-Other museums and galleries ..44-48
ARTS AND CULTURE
-Film...........................................50-57
-Gay and Lesbian........................58-61
-Street Art...................................62-64
NIGHT LIFE
-Introduction..............................66-67
-Bars and Night Clubs.................67-74
SHOPPING AND FASHION
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3. -Flea Markets...........................76-77
-Shopping in Prenzlauerberg...78-79
-Fundusverkauf........................80-81
-Shopping in Friedrichstain......82-83
-General Shops........................84-87
FOOD AND DRINK
-Eating in Berlin........................90
-Restaurants and Cafes............91-97
-Vegetarian...............................98-99
-Desserts..................................100-101
CONTRIBUTORS.......................102-104
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6. Berlin survival guide
Berlin is generally a city which Travel Planner –
is easy to get around, but in BVG operates all of the public
case you find yourself in a transport in Berlin. Their web-
confusing situation, or can’t site (www.bvg.de) has a handy
find the information you timetable search box and up-
need, here are a few top tips to-date information about de-
to help you along your way. lays, diversions and cancella-
tions, which often happen at
Find your way around – short notice. Checking before
Bus, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Metro, you leave for an epic late-night
Trams, Regional Trains... The party five miles away can help
sheer amount of transport you avoid being stuck in an un-
options in Berlin can be over- familiar area where the public
whelming when you first ar- transport has stopped running.
rive. As soon as you can, pick
up a transport systems map Carry ID –
to aid in navigation. The two You can be stopped and asked
important ones are the S/U- for ID at any time by the police,
Bahn map and the tram/metro so it’s a good idea to carry some
one. For further guidance in form of ID on you. Student ID
navigating the public transport also comes in handy as many
flick to our transport section. places offer student discounts.
Riding the public transport – Toilets –
Orientation
Rule of thumb: buy before It is the norm to pay for us-
you ride. It’s also necessary ing public toilets in Berlin. Ex-
to validate your ticket in the pect a charge in some places
automatic machines before of around 50 cents, and up to
boarding. Plain-clothes ticket €1 in some places. Even places
officers ride around the trams like Starbucks and high profile
and trains checking tickets and museums have toilet attend-
failure to have a valid ticket ants who expect a tip before
could land you with a €40 fine. you enter. Popping into café’s
and asking if you can use their
facilities avoids having to pay.
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7. Getting into clubs –
This can sometimes be tricky. Cross the road with caution –
Some bars encourage large Jaywalking is illegal. Motor-
groups, while others will turn ists know this and won’t slow
you away before you reach down for anything. If you
the door, thinking you’ll cause choose to cross before the
trouble. It’s always a good green man appears, don’t
idea to check dress code be- be surprised when locals tut
fore heading out, to avoid and frown disapprovingly.
the disappointment of being
turned away for the wrong at- Watch out for the cyclists –
tire. Also, some clubs are fussy They are everywhere! Often
about you taking cameras in, impatient and cycling at what
so be wary of taking yours out. seems like 50 miles per hour, cy-
clists will swerve alarming close
Sundays – by if you’re in the way. Stay off
In contrast to the usual hus- the designated cycle paths to
tle and bustle of the rest of avoid too many near-misses,
the week, Sunday’s are quiet and even then expect to share
on Berlin’s shop-lined streets, the pavement. Alternative: buy
thanks to German law that or rent your own bike. It’s ar-
states most shops can’t open guably one of the best ways to
Sundays. Don’t expect to pick experience the city and allows
up any groceries on a Sunday. you to join in on the death-
Orientation
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8. defying antics of other cyclists. Plastic recycling –
If you’re visiting Berlin in the
Take note of museum opening summer months, chances are
hours - you’ll get through a substan-
Many of the museums located tial number of bottled drinks.
around Museum Island are These can be recycled and
free for the last four opening you’ll receive money for doing
hours on Thursdays, generally so, around 25 cents a bottle.
between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., Drop them off in the machines
a great opportunity to explore at your local supermarket.
the rich variety Berlin’s muse-
ums offer. Also keep in mind Bring your own bags –
many of the museums and gal- Supermarkets and other shops
leries are shut on Mondays. in Berlin don’t offer plastic bags
or packing services. Whilst
Stay hydrated! - plastic carriers are available
This is a no-brainer when it to purchase in supermarkets,
comes to summer in the city. If bringing your own will save
you need free tap water from a money and the environment.
restaurant or bar, make sure you Also, supermarket cashiers are
ask for ‘Leitungswasser’ as ‘tap super efficient, so pack fast.
water’ isn’t always understood.
And finally...Explore! -
Buying bottled water - Berlin has much more to of-
Then take note that the ma- fer and changes so rapidly, it’s
Orientation
jority of bottled water sold in near impossible for any guide
Berlin is of the sparkling va- book to cover everything. Find
riety. Even bottles labelled an area that appeals to you, go
with the seemingly straight- there and wander the streets.
forward ‘Naturliches Mineral- We guarantee you’ll find your-
wasser’ contain bubbles. For self a new favourite hangout.
still water, look for the bot-
tles labelled ‘ohne Kohlen- CS
saure’, ‘without gas.’ ‘Kohlen-
saure ‘ means that it’s got fizz.
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10. Meet the team
Editorial team: Sarah Rosenbaum (SER) and James Gill (JEG)
Layout team: Ashley Panton (AP) and Beccy Shore (RS)
Cover artwork by: Christina Frentiu Socolescu (CFS)
Photography: Charlie Small (CS), Jane Grisman (JKG), Francesca Giudice
(FG), Bethany Wright (BW), Ashley Panton (AP) and Beccy Shore (RS)
Contributors: Jasmin Weatherly (JW), Aviva Adornato (AA), Christina
Frentiu Socolescu (CFS), Ashley James Panton (AP), Joshua Davidson
(JD), James Gill (JEG), Beccy Shore (RS), Jane Grisman (JKG), Phoebe Ja-
kober (PJ), Francesca Giudice (FG), Bethany Wright (BW), Charlie Small
(CS), Sarah Elizabeth Rosenbaum (SER) and Sophie Karl (SK)
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