Berlin in a nutshell

Berlin is a truly modern and diverse city with a rich and interesting heritage. As Germany’s capital city it celebrates freedom for all – the freedom of creativity, the freedom of self-expression and the freedom to enjoy your passions, whatever they are. It is recognised worldwide for its important contribution to classical and contemporary architecture and design, a fantastically diverse yet critically acclaimed music scene and an urban art movement that is second to none. Berlin somehow manages to maintain its global allure to those keen to see the latest trends, cultures and performances before they hit the worldwide stage.

Here’s a shortlist of the best views in Berlin:

1. The Reichstag (Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin) – Home to the German Parliament and renovated by the eminent British architect Norman Foster in 1999, the all glass roof of this historic building allows panoramic views across the entire city.

2. The Amano Hotel Roof Terrace (Auguststraße 43, 10119 Berlin) – This rooftop bar rewards its visitors with incredible views of the former East Berlin central district and the iconic Fernsehturm TV tower (standing at over 200m) which lights up as the sun sets.

3. Panoramapunkt (Potsdamer Platz 1, 10785 Berlin) – Europe’s fastest elevator delivers guests up to the 24th and 25th floors of the Kollhoff Tower. Enjoy a coffee in the 1930’s style café or wander through the exhibition that details the history of the local area.

4. Neni Restaurant & Monkey Bar at The 25Hours Hotel (Budapester Straße 40, 10787 Berlin) – Whether dining at Neni or enjoying drinks in the Monkey Bar, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Gedächtniskirche, Budapester Straße, Kurfürstendamm and City West, as well as the animals in the Berlin Zoo below.

5. Klunkerkranich (Karl-Marx-Str. 66, 12053 Berlin) – This club, garden and beach bar that’s situated in trendy Neukölln sits above a shopping mall with breathtaking views across the city. Always busy and full of energy, the venue hosts concerts and even a Christmas Market in December. A great spot to hear some tunes as the sun sets.

6. Base Flying – For visitors with a more extreme disposition who truly want to be free, head to the 37th floor of The Park Inn Hotel (Tunnel Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin) where they will strap those brave enough into a harness, hoist them over the edge of the building, then drop them 400 feet before coming to a controlled stop just a few feet from the ground.

Berlin has a lot to offer when it comes to street food. The large amount of people that have flocked to Berlin from all around the world in the last few years have brought their food cultures with them and there are countless chefs just waiting for opportunities to cook and express themselves at food events and markets. The best and most famous takes place every Thursday evening at Markethalle Neun (Eisenbahnstraße 42-43, 10997 Berlin) offering visitors food and drinks from around the world, but if you want to try any of the local specialties here’s a few recommendations for you.

1. Currywurst – The Berliner story is that local Herta Heuwer threw together a mixture of ketchup, Worcester sauce, and curry powder back in 1949, and the Currywurst was born, creating the city’s most iconic food that has since earned its own special cutlery (the currywurst fork), has a museum entirely devoted to it, and spawned a rivalry with Hamburg over the true inventor.

2. Senfeier – This popular local comfort food is simply hard boiled eggs served with mashed potatoes and a creamy mustard sauce. Sounds simple but is delicious and worth a try.

3. Königsberger Klopse – These meatballs, named after the Prussian city they originate from, are much-loved for their sauce; a creamy mixture of capers and lemon. They are always served with mashed or boiled potatoes or rice and are a tasty German classic.

4. Berliner & Pfannkuchen – German donuts can be confusing. The word ‘Berliner’ means donut (specifically the jelly-filled variety) but in Berlin they call them ‘Pfannkuchen’, which means pancake everywhere else in Germany. On New Year’s Eve, Berliners have a great tradition of putting one mustard-filled donut in the pile of jellies and the lucky recipient supposedly gets good luck for the year.

5. Beer – whether you want to try a dark beer, a light beer, a wheat beer, a Pilsner, a Lager or something special from a local Microbrewery, Berlin will definitely be able to satisfy your thirst.

TOP TIP – Check the longest queues at Markethalle Neun for the best food. Always popular is the Bao Kitchen serving up mouth watering Taiwanese steamed buns filled with pork. Well worth the wait.

Away from the tourist attractions and world famous destinations, Berlin also offer its visitors the chance to see a different side to the city with a few secret experiences and places to explore that are off the beaten track.

1. Drayton (Behrenstraße 55, 10117 Berlin) – this bar is very, very well hidden and located behind the Westin Grand Hotel on Fredrichstraße, near to the Opera. Go past the hotel to where the garbage is and if you can find the door, you’ll be able to enjoy a very well deserved and well made cocktail.

2. Underground Tour – See Berlin from top to bottom with an underground tour from Berliner Unterwelten (The Society for Exploration and Documentation of Subterranean Architecture). This organisation takes visitors underneath the city and through a labyrinth of tunnels, bunkers, and caverns. A fascinating tour that will take you places that most people, even local residents, never get to see.

3. Hackesche Hofe (accessed through an archway at 40 Rosenthaler Straße) – Berlin is full of hidden courtyards—small oases in apartment complexes just off of bustling city streets. Hackesche Hofe is the largest enclosed courtyard area in Germany and has been painstakingly preserved and restored. Explore the many restaurants, bars, and theatres in the area, or just admire the art nouveau decor.

4. Photoautomaten – Posing for four shots in Berlin’s Photoautomaten is an almost obligatory activity. These black and white photo booths are open all hours and scattered across the city.

5. Trabi Safari – for a taste of the old Berlin in the days of the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) book yourself on a unique tour of the city in a Trabant – the classic car produced in former East Germany, now re-painted in bright colours and great to explore the city in a convoy with friends.