THIS is the essential guidebook for young travellers waiting to start their adventure in Berlin. This concise but thorough guide has been created by a group of young writers who living in Berlin, have experienced first-hand what this diverse city has to offer. Living on a tight budget is made easy here, whether this is your first time visiting Germany’s capital city or you have been before this guide is bursting with hidden gems just waiting for you to discover. We, the City Travel Review team, have compiled what we consider to be the must-see places, ideal even if you are only staying for a short time. Team Curso/CTR 2014

1. DAS IST
BERLIN
download full E-Book: http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/das-ist-berlin/15049811

2. INTRODUCTION
T
HIS is the essential guidebook for young travellers waiting to start their ad-
venture in Berlin. This concise but thorough guide has been created by
a group of young writers who living in Berlin, have experienced first-hand
what this diverse city has to offer. Living on a tight budget is made easy
here, whether this is your first time visiting Germany’s capital city or you have been
before this guide is bursting with hidden gems just waiting for you to discover. We,
the City Travel Review team, have compiled what we consider to be the must-see
places, ideal even if you are only staying for a short time. With no time to waste,
we point you in the right direction and offer valuable tips that will make your expe-
rience as easy and as enjoyable as possible. Despite its rich culture and mass of
famous attractions, this diverse city isn’t as wealthy as it might seem. Drowning in a
mountain of debt, the city has responded by thriving on the cheaper rent prices and
a liberal attitude creating it an ideal location to visit. Just like Mayor Klaus Wowereit
described it over 10 years ago Berlin might be poor but it is sexy and that is exactly
what makes this city so appealing. Berliners have united and transformed the capital
into a multicultural paradise, ready and waiting to be explored by its many visitors.

3. 1 HISTORY
2 SURVIVAL GUIDE
4 TRANSPORT
5 MUSEUMS &
GALLERIES
14 MEMORIALS &
MONUMENTS
19 TOURS &
ATTRACTIONS
28 ZEHLENDORF
31 GREEN SPACES
36 FOOD & DRINK
48 NIGHTLIFE
55 SHOPPING
62 ACCOMODATION
65 PRACTICAL INFO
66 CONTRIBUTOR
PROFILES
C O N T E N T S

4. Establishment of the German Empire. Bismarck succeeds in leaving Austria out of unification and with Prus-
sia he creates the most powerful nation in Europe. Wilhem I becomes Emperor, and Bismarck, Chancellor.
The Kaufhaus des Westens, better known as the KaDeWe, is built and remains Europe’s largest department
store.
World War I starts.
Germany loses World war I and is forced to pay a massive £6.6 billion in reparations.
The railway system in Berlin connects surrounding cities, transforming into the S-Bahn.
Great Depression. Over 450,000 people are unemployed. In 1929, the Nazi Party wins its first seats. By
1931 the city is seriously economically damaged.
Hitler becomes Chancellor. The Reichstag fire shortly after gave him opportunity to rid of his left wing politi-
cal opponents, blaming them for the arson.
Hitler becomes Führer.
Berlin holds the summer Olympics.
World War II begins, during which the majority of German Jews, gypsies and other ‘unfavourable’ people
in Berlin were exported and sent to concentration camps. Berlin became a key target for bombing in 1942
until the end of the war.
World War II ends, Hitler shoots himself in his Führerbunker located on Otto Grotewahl Straße. After the
war, like Germany, Berlin was divided up between the US, UK, France and the Soviet Union.
The Cold War begins, with Berlin as the playing field between the Western Allies and Communist Russia.
Berlin blockade and airlift. Herta Heuwer invents the Currywurst.
Berlin Wall divides the city - “An Iron Curtain has descended across Europe” - Winston Churchill
The Ampelmann was introduced as the official traffic light symbol in East Germany
American President J. F. Kennedy made his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech pledging the support of
the US for West Germany.
Construction started on the 368 metre tall Fernsehtum, better known as the TV Tower, and it started oper-
ating in 1969
One of the first donor kebab stalls opens in West Berlin by Kadir Nurman
“Mr Gorbachev, tear this wall down!” American President Ronald Reagan tells Soviet leader Mikhail Gor-
bachev.
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Berlin and Germany are officially reunited.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BERLIN
1871
1907
1914
1918
1922
1929
1933
1934
1936
1939
1945
1947
1949
1961
1963
1964
1972
1987
1989
1990
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5. 2
Most bars and cafes have free
wifi available but here they call
it WLAN (pronounced vey-lan),
just ask one of the staff and
they can give you the pass-
word.
If you have a student card, don’t
be afraid to use it. You can get dis-
counts in most museums and for
other attractions which save you a
good couple euros.
STUDENT
DISCOUNT
TIPPING
In Berlin you must give the
tip to the waiter or waitress
who has served you, don’t
just leave it on the table. A tip
amount is usually 10%.
SURVIVAL GUIDE
TOILETS
Make sure you have suf-
ficient change on you at
all times as most places
don’t accept credit cards.
MONEY
Toiletten are few around the
city. There are mobile toilets
that are in decent conditions
for €0.50 but unless you’re
about to burst, use the loos
in cafes and restaurants
you’re eating in. If not, most
places charge about €0.50 -
€0.70 to use their toilets
WIFI

6. RECYCLING
There are always bins around
for you to recycle properly,
but if you go to a supermar-
ket, you can usually get about
25 cents back for each bottle.
BICYCLES
Stay off the bike paths
clearly demarcated in red
or by an outline if you
don’t want to annoy the
locals
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
It is the common custom here
to wait at traffic lights until
the ample man turns green.
Jay-walkers can be fined up to
€100!
QUEUING
This is not a common cus-
tom in Berlin, nobody waits
in line, unless it’s for a
Mustafas...
3
TRANSPORT
Make sure you have
sufficient change on
you at all times as most
places don’t accept
credit cards.

7. WOHIN
GEHST DU?
“Where are you going?”
It’s 9am and you’re blurry-eyed but ready to start a day of
sightseeing in this most glorious of capitals. Cross the street
to the big blue and white ‘U’ sign and follow the stairs into one
of Berlin’s 170 underground stations. Trains run around every
ten minutes so you won’t have long to wait. Because there are
no ticket barriers don’t think that transport is free. Berlin’s no-
torious plain-clothes transport police will be more than happy
to issue Schwarzfahrer (literally ‘black riders’ or fare dodgers)
as of July 2014 with a €40 slap on the wrist. Buy a ticket at the
yellow machines located on the platform and validate it with a
stamp.
If you’re staying for a few days the Berlin Welcome Card might
be a good option: for €25.50 you get unlimited travel on any
of Berlin’s four modes of transport – S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Tram
and Bus – in Zones A and B for 72 hours and, as a bonus,
you receive discounts on many of the city’s most famous tour-
ist attractions. Alternatively, a single day ticket costs €6.70
and is valid until 3am the next day. Unless you’re travelling
to Sachsenhausen concentration camp, Potsdam, Wannsee
lake or Schönefeld airport, Zones A and B are all you’ll need.
Getting around the city can be confusing at first but thankfully
you’ve picked up a map and/or downloaded the BVG FahrInfo
Plus app. When boarding trams, trains and buses be sure to
stand clear of the doors as they close quickly, trapping un-
witting tourists with oversized rucksacks in their vice-like grip.
Take a wide stance and hold onto something – trains and
trams can be unforgiving when taking corners. You arrive at
your first stop, a large maze-like S-bahn station, and see fel-
low travellers spinning on the spot with confused expressions,
trying to figure out the multiple station exits. Look for the signs
on each platform to tell you which exit leads to which road.
Nearby landmarks will also be signposted.
It’s 30 degrees and the S-bahn is stiflingly hot. If it’s conven-
ient, opt for a tram instead. The journey may be slightly longer
but many are air conditioned - a welcome relief in a city devoid
of climate control. Having successfully navigated your way
around Berlin all day, you’re back at the hostel getting ready
for a night out in a notorious club or bijou bar. Buying cheap
beers from a late shop or Späti before going into a club is the
done thing here but when drinking on public transport do so
respectfully or not at all. At the weekend trains and trams run
all night but on weekdays you could find yourself stranded if
you’re not careful. Depending on where your hostel is a choice
has to be made: leave early to catch the last train home or par-
ty on until 4am when transport starts running regularly again.
It’s 6.30am and you’re all partied out. Sitting in the U-bahn sta-
tion, the smell of freshly baked pastries wafts over to you from
one of the platform bakeries. You’re tired, hungry and thirsty
but you know where’ve you been and now you know where
you’re going.
BVG Travel App: www.bvg.de/index.php/de/3711/name/Jeder-
zeit+mobil.html
Holly Hatfield and Jack Mann
4

8. MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
5
W
ith over 200 museums, Berlin has a spectacular collection of
history and culture related attractions. From the Topography
of Terror and Neues Museum to the amusing Currywurst Mu-
seum, you will be sure to find something that is right up your
street. Venture to Museum Island which takes centre stage in Berlin, offer-
ing five world renowned exhibits such as the Alte Nationalgalerie, Perga-
mon Museum and the Bode-Museum, all within walking distance of each
other. Head over to the East Side Gallery. The mesmorising artwork cap-
tures the soul of the city and walking along the remaining Berlin Wall visi-
tors can admire the stories told within each painting.

9. PERGAMON MUSEUM
This museum is the most visited in Berlin, one of five museums located
on Museum Island. The building is subdivided into three different collec-
tions – the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient
Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art. The Pergamon contains a col-
lection of truly awe-inspiring artefacts from around the globe, and features
three major archaeological finds – the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, the Ro-
man market gate of Milet and the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way from
Babylon. The audio guide is a must for this museum as alongside detailed
descriptions of the artefacts it also contains extra information about the
excavation and preservation of the pieces. Upon entering the museum
visitors are greeted by the dominating 15 metre high Ishtar gate, dating
from 6th century BC. Its royal blue glazed bricks stand out against the
stark white walls. The processional way features stunning golden reliefs
of lions which acted as a deterrent to Babylon’s enemies. The next room
holds the colossal Market Gate of Miletus, the largest piece ever to be re-
constructed inside a museum. Dating from 2nd century AD but destroyed
in an earthquake in the 10th or 11th century, its fragments were excavated
and rebuilt in the museum. The Hellenistic Pergamon altar, for which the
museum was named, dates from 2nd century BC. Previously wrapping
around the outside of the altar, its 113 metre long frieze is now displayed separately on the walls surrounding the altar.
The frieze depicts the battle of the Gods versus the giants, each figure painstakingly carved from marble. Other items in
the museum include the decorative Mshatta façade from a desert palace in Jordan and the ornately panelled Aleppo room
from Syria. The rest of the museum features an Islamic art section, with intricate pieces and religious art on show including
the Msshtar wall and Alhambra Palace.
Holly Hatfield
Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Mitte
€6-12
Daily 10am-6pm
This small but unique museum in Charlottenberg houses over
200 pieces of Käthe Kollwitz’s renowned work. Kollwitz lived
from 1867 to 1945 and so lived to see the Nazi regime in
action. She is widely regarded as one of the most important
female artists of the modern age and has a strong connection
with Berlin after living in the largely working-class neighbour-
hood of Prenzlauer Berg for over 50 years. Although the Nazis
removed her work from museums due to her involvement in
a socialist voting appeal, she continued to produce art rele-
vant to her major themes of war, poverty and the ordinary life
of the working class community. The permanent collection of
prints, lithographs, drawing, sculptures and woodcuts is com-
plemented by temporary exhibitions that work in dialogue with
Kollwitz’s main themes. Kollwitz’s exploration of collective hu-
man suffering gives the museum a sober atmosphere, but the
timelessness of the work makes the exhibition relevant and
relatable to all audiences.
w
Fasanenstr. 24 10719 Charlottenburg
Daily 11.00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m.
€3 - €6
KÄTHE KOLLWITZ MUSEUM
6

10. ALTE NATIONALGALERIE
(Old National Gallery)
On Museum Island, surrounded by the Neues, Pergamon and
Altes museums, stands Berlin’s Old National Gallery. This stun-
ning structure houses collections from the Neoclassic, Roman-
tic, Biedermeier and Impressionist eras, as well as works by ear-
ly modern artists, and sculptures from the 18th, 19th and 20th
centuries. Built in 1861, the Romanesque-shaped building was
founded after banker Johann Heinrich Wagener donated Ger-
man paintings. There are three floors for visitors to explore, with
Classicist sculpture depicting facets of realism on the first floor
along with the works of Berlin painters Adolph Menzel and Franz
Krüger. Images of the Crown Prince Federick of Prussia, and
scenes from life at Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, line the walls.
The second floor explores idealism, realism and impressionism
in Germany. Giovanni Segantini’s portrayal of a funeral proces-
sion is a stand-out piece with an illuminating backdrop bringing
the transience of life center stage. Snapshots of Parisian land-
scape are depicted by ground-breaking impressionist painters
Claude Monet and Édouard Manet. The gallery’s third floor com-
bines Classicism with Romanticism for an extensive look at work
from Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Shad-
ow and art from the 1800’s meets you upon arrival to the third
floor. The entrance fee is a bit steep at €12 but a student rate of
€6 is available if you remember your student card. Audio guides
can be purchased for €3.
Megan Joyce
Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Museuminsel
Bus: Lustgarten 100/200; S-Bahn: S Hakescher Markt S3, S5,
S7, S75; Tram: Hakescher Markt M1, M4, M5, M6, 12
Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10-6pm; Thursday, 10-10pm
Admission: €12/€6 Concessions
Audio Guide: €3
Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Museuminsel
Open daily (except Christmas Eve), 10:00-18:00
S-Bahn: S5, S7 Hackescher Markt
Admission: under 18 free, €8 adult, €4 conces-
sions
www.dhm.de
This vast museum covers 1200 years of German history, so it
requires a full stomach and a substantial time allotment. The
exhibition begins in 800 AD, when Charlemagne was crowned
the first emperor, and traces the highlights of Germany’s histo-
ry through art and artifacts – and there are 8,000 artifacts here
– to the present. Original copies of Martin Luther’s ‘September
Translation’ of the Bible and Heinrich Kramer’s Malleus Malefi-
carum will excite the history buff. Many visitors may be tempted
however to rush through to the more recent sections that deal
with World War I, the Weimar Republic, World War II and the
post-war division of the country. Save yourself €3 and skip the
audio guide, which doesn’t supplement too much beyond what
is written on the signs. Additionally, the museum puts on special
exhibitions on subjects such as Martin Luther, Feudalism in Ger-
many, World War I, and the Holocaust. The true history fanatic
can also visit the photo archive and the library, the opening hours
for which can be found on the museum’s website. For those who
are short on time, the Object Database, an online collection of
600,000 items and photos of about 70% of them, is a comple-
mentary resource available to customers.
Brett Balling
DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES
MUSEUM (German Historical Museum)
7