There is so much to see and do in Berlin that you will find a handy, travel-sized guidebook to be a saving grace, especially one that aims to cover unique and sometimes obscure activities and locations. The BerlInsider’s Guide is just one such a guidebook, and within it’s pages you will find tips and pointers to help you get as memorable a stay in this splendid city as possible.

1. http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/the-berlinsiders-guide/16934121

2. Boozin’ in Berlin
34
Shop, Drop & Roll 42
Table of Contents
Berlin Basics
Sights & Sites
Beds & Bunks
Cafes & Cuisines
Boozin’ in Berlin
Shop, Drop & Roll

3. 4 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Berlin Basics | 5
Intro
Berlin: the capital of Germany,
home to over 3.5 million people
from over 180 nations, a sprawling
concoction of historical nostalgia,
stunning woodland and lakes, and
forward-thinking hipster mentality. A
city recently united after the fall of
the Wall,
Berlin is now known for its famous
universities, galleries and museums,
for hosting concerts of all genres in
superb entertainment venues, for
boasting one of the richest culinary
scenes in Europe, and so much more.
The unique look of its architecture has
made it a sought-after set for many
international films, including Quentin
Tarantino’s ‘Inglorious Basterds’. Not
only that but the sheer amount of
festivals, nightlife, and arts events
have made it a hub for creative,
intelligent types from all around the
globe.
There is so much to see and do in
Berlin that you will find a handy,
travel-sized guidebook to be a saving
grace, especially one that aims to
cover unique and sometimes obscure
activities and locations.
The BerlInsider’s Guide is just one such
a guidebook, and within it’s pages
you will find tips and pointers to help
you get as memorable a stay in this
splendid city as possible.
Berlin has had a hectic history -
no other European capital has
seen so many revolutions, darker
days or faster flourishing. Before
starting your trip to Berlin familiarise
yourself with its chaotic history
from the 13th up to the beyond-
belief events of the 20th century.
Some time in the 13th century
– merchants founded a trading
post called Berlin and it became
a profitable trading spot in
the medieval trade route.
1359 – Berlin became a member
of the Hanseatic League, which
dominated commercial activity
in northern Europe. Founded by
German merchant communities
abroad, the main aim was to protect
their mutual trading interests.
1617-48 – The Thirty Year’s War
left the capital ruined, broken;
thousands of people were
murdered or killed by disease.
1640-88 – The road to a kingdom
began. Friedrich Wilhelm managed
to increase Berlin’s safety and
built three neighborhoods
(Friedrichswerder, Dorotheenstadt &
Friedrichstadt ) during his long reign.
1680-1710 – Berlin’s population tripled
to 56,000, which made it one of the
largest cities in the Holy Roman Empire.
1685 – Huguenots arrived from
France, built the Französischer
Dom (French Cathedral).
1740-86 – Friedrich II or Friedrich the
Great had a grand architectural
plan for Berlin. He never managed
to complete it but he gave
Berlin the Staatsoper (State
Opera House), Sankt-Hedwigs-
Kathedrale, the Humboldt
Universität (Humboldt University).
27 October 1806 - Friedrich the
Great died and his forces were
not able to beat Napoleon’s,
which led to Napoleon marching
through the Brandenburg Gate..
This marked the beginning of a
three-year occupation of Berlin.
1848 – The industrial revolution had
started. Berlin developed into a
centre of technology and the building
of the German railway system began.
1914-1918 – Before, during and
after WWI Berlin saw numerous
revolutions and seizures of power:
The German republic, a socialist
republic and the ending of the 500
years old royal Hohezollen rule.
1920s – The immense metropolis of
Berlin came into existence – the
population grew into 3,8 million,
the government amalgamated the
region’s towns and villages into one
administration. Nevertheless the
humiliation of a war lost was in the
air, unemployment was high and
History

4. 6 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Berlin Basics | 7
History continued
demonstrations were seen every day.
1936 – The Olympic summer
games took place, 49 nations
marched into the Olympiastadion
in western Charlottenburg.
1939-1941 – WWII left Berlin in tatters
– more than half of the buildings
were destroyed, 125,000 Berliners
had lost their lives and one million
women and children evacuated.
1945 mid-April – The final Battle of
Berlin, Germany had finally lost the war
and Hitler shot himself in his bunker.
1945 – Berlin was divided into 4 sectors,
administered by the occupying
powers: the United States of America,
Great Britain, France, and the Soviet
Union.
1961 August 13 – GDR started
building the Berlin wall,
dividing the city into two parts.
1963–FirstentrypermitissignedtoWest
Berliners to visit relatives in the eastern
part. 1.2 million take advantage of
this opportunity on the 5th January.
1987 – Berlin’s 750th anniversary.
All attempts to join Berlin for the
celebrations failed and the two
halves celebrated separately.
1989 November 4 – More than
half million East Berliners gather
at Alexanderplatz demanding
freedom of speech and press.
1989 November 9 – The Wall finally falls.
2012 – Berlin celebrates its 775th
anniversary
For some of you, this may be your first time in Berlin and possibly even
Germany. Hopefully this guide will help you feel more comfortable with the
language and the culture of the city.
Common phrases:
Can you help me? Können Sie mir helfen?
Cheers! Prost!
Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Excuse me Entschuldigung
Goodbye Auf Wiedersehen (formal), Tschüss, or
Tschau (pronounced like “ciao”)
Good afternoon Guten Tag
Good evening Guten Abend
Good morning Guten Morgen
How much does that cost? Wieviel kostet das?
I don’t speak German Ich spreche keine Deutsch
My name is… Ich heisse or Meine Name ist…
Sorry Es tut mir Leid
Thank you Danke, danke schön, or vielen dank
You’re welcome Bitte or bitte schön
What is your name? Wie heissen Sie?
Where is the bathroom? Wo ist die Toilette?
Survival Guide

5. 8 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Berlin Basics | 9
Survival Guide Continued
Eating out:
Do you have? Haben Sie…?
I’ll take… Ich nehme…(should be used only at
an Imbiss, a snack stand)
I would like… Ich möchte…
I would like to have… Ich hätte gern…
No, thank you Nein, danke
The bill/check Die Rechtung
The menu Die Speisekarte
If you want to keep it simple, simply saying the name of food/drink followed
by “bitte” will suffice.
Since the topic of eating out has been discussed, it seems only fair to move
onto restaurant etiquette in Berlin. In Germany, you are expected to find your
own seat. If you do see a sign asking you to wait to be seated, you have
probably picked a very expensive and exclusive restaurant. You may be given
some bread or other items when the waiter comes. Sometimes these are free
and other times they’re not. If you’re not sure, always ask. When it comes
to paying for your meal, German restaurants and cafes rarely accept credit
cards (unless there is a sign somewhere listing the names of the credit cards
they accept) so as a general rule of thumb: always expect to pay in cash. As
for tipping: depending on the service you received tip the standard 15% (or
more if you’re feeling generous). But when you do tip, don’t leave your tip on
the table.
Should something unexpected happen while on your trip to Berlin here are a
few emergency numbers that you should know:
Fire brigade (for accidents and
severe/life threatening emergencies)
112
Police 110
Zahnärztlicher Notdienst Vermittlung
(for questions regarding dental care)
(030) 23 88 35 78
If you need to buy medication (i.e. Advil, cold medicine) you’ll need to go
to an Apotheke. Germany isn’t a self-medicating country and any over the
counter medication you need to buy needs to be done through an Apotheke.
Should you need to visit a doctor or a hospital while in Berlin, you’ll need to
bring your EHIC card, passport (or any other form of ID), as well a debit/credit
card.
If you are in desperate need of Wi-Fi while in the city (to tell your friends on
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. about your Berlin exploits, etc.) you have a
few options. You can go to an Internet café and even some regular cafes and
even a few bars, though in some cases you may need to order something or
even pay to use their Wi-Fi. If you don’t feel like paying you can always go to
a library (Bibliothek, in German).
Basically, all it really takes to survive in Berlin is common sense. Luckily Germany
is a Western country and many of its cultural norms are similar to the cultural
norms of other Western nations. Act like you would in your home country
and you’ll be fine. Don’t put yourself into any dangerous situations, treat the
local Berliners with respect (as well as your fellow tourists) and your stay in
Germany’s capital should be a fun and enjoyable one.
Survival Guide Continued

6. 10 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Berlin Basics | 11
Public Transport
Berlin is a vast city, so navigating
your way through it can be tricky
if you don’t stay on your toes. While
getting lost can sometimes lead
to some interesting places, it’s not
always ideal to find your way back.
The trams are reliable and speedy,
but you will often find yourself
havingtocatchafewconnections
to reach your desired destination.
It’s also easy enough to travel for
free as the wardens only appear
to check tickets every once in a
blue moon. Beware though as if
your caught without a ticket it’s
an on the spot fine of €40. This also
applies if you have a day ticket
and fail to validate it on board.
Wardens work on commission and
rarely speak English so don’t count
on charming your way out of
trouble. Over the weekend trams
run all night, but during the week
the service terminates at 01:00, so
you’ll need to plot your journey
home. If there are elderly people
on board be sure to give up your
seat, otherwise a swift cane to the
stomach may be heading your
way.
If in need of assistance you can
download the BVG app which
tracks the cities transport lines,
with data you can find departure
times and local stations. Without
the internet, it still provides a
map of Berlin’s rail network. Don’t
invest too much faith in the app
during the small hours though, as
occasional glitches may leave
you helpless.
The U-Bahn is deep in the earth
and equivalent to the tube station
in London, though far quieter
and more efficient. Sometimes
decorated with sick at night there
is usually plenty of space to sit
and calculate your next steps.
You may find yourself making a
few friends as every station has
beer and a bottle opener at the
counter. Dogs are welcome on all
forms of transport so be sure and
keep a watchful eye or you may
end up treading on some tails.
The underground can be a touch
creepy when alone at night; as
it approaches it is known to emit
a gasp that echoes off the tiled
walls. Notably, each station has
different murals on the wall. U
Platz der Luftbrücke is littered
with charming variations of
Despicable Me’s ‘minions’. The art
is always worth a look and is great
entertainment when waiting on
the train line, not that you’ll be
lingering long.
The predominantly above ground
S-Bahn makes for a smooth trip
from A to B; the stations are
well laid out making exchanges
easier and travel flow seamlessly.
Musicians bearing trumpets and
tambourines often appear mid
melody to sing between stops.
The energy they express is sure to
have you tapping your foot to the
rhythm.
Avoid the buses as best you can
as they tend to be packed, and
you may find yourself too close for
comfort with some sweaty tourists.
As with the trams it’s easy enough
to steal a ride but you may end
up missing your stop anyway due
to the density of the bodies. In
the evening they quiet down and
become bearable, but if unsure
don’t expect directions from the
driver.
Bikes are available to rent by the
day starting at €10, but at flea
markets you can purchase one
for as little as €30. If you plan on
staying for a while it’s well worth
investing; cycling in the city is a
convenient way to see the sights
and burn off Currywurst. The most
efficient way to cycle is on the
road; faster cycle lanes lead you in
the right direction and ensure you
don’t run over any pedestrians. Be
sure and stay sober if this is your
intention as the standard rules of
drink driving translate to biking.
Generally people don’t bother
with helmets so be extra careful
not to crash as this may lead to
dire consequences.
Alternatively, Berlin has an
abundance of quirky modes
of transport including a
chauffeured bed, which is a
saviour if you’re particularly
hungover. If you’re feeling
classy, a horse and carriage
that hosts 4 people for €52 is
a luxurious way to see the city
under cover of darkness.
Public Transport continued

7. Berlin Basics | 1312 | The Berlinsider’s Guide
Top Five Districts
Berlin is a huge city- in fact, it is nine
times the size of Paris- and can
be difficult to navigate. Moreover it
has no real centre, partly due to the
historical East/West divide. However,
the city is not a unified urban
behemoth where one street looks
like the next. To the contrary, Berlin
is divided into 12 distinct boroughs,
each with its own character. This
article introduces the five most
important and popular districts.
Mitte
This district is the closest Berlin has to
a centre, its name meaning ‘Middle’.
Home to countless important sights,
like the Brandenburg Gate, the
Reichstag and Museum Island, it is
the ideal starting point for your visit to
the city. Mitte also contains the oldest
part of the city, the Nikolaivertel.
Charlottenburg
The centre of West Berlin, this
district offers elegant residential
areas, pricey shops and five star
hotels and restaurants. The famous
‘Ku’damm’ street runs through it,
and the magnificent Charlottenburg
palace can be found to the north.
Kreuzberg
Also known as ‘Xberg’, this district is not
only a hub for hipsters and artists but
also the home of large segments of
Berlin’s Turkish population. Nowadays,
many complain that the large influx
of tourists has dampened Kreuzberg’s
alternative vibe. However, the
‘Kreuzkölln’ area around Reuterstraße
seems to promise a recovery. Either
way, this district has plenty to offer
those looking for unique bars, eateries,
Döner kebab kiosks and quirky clubs.
Prenzlauer Berg
After Germany’s reunification, this
district was the first to see an influx of
young creatives; it also the first to be
gentrified. Nowadays, ‘Prenzlberg’
is home to many eateries, bars and
shops catering to an educated
and creative, but also rather
affluent, crowd. Oderbergstraße,
Kollwitzplatz, Schönhauser Allee,
Prenzlauer Alee and Kastianienalle
form its heart. Make sure to visit
Dicker Hermann, ‘Fat Hermann’,
the first water tower in the city.
Friedrichshain
Located to the north of Kreuzberg,
this old worker’s district is now the
preferred hunting ground and home
for many of the city’s students and
hipsters. It also has the best nightlife
in the world, hosting many nightclubs
including the legendary Berghain.
Laura Bird

8. 14 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Beds & Bunks | 15
Görlitzer Str. 38, 10997 Kruezberg | Reception Open 8:00 – 00:00 | www.jetpakberlin.com/
alternative | U-bahn Schlesisches Tor
In a sprawling city like Berlin with
over sixty-five hostels, the options of
places to stay are practically endless.
Visitors can camp out near former
airfield Tempelhof at Scube Parks, stay
in a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy-
themed hostel in Mitte, sleep within
walking distance of Berlin’s most
famous clubs at Jetpak Alternative,
and many more. Hostel prices in Berlin
tend to start at €18 to €25 depending
on the time of year. If you still crave
a budget accommodation without
the hostel dormitory experience,
perhaps couch surfing, an apartment
or a bread and breakfast is more
your style. Couchsurfing.com and
Airbnb.com both provide user-rated
hosts and accommodation options.
Couch surfing offers the opportunity
to be shown around town by a Berlin
native, while Air BnB affords guests
a more private housing option. No
matter where you choose to sleep
in Berlin, your stay is sure to be an
unforgettable experience.
Located on a residential street
across from the infamous Görlitzer
Park, Jetpak Alternative is a small,
42-bed hostel in Kreuzberg. Rather
than offer easy access to the main
tourist sites in Mitte, Jetpak put
guests within walking distance of the
East Side Gallery and the Soviet War
Memorial, as well as many of Berlin’s
famous clubs such as Watergate
and the Berghain.
Unique among hostels in Berlin,
Jetpak caters to single travellers and
small groups. They won’t allow groups
of more than four and have strict
policies again hen and stag parties.
Jetpak encourages a pleasant social
atmosphere among guests and
hostel staff. A single table dominates
the common room, which houses a
fridge stocked with
beer, soft drinks, and
water all sold for €1.
Espresso drinks are
also available for
€1 throughout the
day, and one comes
standard with the
hostel’s free breakfast.
Best of all, Jetpak is
a hostel that does
sweat the small
things: bunk beds are
made of solid wood,
dorms are roomy and
never feel cramped, lockers are big
enough to hold most backpacks,
and there are power points and
clean toilets to spare. It is not
uncommon to hear guests at Jetpak
call it one of their favorite hostels.
Lauren Lamson
COUCH SURFING OFFERS
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE
SHOWN AROUND TOWN
BY A BERLIN NATIVE
“
“

9. 16 | The Berlinsider’s Guide Beds & Bunks | 17
Weinbergsweg 1a, 10119 Mitte | Reception open 24 hours | www.circus-berlin.de/hostel |
Rosenthaler Platz U8
Johannisstraße 11, 10117 Mitte| Reception open 24-hours | www.heartofgold-hostel.de |
S-bahn Oranienburger Straße
The tagline of this Hitchhiker’s Guide
to the Galaxy­-themed hostel in the
heart of Mitte is “don’t panic,” which
is friendly advice for all travellers but
particularly poignant in the case of
this hostel. Guests are greeted by
an unfriendly elderly German man,
the proprietor of the establishment,
and are left to their own devices to
navigate the maze of hallways and
dormitories.
The Hitchiker’s references are few
and far between: ‘Don’t Panic’ signs
are littered around the establishment,
a mega-dorm houses exactly forty-
two beds, and sperm whale mural
overlooks a living room-like space in the
common room. Towels, however, are
not provided, and somewhat unusually
among hostels, Heart of Gold does not
provide laundry services.
The bathrooms, meanwhile, seem
too few for the number of guests. The
cleanliness of the facilities is not up to
the standard of most hostels, and the
showers require one to press a button
every fifteen seconds to keep the
water running.
Though Heart of Gold’s location close
to Berlin’s city center and main tourist
attractions may be a draw, along with
the cheap rates (rooms start at €8.90
for the mega dorm), look elsewhere
in Berlin for quality accommodation.
Lauren Lamson
This upscale hostel in Berlin Mitte
offers over 200 beds situated in
eight-, five-, three-bed or private
dorms starting at €23. Catering
mainly to people travelling in groups,
this hostel has no restrictions when
it comes to group sizes or to stag
and hen parties. Despite having
both a café and a bar, the social
atmosphere is lacking that unique
blend of qualities which facilitates
easily meeting and befriending fellow
guests.
This corporate-owned hostel has the
best in facilities, including modern
design, clean bathrooms, quality
bedding, and key-card entry points.
Yet the hostel includes many quirky
details, such as a David Hasselhoff
painting complete with fake
chest hair, that feel shoehorned
in and inauthentic. Although the
comfortable beds help to facilitate
a good night’s sleep, the noise
constantly streaming in from the
street throughout the night does not.
Circus Hostel is conveniently located
close to Berlin’s city center and the
majority of tourist attractions such
as Museum Island, the TV Tower,
and Brandenburg Gate. Guests are
provided with a map immediately
upon check in and are invited to
check out the hostel-provided
walking tour that departs daily at
10:30 and costs €12. Guests can
eat breakfast on-site for €5, which
includes a coffee or orange juice and
an all-you-can eat buffet of breads,
meats, spreads, fruits, and cheeses.
Lauren Lamson

10. 18 | The Berlinsider’s Guide
The richness and diversity of Berlin’s
history has gifted the city with an
abundance of magnificent churches,
symbolic monuments and emotive
memorials. Meanwhile hundreds
of museums are dedicated to
exploring different facets of the
city’s past. Today, Berlin has a
vibrant cultural scene, with cutting-
edge contemporary art galleries
and alternative live music venues.
Immerse yourself in the urban
landscape by exploring the city’s
most famous streets and squares.
If city life becomes a bit too much,
escape to one of the central parks
or venture further afield to the
surrounding lakes and forests.
Sights & Sites | Main Sites & Memorials | 19
The Brandenburg Gate is the
undisputed symbol of Berlin. You’ll
find it on the front of almost every
travel guide, as well as being littered
on an unhealthy amount of souvenirs.
In 1791 the landmark was erected as
a sign of peace. Its iconic quadriga
featuring a horse-drawn chariot
and Eirene, goddess of peace,
was added in 1794. Both gate and
quadriga have however had a
turbulent history. Eirene was stolen by
Napoleon in 1806, but was eventually
reclaimed from Paris in 1814, renamed
Victoria, goddess of victory. The
slightly redesigned goddess features
the Prussian eagle and iron cross you
see today, symbolising the power of
Germany.
The Brandenburg Gate was originally
the main entrance into the city,
leading to what is now the glorious
Pariser Platz, and the start of Unter den
Linden, Berlin’s most famous street.
Over the years the landmark has
been the site of numerous marches
and political speeches, becoming
synonymous with Berlin. US President
Ronald Reagan delivered his famous
“tear down this wall” speech at the
gate in 1987. A lack of inside access
or a tour means that prior historical
knowledge is the only way to add
to the immaculate sight of the gate.
Regardless of this, the gate’s brilliant
illumination at night is justification in
itself for making the trip.
Shaun Forster
Pariser Platz, 10117 Mitte | www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/brandenburg-gate |
Brandenburger Tor U55, S1, S2, S25