Fodors Travel Guides - Fodors Inside Berlin

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Inside Berlin shows you the city like youve never seen it. Written entirely by locals, it includes features on the citys street art and galleries and plenty of insider tips. The result is a curated compilation infused with authentic Berlin flavor, accompanied by easy-to-use maps and transit information.

Whether youre visiting Berlin for the first time or a seasoned traveler looking to explore a new neighborhood, this is the guide for you. Weve handpicked the top things to do and rated the sights, shopping, dining, and nightlife in the citys most dynamic neighborhoods. Truly exceptional experiences in all categories are marked with a .

Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are a huge part of Berlins appeal, of course, and youll find plenty to savor in its diverse neighborhoods. We cover cuisines at all price points, with everything from enduring institutions and groundbreaking chefs to the perfect late-night street snack. We cover hotels in the Experience section at the front of this guide. Use the $ to $$$$ price charts below to estimate meal and room costs. We list adult prices for sights; ask about discounts when purchasing tickets.

#FODORSONTHEGO

Weve highlighted fun neighborhood facts throughout this guide. As you explore Berlin, we invite you to use #FodorsOnTheGo to share your favorite discoveries with us.

Berlin is constantly changing. All prices, opening times, and other details in this guide were accurate at press time. Always confirm information when it matters, especially when making a detour to a specific place. Visit Fodors.com for expanded restaurant and hotel reviews, additional recommendations, news, and features.

The numbers refer to chapter numbers.

2. MITTE SOUTH OF THE SPREE (WITH MUSEUM ISLAND)

Mitte is, figuratively and literally, Berlins center. This huge neighborhood has been divided into two sections along the Spree River.

3. MITTE NORTH OF THE SPREE

One of Berlins cultural hubs, Mitte is filled with shops, bars, restaurantsmost of them on the north side of the Spree River.

4. PRENZLAUER BERG

Once a working-class neighborhood, Prenzlauer Berg is now one of the citys most gentrifiedand internationalareas.

5. KREUZBERG

Tenement blocks and anarchist squats have given way to sidewalk cafs and handsome canal-side apartments, but the remaining artists, punks, and Turkish immigrants continue to make this one of the most dynamic areas in Berlin.

6. NEUKLLN & ALT-TREPTOW

From bleak to chic, Neukllns abandoned storefronts have turned into art galleries, fashion shops, bakeries, and wine bars. Next door, up-and-coming Alt-Treptow is fast becoming the next trendy Berlin neighborhood.

7. FRIEDRICHSCHAIN

Neo-baroque landmarks and socialist architecture compete for attention in this neighborhood in the former East, where cheap rent, offbeat bars, edgy clubs, and beautiful parks attract students and creative types from around the world.

8. SCHNEBERG

Historically Berlins gay neighborhood, Schneberg mixes the alternative vibe of Kreuzberg with the genteel residential feel of West Berlin.

9. TIERGARTEN AND POTSDAMER STRASSE

The glittery skyscrapers of Potsdammer Platz symbolize Germanys post-Cold War renaissance. Nearby Tiergarten, once a royal hunting estate, is Berlins largest park.

10. CHARLOTTENBURG

This elegant West Berlin neighborhood is home to the bustling high-street commerce of Kurfrstendamm and elegant coffeehouses of Savignyplatz.

11. POTSDAM

A short trip from Berlin, the former center of the Enlightenment continues to draw learned visitors to its splendid Sanssouci Palace.

You can always find something special to do in Berlin, but these are the standouts that Berliners plan their calendars around. Theyre organized by month, with ongoing events at the end.

FEBRUARY

Berlinale: International Film Festival

February is synonymous with international cinema in Berlin. Unlike the other red-carpet festivals around the world, all the showings in this 10-day celebration are open to the public, making the Berlinale the largest public movie festival in the world. Queue up for premieres of international films, or just party with an estimated 20,000 film professionals who brave the cold Berlin winter yearly. www.berlinale.de.

MAY

Karneval der Kulturen

A celebration of Berlins diversity, this multicultural street festival takes over bohemian Kreuzberg every Pentecost weekend (usually in May or June). From traditional ethnic arts to cutting-edge contemporary dance, the festival is a microcosm of present-day Berlin culture. The weekend peaks with a parade of musicians, dancers, and other performers showing off their skills to an enthusiastic crowd. www.karneval-berlin.de.

JUNE

48 Stunden Neuklln

For two days in June, the working-class neighborhood of Neuklln, now home to boutiques and hip hangouts, celebrates the districts diversity and artsy-ness. An old brewery may host a concert, or an avant-garde opera performance may take over an art nouveau swimming pool; some venues are as intimate as someones living room. From a modest block party in 1999, this homespun festival has evolved into a major cultural happening that the citys creative class looks forward to every year. Neukllnwww.48-stunden-neukoelln.de.

JULY

Gay Pride Berlin

Originally a political rally commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots, this flamboyant parade has become one of the citys most popular street parties. The annual July celebration draws crowds from around the world, and culminates in a large open-air dance party at the Victory Column. www.csd-berlin.de.

AUGUST

International Berlin Beer Festival