But Berlin rebounded and this tour explores its sexual identity, the Institute of Sexual Science, how the AIDS epidemic affected Berlin, and the LGBTQ community. But with reunification, came a renewed effort to move Germanys capital back to Berlin. In a similar vein, but more foreboding again, the Wannsee Conference house where the finishing touches to the Final Solution were hatched is chilling in its simplicity. It's hard to overstate how big of a deal these high risks are. Nevertheless, a radical undercurrent still manifests in many places and spaces. This gallery is stuffed full of friendly monsters in a modern incarnation of Maurice Sendaks Where the Wild Things Are (which is the best childrens book ever). There are such creative and immersive ways to learn about the past that youre instantaneously hooked. Modern Aviation Otto Lilienthal was the first person to ever successfully use an airplane (hang-flier) to repeatedly glide through the air. Look for it in Kreutzberg, on the East Side Gallery, near Urban Spree in Friedrichshain, Mauer Park, the alleys near the Monsterkabinett and on the streets in Schneberg around the Street Art Museum (noted below). Christian Boros purchased the building in 2003 and re-modeled it for his private family collection. Most of the city, and especially the alternative districts, is covered in all forms of art. Take a virtual journey through the city's best bits and discover just a few of the many reasons to love Berlin. Who's Afraid of a Third Party? - WSJ Its seamlessly interconnected travel infrastructure is superb, and is best accessed with a Visit Berlin or generic travel pass at either Tegel or Schnefeld airports. Check their schedule here. Fifty years ago, the park was nothing but an industrial junkyard; however, over the past five decades, it has flourished into a rich jungle forest. Please be mindful when booking an AirBnB in Berlin. They even have a little barbecue joint where you can get food and drink. As techno DJ Cl put it: We lived at a time when normal people slept.. Its especially worth to visit Mauerpark on Sunday as thats when the whole magic happens one of the biggest flea market (however it felt a little bit too commercial for me), public karaoke singing or, when the weather is nice, a massive bbq. Why the EV boom could put a major strain on our power grid You can choose from every manner of food, from Mexican to falafal, washed down with beer, coffee or ice cream. What better way to explore Berlin like a local, than to take a guided tour with a local. I also recommend the rainbow cake at Romeo & Rome cafe! There is a particularly nice stretch in Statthaus Bckler Park. 4 November 2019. 8 inventions made in Berlin | Reason-Why.Berlin Here are some of the more unusual things to do in alternative Berlin. Now they are legalized and are the place where concerts, exhibitions or workshops often take place. Never travel without travel insurance, you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. But not many know that the next entrance leads to the courtyard that is a paradise for every street art lover. Let us know, we love hearing from you. Packed with cozy cafes and small boutiques and full of beautiful architecture it surely must be a wonderful place to live in. And in its first 24 hours, more . In Berlin there is much momentum to upmarket and gentrify many of its alternative/hipster regions such as Kreuzberg. 2 giraffenmensch 4 yr. ago Yeah, the above makes little sense. Its a crazy scene out there, and I truly believe that if you havent been out to one of the dozens of techno clubs, than you havent fully experienced the essence of Berlin! Hackesche Hfe (Rosenthaler) is perhaps the most upmarket and attractive, designed in the Art Nouveau style by August Ende in 1906. A disco in a telephone box. Think war bunkers and air raid shelters, alongside escape routes for those trying to get to the other side of the wall which is thetour I highly recommend for a different perspective of the citys history. But whats even better, is the long row of street food stalls. I adore discovering off the beaten path places (especially in Central Europe) and exploring alternative spots, street art scene and local cafe culture. Recent, and Relevant, History Your grandparents were probably alive during Berlin's darkest days through World War II, your parents may remember the construction of the Berlin Wall, and you might even remember its fall. To find it, head to the Cinema Cafe on Rosenthaler Strasse where the unassuming alleyway runs alongside it. If you enjoy Gay nightclubs, check out this guide for Gay Berlin, it has a ton of suggestions for bars and nightclubs. Trust me, its awesome. July 4, 2023 3:48 pm ET. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its nocturnal underbelly of sex, drugs and rock and roll, its up there with the likes of London as one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Its also where I had one of the weirdest meals of my life under the subway bridge, in the former public toilet theres a burger bar that serves pretty awesome food the long line seems to confirm that. Why We Love the Staff-Favorite Technivorm Moccamaster We can personally recommend Tour 1. Like Burgermeister, thats set in a former railway public bathroom. Tips for Visiting: They are located in the Friedrichshain neighborhood, not far from Urban Spree (pictured below). Urban Glamping: Huttenpalast is a fun and funky budget lodging provider. IC Berlin Glasses - Are They Worth It? Most of the Berlins squats can be found in Mitte, Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain. The tour wanders Prenzlauer Berg and visits three brew pubs and beer bars with the opportunity to check out five beers. Ive included a short description of each below. Many believed Osman was using the house to assist Berliners in crossing over the divide. After this 3-hour tour, you will discover a new city of Berlin. You can reach out to us in the comment section below. Our readers have expressed lots of love for Moccamasters in the comments section of our drip coffee maker guide . What Makes Berlin so Unique? - The Daily Beast Tips for visiting: Distrikt Coffee isnt far from the Hamberger Baunhauf and ME Collection (both noted below) so you can breakfast there before exploring the neighborhood. Read More: If you like kitschy museums and offbeat adventures, check out this list of weird things to do in San Francisco and this one for Reykjavik. We've got the parenting tips and information you need to raise a happy, healthy family. For a more local experience, we recommend checking out the guided tours onGet Your Guide: One of the things we loved most about Alternative Berlin was its neverending realm of artistic and cultural spaces. 12 Reasons Why Berlin Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination 1 hyuga314 2 yr. ago I think this is partly based on false assumptions. If you like both graffiti and URBEX, then you should absolutely visit the abandoned Teufelsberg Listening Station- I found it to be one of the most cool things to do in Berlin. The Spy Museum is pretty touristy, and I cant see a local going therebut its worth a visit anyway. Stroll around Berlin Zoo. Book it here. Thanks. Germany's far-right Alternative fr Deutschland (AfD) is on a roll, winning its first-ever mayoral position just as it surges to second place in a leading opinion poll. But its is actually a work of art created by Ben Wagin as a memorial for the victims of the Berlin Wall. When lately I was exploring not the touristy parts of Berlin I had moments when I couldnt really believe that all Im seeing is actually real. Tips for visiting: Open 10a-6p on Sundays only. If you love chocolate, theres no sweeter place in Berlin thanFassbender & Rausch. A mini guide to alternative Berlin Germany Alternative Berlin (Last Updated On: 06/10/2022) During each of my visits in Berlin I'm amazed by how fast the city changes, how unique it becomes and how it is now an alternative capital of Europe (I even dare to say of the world). Why not explore a few of Berlins many neighborhood beer gardens that cater more to locals? In any case, its worth checking out while youre in the area. You'll get to explore gritty underground locations that even only a few locals know about. The Weimar era of the 1920s fostered a culture that embraced design, literature, film, an LGBT community and a decadent nightlife. However, the park really springs into life on the weekend, particularly through the summer months. For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you: If you enjoyed that post why don't you share it with your friends? Former East Berlin area that always has been in the opposition, now is one of the most desired places to live in the capital of Germany. After the fall of the wall, many abandoned and ownerless buildings were taken over by young people who organized illegal parties. And it is a house of strange, constructed otherwordly creatures. Which spot are you most excited about visiting? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); So far Ive been lucky to visit 77 countries on 6 continents. (Recommended by Inma Gregorio of A World to Travel). IC Berlin glasses are known for their lightweight construction and screwless design. (Recommended by Dave Anderson of Jones Around the World). You can have a drink in the Brachvogel Betrieb beer garden or on one the restaurant barges which are parked along the canal. You can find the best accommodation options at Booking. It's stylish, simple to use, easily repairable, and backed by a solid warranty. People wanted to celebrate this freedom together; they wanted to party. The organisation is Berliner Unterwelten A subterranean museum exploring the citys underground history, including WWII bunkers and escape tunnels. But it provides an interesting insight into what it was like living in East Berlin during the Cold War. The french toast with fruit compote will spoil you forever and the avocado toast as truly surprising flavors on fresh chewy bread. Its a pre-paid service that offers very good exchange rates and no fees for ATMs use. And youll get a full-blown history lesson from somebody who knows Berlin like the back of their hand. New clubs and party venues sprung up all over, changing the landscape and reunifying communities. RAW Temple was a place that Id definitely love to spend more time in and enjoy all the activities! But less familiar are the underground and alternative scenes which have characterised the city over decades, centuries even. Much cheaper than a bar and great for people watching. (This article contains affiliate links. Its quite a happening with food ranging from the aforementioned currywurst to grilled cheese sandwiches, Thai food, crepes and Italian. Most of the stores have a picnic table or chairs set up on the sidewalk. Entry: 600 HUF (Free to view outside)/Allow: 1hr. Youll also find theMonster Kabinetthere a wild museum of robotic creatures and insect-like beasts. The west takes in the Hansa Quarter, an ambitious social housing project involving Alvar Aalto and Oscar Niemeyer. I am a woman, I am childless over 30 (who is asking me if I want it that way anyway?. There are exhibits on daily life, education (and indoctrination), the media and even a full sized sample apartment.