A day in Berlin
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Holocaust Memorial
Poignant remembrance of wartime horror
Talk of the town: Approximately 5,000 people a day visit the memorial, just under two million a year.
Designed by Peter Eisenman and Buro Happold, this stark, beautiful square between the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz, is a permanent reminder of the Jewish persecution during World War II.Opened in 2005, the memorial consists of 2,711 blocks of concrete - 'stelae' - placed over an area of 19,000 square meters. The site slopes slightly, designed to give the observer a sense of confusion and bewilderment and symbolising a world that has lost all reason.
The memorial was the subject of much controversy, with many debating whether Germany can ever be allowed to move on with such a powerful reminder of its failings staring back at it every day. Others argue that this is precisely the reason it was needed.
Visitors can wander between the stones and spend time contemplating their meaning and, underground, is an information center detailing events of the Holocaust, which is also free to enter.
Fee: Free
Open Hours: Field of Stelae: 24 hours
Information Center, Apr-Sep, Tue-Sun: 10am - 8pm
Oct-Mar, Tue-Sun: 10am - 7pm
Address: Cora Berliner Straße 1, Mitte
Phone: +49 30 2639 4336
Holocaust Memorial's webpage
See & Do
KW Institute for Contemporary Art
Creative co-operative helping establish new artists
Word to the wise: Entrance on Thursdays between 7pm - 9pm is just EUR 4 and includes a guided tour (German only).
Talk of the town: The Institute sits on the site of an abandoned margarine factory.
After a browse through the many small galleries here, pop into the attached Cafe Bravo. Even the cakes and light lunches here look they've come straight from an artist's studio.
Fee: Adult: EUR 6
Open Hours: Tue-Sun: 12noon - 7pm
Thu: 12noon - 9pm
Address: Auguststrasse 69, Mitte
Phone: +49 30 243 4590
KW Institute for Contemporary Art´s webpage
See & Do
Tiergarten
Second largest urban garden in Germany
Word to the wise: Hire a 'Velotaxi' (pedal taxi) to get yourself around the park - it's too big to do it all on foot.
Talk of the town: 'Tiergarten' is German for 'Animal Garden'.
Originally the hunting ground of the Prince-electors, the park was modernized in the early 19th century and, between 1961-1989, was bordered along the east by the Berlin Wall. In the northeast corner sits the Reichstag whilst, to the south, is Potsdamer Platz and the Sony building.
Cutting a swathe through the park is Strasse 17 Juni, a vast, eight-lane road connecting Unter den Linden and Charlottenburg, off which spring a myriad of other little roads and paths that stretch deep into the forest. As well as cafes and plenty of quiet benches, the park contains many little lakes, which are popular with brave ice skaters when they freeze over in winter.
Address: Strasse de 17 Juni, Tiergarten, Mitte Tiergarten's webpage
Shopping
Häckeschen Höfe
A quirky collection of decorated streets and shops
Noteworthy for: Being home to the 'Chamaleon Variete', Berlin's best attempt at reviving the 1920s cabaret scene.
This complex of eight interconnecting courtyards has been here for hundreds of years. It was at the beginning of the 20th century, though, that they were transformed into the Art Nouveau masterpieces we see today.Shoppers, or just the curious, can meander through these beautiful streets, with their intricate, fairy-tale-like facades, mosaics and exclusive stores. Sit and people-watch in one of the many pavement bars and cafes, or check out where to have dinner later. It's a place to be seen 'in' too, so the evenings, especially, are when the A-listers come out to exploit this natural catwalk.
Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41 amd Sophienstrasse 6, Mitte Phone: +49 30 2809 8010 Hackesche Hoefe's webpage
Shopping
KaDeWe
Berlin's flagship department store
Word to the wise: The food court gets packed on Saturdays.
Talk of the town: As of 2011, KaDeWe is Europe's second biggest department store - only Harrod's in London is larger.
A traditional department store, floors are genre-specific (beauty, men, women etc), so it's easy to navigate. There's a good mix of designer and chain favorites, but the highlight is the seventh floor food court, which is more a high-end delicatessen. The top-floor restaurant is worth a visit for the extraordinary views alone.
Open Hours: Mon-Thu: 10am - 8pm
Fri: 10am - 9pm
Sat: 9.30am - 8pm
Address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24, Schoeneberg
Phone: +49 30 21 210
KaDeWe's webpage
Restaurants
Transit
Asian tapas, freshly made in minutes
Noteworthy for: Being completely MSG-free.
Popular plate: The 'Little Swimmer' spicy fish soup.
Word to the wise: When Mitte gets busy at weekends, there is another Transit in Friedrichshain, on Sontagstrasse.
Service is friendly and unobtrusive, which makes Transit a great place to come with friends. Sharing is the key to a good night here, so order as much as you like, put it all together, and tuck in.
Price sample: Tapas: EUR 3-7
Open Hours: Daily: 11am - 1am
Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 68, Mitte
Phone: +49 30 2478 1645
Transit's webpage
Restaurants
Schneeweiss
Sophistication and elegance, Austrian-style
Popular plate: Veal entrecote with chantarelle risotto.
Talk of the town: All the waiters wear entirely white, from top to toe, so it's sometimes hard to see them.
The menu changes frequently, but dishes like the perch fillet in beurre blanc, and salsify-ricotta strudel, are just two examples of the fineries you can expect here. Classy and stylish.
Price sample: Main course: EUR 9.6-23.5
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 6pm - 1am
Sat-Sun: 10am - 1am
Address: Simplonstrasse 16, Friedrichshain
Phone: +49 30 2904 9704
Schneeweiss' webpage
Restaurants
Hugos
High-end food in a high-rise dining room
Noteworthy for: The stunning view over Tiergarten from the 14th floor.
Popular plate: Mangalica piglet belly.
Talk of the town: Chef Thomas Kammeier is Germany's version of Gordon Ramsay and sells millions of cookbooks every year.
What you're guaranteed, though, is an evening of refined elegance, spectacular views, immaculate service and Michelin-starred food. Portions are small, however, so there'll be room for a Currywurst on the way home.
Price sample: Main course: EUR 28-60
Tasting menu: EUR 95-155
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 7pm - 10.30pm
Address: Intercontinental Hotel, Budapester Straße 2, Mitte
Phone: +49 30 2602 1263
Hugos' webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Metzer Eck
Traditional Berlin pub
Noteworthy for: The good range of ales on offer.
Word to the wise: Lots of the tables get reserved at weekends, so try on a quieter week night to guarantee getting a seat.
It's quite easy to stay here for a few hours and work your way through the drafts and bottles on offer, and the owners will often sit down with you for a chat if they're not too busy. Proper German hospitality in a typical German hostelry.
Price sample: Main course: EUR 5.5-8.5
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 4pm - 1am
Sat: 6pm - 1am
Address: Metzerstrasse 33, Prenzlauer Berg
Phone: +49 30 442 7656
Metzer Eck's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
CSA
Chic lounge bar, a cut above the rest
Tipple of choice: The CSA Cosmopolitan.
Talk of the town: The building was the former ticketing office for Czech airline, CSA, after which the bar was named.
Popular with the thirtysomething artsy set, inside there's a swanky long bar, with pale leather stools, perfect for enjoying a Singapore sling or designer beer. Casino-style ceiling lights add to the glitz and glamour, and the staff are so on the money, they're mixing your drink even before you've finished asking for it.
Price sample: Cocktails: EUR 12 Open Hours: Daily: 7pm - late Address: Karl-Marx Allee 96, Friedrichshain Phone: +49 30 2904 4741 CSA's webpage
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