Trufflehound
Re-enfranchised
One word: currywurst.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Berlin, Deutschland
- Thread starter Brightonfan1983
- Start date
Basil Fawlty
Don't Mention The War
Never mention the war, or even talk about Hitler. 
Marty McFly
Seagulls Over Canada
One word: currywurst.
....washed down with a Franziskaner.
Kuntsthaus is a good call. There are also a lot of independent galleries on Auguststrasse close by. Oh, and have a drink in the Tacheles art-squat place on Oranienburgerstrasse. Dont be afraid to go in. The stairwells might not look too friendly or safe but the bars, kino, theatre and other art orientated things inside are. Take a walk round the back to get a good feel for the place...you can see where all the bars are located by looking up at the rear.
The Hamburger Bahnhof is the big modern art gallery. I'm an entry level art person and I find it great. I've been a number of times. It is well curated, well laid out with simple explanations for the likes of lay people like me. If you want a concise overview of the Bauhaus movement then check out the Bauhaus Archive......my favourite museum.
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
It depends which museums are open, but they're restoring the ones on the Museum Island bit by bit - the Pergamum Museum is fantastic, with the Ishtar Gate sticking in the memory. And DO mention the war - do so at the German Historical Museum, which is nearby on Unter Den Linden near the bridge across to the Schlossplatz - a brilliant and thorough exhibition, with a true sense of perspective and nothing left out.
Berlin's brilliant - as you look at the Potsdamer Platz, don't forget that 20 years ago it looked like Sheepcote Valley. And don't miss the food halls in the justly-lauded KaDeWe; the place was apparently one of the main venues for east Germans to go and start CRYING after the Wall came down, such is the showy ostentation of the place.
The cafe at the back of the Staatsoper is fab too.
Berlin's brilliant - as you look at the Potsdamer Platz, don't forget that 20 years ago it looked like Sheepcote Valley. And don't miss the food halls in the justly-lauded KaDeWe; the place was apparently one of the main venues for east Germans to go and start CRYING after the Wall came down, such is the showy ostentation of the place.
The cafe at the back of the Staatsoper is fab too.
Tubby Mondays
Well-known member
Berlin took my breath away.
There is a small permanent exhibition on on the wall of the walkway from the Sony Centre to the train station (the station entrance actually inside the Sony Centre and just up from the excellent Film and Tv museum) which documents the transformation of Potsdamer Platz. Not worth going to in itself but if you're there take a peak.
I think you can judge from everyone's comments that Berlin is truly an amazing city and you will not struggle to have a great time.
....and on Veteranenstrasse no 14 there is a very Berlin cafe/bar called the Weinerei.....there is no name on the door (this is something which you will sometimes encounter) but you drink wine and cocktails and stuff and only pay what you think it is worth. It's not a gimmick....you just bung them some cash at the end. A bit like a booze version of the new radiohead album.
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
I want a JOB there so I can go and live there. 
house your seagull
Train à Grande Vitesse
if you go to museum island, which is quite pretty round there anyway, good walk up to the rathaus and the tower etc. then check out the 3 berlin bears - i think their names are tilo, scnute and maxi and thy live in a a park, you can go and see them and they come and say hello - pretty cool, it's like bears in the middle of the level, except there's no wino's.
just found out tilo died this year, can you lay some flowers for me.
would be cool if we had 2 dolphins as mascots that lived in a pond in central brighton.
Virgo's Haircut
Resident Train Guru
Don't forget to drink some Berliner Kindl. A lovely beer!
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
For accommodation, I'd def. recommend Peters Service in Prenzlauer Berg - nice, cheap and (of course) clean apartments run by very friendly people - and very near to the Prater, the oldest beer garden in Berlin.
Virgo's Haircut
Resident Train Guru
We went to Berlin a couple of years ago, and stayed in a 5* hotel which was cheaper than a 2* hotel in Paris. Can't remember exactly how much it was, but it was the Hotel Grand Esplanade. Breakfast was included as well, buffet style that has everything from cornflakes to smoked salmon.
Man of Harveys
Well-known member
Forget the Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building etc etc - I'd go there JUST to go and see KNUT the polar bear
Prenz is a wonderful area...and I know the Prater beer garden well (I think we might have had this exchange before MoH.....?). Possibly one of the best places in the world to spend a balmy summer's evening.
A good call but Hefeweiss was my favourite tipple....try the Franziskaner label. Can be bought on draught in Razzia in Budapest at Mauer Park end of Oderburgerstrasse in Prenz. Can also be purchased in Tin Drum Hove!
P.S. Dont be put off by drinking bottled beer in germany. It is as good as draught stuff.
Brightonfan1983
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #39
Thanks to you all for your suggestions - as I left on Friday eve and came back Sunday afternoon, I had a mere day to do stuff. I'm a bit of a history vulture so I started at Checkpoint Charlie, reading all the displays, then via The World balloon to "The Topography of Terror" - being on that street, at the centre of where it happened, was strange - then round to the Brandeburg Gate. Did go to The Radisson on advice from here which was fun for a beer, then ate and drank all night.
There was too much to do and I will definitely go back. Thanks again!
There was too much to do and I will definitely go back. Thanks again!