Spring in Berlin!

We made it!

The last snows have melted, and spring is in the air!
Berlin has so much going on, it’s impossible to see all of it in one visit!



Think winter is too cold and dark?

Think again!

Berlin truly sparkles in the winter - with or without snow!
No matter what you are into, you will find it in this magnificent city!


Latest Tips

Spring in Berlin!

Not long ago this city was still dusted with the last of the winter’s snow; now, in its place, the first blossoms of spring are blooming.

Finally the weather is getting warm enough to venture outside, to explore, to discover... and to feel the spring energy in the Berlin air!

We’ve put together our top tips for the best things to see and do in this incredibly diverse city.

Have fun, fill your photo album with unforgettable moments and enjoy watching spring unfold into summer in the city!

  • Experience the cherry blossoms and many other spring feelings in the Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World), starting their season with theme parks on April 30th (Easter).

    But also in other parts of Berlin it will soon bloom strongly - not only the tourists, but also the inhabitants are sometimes totally flashed in the face of this splendor.

    A specific map was created to explore all those must-have-seen-areas in Berlin: the BerlinBlossom Map by VisitBerlin.


  • Bike rental has seen a boost in time for the sunny seasons and we can’t wait!
    Bike rental stations such as LidlBike and NextBike are opening up everywhere, and our own rental bikes are oiled up and ready to go, tempting you to hop on and discover the city on two wheels.

  • Looking for guides who can lead you through the urban jungle and show you the stories and the highlights of the city? You can’t go wrong with one of the many guided cycle tours available in Berlin! Day or night, educational or ‘indie’…you’re certain to find a tour which engages both your body and your mind!

  • As you explore the city, make sure to stop by a one of the many flea markets now coming out of winter hibernation! Whether the Mauerpark flea market with its famous karaoke competition, or the beloved Maybachufer riverside flea market, discover must-have bargains and finger-licking food.

  • For real fans of street food, there are ever more street food markets opening up in the city, inviting you to taste international specialities from passionate cooks. Your tastebuds will be tingling!

  • If you didn’t manage to register for the Berlin Half-Marathon on 8th April in time, at least you can join the crowds of supporters and enjoy the race with a full stomach! The same stretch is also used for a huge rollerblading race on the same day!
    Lead it in with a visit to the ‘Berlin Vital’ health expo on Friday and Saturday before on the former Flughafen Tempelhof to put your good intentions (don’t tell us you forgot those already?) into action!

  • Is this all a bit too hectic for you? Then we’ve got a fantastic suggestion for a weekend of pure relaxation: first, immerse yourself in the beautiful greenery of the Britzer Garden, and then, for example, on Saturday, March 31st, be a witness of the gigantic Easter Fire there.
    Or, on one of the other weekends as well, take advantage of the varied rest stops on the grounds.
    Whether Easter tinkering, fire labyrinth or kite festival - the park offers great events or perfect ways to relax all year round.

  • If you’d rather do the gardening yourself rather than enjoy someone else’s handiwork, why not grab a spade and join it and one of the many Urban Gardening projects all  around in Berlin!

  • Don’t fancy digging and squelching around in the mud? More of a selfie star than a garden gnome? Then take part in the Berlin Photo Marathon on June 16th and compete to take the best photos ever featuring the weirdest, wildest poses possible! Register to get your tickets before they sell out.
  • Football’s fantastic, but who wants to get all sweaty and exhausted when you could just watch it from the comfort of a cool Berlin pub or beer garden?
    Watch the DFB matches in our Hostel lounge or in one of the many sports bars and pubs across the city as the tension builds towards the big final in the Olympic stadium on May 19th.

  • If that’s not enough sports for you, be sure to watch the International Games Week from April 23th to 29th!

  • For the culture vultures among you, the New Berlin Film Awards take place from April 11th to 18th, where varied prizes celebrate the creators of many different types of films all produced in Berlin and Brandenburg.

  • Don’t look, but listen, at the free lunch concerts given on Tuesdays at the Berlin Philharmonia, starting on April 13th, just a few hundred metres away from our hostel.

  • Book-lovers will be at home at the StadtLesen’ book festival on April 26th to 28th. Peruse pages, attend readings and get lost in a good book both indoors and outdoors at this brilliant festival. Perfect for all bookworms!

  • For even more fun in the great outdoors, take a tour of Berlin’s waterways!
    Whether by boat or by raft, available in every comfort level from basic to luxury, you can moor up by the Berliner Hafenküche restaurant, pick up a packed picnic basket and enjoy a fantastic day out on the H2O! There’s even a floating sauna complex soon to be opened on the Müggelsee on the outskirts of the city!

  • If you prefer to be taken around the rivers and canals with an experienced captain at the helm, take one of the exciting boat tours through the city and discover Berlin from a new perspective – while enjoying top-notch service and entertainment, either out on the deck or inside the boat.

    Sounds boring? No way! More and more themed tours are becoming available, including murder mystery dinners, nautical techno raves, firework tours, comedy evenings and even whisky tastings!

  • Enjoy culture, food and fun at the Fête de la Musique festival celebrating the best of both French and German culture. A fun twist on the traditional German Volksfest!

  • Already got plans to attend one of the city’s big conferences, like the VELOBerlin in the middle of April, now absolutely close to the hostel, since it moved to former Flughafen Tempelhof - or the Connecticum career con?
    Our hostel provides perfect, central accommodation for visitors and exhibitioneers alike!
Winter in Berlin

Berlin is great in summer, but what about when temperatures start to drop?

Perhaps at this time of year you’d rather curl up on the couch or simply get ready for hibernation. But Berlin has so much to offer during the wintertime - it would be a darn shame to miss out! No matter what you like, no matter what mood you’re in, Berlin’s got you covered. Here are our tips for the best chilly thrills in Berlin!

  • Hire a pair of ice skates and go skating!
    There are plenty of ice skating facilities out there, both modern and old-school

  • Grab a sledge! Yes, really – Berlin has many popular sledging slopes which are great fun in the snow!

  • Warm up with a session of bouldering (wall climbing) at various locations across the city.

  • Snuggle up in the cinema and check out a sneak preview of an upcoming blockbuster  - the CineStar cinema in Potsdamer Platz shows many films in English, including previews and surprise screenings!

  • Explore the Winter Wonderland, close to our hostel!

  • There are many more Christmas markets to suit all tastes to be found on Visit Berlin's website!
    Because: Berlin is enormously versatile throughout the year!

    Whether historical, "indie" or atmospheric: here you will find your highlights for the entire Advent - with practical Christmas market planner (with download option)!

  • Visit the Roncalli Christmas Circus in Tempodrom - right across from the hostel and with performances until 5th January!
  • Be enchanted by the amazing Winter show "VIVID" at Friedrichstadtpalast!

  • Start the new year at the Brandenburg Gate or one of the many other big NYE party locations in Berlin. Berliners love to celebrate New Year’s Eve with massive parties and lots of fireworks, so ring in 2019 in style!

  • Treat yourself to a day of pure relaxation in a spa, sauna, leisure pool, wellness temple or hamam.

  • Take part in a food tour and discover the gastronomic highlights of the city, for a great way to fuel up and explore new aspects of the city.

  • Getting out among the greenery does everyone good! Take a brisk winter walk in the Botanical Garden, experience the unbelievable "Christmas Garden"  until Jan 8th or warm up in Potsdam’s tropical biosphere (Biosphäre).

  • Got a good grasp of the German language? Then you’ll love one of the storytelling sessions that take place in the Tadshikische Teestube tearooms. But snap up your tickets quickly, because they sell out fast!
    B.t.w., there are fairytales in English as well!
    Visit "Maerchenhuette" from November on!

  • Check out the Berlinale film festival in February for the hottest and most inspiring new creations in international filmmaking. Tickets for the Berlinale also sell out very quickly, so make sure to book as soon as tickets are released. And click here for the program for this year’s films.

  • Indulge your chocolatiest fantasies in the legendary Fassbender & Rausch chocolate shop and restaurant. The restaurant serves chocolate-themed meals both sweet and savoury as well as jaw-dropping cakes – and the shop boasts an enormous truffle counter as well as giant sculptures made entirely out of the sweet stuff!

  • Head to the Aquarium, where you’ll spend hours marvelling at the hundreds of different fish, lizards, snakes, turtles and much more, all in dazzling technicolour.

 

Berlin - classic

Potsdamer Platz

The Potsdamer Platz is one of the most historical locations in Berlin. During the 1920s it used to be the busiest place in the world - including the first traffic light in the world! The area was completely broken during the division of Berlin. 

In the 90s the Potsdamer Platz was the largest construction site in Europe and just a few years later it became the new center of Berlin. Today it daily attracts people from all over the world to enjoy extensive shopping tours and cinema trips. One highlight is the well-attended SonyCenter.
From the viewing platform on the Kohlkoff-house visitors have a magnificent panoramic view of Berlin’s downtown.
Every year in February, the Potsdamer Platz is the heart of the 
Berlinale.

www.potsdamerplatz.de

Parliament Building

Here you can literally smell history ...

The Reichstag is the seat of the German Bundestag and thus an emblem for the Parliament. Here, members are debating the future of Germany.
The Reichstag dome attracts visitors with its spectacular view over Berlin.

www.bundestag.de

Brandenburg Gate

What was once the symbol of the division of Berlin, and thus was a symbol of the cold war, is now the landmark of a united Germany. The Brandenburg Gate is the world's most famous symbol of Berlin and embodies not only long-standing history, but also regularly unites people from all over the world for concerts and other events.

www.brandenburgertor.de

TV Tower

 

360 ° Berlin experience!

At 203m altitude you have the best view of Berlin's attractions and surroundings.
Failed to eat?
5m above the Telecafe invites you to eat dinner.
The platform rotates 2 times in one hour on its own axis and thus offers an unique panoramic view of the exciting city “Berlin”.
As a souvenir you can memorize coins to always carry a piece of Berlin in the wallet.

www.tv-turm.de

Red Townhall

The RedCity Hall is the seat of the Berlin Senate and the Governing Mayor “Kai Wegner”.

The name refers to the facade design with red brick. Remarkable is the sculptural decoration on the balcony on the first floor.

 

Rotes Rathaus

Nikolaiviertel

 

Real Berlin since 770 years!
That’s were Berlin once arose the city’s oldest church St. Nikolai.
Where once Berlin's artists like Goethe and Heinrich Zille spent many hours of their lifes, today many restaurants with Berlin cousine, souvenir shops, boutiques and museums such as the Ephraim-Musuem, are located.

www.nikolaiviertel-berlin.de

Gendarmenmarkt

 

Welcome to the most beautiful spot in Berlin!
In the summer there are classical music concerts organized, and in the winter the big Christmas market sparkles between the pretty building.
The central building is the concert hall, in the North side there is the French Cathedral and last but not least the German Cathedral on the opposite site.

www.gendarmenmarktberlin.de

Victory Column "Siegessäule"

The Victory Column, with its golden Victoria, is also known as "The Gold Else." To commemorate the victory of the Prussian-Danish war, it was built to plans by Heinrich Strack. After the climb of 285 stairs to the supervision platform, visitors will be rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view.

Siegessäule

Kurfürstendamm

The popular shopping street is located in the City West. 

The Kurfürstendamm is characterized by numerous department stores and high-society fashion shops.
On the Lehniner square is a stage- a theater building in the expressive style of the 1920s located.

 

www.kurfuerstendamm.de

KaDeWe

The famous „department store of the West "is perfect for strolling, buying and watching.
After the building was completely destroyed during WWII, if finally could be re-opened in 1950 and from then became a symbol of market economy and economic miracles.
Visitors are always happy to visit the gourmet section on 6
th floor.

www.kadewe.de

Olympic Stadium

Between 1934 and 1936, the former ‘Reichssportfeld’ was rebuilt into an enormous stadium capable of seating 100,000 spectators, in preparation for the 1936 Olympic Games.

Nowadays this stadium has become the home of Hertha BSC, one of Berlin’s most beloved football teams. But this venue is also host to many big events such as the ISTAF (an annual athletics tournament) and concerts by legendary musicians.

One big highlight from recent years was the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in September 2011 to celebrate Holy Mass in the stadium.

You can also take a guided tour around the stadium and get to know its historical secrets and hidden nooks and crannies.

www.olympiastadion-berlin.de

East Side Gallery

Berlin for party animals

Solar Sky-Lounge & Restaurant

The Solar Sky-Lounge & Restaurant is right next to the Three Little Pigs Hostel so it’ll only take you a few minutes to get there - and when the night is winding down, you can just head next-door and crash in your comfy hostel bed right away.

A glass elevator takes you all the way up to the 17th floor, where you’ll find the Solar Lounge. The super-modern Solar is a two-storey, top-class destination, towering over Berlin. Slurp a few cocktails and enjoy incredible views of Germany’s capital.

At 9pm the DJ gets started and brings the party atmosphere to life. It’s admittedly a little pricey, but it’s worth it for the view. We recommend you arrive before sunset so that you can watch the skies change over this unique city.

Solar Sky-Lounge & Restaurant, Stresemannstraße 76, 10963 Berlin, www.solarberlin.com

Last Cathedral

The Last Cathedral is a Horror-Rock-Bar, with a dark and mysterious atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, it’s a popular meeting-spot for Berlin’s goth crowd. Even before you head inside the bar, the exterior will make you feel like you’re entering a crypt...

Make your way down the stairs into the basement and you’ll find a bar with creepy décor and a morbid charm. It’s a true Gothic vision, from the gravestones and skulls everywhere to the wait staff’s black clothing and the funereal lighting. But despite the dark interior, the atmosphere is anything but dark.

Last Cathedral, Schönhauser Allee. 5, 10119 Berlin, www.lastcathedral.com

Zyankali Bar

This bar in Kreuzberg calls itself the „Institute for the Chemistry of Entertainment“. You can’t miss this bar with its hazard-warning-yellow exterior. This bar is a crazy concoction of Frankenstein’s lab, the quarantine bay and the chemistry department. Guests sit comfortably on hospital beds and drink out of test tubes or conical flasks containing mysterious fizzing liquids. The drinks menu features cocktails, the bar’s own range of absinth and spirits, plus Zynkali’s own craft beer. The beer garden opens in summer, and there is a table-football/foosball table all year round.

Zyankali Bar, Gneisenaustraße 17, 10961 Berlin, www.zyankali.de

Klunkerkranich

Klunkerkranich in Neukölln is one of Berlin’s coolest venues right now. In 2013, the „48 Stunden Neukölln“ festival founded this beloved bar, perched on the roof of the Neukölln Arkaden mall’s high-rise carpark. Take the lift to the 6th floor and discover a unique mix of garden, beach bar and club. Naturally this venue is at its best in summer, with a fantastic view of the city and the sunset. The music is typically electro, and the bar is open in high season from 10am to midnight.


Klunkerkranich, Karl-Marx-Straße 66, 12043 Berlin, www.klunkerkranich.de

Monkey Bar @ Bikini Haus

The top floor of the historically-protected Bikini Building was added as an architectural afterthought, which is why the building has such an idiosyncratic appearance. On this top floor you’ll find the Monkey Bar, which overlooks the ape enclosures of the world-famous Berlin zoo, offering a fantastic view of Kürfurstendamm and a sprawling rooftop terrace. The ‘jungle atmosphere’ carries through to the interior, where the décor and the cocktail names pay tribute to the bar’s namesake. The cocktail list is a little pricier than most mid-range venues but feature unique recipes skilfully prepared.

Monkey Bar im Bikini Haus, Budapester Straße 40, 10787 Berlin, www.25hours-hotels.com

Madame Claude

Madame Claude is in the ‚Wrangelkiez‘ neighbourhood of Kreuzberg, and in this bar you won’t be able to tell up from down! Everything’s upside down and back-to-front here – the bar features a full living room with furniture and household clutter, all stuck to the ceiling. But Madame Claude is really known for the music, frequently playing host to live music as well as quality DJs. With a table tennis table, table football/foosball and a music quiz on Wednesday evenings, it’s never boring at Madame Claude.

Madame Claude,  Lübbener Straße 19, 10997 Berlin, www.madameclaude.de

Badeschiff

The Badeschiff is probably the most unusual pool in Europe. 

This swimming pool on the Spree (literally on top of the water) lets you have an open-air swim in summer or enjoy a chilled beer while you recline at the poolside through till the late evening. 

In winter, the venue transforms into a sauna paradise. It’s definitely worth a visit!

www.arena-berlin.de

Berghain

Berghain is one of the wildest clubs in Berlin.

If you’re planning an unforgettable night out, you’ve come to the right place. The crowd is chaotic, diverse and open to everything... The music is hardcore and ideal to dance through till daybreak.

www.berghain.de

Spindler&Klatt

Go clubbing right on the banks of the Spree! On Fridays and Saturdays this club heats up with R’n’b, Soul and Hip-Hop beats on the dancefloor. Get on your dancing shoes!

www.spindlerklatt.com

Watergate

If you love dancing through the night to electronic beats, Watergate is the perfect place for you! This club in a five-star location boasts super-cool minimalistic design and truly unique lighting. You’ll meet partygoers from all over the world here – check it out!

Watergate Club

Tempodrom

Thanks to its multifunctional and breathtaking architecture, concerts and other events at this venue are always an unforgettable experience. The venue complex is also host to the Liquidrom pool and spa, which attracts lots of guests seeking the „urban spa culture“ it offers.

And the best part is that the Tempodrom is right next to the Three Little Pigs Hostel, so you can head to a concert and then fall right into bed afterwards!

www.tempodrom.de

Berlin - City of Music

Fritz Musictours - incessantly

Where can you find Bowie’s footsteps around Berlin? In which studio did U2 record one of their albums? And which of Berlin’s clubs is Peter Fox’s favourite? Discover the answers to all these questions and more on a Fritz Music Tour.

On a bus ride through the city, we learn about Berlin’s musical legacy, stopping at Hansa Studios, MTV Berlin, at the Siegessäule (where the Love Parade took place) and at SO36, the venue of legendary punk concerts by bands such as the Einstürzende Neubauten and die Tote Hose.

On this 2 ½-hour bus tour, your journey through the city is accompanied by video interviews with Berlin artists and creatives who tell true stories and hilarious anecdotes about their beloved city. 

If you prefer not to go by bus, there’s also a walking tour or an exclusive tour of Hansa Studios on offer!

WHERE/WHEN?

Bus tour: Saturdays at 12:30pm, meets in front of the Hotel Adlon on Unter den Linden - €29 per person

Walking tour: Sundays (only for advance bookings during winter!) at 2:00pm, meets at the Kesselhaus - €12 per person

Hansa Studios tour: held monthly, tour times arranged as per booking request, meets at Hansa Studios on Potsdamer Platz – price is dependent on group size

Experience Berlin in a different

Experience Berlin from the water
Through the streets of Berlin - but HOW !!

Exploring the city streets with weird and wonderful modes of transport

race through the streets in a mini Hot Rod

hop on a segway

get the VIP treatment in a stretch Hummer

drive the real East-Berlin experience with a Trabi-Safari

relax in bed as you drift through the city on motorised mattresses

... or rent one of the E-Bikes or E-Scooters of the countless rental companies...

 

 

Berlin walking - but unusual!

For true explorers

Get stuck into a GPS-geocaching treasure hunt in Berlin

discover tours with real Berliner personality with “Berliner Schnauze”

for gourmands: food tours give you a real taste of Berlin

Berlin down below

Berlin down below

The Night Watchmen tour in the historical Nikolaiviertel

Berlin’s underground labyrinths: the Unterwelten tour

Go underground with your top off: the U-Bahn-Cabrio takes you through the metro tunnels in an open-top train car

 

Marvel at Berlin from above

Culture in Berlin

Museum Island

 

The unique museum complex at the Berliner Lustgarten consists of five museums and belongs to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1999.
In recent years the ensemble has been beautifully restored and shines since the reopening of the New Museum in its new glory.
World-famous treasures such as the bust of Nefertiti in the 
BodeMuseum and the Pergamon Altar in the Pergamon Museum attract millions of visitors every year.

www.museumsinsel-berlin.de

Berlinische Galerie

State Museum of Modern Art, Photography and Architecture.

A unique interdisciplinary collection shows visitors visual arts, photography and architecture from the end of the19th Century until today, by setting importance on a local emphasis and an international requirement.

www.berlinischegalerie.de

German Museum of Technology

Technology to see, marvel and touch. It’s not only for Berliners an admired museum for young and old. 

Among other interesting things, the Museum of Technology exhibits navigational instruments, a magic lantern, Zuse's Z1, an historic brewery, a windmill, an airplane made out of glass, amphibious crafts, a drawing-room of the German Emperor, carriages, insights of the production of suitcases and the Guillochier handcraft.

 

Deutsches Technikmuseum

Science Center Spectrum

German Historical Museum

 

The GermanHistoricalMuseum located in the former arsenal, is a place of "enlightenment and understanding about the common history of Germans and Europeans."

In the permanent exhibition more than 8,000 historicalexhibits report on people and events of the last century BC until the present.

www.dhm.de

The Story of Berlin

A sensational museum, which documents 800 years of the capital’s history. 

Here, Berlin's history can be experienced with all senses. "Museum was yesterday." - The Story of Berlin is an experience exhibition with original nuclear  fallout shelter.

www.story-of-berlin.de

Museum of Natural History

Have you ever seen a T-Rex looking this spectacular? The Berlin Natural History Museum’s most recent acquisition isn’t its only claim to fame...

The Natural History Museum’s collections encompass thousands of paleontological, zoological, mineralogical and geological treasures. These collections are the basis for the research carried out behind the scenes in the museum, and the best items from the collections are showcased in the museum’s fact-packed exhibits.

 This may all sound a little dry – but on the contrary, the Natural History Museum is a real crowd-pleaser, and the family tours are particularly popular!

And if you’re not already convinced, there’s so much more on offer! There are special Kids Days on certain Sundays, torch-lit tours, drawing courses and even concerts which make the most of the enigmatic surroundings.

 

www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de

B Ware! Ladenkino Berlin

This independent cinema in the Friedrichshain district is a film archive, bar and cinema all in one. The sign out front declares, “DIES IST KEIN KINO” (“This is not a cinema”), letting you know that this is no traditional multiplex where the guests are herded in and out like cattle. Here you’ll discover a glorious hodgepodge of original rococo-style furniture, industrial accents and kitsch memorabilia, with a wide range of films being shown from midday every day. And just because it’s called ‘B-Ware’ (German for ‘factory rejects’) doesn’t mean you should expect poor quality. “We want to show films which aren’t in the spotlight. That can mean arthouse, trash, forgotten or suppressed films.” – that’s their motto. The B-Ware! Cinema is run by a collective of 10 dedicated volunteers whose goal is simply to create a cinema with substance. And for just €4-€6 per ticket (extra cost for longer films) it’s definitely worth a trip to the flicks.

b-ware!ladenkino, Gärtnerstr. 19, 10245 Berlin, Tel: 030 63 41 31 15, http://ladenkino.de/

Astor Filmlounge Berlin

The Astor Filmlounge is a historically protected cinema on Kurfürstendamm in the centre of Berlin. Guests can relax in adjustable leather chairs while they soak in the consummately elegant atmosphere of this palatial cinema. Cocktails and finger food are served to guests in their seats by the service staff – all in all, it’s a luxurious experience which harks back to the great film theatres of the 1950s. The doormen provide valet parking, there’s a free cloakroom and ushers show you to your seats. And you can even spoil yourself with something from the varied drinks selection, which ranges up to fine champagnes. Ticket prices start from €11 for afternoon showings and €14.50 for evening showings.

Astor Filmlounge, Kurfürstendamm 225, 10719 Berlin, Tel.: 030 883 85 51, http://berlin.astor-filmlounge.de

Delphi-Filmpalast

The Delphi-Filmpalast is a cinema and theatre in the Charlottenburg district. It was originally built in 1927-28 as a dance hall, the Delphi-Palace. The venue featured performances by world-class dance orchestras led by greats such as Teddy Stauffer, Heinz Wehner and Ben Berlin. In 1981 the venue was renovated for the first time and became a cinema. That same year, the first ever ‘New Films Forum’, part of the annual Berlinale film festival, was held here. Since then, the Delphi has operated under the same motto for almost 60 years: ‘Big cinema on the big screen’. The Delphi-Filmpalast is a classic cinema with old-Berlin flair, very comfortable seats, and a great selection of alternative and mainstream films without ever feeling generic. Plus, tickets are great value, starting at just €6.50. 

Delphi-Filmpalast, Kantstraße 12a, 10623 Berlin, Tel.: 030 / 312 10 26,  http://www.delphi-filmpalast.de

Moviemento

Some say that Moviemento, on Kottbusser Damm in Kreuzberg, is the oldest cinema in Germany. It first opened in 1907 and grew into a popular meeting-spot for all kinds of artists and creatives: Rio Reiser played piano, Nina Hagen picked a seat in the front row, and even David Bowie caught a flick here from time to time. In the 70s, this cinema was notorious for its legendary showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In the 80s, Tom Tykwer (of Run, Lola, Run) worked in the projection room. 
Moviemento shows both feature films and documentaries, with a general inclination towards films about Berlin. Keeping things interesting, this cinema also plays host to the Porno Film Festival, the Punk Film Festival and the Spanish Film Festival. Tickets cost between €5 and €8.

Moviemento, Kottbusser Damm 22, 10967 Berlin, Tel.: 030 692-4785, www.moviemento.de

Lichtblick

 

With just 32 seats, the Lichtblick cinema in the Prenzlauer Berg district is one of the smallest cinemas in Berlin – yet it features a comprehensive program of current films, retrospectives and documentary films. Even political films get their turn on the screen. On weekends, the program offers kids‘ films in the afternoon.
Filmmakers are often invited to give presentations or take part in discussions in this cinephile’s cinema. It’s an idiosyncratic venue, established in 1994 in the front room of what used to be a butcher’s, in one of the oldest buildings in the district. Tickets cost between €5 and €7.

Lichtblick, Kastanienallee 77, 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, Tel.: 030 4405-8179, www.lichtblick-kino.org

Open Air Cinemas

If you love the cinema but feel bad sitting in a stuffy, dark room during summery weather, Berlin has the solution for you: we have numerous open air cinemas, such as the Freiluftkino Kreuzberg, situated in the central courtyard of the Bethanien artists’ collective. This is the only open air cinema in the city which always shows films in their original language (with German subtitles – although many others frequently show original-language films). In Volkspark Friedrichshain you can catch the latest feature films on the big screen among the trees - or for a really laid-back experience, check out the Freiluftkino Rehberge in the north of the city.

 

http://www.freiluftkino-berlin.de/

Martin-Gropius-Bau

 

The former Museum for applied arts is an exhibition house, which hosts a huge range of temporary exhibitions.
Until 1990 the building was situated directly to the sector boundary to Berlin’s district “Mitte”. After the First World War the Museum for ancient- and prehistory just as the East Asian collection of art moved into the nowadays called Martin Gropius Bau.
Since 1966 the magnificant building is under monumental protection and counts to the most famous exhibition spots in Germany.

Martin Gropius Bau

Hebbel Theater

“The Hebbel theatre is in the midst of a large expanse of rubble and is so far unheated, but humans still flock in.” (November 1949) The theatre – located in the American Sector – used to take coal from guests as entrance fee in order to warm up the house.

And until today the theatre is well visited owing to its unique charm. Since its establishment in the year 1907/08 it developed to a folk theatre in the best sense, with public favourites such as Harald Juhnke. It belongs to the most important stages for contemporary and performance art.

www.hebbel-am-ufer.de

Berliner Ensemble

The Berlin Ensemble is one of the most common stages in Berlin. It became famous by its founder’s – Bertholt Brecht – performances.

“The fake, Berlin distinguishes from all other fakes because of its blushless brilliance.” Bertholt Brecht

www.berliner-ensemble.de

Friedrichstadt-Palast

 

Welcome to Berlin’s „Broadway “and the largest theatre stage of the world!

Enter the incredible show palace and enjoy watching a terrific performance.

www.show-palace.eu

Chamäleon Theater

This is the place to find the crème de la crème of entertainment from international cabaret artistes. These unique stage shows break the mould for both theatre and cabaret genres. 

Berliners and guests from all around the world feel equally at home in this theatre, where shows transcend language and are suitable for (almost) every age group.

www.chamaeleonberlin.com

Historical Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie

At no other place the atmosphere of the Cold War could be felt so clearly as at the Checkpoint Charlie.

Now, there is no more watchtowers and harassments, just a replica of a guardhouse reminds of the frosty checkpoint.
Not only an interesting place in Kreuzberg, but also a piece of history to see and touch in the Museum of the

Weitere Informationen zum Checkpoint Charlie

 

Holocaust Mahnmal

 

Built by Peter Eisenman, the memorial commemorates the murdered Jews of Europe. If you are in the middle of the stelae field, you feel lost and anxious, a feeling that had up to six million Jews prior to their murder. A feeling that the architect want to convey to visitors.

"Our dignity makes an unmistakable expression of the memory of the murdered European Jews," as Willy Brandt said.

www.holocaust-denkmal-berlin.de

Jüdisches Museum

 

The museum shows two centuries German-Jewish history, ups and downs in the relationsship between Jews and Non-Jews in Germany.
Next to the permanent exhibition, changing exhibitions are also hosted.
Thanks to the brilliant architecture 
Daniel Libeskind, the building belongs to city’s most common architectural highlights.

www.jmberlin.de

Berlin Wall Museum

 

You are leaving the American Sector. 

Discover the story of the “best border control in the world“ (quote: Army General Heinz Hoffmann), and how it fell with the support of the allied forces.

You’ll find out about those who tried to escape over the wall – and often succeeded, with a wild range of home-made escape gadgets: hot-air balloons, chairlifts, getaway cars and even a mini submarine!

www.mauermuseum.de

GDR Museum

One of the most interactive museums of the world! 

The museum dedicates itself to the everyday life in the former GDR.
How did the state affect the daily life? How did the life differ from the life in West Berlin?
Visitors can see GDR uniforms, school books, groceries and further more highlights.

www.ddr-museum.de

STASI Museum

 

The working spaces of the former minister for public security - Erich Mielke- are originally maintained in the Stasi museum.
Here, visitor get chance to learn something about former interrogation techniques and activities of the public security as well as the resistance and opposition of the GDR.

www.stasimuseum.de

Memorial Berlin Wall

Directly at the “Bernauer Straße” near the border between Berlin’s districts Mitte and Wedding, a foundation decided to reconstruct a part of the border fortification of the GDR.

The Foundation’s purpose is to document the history of the Berlin Wall and the movements of refugees of the German Democratic Republic as an impact of the German division and the East-West conflict during the 20th century.
It also tries to preserve the memory of victims of communist tyranny and to give visitors an understanding of the GDR.

 

www.berliner-mauer-dokumentationszentrum.de

Topography of Terror

 

During the Second World War, the central institutions responsible for the repressive and criminal policies of National Socialism were located on the terrain of the Topography of Terror.
This is where Himmler and his assistants made important decisions concerning the persecution of political opponents.
There is no other site where terror and murder were organised on the same scale, by reasons of “germanisation”.

www.topographie.de

Berlin - just for groups

Theater an der Parkaue

Possibly the most diverse theatre you’ve ever experienced!
The Theater an der Parkaue is a truly aesthetic experience, offering performances of ancient myths, legendary fairytales, canonical works and classics from over 2000 years of literature. In all, the repertoire features over 35 different performances. 

School groups can attend a performance to suit their curriculum, as per request.

www.parkaue.de

Memorial Hohenschönhausen

The memorial Hohenschönhausen is at a historic place like no other is associated in Germany with East Germany and the political persecution in the Soviet zone of occupation.

Here, there was the Stasi prison in which prisoners had been sentenced for the state security to provide forced labor.

www.stiftung-hsh.de

Mauermuseum am Checkpoint Charlie

You are leaving the American Sector.

Veranschaulicht wird das “beste Grenzsicherungssystem der Welt” (Zitat: Armee-General Heinz Hoffmann) und der „Beistand der Schutzmächte“.

Dokumentiert werden erfolgreiche Fluchtversuche und diverse Fluchtmittel: Heißluftballons, Sessellifte, Fluchtautos und ein Mini U-Boot.

www.mauermuseum.de

GRIPS-Theater

The Grips-Theater is a legendary theatre for younger audiences. For over 30 years, this theatre has been providing energetic, cutting-edge performances, run by Linie 1 & Co.

The performances speak to people of all generations, cultures and social groups. You get the feeling of being in a modern ‘Volkstheater’ – a theatre bringing modern, popular and political performances to the people, emphasising the links with contemporary politics and social issues, and presenting key themes in a way that is perfect for school-age young people.

www.grips-theater.de

Neighbourhood

Anhalter Bahnhof station and its surroundings through the years

At the end of the 19th century, Askanischer Platz was alive with big-city energy. The monumental structure of the train station (nicknamed ‘The Gateway to the South’) served for a long time as one of the most important transport hubs in the city. It was also a symbol, first of the German empire and then as a core part of Nazi propaganda. From this transport nexus, long-distance trains set off for Vienna, Rome and Athens – and later 9600 Jewish Germans were deported to the concentration camp in Terezìn and the execution chambers in Eastern Europe, packed onto trains by Hitler’s death squad.

Today, all that is left is the ruins of the brick arches, and a park where you can explore the bombed remnants of the old platforms, left in an open wilderness since the station was partially destroyed in WW2. Where once stood the ‘lion’s den of the railroad’ (according to Walter Benjamin) now stands the Tempodrom. This tent-like structure is home to a music concert venue and the Liquidrom, which offers an urban spa experience including a space-age salt water pool. Parts of the historic freight yard has been transformed into the Science Center and Technology Museum, which catches the eye with its ‘candy bomber’ plane, suspended high above the rooftops.

Opposite Anhalter Bahnhof was the Excelsior, which stood there from 1913 to 1954. With 600 rooms, an underground spa, a library and tunnel underpass connections to the train platforms, this hotel was truly one of the most magnificent hotels in the continent. Nowadays, the only remaining sign of this place is the name, now given to a 17-story tower block built on the site of the hotel, which was destroyed in the Second World War. From 1933 to 1945, the control centre of Nazi repression and crime policy stood between Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse (nowadays called Niederkirchnerstrasse), Wilhelmstrasse and Anhalter Strasse. This historical site, which was also home to the Gestapo headquarters, the SS Security Centre and the Centre for State Security (from 1939), was therefore the command centre of the Nazi regime’s reign of terror.  ‘The Topography of Terror’, a permanent exhibit established in 1987, documents the sheer murderous extent of Nazi rule. All that is left of the network of bunkers and tunnels which sprawled around and under the Anhalter Bahnhof station is the enormous East German Railroad bunker with its 2m-thick walls. This bunker is open to the public nowadays as something of a ‘chamber of horrors’.

This area features traces of German/Berlin history going well beyond the 20th-century events we’ve all heard of. Directly in front of the Clemens Courtyards, the complex housing our hostel, there is also a piece of Berlin’s old customs-and-excise wall. This structure replaced the medieval city wall in the 18th century, and was the place where city trading was regulated. 

At the 18 customs gates along the wall, traders were stopped and made to pay excises (taxes paid directly on imported goods); this prevented smuggling and had the added function of stopping defecting soldiers on the run from the local garrison. The most notorious wall in Berlin, which separated East from West for 28 years, ran across the city, passing by the hostel just 200m away from the building. This wall, called a ‘fortified state border’ in GDR times, was primarily erected to prevent residents of East Germany escaping to the west. Remnants of this ‘antifascist barricade’ (as it was called in GDR propaganda), can be found just across from the Berlin House of Representatives (the former Prussian Landtag). Not far from this spot, David Bowie took to the mike in the Meistersaal (‘the big hall by the wall’) of Hansa Studios, to sing his huge hit ‘Heroes’.

The area surrounding the Three Little Pigs Hostel is a real cultural oasis. On Stresemannstrasse, the curtain raises on the century-old stage of the HebbelTheater, nowadays one of the most renowned centres of contemporary theatre in Berlin. The unique zigzag architecture of the Jewish Museum, created by Daniel Libeskind in the deconstructivist style, houses artifacts from two millennia of German-Jewish history, including special temporary exhibits of art and pop culture which change on a regular basis.

Known as the ‘National Museum of Modern Art, Photography and Architecture’, the Berlinische Galerie is situated in a residential area which itself is scattered with sculptures and installations, preparing you for a truly aesthetic experience. This museum is a place where meaningful historical artifacts are juxtaposed with contemporary creative works, creating memorable exhibits such as: Dada and Flux; New Objectivity and Expressionism; Russians in Berlin; The Avant-Garde in Architectur and Photography; Berlin in the Shadow of the Swastika; The City in Ruins; East and West Berlin; and The Metropolis after the Reunification. 

The Kreuzberg district enjoys international notoriety, not just for its alternative scene which developed in the shadow of the wall and grew as different social groups peacefully co-mingled and shared ideas; Kreuzberg is also famous for the legendary conflicts which took place in its streets over 30 years ago, not to mention the yearly scuffle between autonomists, police and those simply looking for a fight – a moment of anarchy which has taken place on the 1st of May ever since 1987. Opposite the Willy-Brandt-House (the Party Headquarters of Germany’s Social Democratic Party) lies one last relic of the left-wing autonomists’ opposition movement: the Tommy Weisbecker Haus is a self-governing commune, founded in March 1973 as a protest against Berlin’s accommodation and renovation policy. As one of the last remaining true alternative projects in the area, it serves as a reminder of the many anti-establishment squats scattered around 1980’s Kreuzberg, which at one time numbered almost 100.

 

 

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