Your guide to vibrant Berlin
Restaurants, bars, art and shopping.
ACCOMMODATION – FROM BUDGET TO LUXURY
Social housing in the heart of Berlin
Circus Hotel
Circus Hotel is accommodation for the social traveler. You’ll be staying a stone’s throw from some of the city’s best restaurants, cafés and shopping streets. Check in to one of the rooms at Circus’ stylish boutique hotel, or explore the Circus hostel to network and meet like-minded people during your stay. Don’t miss the terrace on top of the building with views over Berlin’s rooftops and landmarks—perfect for afternoon drinks.
Hip hotel
Michelberger Hotel
Michelberger Hotel is centrally located in Friedrichshain, next to Warschauer Straße, close to attractions, restaurants and nightlife. The hotel is a creative meeting place with uniquely decorated rooms and carefully selected design details in every corner. Next to the hotel you’ll find the restaurant of the same name, which serves a top-class menu with locally produced ingredients from the hotel’s own farm. During the summer months, the lush courtyard is opened up where you can enjoy refreshing drinks until the small hours.
Modern luxury in Mitte
Château Royal
In the heart of Berlin, and just a short stroll from popular landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Cathedral, lies the elegant Château Royal hotel. Opened in 2022, the decor is modern yet eclectic with vibrant colors, herringbone parquet flooring throughout, and stylish marble details.
SHOPPING FOR ALL BUDGETS
Second hand by the pound
Picknweight
Berlin offers a wide range of second-hand stores, from niche vintage shops to larger second-hand stores where you can grab yourself a real bargain. One of these is the Picknweight chain where, as the name suggests, you pay by weight. You can spend hours discovering finds from different eras, so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time.
Berlin’s luxury department store
KaDeWe
A visit to Berlin’s luxury department store KaDeWe is the perfect Saturday activity, whether you’re looking for something special or just want to browse through the collections of luxury fashion houses. Prepare yourself for a huge range of beauty products, interior design items, toys, fashion and more from some of the world’s most exclusive brands. When you’re tired of shopping, head up to the food court to enjoy a glass of bubbly and some oysters—or some delicious chocolate.
Concept store and café
Voo store
Hip concept boutique Voo Store offers everything from fashion, sneakers and jewelry to books and designer items. The selection here is well curated and includes items from designers such as Jacquemus, Prada and Acne Studios to name but a few. Located in bustling Kreuzberg, the store is a perfect stop on a weekend stroll—and there’s also a café where you can take a break from shopping with a coffee.
MODERN ART
Contemporary art
Sprüth Magers
Berlin has a wide range of art to offer. The internationally renowned Sprüth Magers gallery is located in Mitte, close to popular shopping areas. The two floors offer exciting and constantly updated contemporary art exhibitions—featuring works from both new and established artists from around the world.
Modern photography museum
Fotografiska
The success story from Sweden that is the art museum Fotografiska opened its doors in Berlin in 2023. Right in the heart of the city, on Oranienburger Straße, you’ll find the museum in the historic and stunning Tacheles building that dates from 1909. Discover exhibitions from some of the world’s best photographers and enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Verōnika restaurant on the fourth floor.
Art in an old church
König Galerie
In a large, brutalist building on the edge of Kreuzberg lies the König Galerie—a collection of contemporary art from both established and up-and-coming artists. The building itself, a former church consisting of huge rooms over several floors, is an art experience in itself. It brings together works in a variety of media, including installations, photography, sculpture and performance art, and the adjacent museum shop offers a generous selection of literature and design objects.
UNMISSABLE RESTAURANTS
Budget-fusion
W der imbiss
W Der Imbiss may not look anything special from the outside but here you’ll find a fantastic vegetarian fusion menu with flavors from Mexican and Indian cuisine—and at reasonable prices. Enjoy warming lentil soups and freshly baked naan bread during the winter months or take a seat on the inviting outdoor terrace in the summer and look out over the vibrant neighborhoods along Kastanienallee.
Berlin’s best burger
Burgermeister
Berlin’s best burgers can be found at Burgermeister, under the subway tracks at Schlesisches Tor. During the summer, people flock here to try their famous burgers, so be prepared to get in line—but once you’re seated, you’ll enjoy a perfect view of the vibrant area around Schlesisches Tor.
Vegetarian flavor journey
Cookies Cream
It’s no secret that Berlin is a vegetarian haven, but one place that really impresses is Cookies Cream. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star for its menu, which consists of exciting flavor combinations that are constantly updated. Finding it isn’t easy though—Cookies Cream is hidden in an industrial area and to get in you’ll need to knock on the well-hidden door.
BARS TO SUIT ALL TASTES
Atmospheric natural wine bar
Bar Sway
Bar Sway is the ideal place for a relaxed Friday night with friends. Here you can enjoy delicious natural wines from all corners of the world, along with small, carefully crafted dishes accompanied by the sounds of the evening’s DJ. Sway can be found on Pannierstraße, in the heart of Neukölln, but for those on the go, you can also order their delicious natural wines to take away.
Berlin bar
Café Luzia
As its name suggests, Café Luzia is a café during the day, but in the evening it transforms into an atmospheric bar. It’s exactly what a bar in Kreuzberg should be—wobbly wooden tables, delicious cocktails and loud music. Plus, it’s open until 5 a.m. for those who love a big night out.
Gay bar with cool decor
Roses
Just a short walk from Café Luzia, close to Kottbusser Tor, you’ll find Roses gay bar. The bar is popular and the lines are often long—but once inside, it’s easy to see why. The walls are covered in pink, fluffy fur and the decor is equal parts exhilarating and incoherent, with crystal chandeliers and disco balls in almost every corner.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
A creative paradise
Modulor
Modulor is a paradise for the creative spirit. Here you’ll find several floors filled with thousands of exciting materials such as paper, paints, tools and crafts for those who love creating with their hands. Everything is of the highest quality, which makes Modulor a popular destination for future architects, artists and families with children.
Educational experience for the whole family
Jüdisches Museum
The Jewish Museum in Berlin is a fascinating, educational experience for the whole family. Focusing on Jewish culture, history and traditions, the museum offers several interactive and immersive experiences for visitors. Guided tours, workshops and activities are also on offer for young and old alike.
Sunday market
Mauerpark
Mauerpark is one of Berlin’s most traditional Sunday pleasures. Every Sunday, it hosts a huge flea market where you can buy pretty much anything—clothes, furniture, jewelry, porcelain and much more. Many musicians also gather here to showcase their music, making Mauerpark a bit of a folk festival where visitors young and old, as well as families with children, come together all year round.
Text by Paula Halldin