Berlin Travel Guide

Tucked away in the trendy district of Prenzlauer Berg is a hotel of two halves, Ackselhaus & Blue Home. Ackselhaus is the more eclectic of the two, featuring thirteen creatively-themed rooms that range from the bold colours of ‘Picasso’ to the reserved elegance of ‘Cairo’. Its sibling next door, Blue Home, is a more typical boutique hotel, but one that evokes a sense of tranquillity by virtue of its soothing colour palettes and carefully selected furnishings.

At the other end of the stylistic spectrum, you have the exuberant Hotel Zoo Berlin, which was flush with film stars and celebrities during the fifties. Its most recent renovation encapsulates the glitz and glamour of this decadent past, combining it with animal motifs—a nod to nearby Berlin Zoo. Each of the 131 rooms and 14 suites is unique in design and layout, with many boasting alluring features such as freestanding bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Mandala Hotel is a 5-star hotel that exudes luxury. Centrally located at Potsdamer Platz, it puts you within walking distance of sights such as the Brandenburg Gate. Here you can expect rooms that are both opulent and spacious (and even the smallest rooms, at 40m², have suite-like qualities). The indulgent experience of this elegant establishment is rounded off with the sensuous ONO Spa and the fine dining of restaurant FACIL, which boasts two Michelin stars.

Positioned on the edge of Berlin’s biggest and arguably most beautiful park, Tiergarten, the 5-star Das Stue offers stylish accommodation in a gorgeous building that was once the Royal Danish Embassy. It features interiors designed by the world-renowned Patricia Urquiola and provides Michelin-starred cuisine courtesy of Cinco restaurant.

The long avenue of Kurfürstendamm is perfect for those seeking upmarket shopping, with an abundance of boutiques and designer brands to explore. Aside from this popular area, you’ll find that the city has a plethora of unique, independent stores to explore. Harry Lehmann, for example, is a veritable Berlin institution. Operating since 1926, they sell around fifty perfumes ranging from modern scents to classics that have been a staple of the shop since the thirties.

For a shop focusing purely on high-quality menswear, visit SOTO. Encompassing designers from America, Europe, and Asia, its wide range of attire ensures you can find the perfect threads for any occasion. And if you’re looking to compliment your wardrobe with a snazzy pair of shades, be sure to pay a visit to MYKITA. Not only are they based in Berlin, but it’s also here that they hand-assemble their innovative eyewear from start to finish.

The concept stores of Berlin provide the perfect opportunity for discerning gentlemen to browse and shop curated collections of the most refined objects. Notable establishments include the chic Voo Store, ultra-stylish The Store, and beautifully minimal AM, where you can find carefully selected articles ranging from designer fashion to stationary.

If you’re looking to enhance your home’s interior, the area around Ku’damm has many outstanding showrooms such as NORR11, which sells a range of exquisitely designed Scandinavian furniture and home accessories.

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Berlin points of interest. Designed by acclaimed British architect Norman Foster, the iconic glass dome that sits atop the Reichstag is an incredible feat of design. Visiting requires booking an appointment in advance, but it’s worth it to see the stunning architecture up-close and enjoy 360-degree views of Berlin.

Make time for a day trip to nearby Potsdam and you won’t be disappointed. An idyllic city steeped in history, this former Prussian royal seat is adorned with spectacular gardens and breath-taking palaces, earning it a place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

When looking to get your culture fix, Museum Island is a good place to start. Here you’ll find five internationally acclaimed museums, including the Alte Nationalgalerie and Pergamon Museum. For something off the tourist trail, you’ll want to check out Sammlung Boros. This private modern art collection is housed within the imposing confines of a former World War II bunker and features works from the likes of Ai Weiwei and Klara Lidén. The only way to see it is by booking a tour (and the waiting list is often weeks-long) but it’s certainly worth the effort.

Those who appreciate photography are well catered for. C/O Berlin delivers first-rate exhibitions, and the Museum of Photography is particularly enjoyable if you appreciate fashion—it houses a vast, permanent collection of Helmut Newton’s work.

When it’s time to explore the city’s nightlife, you’ll find there’s an almost overwhelming choice of bars and clubs. Berlin is a far cry from the clichéd lederhosen and dirndl look that you see during Oktoberfest, but if it’s a quintessential beer garden you’re after, Prater fits the bill and is superb during the summer months. Germany is, of course, well known for its excellent beer, but go beyond the standard fare of pils and weissbier by exploring the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene, with a visit to Hopfenreich.

If you’re more partial to a cocktail, you can try one of the many bars practicing the fine art of mixology. There’s the Southwestern-themed Stagger Lee, the clandestine Becketts Kopf, and the industrial-chic Le Croco Bleu, to name but a few.

The vibrant district of Schöneberg was once home to David Bowie, and it’s not hard to see why. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and there are tons of cosy cafés, great restaurants, and lively bars to explore. Berlin is known for being a gay-friendly destination, and although this is true throughout the city, it’s Nollendorfplatz (and the surrounding area) in Schöneberg that has been the centre of Berlin’s gay scene since the early 20^th century.

Neukölln is an area of Berlin that barely gets a mention in most guidebooks, but its shabby-chic establishments are ideal for the intrepid traveller seeking a less conventional experience. Weserstraße and the adjacent streets are home to fantastic restaurants and bars, such as the flamboyant Silver Future and the intimate Kachel Lounge 54.