Berlin is the capital city of Germany and the country’s largest city. It is a major center of culture, international cultural exchange, politics, media, and science in Europe. The me-tropolis is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, or-chestras, museums and personalities. The city is recognized for its festivals, diverse ar-chitecture, nightlife, contemporary arts and a high quality of living. It has evolved into a global focal point for young individuals and artists attracted by a liberal lifestyle and modern ‘Zeitgeist’.

Population

3’400’000

Official Website

www.berlin.de

History    

First documented in the thirteenth century, Berlin was successively the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich. After World War II, the city was divided; East Berlin became the capital of East Germany while West Berlin became a Western exclave, surrounded by the Berlin Wall from. Following German reunification in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany.

Basics

Public Transport

BVG, Berlin’s public transport is divided into three areas A, B and C. If you want to travel within Berlin, an AB-ticket will last, while if you want to travel to Potsdam or other places outside Berlin, you will need an ABC-ticket. A day-ticket is recommendable.
S- and U-Bahn: At “S-Bahn” and “U-Bahn” Stations you can buy the tickets from ticket machines on the platforms. You will have to stamp them before entering the train (there are little red boxes on the platforms).
Bus: In a bus you can buy the ticket at the driver’s. If you already have a ticket, you have to show it to the driver when entering.
Tram: In Trams there are ticket machines where you can buy tickets. Pay attention: The machines take only coins!
Prices:
Single-AB-ticket 2,10 EUR
Single-ABC-ticket 2,80 EUR
Day-AB-ticket 6,10 EUR
Day-ABC-ticket 6,50 EUR

Taxi

Tel. +49 30 202020

Trains

www.bahn.de
www.bvg.de

Airports

There are two active airports in Berlin: Tegel and Schönefeld, note that the airpot you might see while travelling Berlin (Tempelhof) was recently closed!
www.berlin-airport.de

Hospitals

Several, it really depends on where you are.
For example: CCM, Luisenstraße 65, 10117 Berlin

Internet

Hotspots can be found in stations and many bars, restaurants and cafes.
Insiders

Food and Drinks

There are countless opportunities to eat and drink in Berlin. Just a few recommendations of streets and areas with many nice bars and cafes:
Simon-Dach-Str./Kopernikusstr. (S-Bahn Warschauer Straße), close to the Ost-bahnhof (just one station).
Sonntagstr. (S-Bahn Ostkreuz), just two stations from Ostbahnhof (both are in the dis-trict Friedrichshain).
Kastanienallee, Oderberger str., Kulturbrauerei (U-Bahn Eberswalder str.)
Kollwitzplatz, Knaackstr. (U-Bahn Senefelder Platz) (both in Prenzlauer Berg)
Potsdamer-Platz, Sony Center (S/U-bahn Potsdamer Platz), very touristic.
Oranienstr. in Kreuzberg, THE „in“ area in Western Berlin (U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahn-hof), also close by U-Bahn Schlesisches Tor with many nice bars and clubs around

Supermarket

There are some supermarkets all around the city, but not so many in the very center (Unter den Linden, Alexanderplatz, Main Station).
Look out for Aldi, Lidl, Plus, Rewe, Kaisers, Spar, Edeka, real.
You will almost always find one of these in the basement of one of Berlin’s more than 30 shopping malls.
At Ostbahnhof, where your train is staying, there is and Aldi and a Lidl.
Attention: they day you are going to be in Berlin is a holiday so most shops will be closed!

Monuments

Bundestag/Reichstag: You can ascend its dome, nice view from there over the city and into the heart of Germany’s democracy.
Siegessäule: Good view over the city from the Tiergarten.
Zoologischer Garten: Berlin’s biggest Zoo, home of world famous ice bear Knut.
Kurfürstendamm, Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche: usually nice for shopping most shops will be closed this day, the church, which has bombed in world war II, remains in ruins as a memorial.
Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate Pariser Platz, Friedrichstraße: A must-see in Berlin. Good for a two hours walk from the Brandenburg Gate to Alexanderplatz or other way round. Look left and right, there’s always something to see.
Gendarmenmarkt: probably the nicest historical place in Berlin.
TV-Tower: Berlin’s tallest Symbol, nice lookout (but you can have nearly the same nice view from the Berlin Cathedral at the Museum Island – and it's much cheaper!)
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe/Jewish Museum: the memorial is an impressive, controversial monument close to the Brandenburg Gate/the Jewish Museum by Daniel Libeskind is one of the most famous museums in Germany, not only because of its spectacular architecture (Lindenstr. 9-14, U-Bahn Kochstr.).
East-Side-Gallery: the longest monument for peace and reconciliation in Berlin, also a piece of art (very close to Ostbahnhof where the train arrives).
Potsdam: Sanssouci Castle is the most famous castle in the Berlin-Brandenburg area, it's surrounded by a beautiful park (Bus 612/615/695).
Holländerviertel – the Dutch quarter: many exclusive shops, cosy coffee houses and restaurants which – in addition to the architecture - define the special flair of this quar-ter.

Shopping

Several shopping malls, but don’t be too keen on shopping, most shops will be closed due to the holiday.

Nightlife

Berlin’s nightlife starts after midnight, when the train will leaving again. You might try “Maria” or “Postbahnhof” at the Ostbahnhof if you want to go for a short dance. But you have to visit the many great and cheap bars!