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Germany : Berlin - June 2009

Country Code: Dial for Germany

The German capital is a cultural playground in June – you never know where an evening might take you. Look out for Exberliner’s seventh birthday party on 12 June at Festsaal Kreuzberg and the citywide Fête de la Musique on 21 June, says Nadja Vancauwenberghe

Getting around

Tempelhof Airport is located in the southcentral borough of Tempelhof- Schöneberg.

Train: The airport is connected to the city centre by U-Bahn line 6, which can be picked up from Platz der Luftbrücke station. The journey takes 10 to 15 minutes and tickets cost €2,10.
Taxi: The trip into the city centre takes around 15 minutes and costs about €12.
Tourist information: There are offices at the Brandenburg Gate and the main railway station (0025, visitberlin.de).

MITTE

With culture and history aplenty, Berlin’s central district is a must-see for any visitor.

Shop til you drop – Berlin’s most famous chocolatier, Fassbender & Rausch (60 Charlottenstrasse), offers an array of gifts and indulgent treats alongside its luxurious café and chocolate-based restaurant. Try the sweet potato and ginger soup with Venezuelan chocolate.

Sleep soundly – A contemporary hideout from the Mitte crowds, Art’otel Berlin-Mitte (70-73 Wallstrasse, 0620, artotels.de, rooms from €75) is decorated with works by artist Georg Baselitz. You can choose the colour of your room, too.

Culture vultures – The Deutsche Guggenheim (13/15 Unter den Linden) shows high-quality contemporary art. Entry is usually €4 but is free on Mondays. Look out for Ich Nicht (until 26 June), Imi Knoebel’s recent response to Barnett Newman’s Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue?, and Enduros (4 July – 2 August), a retrospective of Knoebel’s work.

Must eat – Dolores (7 Rosa- Luxemburg-Strasse, tel. ) does the best burritos outside of the Americas. Go for the Dolores vegan – tofu, black beans, guacamole and green salsa.

Must drink – Fridas Schwester (11 Neue Schönhauser Strasse) is a relaxed winery and restaurant inspired by Berlin’s multicultural melting pot. Expect the finest wines from all over the world, not just riesling.

Dance the night away – A favourite with Mitte’s hip crowd, Bang Bang Club (10 Neue Promenade) spins 1960s, indie and funk tunes, and everything in between.

KREUZBERG

In this district, alternative culture meets modern multiculturalism.

Sleep soundly – Turn in at Die Fabrik (18 Schlesische Strasse, tel. , diefabrik.com, rooms from €38), a hostel in a former factory.

Culture vultures – Sit back in one of the beach chairs at open-air cinema Freiluftkino Kreuzberg (Mariannenplatz).

Must eat – Grab a table at Yorckschlösschen (15 Yorckstrasse, tel. ), which serves live jazz, blues, Dixieland and soul concerts alongside soul food such as elsässer flammkuchen, a tomato-less pizza with cheese, bacon and onion.

Must drink – Sip a cool beer in the garden at Brachvogel (34 Carl-Herz- Ufer), next to the River Spree.

Dance the night away – Dance into the small hours at gay club SchwuZ (61 Mehringdamm), with live acts and DJs.

Shop til you drop – Pay for secondhand clothing by the kilo at Colours (102 Bergmannstrasse).

PRENZLAUER BERG

This family-friendly borough still manages to have a thriving nightlife.

Sleep soundly – Next to the popular Helmholtzplatz, the welcoming Lette’m Sleep (7 Lettestrasse, tel. , backpackers.de, bunks from €17) has its own beer garden and multilingual DVD evenings.

Culture vultures – Feed your mind at Pfefferberg (92 Fehrbelliner Strasse), a brewery turned sociocultural centre. It houses galleries, studios, a beer garden, hostel and the Bassy Cowboy Club.

Must eat – Berliners love brunch at weekends, especially at sunny, cosy Café Anna Blume (83 Kollwitzstrasse, tel. ) close to Kollwitzplatz’s Saturday market. Breakfast here means platters of meats, cheese and bread. Make sure you reserve your table in advance.

Must drink – Summer in Berlin means beer gardens. Enjoy a cold brew at Prater Garten (7 Kastanienallee).

Dance the night away – Head to the Diamond Lounge at White Trash Fast Food (6/7 Schönhauser Allee), where you can dance to indie, rock, electro and pop every Saturday from midnight.

Shop til you drop – Mauerpark flea market (Eberswalder Strasse/ Bernauer Strasse) is open on Sundays. Get the best deals on everything from vinyl records to vintage accessories.

Compiled by Nadja Vancauwenberghe