{"id":5785,"date":"2015-11-26T13:08:34","date_gmt":"2015-11-26T11:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/OEB_Newsportal\/?p=5785"},"modified":"2016-07-21T13:48:55","modified_gmt":"2016-07-21T11:48:55","slug":"berlin-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/berlin-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"While you\u2019re in Berlin\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Berlin.<\/a>

Berlin. Image by Reinhard Link, Flickr creative commons<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to be arriving early – or staying on in Berlin for a few days after OEB – we\u2019ve compiled a list of attractions that will make your trip to this culturally rich and dynamic city complete.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt<\/em>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Christmas is almost upon us, and the Germans really know how to make the most of the festive season! For the classic Christmas market experience, head to the daily WeinachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt<\/em><\/a>, where you can browse the stalls of traditional handcrafts and sample the typical cuisine. Most common on the menu are bratwurst (a sausage – in Germany usually made of pork – on a roll), roasted mushrooms, and kartoffelpuffer (a large, crispy potato pancake).<\/p>\n

    On December 5th<\/sup>, Betahaus<\/a>, one of Berlin\u2019s creative hubs, is holding a sustainable Christmas market, with products by local designers and interactive workshops. On the last two weekends in November and the first two in December, the Markt der Kontinente<\/a> (Market of the Continents) at the Dahlem Museum is a colourful experience, with global beats, cultural performances and international gifts.<\/p>\n

    Continuing with the Christmas spirit, OEB will host its own Weihnachtsmarkt<\/em>\u00a0themed party on Thursday, December 3rd<\/sup>, at the Hotel InterContinental. It will be an evening of traditional winter entertainment, with live music and dancing, a buffet of German specialities and international cuisine, plus plenty of steaming\u00a0Gl\u00fchwein<\/em>\u00a0(hot, sweet, spiced wine) served from an open bar, against a backdrop of sparkling winter wonder. Find out more and purchase your ticket online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Tiergarten<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The Tiergarten Park<\/a>, Berlin\u2019s largest park is just a short walk from the Hotel InterContinental. Wander down the leafy avenues, past ponds, regal statues, and shy red squirrels. Heading north, you will reach the Siegess\u00e4ule<\/em><\/a> (the gold angel of Berlin\u2019s Victory Column), while paths to the west will take you to the Brandenburg Gate<\/a> and the Reichstag<\/a>, the seat of the German Parliament, which is one of the city\u2019s most iconic buildings. The highlight of the Reichstag is its striking glass dome -designed by star architect Sir Norman Foster -, a feature that was added after the\u00a0German reunification.<\/p>\n

      Address: Strasse des 17. Juni, <\/strong>10785 Berlin<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Currywurst Museum<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        If you\u2019ve got a taste for currywurst, Berlin\u2019s signature street food, head to the Currywurst Museum<\/a> to find out where it all began.<\/p>\n

        Address: Deutsches Currywurst Museum<\/em> Berlin, Sch\u00fctzenstrasse 70, 10117 Berlin<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Hamburger Bahnhof<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          For a more contemporary art fix, head to Hamburger Bahnhof<\/a>, just a short walk from Berlin Hauptbahnhof<\/em> (the central train station), or stroll past the galleries on Auguststrasse<\/a>.<\/p>\n

          Address: Hamburger Bahnhof, Invalidenstrasse 50-51, 10557 Berlin<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. C\/O Berlin <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            If photography is more your thing, then C\/O Berlin<\/a> will provide a feast for the eyes. It hosts up to 17 exhibitions featuring works by some of the world\u2019s most influential photographers, including Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh and Martin Parr.<\/p>\n

            Throughout\u00a0December, you can catch the Anton Corbijn Retrospective, which showcases his striking, raw photographs of musicians, artists and cultural icons.<\/p>\n

            Address: Amerika Haus . Hardenbergstra\u00dfe 22-24 . 10623 Berlin<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. The Stasi-Museum<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              The former East Germany\u2019s notorious secret police were generally known as the \u201cStasi<\/em>\u201d (Staatssicherheit<\/em>, literally State Security). Join a guided tour of the Stasi Museum<\/a> – located on the former headquarter grounds – and find out about their methods of surveillance and how they spied on the citizens.<\/p>\n

              Address: Stasi Museum, Ruschestrasse 103, 10365 Berlin<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Computerspielemuseum<\/strong><\/a> (Computer Games Museum)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                For techies, the Computer Game Museum in Friedrichshain will teach you everything you need to know about gaming, gamification, and the history of interactive, digital entertainment. The permanent exhibition,\u00a0Computer Games. Evolution of a Medium<\/em>, features over 300 exhibits including \u201crare originals\u201d and \u201cplayable classics\u201d.<\/p>\n

                Address:\u00a0Karl-Marx-Allee 93a, 10243 Berlin. Open daily (except Tues) 10:00 \u2013 20:00.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Mauer Park Flea Market<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  The Mauer Park Flea Market<\/a> takes place every Sunday and is a treasure trove of retro beauties, antiques, and second-hand finds, plus unique t-shirts and handmade gifts by local designers. Right next to the market, in the park\u2019s amphitheatre, you can bust out some tunes at Bearpit Karaoke<\/a>, weather permitting.<\/p>\n

                  Closer to the Hotel InterContinental is Flea Market at Strasse des 17. Juni<\/a>, one of the oldest and most famous antique markets in Berlin. It takes place every weekend between Ernst-Reuter-Platz and S-Bahn station Tiergarten.<\/p>\n

                  Address: Flohmarkt im Mauerpark, Bernauer Str. 63-64, 13355 Berlin<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Vabali Spa<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    If you\u2019re looking for a little R&R post-conference, then head straight for Vabali Spa, a chic, luxurious wellness village that spans 20,000 square metres. Hidden behind an inconspicuous entrance next to Stadtbadt (public baths) Tiergarten, it has 11 different saunas, as well as various treatments and massages.<\/p>\n

                    Address: Seydlitzstrasse 6, 10557 Berlin<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Live Music<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Berlin\u2019s live music scene is a multi-faceted thing. Enjoy a classical concert by the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra<\/a>, local and international acoustic and jazz musicians at b-flat<\/a>, or hipster indie bands and Balkan beats at Lido<\/a>. If dancing is more your thing, head to the atmospheric Cl\u00e4rchens Ballhaus<\/a> on Augustrasse in Mitte for Argentinian tango, salsa, or swing dancing.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Clubs and bars <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        For a post-conference cocktail, head to the Berlin district called \u201cMitte\u201d and the glamourous, Neue Odessa<\/a> bar on Torstrasse, or the Newton Bar<\/a>, with its deep armchairs and huge photographs of stilettoed nudes by Helmut Newtown. For the grittier side of Berlin, make a beeline for Luzia<\/a> on Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg, or Das Hotel in the same neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

                        If you\u2019re itching to hit the dance floor, Berlin has all bases covered. Watergate<\/a>, in the famous Kreuzberg district, not only showcases local and international techno and house DJs, but offers floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Spree river. For bassheads, Gretchen<\/a> is the place to be, while Cassiopeia<\/a> in Friedrichshain, offers everything from old-school hip hop, to reggae, dancehall, punk, and hardcore bands.<\/p>\n

                        Getting around the city<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        The easiest way to get around Berlin is to use the public transport system. A ticket (Einzelfahrausweis<\/em> AB, \u20ac2.70) is valid for two hours and can be used on all trains, buses and trams – but only in one direction. To return, you will have to buy another one.<\/p>\n

                        A day ticket (Tageskarte<\/em> AB, \u20ac6.90) lasts until 3am the following day and can be used as much as you like.<\/p>\n

                        Don\u2019t forget to validate your ticket in the machines located near the tracks on every subway platform and in the busses!<\/p>\n

                        The \u201cBVG<\/em>\u201d is the municipal public transport authority. Their website, http:\/\/www.bvg.de\/en, features a journey planner in English both online<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0for mobile devices<\/a>.<\/p>\n

                        Enjoy your stay in Germany\u2019s vibrant capital!<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        If you\u2019re lucky enough to be arriving early – or staying on in Berlin for a few days after OEB – we\u2019ve compiled a list of attractions that will make your trip to this culturally rich and dynamic city complete.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                        <\/div>
                        <\/div>
                        <\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>
                        <\/div><\/div>
                        <\/div>","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":6003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[209],"tags":[159,574],"class_list":["post-5785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-berlin","tag-oeb-2015"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5785"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5909,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5785\/revisions\/5909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}