Along the hip and trendy Helmholtzplatz are various equally hip places to sit down for a coffee. The Dairy is one of them, and although the cappuccino is not bad, it unfortunately isn’t anything special either. Great to have along with a chat-up with neighours or one of their delicious scones, but this place is probably for the most part living off of its location only. Noteworthy is the extraordinary price difference between espresso and cappuccino at double the price. For the same price of a cappuccino, you could also opt for a double espresso with ice cream.
espresso, travel & berlin
Archives for category: berlin
Most people instantly think of the Fernsehturm when searching for a panoramic view of Berlin. While the view is certainly breathtaking, and various alternatives are available in ‘downtown’ Berlin, there’s a hidden gem some twenty kilometers southeast from it. Located on the smaller of two hills formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age, the Müggelturm offers a lesser-known and distinctive panoramic view of Berlin.
Built between 1959 and 1961, the tower was built to replace the previous tower that had suffered severe damage due to fire. With its restaurant and sun terrace, the tower became a touristic highlight in East-Berlin with 240,000 visitors yearly. The glory days of the tower have long past, however, and the nearly 30 meters tall structure is in a decaying state. Although the structural integrity of the tower (seems) to be maintained, mostly due to a 2005 overhaul of the tower, many of the panoramic windows on the intermediate floors are already broken or missing, and a new layer of paint wouldn’t hurt. The adjacent buildings, which once housed the restaurant, are in an even worse state and are not accessible.
After walking up the 126 steps of the tower (which add up to the 111 or 374 steps that lead up to the tower base, depending on which direction you’re coming from), you will enjoy a view ranging up to 50 kilometers depending on weather. To the north are a bunch of Soviet residential flats. To the northwest you’ll see Berlin’s skyline behind Köpenick. To the southwest one can clearly distinguish the Schönefeld airport. The other directions are characterized by small villages and woodlands. In the immediate surroundings, one can see the many lakes that Köpenick is famous for.
If you’re going to visit the Müggelturm, you can either take the bus up to 
X96 Rübezahl and walk the last kilometer to the tower. To reach this bus, change either at 
Köpenick or at 
U5 Elsterwedaer Platz. Alternatively, a visit to the tower can be combined with a hike through the surrounding woods, which is a popular activity on sunny days. The stations of Grünau, using ferry F12 (public transport tickets including zone B suffice, alternative buy a short trip ticket on board) to cross the Dahme river, or Friedrichshagen, crossing the Spree river through the 1927 Spreetunnel, are within an hour’s walking distance.
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One of the things Berlin is known for are its living room-style bars. Characterized by the total absence of coherence in interior design – to the extent in which it becomes fashionable again – and many different rooms in which smaller and larger parties can find a place of their own, the Dachkammer at Simon-Dach-Straße is an example of these. However, it’s mainly the first floor that’s interesting. Separated also in terms of ordering drinks, the upper floor opens up later than the ground floor cafe.
For those who have enough money to kick off the night in a bar like this – as opposed to drinking beer at home or on public transport – the Dachkammer is a perfect place for doing so, both in atmosphere as in its nearby locations to the many clubs along the railway tracks at Warschauer Straße. Cocktails start at 5 euros and they always carry some nice German beers. Read the rest of this entry »
Das Filmcafé is one of the cutest cinemas in Berlin. Seating just 30 people in its movie hall in the cellar, this is not the place where you’ll find big Hollywood productions. Expect to find smaller productions, without those annoying German voice-overs. The choice of movies is limited, however, as they tend to screen the same couple of movies for an entire month. Just make sure to keep an eye on the program, and seize the opportunity when an interesting movie is shown – I have seen the Youtube-submitted movie Life in a Day here.
If it’s not for the movies, you can always drop by for a drink or some food. On Sundays, the Filmcafé offers a special brunch + movie combo for just 9,90. Besides movies, they also screen football matches from the Bundesliga and this place is perhaps best known for showing new airings of the famous German series Tatort.
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Both art gallery and shop, this place is fully stocked with books, music, comics and art that is in some way related to Berlin. For me, their selection on books on street art is heavenly. You will find not just a single book on Berlin graffiti artists, but a vast array of them, many of which I would have wanted to take home, were it not for their price tags that, together, add up.
Still this place is definitely worth a visit and is located in the Hinterhof in which Central Kino is also located. Take the staircase -which is a work of art in itself- in the back left upwards and you’ll find this centrally located yet still somewhat hidden gem. Read the rest of this entry »
The saying that every answer raises new questions, seems to be equally true to experiences. Each new experience makes one long for more new experiences. That’s why I’ve created this wish list. I’m not pretending to remember every single spot I’ve ever come across and want to visit, but by putting them on a map, I should be able to keep track of places I one day want to see. And perhaps it even generates more wishes through tips from other people: so feel free to comment and advice me.
Located right on the famous Potsdamer Platz is the Panorampunkt in the Daimler Chrysler building. The fastest elevator in the world takes you up to the 24th floor in a mere 20 seconds, from where you can go outside and enjoy a walk along around the entire building. You’ll be able to get a superb view of the Tiergarten and neighboring Bahntower, as well as the Potsdamer Platz of course. As the building’s higher than most around it, you’ll be able to see other districts as well. There’s also an exhibition on the history of the square along the walkway.
The Panoramapunkt is rather hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for, but the entrance is located along the Alte Potsdamer Straße. The building you’ll be looking for is the red-brick building which has a sharp point facing the Potsdamer Platz. If you want to enjoy a drink with a view, you can do so in the café on the 24th floor, or on the sun terrace at the 25th. The sun-set is said to be among the best in Berlin, but I haven’t yet seen that.
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The area around the metro station Eberswalder Straße is host to lots of underground scenes such as the punk scene. Many shops are to be found along one of the streets starting at the intersection at which the station is located. The famous Mauerpark and Kulturbrauerei are just two examples of the pearls the area holds. The Kollwitzkiez and Helmholtzkiez are two of the four boroughs that intersect here and are known throughout Berlin as some of the most desired in the area of housing. Just stroll along one of the streets to find many nice shops.
Taking applied art to the extreme, this hotel is a collection of masterpieces. Each room holds a different themed design. There’s a prison room, which offers a hole in the wall as only exit through which you can escape. There’s a room of which all walls are padded in green, creating the feel of a mental hospital. Or would you prefer to sleep in a room which is lined with mirrors along the walls and ceiling, leaving no place to hide, or perhaps sleep in a coffin? The most disturbing of all might just be the up-side down room, with furniture hanging from the ceiling and the actual beds hidden away in the floor. A design which should leave you disoriented. All of these, and more, is possible in the Propeller Island’s City Lodge.
Although I’ve never stayed here myself, it’s been featured on Anthony Bourdain’s broadcast on Berlin as well as various other shows and magazines. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind hotel, and, even though I doubt you will want to stay here for more than just a few nights, is sure enough an experience. To view all of their rooms and corresponding rates, take a look at their website.