LiveBERLIN

First published in May 2017 by City Travel Review, Inc.

All words and photos that appear in this guide are

property of the respective writers and photographers.
Copyright 2017

Cover Photo and Design

Antonia Barraclough & Darian Prellwitz

Layout Editors
Antonia Barraclough
Darian Prellwitz

Editors
Beth Gray
Cassandra Casson
Rosie Perrett

Writers
Beth Gray
Hannah Wooster
Rosalind Perrett
Yolanda George

Photography Manager
Antonia Barraclough

Special Thanks to Lutz, Eamon and Ljuba.

CONTENTS
Introduction, by Beth Gray 04

Survival Guide, by Hannah Wooster 06

Public Transport, by Rosalind Perrett 10

History, by Yolanda George 14

Profiles 18

3
 INTRODUCTION
Berlin. Fuelled by its signifi-
cant past, the mix of historic
sites and modern culture is
evident around every corner. A
city combined, Berlin bridges
the gap between new and old.
The Eastern Bloc architec-
ture contrasts to your average
European city, embracing its
regeneration after the war. The
freshness of freedom is appa-
rent in its acceptance, but its
heritage is not left forgotten.
Museums are in abundance,
from the sober and informative
Topography of Terror to some
of the most interactive, such
as the DDR Museum. You can
take a tour of the city by bike,
4
bus or walking tour (some are
even free.) Not only that, there
are galleries to relish at and
historic sites by the streetful.
Or, if you are not the muse-
um-type fear not. There are
plenty of other entertainment
options, including the many
bars and clubs, or even the
up-and-coming escape rooms.
General areas and day-trips
outside Berlin have also been
covered in this guide, giving
you insider info to ensure you
make the most of your trip and
choose the places you want to
go.
The beauty of Berlin is that it is
unlike your average city. Green
spaces are everywhere, from
parks and outdoor cinemas to
beer gardens and lakes, and
it doesnt end there. Shopping
malls and vintage shops, flea
markets and of course the
Ampelmann shop cannot be
missed. Then theres the food.
Now Germany may not be best
known for its food but these
reviews sure do cover enough
cafes, bakeries, restaurants
and food markets to keep even
the best foodie satisfied.
Divided up by activity, this
guide will take you through
the musts (and must nots) of
Berlin, all with handy tips along
the way. Theres even a conve-
nient phrases section to ensure
you know the basics and dont
look like a fool on arrival. The
features secti-
on will help you
scrub up on your
history and get to
know the transport
system before you
even get there,
not to mention the
secrets you only
hear from those
who have truly
lived Berlin.
The aim of this guide is to help
you pick and choose from the
many attractions Berlin has to
offer, and recommend some of
the lesser known sites as well.
Whether youre here for a day,
a week or a month, we want
to make sure you get the best
experience possible, dont get
stuck on the ring route S-Bahn
at peak time, and taste as
many pastries as possible.
Our must-sees include the
expansive Tiergarten, the
Checkpoint Charlie Museum
and Sachsenhausen. There
is something for everyone
with this honest, step-by-step,
student-orientated guide. So
what are you waiting for? Grab
yourself a currywurst and live
Berlin.
5
 SURVIVAL GUIDE
Berlin is one of the best
destinations for satisfying
wanderlust. In one city youve
got immense history, beautiful
architecture, sprawling green
spaces, and, for a bit of variety,
clubs in industrial power
plants pumping hard-core
techno. But like everywhere
else in the world, there are
certain things you should know
before travelling here. In this
guide, you will find a pretty
comprehensive list of tips to
make your stay a lot more
enjoyable.
6
Accommodation
Accommodation in Berlin
ranges from the extortionate
to the dirt-cheap. When youre
young, hostels tend to be the
best type of accommodation
to go for. Theyre sociable
and affordable, which means
youve got more pennies to
spare for beer and Bratwurst.
Here are a couple of hostels
to get you started when
youre making one of the
most important decisions you
will make before coming to
Berlin. You dont want any
nasty surprises lurking in the
bathrooms or when you pull
back your duvet. Weve all
been there.
Heart of Gold, from 17
per night.
This ones tried and tested.
Centrally located in Berlin, it
offers sci-fi themed dorms,
private rooms and en-suites
and has been self-described
as like a spaceship, but
harmless. It comes with a
whole list of things you can
get for free, including a guided
tour, and in true Berlin style
has both a bar and a beer
garden.
Wombats City Hostel, from
12 per night.
Right in the centre of Berlins
best area for shopping, this
hostel is the best you can get
for location. Its rooftop bar has
amazing views of the city and
has twice won the award for
Cleanest Hotel Worldwide
Travel
Berlins travel system is
faultless. Here, having a 15
minute wait for your train is a
bad thing. Once you overcome
the incredibly intimidating
system, its a real treat for
those used to the poor excuse
for a train service that is
Southern Rail. Which is just
as well as Berlin is a huge
city. Expect at least two tram
journeys to get wherever you
want to go.
Tickets for a whole range of
stays can be bought, valid on
all forms of transport in the
given areas. Just make sure
you validate these before
starting your journey to avoid
an unfortunate run-in with
the ticket police. They take
this pretty seriously and the
old oh sorry, Im a tourist
excuse wont cut it here. To
make things slightly easier, a
Berlin Welcome Card, which
provides free travel on all
forms of transport within the
city, reduced prices to certain
museums and more, can
be bought online. For more
information about this, and an
extensive overview of Berlins
travel system, weve got a
whole chapter on it.
7
 Language
Luckily, the Germans are pretty good with their English. Its fairly
rare to come across a person that speaks no English and the
younger generation tend to land somewhere between very good
and fluent. As is with all countries however, its considered pretty
rude to just assume someone speaks your language. So, to not
worsen our reputation for ignorance when it comes to talking to
people abroad, its good to learn a few phrases. Even if what you
do end up saying comes out as some mangled, indistinguishable
mess, theyre going to appreciate the effort.

English German
Bye Tchss / Tschau

Excuse me Entschuldigung

Im sorry Es tut mir leid

Please/Thank you Bitte / Danke schn

Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch?

I dont speak German Ich spreche kein Deutsch

How much is that? Wie viel kostet das?

Do you sell...? Verkaufen Sie?

Can I pay with a credit card? Darf ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen?

I would like... Ich htte gern

The bill, please. Die Rechnung, bitte.

Where is...? Wo ist?

Does this train/tram/bus go to...? Fhrt diesen bahn/straenbahn/bus

nach?
Can you help me? Knnon Sie mir helfen?

8
Bottles: In Germany, you
can return your bottles and
glasses to the shop or bar to
receive a deposit back. Its
fairly standard practice here
to leave your bottles by the
bin as a nice consideration to
the homeless people, who can
take them back to the shops
and get some money in return.
Bikes: When I took my first
steps in Berlin, I was surprised
by the amount of bikes here.
Although, with their impressive
dedication to bike paths, you
can see why so many people
choose to travel this way. But
Berlins cyclists are pretty
ruthless. Staying off the bike
paths is essential if you want to
return home with all your limbs
intact. These people travel at
impressive speeds.
Weather: In the short time Ive
been in this city, the weather
has been fairly bipolar, so
its completely acceptable to
bring an umbrella and sun-
cream for one short break. If
youre visiting in the winter
on the other hand, it may be
best to think again. Berlins
winters are infamous for the
amount of snow and sub-
zero temperatures. So unless
this kind of thing appeals to
you, come after May for more
agreeable temperatures.
Budgeting: Berlin is a fairly
easy city to make the most of if
youre on a budget compared
to some of its European
counterparts. In terms of
food, meals in restaurants
can be found for around the
10 mark, and Bratwurst and
various other street foods can
be bought from one of Berlins
many street vendors for around
1. Beer can be bought from
supermarkets from as little as
0.59.
In terms of activities, a lot of
the museums and galleries
have an entrance fee, although
this can often be subsidised
with student cards. The are
many places you can get into
for free however, such as
Sachsenhausen, a must for
anyone visiting Berlin in my
opinion, and a lot of Berlins
lakes, parks and various other
outdoor activities. All in all an
average day in Berlin can be
done at around 25 if youre
really watching the pennies.
For those more willing to pay a
bit more for sit down meals and
attractions, 50 will be more
than enough.
9
 TRANSPORT
The public transport system
in Berlin is, in general,
remarkably efficient. Certainly
it is better than London public
transport, where you can
find your face temporarily
housed in the armpit of a
fellow commuter, your nasal
passages affronted by the
mingling odours of stale
antiperspirant and decaying
dreams. You can hop on a
tram or U-Bahn train almost
anywhere in Berlin, and if
you miss one, you only have
a matter of minutes to wait
on the unforgiving metal seat
before another turns up.
10
But the system does have its
shortfalls. All-too-often, for
example, there arent enough
seats, and so you are forced to
adopt the stance of a Roman
flag-bearer, feet planted far
apart and hand gripping the
pole in front of you. Even in
this majestic position, at least
once on every journey you
will lose your balance and
dignity and swing like some
kind of tram-Tarzan into a total
stranger. Buying a transport
pass that allows you unlimited
travel on all forms of transport
except, sadly, horse-drawn
carriage, is definitely advisable.
Without one of these golden
tickets to public transport
paradise, you will be forced
to do battle with the on-board
ticket machine, which crouches
in each carriage waiting to rob
you of your self-respect and
Euros.
Opinion is also divided on the
yellow colour scheme of BVG,
Berlins main public transport
operator. For some, the gaudy
sunshine hue does not cheer
the soul, but rather, brings on
the stages of mild nausea.
Others argue that we need
more yellow in the world. In
this sense, and in a number of
others, BVG is on the right on
track.

What you need to know:

There are four main forms of transport in Berlin: the U-Bahn, the
S-Bahn, buses, and trams/metrotrams.

U-Bahn
Berlins underground train network, or subway.
Runs Weekdays 4am-1am at 5 minute intervals, or at 10 minute
intervals at night. Runs Weekends 24 hours, mainly at 10 minute
intervals, or at 15 minute intervals at night.

U1- Warschauer Strae (Kreuzberg) to Uhlandstrae

(Charlottenberg).
U2- Ruhleben (W) to Pankow (E).
U7- Spandau (W) to Rudow (E).
U6- Tegel (N) to Mariendorf (S).
U8- Wittenau (N) to Hermannstrae (S).
U9- Osloer Strae (Wedding) to Steglitz district.

11
 S-Bahn
Weekdays: 4.30am-1.30am, at 5, 10 or 20 minute intervals.
Weekends: 24 hours, at 5, 10 or 20 minute intervals, or at 30
minute intervals at night.

S1- Orienberg to Wannsee.

S2- Bernau to Blankenfelde.
S25- Teltow to Hennigsdorf.
S41 (Ringbahn) Circles the city in a clockwise direction.
S42 (Ringbahn) Circles the city in an anticlockwise direction.

Buses
Metro buses M11-M85 run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 10
minute intervals.
Night buses (marked with an N) run all night. Buses N1-N9
replace the U-Bahn lines U1-U9 from Monday nights to Friday
nights. Buses N10-N97 replace the most important day lines.

Trams and Metrotrams

Trams and metrotrams run on different schedules. In the daytime,
metrotram lines run at least every 10 minutes, and at night, run at
30 minute intervals.

Taxis
030 44 33 22 Taxi Funk Berlin
030 26 10 26 Funk Taxi Berlin
030 26 30 00 Quality Taxi
030 21 01 01 Wrfelfunk
030 21 02 02 City Funk

12
The Berlin Welcome Card
The Berlin Welcome Card allows you free travel in zones AB, or
ABC including Schnefeld Airport. It also gives you discounts of
up to 50% at around 200 of Berlins sights and attractions. A 48
hour card will cost you between 19.90-21.90, whilst a 6 day
card will cost you between 42-46. For full details on pricing,
visit berlin-welcomeCard.de.

Where can I buy the Berlin Welcome Card?

Either online, or from one of Berlins airports. If you buy the card
online, you will receive a voucher, which must be redeemed in
Berlin. Present it at one of the Berlin Tourist Info Centres at the
Central Railway Station, TV Tower, Europa Centre, Brandenburg
Gate, Kurfstendamm or at one of Berlins airports to get your
card. You must then validate the card by having it stamped in
one of the machines available at bus stops or rail stations. The
validity period starts from the time stamped by the machine.

Card ABC and extensions

If you are travelling to or from Schnefeld and Berlin
Brandenburg International Airports, or wish to visit Potsdam
or other outlying towns, then the Berlin Welcome Card ABC is
recommended. Alternatively, you can buy a Zone C supplement
ticket, and use this is combination with your AB transport pass.

BVG Call Centre:

Phone: +49 (0)30 19449

E-Mail: info@bvg.de

http://fahrinfo.bvg.de/Fahrinfo/bin/query.bin/en
https://www.berlin.de/en/public-transportation/
http://www.visitberlin.de/en/welcomecard
13
 HISTORY
Originally founded as a city
in 1237, Berlin began life
as a humble trading town in
medieval Germany. In 1415
the town came under the rule
of Frederick I, founder of the
Hohenzollern dysnasty that
would ultimately lead Germany
until 1918. His son, Frederick
II laid the foundation stone of
Berlins Stadtschloss, which
would act as the ancestral
Hohenzollern home for years to
come. By the 1600s Berlin had
already earned a reputation
for its multicultural and diverse
14
nature, thanks in large part to
the settling of displaced Jewish
and Huguenot communities.
Existing buildings from this
period include the immensely
popular Charlottenburg Palace
(built by Frederick III for his
wife Charlotte) as well as the
Charite, originally built as a
Hospital, and now Berlins
foremost medical training
school.
During the 17-1800s Berlin
entered its industrial revolution,
founding companies from
Siemens to Schwarzkopf Germanys feet and resulted in
that are still continuing today. harsh economic penalties that
The industrial revolution also only became worse during the
brought about civil unrest Great Depression of the 1920s.
amongst many of Germanys Families starved under a series
poorer workers, leading to of unsuccessful Chancellors,
multiple demonstrations and setting the political climate for
uprisings. Many of these Adolf Hitlers rise to power.
took place at the barricades The early 1900s were not all
of Berlin, such as the Berlin negative however, as Berlin
Arsenal Riots. By 1871 nearly enjoyed a huge culture boom
1 million people were living in during this time, including;
Berlin, and it was during this the founding of the famous
time that the parliament of KaDeWe, which made a name
the German empire was first for itself as a department
formed. retailer of luxury products; the
creation of the worlds first
The 1900s brought about an autobahn, and the premier of
unprecedented dark chapter Brechts Threepenny Opera.
in Berlins history, beginning On the back of Germanys
with the commencement of failing industry, resentment
World War One in 1914. The
Great War affected Berlin in
various ways, ranging from
food shortages to personal
loss, poverty and general war
weariness. 400,000 people
protested in Berlin for Peace
and Bread, a level of civil
unrest that ultimately lead to
the foundation of the Weimar
Republic in 1918. World War Is
repercussions would continue
to be felt for many years
however, as the responsibility
for the war was left solely at

15
 over the end of World War I,
and mass unemployment, the
Nazi party established power
throughout the late twenties.
By 1932 Hitler had achieved
the highest position in German
government, ushering in what
was undoubtedly Germanys
darkest hour. Almost
immediately dissenters of the
Nazi party were imprisoned
in labour camps such as
Sachsenhausen and rights to
assembly and opinion were
removed following staged
coups like the Reichstag Fire.
Jewish-owned businesses
and services were placed
under a forced boycott, before
later being openly attacked in
16
the night of broken glass in
1938. The thirties also saw the
Berlin Olympic games, and the
stadium remains a popular site
for visitors today.
By 1939, Hitlers aggressive
pursuit of German expansion
had led to the commencement
of World War II, during which
time some 450,000 tonnes
of bombs were dropped by
the Allies on Berlin, killing
around 20,000 and leaving
1.5 million homeless. A
1942 Nazi conference in the
Wannsee district of Berlin
planned the final solution for
the deportation of Germanys
Jewish population to the death
camps of eastern Europe. In
1944 the best known of the
assassination attempts on
Hitler, Operation Valkyrie,
took place in what is now
The Memorial of German
Resistance. The Second World
War drew to a bloody close
on the streets in the soviet-led
Battle of Berlin on the 21st of
April 1945- by the 1st of May,
Hitler was dead and Berlin had
fallen.
Following the Yalta conference
of 1945, Berlin was split into
four sections, with the Soviet
victors controlling the east
and the French, English and
American victors controlling
the west. Increasing tensions
between America and Russia
resulted in the divided Berlin
becoming a focal point of
the developing Cold War.
This began with the Soviet
blockade of food to West Berlin
(a Western island inside the
larger soviet territory of East
Germany). It continued with
rival rebuilding of war damage, 1980s, for example, squatters
the Soviets making what would in Kreuzberg and the rise of
later become Karl Marx Allee German New Wave music.
while the West developed both The fall of the Berlin Wall
Tiergarten and the Zoological happened with relative
gardens. speed, following increased
political dissatisfaction with
Tensions would continue Gorbachevs leadership of the
to grow to an all-time high, Soviet state and the change
until the erection of the of leadership in East Berlin.
Berlin Wall overnight in Since becoming a reunified
August 1961, leading East state Berlin has worked hard to
and West Berliners to live become a modern and vibrant
drastically different lives city. A burst of popularity during
until its destruction in 1989. the club scene of the 1990s, a
Military Zones like Checkpoint successful World Cup in 2006
Charlie became subjects of and the foundation of Berlin
international focus during the fashion week in 2007 has done
infamous Tank Stand Off. much to rehabilitate its image
Suffocating political climates as a hub for culture, arts and,
gave way to an increase of course, history.
in student activism and the
alternative cultures of the

17
 MEET
THE
TEAM Antonia Barraclough
Photo Manager and Designer
Recently graduated from the University of
Sunderland with a degree in
photography, Antonia (23) wants to expand
her artistic abilities through design.

Beth Gray
Copy Editor and Feature Writer
Beth (21) is a recent graduate of
the University of Stirling in English
and Film & Media. With a passion
for writing, water-based sports and
tracking down the best hot chocolate, Cassandra Casson
she is yet to find her niche in life.
Copy Editor
Cassandra Casson (22) graduated
from Edinburgh Napier University
in 2016. She joined the City Travel
Review program to gain experience
in travel writing. In her spare time
Cassandra likes to read, go to the
cinema and write short stories.

18

Darian Prellwitz
Designer
Darian (22) is from Seattle,
Washington. She recieved her
bachelors degree in sociology.
Her German heritage brought her
to Berlin in order to learn about
where she came from and share her
enthusiasm with other travellers.
Rosalind Perrett
Copy Editor and Feature Writer
Rosalind (19) is a gap year student
who now lives in Bridport, Dorset.
She spent six weeks in the Spring in
Mongolia, completing a journalistic
internship. In October 2017 she
heads to Oxford University, where
she will begin her degree in English
Language and Literature.
Hannah Wooster
Feature Writer
Living near Brighton, Hannah (22)
currently works as a Barista and a
Marketing Intern for a sewing school.
She has a degree in Psychology but
is wanting to go into PR, specifically
in the travel sector.
Yolanda George
Feature Writer
Yolanda (22) is an aspiring writer
from Cheshire with a degree in
Classical Studies from Royal
Holloway University of London. Her
passions include history, theatre, art
and film.
19