Photo: @berlin.live
In a city as open and multicultural as Berlin, it is well worth diving into the local customs to make sure your stay in this unique city is unforgettable.
Take a look at our tips for authentic experiences that will make you feel like a true Berliner.
Hop on the U-Bahn
Short for Untergrundbahn (underground railway in German), a ride on the U-Bahn will provide you with an unbeatable snapshot of the local population and a better understanding of why the word “diversity” is etched into Berlin’s DNA. The U2 is one of the longest and most popular lines and it passes through a total of 29 stops on its 20-kilometre route, making it a budget-friendly way of seeing plenty of the city landscape.
Photo: @go.all.in
Grab a beer in a Späti and go for a stroll
Drinking alcohol in public is allowed in Berlin, which is why you can buy beer anywhere and everywhere and at almost any time of day and night here. You’ll find convenience stores or kiosks called Spätkauf or Späti – meaning “late purchase” – on almost every street in the city. They sell food and drinks, and are popular with locals and tourists alike.
Photo: @benjaminruhe
Head to the iconic Tiergarten
The Tiergarten is one of the biggest urban parks in Germany. In addition to the spectacular landscape, which is particularly breathtaking in spring and autumn, the park also houses restaurants, a zoo, a lake, canals and monuments such as the shrine to Michael Jackson or the memorial to the homosexuals who were persecuted under the Nazi regime. In the summer, it is packed with sunbathers and keen grillers making the most of the barbecue area.
Photo: @max10557
Wait in line for “the best kebab in the world”
Legend has it that the best kebab in the world is served at Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of street food, you will probably regret not joining the queue (for up to 45 minutes, they say!) for this delicacy. The fresh ingredients, seasoning and care with which they are prepared have given these hugely popular Döner cult status.
Photo: @faimfatale
Hit the clubs and knock back a Club Mate
For any local, drinking Club Mate on a heavy night out is just as common as drinking beer. This caffeine-laden energy drink is wildly popular with the locals as it helps you to keep partying all night long. Some even say that it makes your hangover easier to cope with the next day…
Photo: @ge_offri