Travel Guide: 48 Hours in Berlin

Natasha Gan 31 May 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:03

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Mitte: the starting point
From this central area, start your day by climbing the famous TV tower (symbol of the former GDR) that offers a 360 ° view of the city. After that, dive straight into the Berlin atmosphere sipping coffee on a deckchair at Strandbar Mitte, the oldest Berlin beach bar, overlooking the Spree and the Museum Island.
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Shopping
On the sidewalks of Torstrasse, you'll find shops, lounge bars and concept stores. At Lunettes Selection, an impressive collection of vintage frames is presented in dozens of wooden drawers. Just footsteps away is another concept store that is set to look like a hotel, Hotel Ultra. It's a great place to find random mementos.

Lunettes, Torstrasse 172,

Hotel Ultra, Torstrasse 155
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Rooftop and dance floor
Hotel Amano is an essential destination to begin your nightlife in Berlin. Bask in the chic club atmosphere as you enjoy a Rose Garden (gin, lemonade and pink rose petals) to the sound of the most celebrated DJs. As soon as the weather permits, everyone will head over to the rooftop where a beautiful roof terrace is found. If you're looking for more fun, just cross the street to Dean, another hotel under the Amano label. The atmosphere here is more cozy, a departure from Techno-blasting venues.
Amano Bar, Auguststrasse 43
Dean, Rosenthaler Strasse 9
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Little Italy
Enjoy a decadent Italian dinner at Hotel de Rome. The vast restaurant La Banca is artistic, its hall showcasing neon installation by American artist Olivia Steele. The menu, realized under the leadership of Fulvio Pierangelini (2 stars in Tuscany), is difficult to resist. Get the antipasti to share or grilled lamb served on a hot stone.
La Banca, Behrenstrasse 37
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Live green, eat green
With 30% of its area devoted to green spaces, the most green capital of Europe is proud of its vegetarian restaurants. At Kopps, the servers look like hipsters, and the food is amazing. Sit on the restaurant's long wooden tables and enjoy in their well-presented seasonal vegetarian dishes.
Kopps, Linienstrasse 94
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The conquest of the East
Just below Prenzlauer Berg, the Friedrichshain district reveals the dilapidated side of the capital. A piece of the Berlin Wall became the East Side Gallery, which in 1990, 118 artists from 20 different countries covered with murals. Then, make your way to Neue Heimat to see the rundown buildings, housing clubbers on weekend nights. Every Sunday (from 12 am to 20 hours), the street-food lovers flock at the Village Market, with multiple counters and food trucks. Take this opportunity to taste the Korean burger or the breakfast of the future: a fajita filled with vegetables, a boiled egg and roasted beans for an affordable price, all the while listening to a free concert.
East Side Gallery, Mühlenstrasse
Neue Heimat, Revalerstrasse 99
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Currywurst, to-go
The northeast side of Berlin, in the Prenzlauer Berg district, everything seems organic, vegetarian, fair and recycled. The house Konnopke's Imbiss at the Eberswalder Strasse underground arcades, has been offering the best currywurst in town for 80 years.
Konnopke’s Imbiss, Schönhauser Allee 42
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Manifeste Zero

After taking residence at the Guggenheim in New York, the exhibition Zero, the international art movement of the 1950's and 1960's, is now displayed at the Museumsportal Berlin at the Martin Gropius Bau building. The edifice was ruined after the bombings of 1945, but was restored in the years to follow. Now it's home to exhibitions, a definite must-visit!
Martin-Gropius-Bau, Niederkirchnerstrasse 7
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A unique cocktail night
With two Michelin stars, Tim Raue is the chef of Berlin. He opened La Soupe Populaire in the heart of a former brewery (Bötzow Berlin) where you can taste the Königsberger Klopse, scrumptious veal meatballs in caper sauce. The restaurant is lined with vintage furniture, and houses an open kitchen and an art gallery. After your meal, make your way down the hall, along the blue chandeliers, to the adjoining Le Croco Bleu for the haute coutures of cocktail.
La Soupe Populaire and Le Croco Bleu, Prenzlauer Allee 242
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On the banks of Spree
As we wait for the swimming area in the river (the Flussbad project) to be completed, the Badeschiff Arena makes a pleasant alternative. This floating pontoon pool and deck chairs are covered for your refreshing break. You can swim, sunbathe, have lunch or dinner, and move to the upbeat DJ sounds throughout the evening.
Arena Badeschiff, Eichenstrasse 4
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The gardens of Berlin
Berliners clearly display their passion for gardening and locavore consumption. In a short time, 200 kitchen gardens have filled parks and roofs around the city. On the other side of the Spree in Kreuzberg, in a desolate area, a community garden was founded in 2009. Meanwhile, the Prinzessinnengarten (The Garden of the Princesses) was once a wasteland but is now a green space where locals can "experiment and discover more about organic food production, biodiversity and climate protection."
Prinzessinnengarten, Moritzplatz
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Bauhaus, the vanguard of design
After a walk (or nap) in the Tiergarten, the local Central Park, visit the Bauhaus Archive Museum. The magnificent building, built in 1979 by Walter Gropius, houses the largest collection dedicated to the art and architecture movement.
Bauhaus-Archiv, Klingelhöferstrasse 14
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A symbol of unified Germany
The Brandenburg Gate is certainly a sight you must see while in Berlin.

Here’s what to do when you decide to visit the breathtaking German capital.

Twenty-five years after reunification, Berlin continues to amuse visitors with its history, modernity and uninhibited youth. Everything seems possible in this artsy city. Here are some travel tips for your future visit:

Getting there

Many airlines go from Asia to Berline,so depending on your budget and schedule, you’ll be able to conveniently find the best route for you.

Be sure to organize your trip with the help of visitberlin.de

Staying

We recommend these three hotels:

Hôtel Monbijou, Monbijouplatz 1, monbijouhotel.com

Hôtel Michelberger, Warschauer Strasse 39/40, michelbergerhotel.com

Hôtel de Rome, Behrenstrasse 37, roccofortehotels.com

Getting around

The Berlin WelcomeCard allows you to get on buses, subways and trams, day and night. It also offers discounts at certain tourist sites, shops and restaurants. Prices start at 19.50 € (approx. SGD29) for 48 hours.

Another option is to cycle. Berlin on Bike offers numerous themed tours (e.g.: hunting for street art) at around 19 € (approx. SGD28), and bikes to rent at 10 € (approx. SGD15) for 24 hours.