12 Steps to Conquering Berlin in a Weekend
You wanna take a badass trip that is a little out of the ordinary but rich in nightlife – do it in Berlin, Germany. For many, our impression of Berlin is a city overshadowed by Nazi loving Hitler. However, to others and to its locals, it's a city rich in history, food and counter-culture. Here are 12 steps to conquer Berlin, its history, its women, its food and its club scene, in a single weekend for under $200 including beer! Ready, set, go…
1. Lodging. Pick a hostel, you won't be there much. Try Pangea People near Alexanderplatz. It's incredibly cheap (21 Euros), super clean, central to all U-bahn, S-Bahn and tram lines and has a bar that boasts 4 Euro cocktails and a 5.50 Euro breakfast.
2. Get the Tourist stuff out of the way. Head over to the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate. Check in with the Sandeman's people for your FREE WALKING TOUR of Berlin. The guides are young, knowledgeable and funny. Since it's a free tour, you just have to tip the guide when you're through (5-10 Euros is sufficient). You can see the whole city in 3 hours.
3. The Grub. 3 must-haves in Berlin are Currywurst, Döner Kabab and beer (all under 6 Euros).
•Currywurst is basically a big-ass sausage with ketchup and curry powder on it, no bun. It's served with potatoes - a real man's meal. Try Konnopke's Imbasse near the Eberswalder Strasse U-bahn station.
•Döner Kabab is a giant bread pocket filled with shaved chicken, veggies, potatoes, hot sauce, lemon juice and some delicious tsatsiki variation. The best one is at Döner Dach in Friedrichshain.
•Beer. If you can't find beer yourself, you should go home. Try Prater Biergarten in the Mitte.
4. Recharge. Take a nap. It's imperative to conquering Berlin. Clubbing starts at 1am and goes until dawn – seriously.
5. Preparty. Find a small bar with music you like or can tolerate since it's mostly all electro. Grab a drink or 3, the Germans don't even go to the clubs until 12:30-1 and party ALL NIGHT LONG. Hipsters, try Habermeyer in Fredrichshain. Live music lovers, try Edelweiss in Görlitzer Park. In the summertime, try Strand Bar on Museum Island
6. Clubbing. A good one in Friedrichshain is Suss War Gestern. It means "Sweet was yesterday" in German. The best part about it is that it's free to get in and has a relatively lax door policy. You will get in. And it will be packed by 1AM. There are several rooms to hang out in, 2 electro music rooms, (one with trippy LED lights on the ceiling) an 80's music room in the basement and a couple "chill out" rooms with couches. You won't find high-heeled women there, so be prepared for hipster chicks in combat boots and girls wearing short dresses with tights.
7. Recovery. Get your drunk ass home and go to sleep.
8. Refuel. Get up, you need a shower and food. Today's a new day. You've slept through the hostel's breakfast, so go over to Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt or Potsdamer Platz and find food in the square.
9. Alternative Walking Tour. Get your underground on. This tour takes you through the alleys and streets of Berlin showing you the badass aspects of Berlin Counter-Culture. You weave through East and West Berlin identifying graffiti and street artists, Nazi art and how Berliners are rebuilding and taking the city back through gritty street art. This tour is 3.5 hours and will help you walk off your hangover. Try Sandeman's Alternative Walking Tour for 12 Euros
10. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Repeat steps 5-7 but this time try the club, Watergate. Caution, the door policy is a strict, but it's worth a shot. Your best odds are between 12-12:30. Bring cash.
11. Check out. 11am checkout at the hostel. They are awesome though, and will hold your bags until your train or flight departs. You can spend the remainder of your day wandering around Alexanderplatz, or try out The Natural History Museum on Museum Island or maybe head over to the Olympic Stadium and take a lap around the track.
12. Get outta town. Auf Wiedersehen, Berlin. Conquered.
1. Berlin: Graffiti, Beer and Girls...
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