6 minute read
TRAVEL
must be the place BERLIN
With a long-standing reputation for being a cultural and creative hub, Berlin has plenty to offer to both business travellers and tourists, writes Andrew Jennings.
We all love a good ranking. Whether it is Top 10s, Top 50s or Top 100s, they often tend to garner both interest and debate in equal measure.
One puzzling oddity in the annual ranking of ‘Europe’s Top Most Visited Cities’ is that the German capital Berlin can never squeeze into the top ten, while in Euromonitor International’s ‘Top 100 City Destinations 2018’ report, it only ranked the 36th most visited city globally.
It is head-scratching stuff for anybody who has spent any time in Germany’s largest and most diverse city.
Berlin, at some point, became synonymous with the word “cool”. A special kind of cool. Something very, well. Berlin. It’s hard to put your fi nger on it but Berlin just has its very own style and fl air, not surprising given the city’s long tradition of being a creative and capital hub.
The locals in Berlin do like to remind the world that the city was once a cultural hotspot and a liberal, free city in the 1920s, before history took over. Berlin today is the type of Bohemian capital that once made many artists, philosophers and writers famous.
Regular visitors for either business or pleasure will undoubtedly struggle with words
GETTING THERE
BY AIR: Ryanair and Aer Lingus both direct from Dublin to Schönefeld. From there it is a quick cab ride or S-Bahn to the city centre.
TRAVEL OSLO WHERE TO
when trying to explain why they love this city of 3.5 million people so much.
The most refreshing thing about Berlin for the business traveller, beside its great hotels and outstanding meeting/ conference facilities dotted throughout, is that when it’s pens down that very cool, creative undercurrent can make a work trip seem just that little more like play.
Though the city is alluring throughout the year, there’s something particularly sublime about an autumn visit, all the cosy bar banquettes, the golden light and the locals’ penchant for oversized outerwear, while in winter during those long dark nights there’s one thing that just about everyone looks forward to in Berlin: Christmas markets.
So with such a long list of things to see and do, where do you start?
MEET... Hotel am Steinplatz It’s in the chic Charlottenburg district, so it’s very easy to get around to meetings in the city centre and it’s just a couple of kms from the ICC Exhibition Grounds. Its meeting/conference facilities are superb, with two large event rooms and a number of smaller meeting rooms. hotelsteinplatz.com
EAT... Facil Located at Potsdamer Straße 3, this fine-dining eatery has just the right ingredients for an important business dinner or lunch. It has two Michelin stars and is set within the most amazing oasis right in the heart of the city. facil.de/en/
SLEEP... The Ritz-Carlton If you’re organising large events, this five-star hotel is exemplary – with the opulent Grand Ballroom sure to impress delegates. But even for regular business travellers, the luxurious surrounds and superb amenities make it a popular choice. ritzcarlton.com/en
SEE... Brandenburg Gate The most iconic landmark of the city. While you’re ogling the magnificent architecture of the gate, however, don’t forget to take in the elegant Pariser Platz as well. visitberlin.de/en/ brandenburg-gate
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KNOW before you go
BIKING Berlin is famous for its broad and safe cycle lanes. There are dozens of great cycling tours that you can take advantage of and take a spin. A great way to see the city.
TRANSPORT Berlin's public transportation system is world-renowned and is the best way to travel this sprawling German city. Ride the UBahn, SBahn, trams, buses or even catch a ferry.
FESTIVALS Berlin is famous for its hosting of international music, art, culture, food festivals all year round. Check local listings before you go or when you arrive. Karneval der Kulturen (2-5 June) is one the bigger street festivals.
CHRISTMAS MARKET Gendarmenmarkt For a bit of the traditional in a beautiful setting, especially at night as the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall) and nearby churches and buildings are lit up. Gift stands tend to be handicraft-oriented or luxury-focused.
Museuminsel
Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe
PARKS Berlin is one of the greenest (and most cyclefriendly) cities in Europe, thanks in part to the serious square footage of Tempelhof Feld. Set on the site of a former Nazi airport, this park is lined with pathways ideal for an afternoon stroll or a more ambitious bike ride.
If it’s late autumn foliage you’re after, Tiergarten is one of the city’s most elegant options. On the weekends you can hunt for vintage finds at Berliner Trödelmarkt, the oldest flea market in Berlin, or head to one of Berlin’s buzzing farmer’s markets. Winterfeldt Markt in Schöneberg is one of the best, with fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and lots of snacks. Use a cloudy day to dig into Berlin’s art scene. Berlin’s art scene isn’t just about cutting edge art – it’s also about unexpected gallery spaces.
CULTURE Berlin is a world leader when it comes to culture. It has an annual cultural budget of almost €1 bn per year. Some of Europe’s finest museums are clustered on the Unescolisted Museum Island in central Berlin, all within easy walking distance so you don’t even need to use the excellent public transport system.
The interesting thing about Berlin is how the past keeps sticking out of its eclectic mix of architectural styles. The soaring Fernsehturm – the television tower – in Alexanderplatz recalls East Berlin’s modernist aspirations.
Berlin is a city where nothing stands still for long, and, over the last few years, the city has become a magnet for a new breed of young, contemporary artists, whose influence has
Hackesche Höfe
been felt nationwide. The Hamburger train station, a monument to industry, has been converted into the Museum für Gegenwart, a temple of modern art.
At the same time, Berlin’s Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg have become home to a modern gallery scene which often provokes international interest.
The numbers are mightily impressive: Berlin has three opera houses, over 1,500 theatres and stages, more than 175 museums and collections, roughly 300 galleries, in excess of 250 public libraries, 130 cinemas and a multitude of other cultural possibilities. Meanwhile, Berlin’s nightlife scene is legendary, and for good reason: never-ending nightclubs and anything-goes attitude. There’s a very good spread of establishments, from oldschool corner pubs (kneipen) and smart wine bars to grungy indie bars and live gig venues. Although difficult to choose, the best areas for nightlife are still Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, not to mention sprawling Kreuzberg. Friedrichshain is popular too. All of these districts are in the eastern part of the city. There you will find countless small and hip nightclubs.
