Berlin

Your critical guide to hotels, restaurants and going out in Berlin

Written by local experts

What's on in Berlin

Gigs and clubbing

A strong contender for best club in the city, if not Europe. In basic terms, it's a techno club in a former power station, but it has to be experienced to be fully understood.

Stage and screen

The most exciting stage programming in the city is currently coming from the amalgamation of the century-old former Hebbel Theater (HAU1), Theater am Hallesches Ufer (HAU2) and Theater am Ufer (HAU3).

Exhibitions

Cosying up to where the Wall once stood (there is still a short, pitted stretch running along the south side of nearby Niederkirchnerstrasse), the Martin-Gropius-Bau is named after its architect, uncle of the more famous Walter.

Hot list: restaurants & cafés

Critic's choice

Festivals & events in Berlin

  • Berlin's cultural calendar

    Berlin's impressive calendar of extravaganzas includes an international film festival and a multicultural carnival of culture.

Editor's picks

Labyrinthine clubbing mecca

Sage Club
Clubs

A warrenous complex of half a dozen or so dance floors caters to Berlin's fashion-conscious crowd.

French flair, local labels

Galeries Lafayette
Shops

Great clothes, frequent sales and up-and-coming Berlin designers at this state of the art department store.

Chic, cheap and cheery dining

Monsieur Vuong
Restaurants

Something of an institution, Monsieur Vuong serves fresh and tasty Vietnamese soups and noodles.

Major attractions

Holocaust memorial

Attractions

Peter Eisenmann's 'Field of stelae' – 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in undulating rows – pays tribute to the Holocaust's Jewish victims.

Reichstag

Attractions

Home to the Federal German parliament, the Reichstag was remodelled in 1999 by Sir Norman Foster. His fine dome affords great city views.

Jewish Museum

Museums

Architecht Daniel Libeskind's remarkable building provides powerful surroundings for equally powerful exhibitions.