Bridal Guide: From foodies to fashionistas, art lovers to bar hoppers, everyone is buzzing about Berlin. What do you love about it?
Catrin Soldo: Berlin is the most exciting city in Europe right now. What I love most is the laid-back atmosphere — it’s almost like a Mediterranean city, with people hanging out in cafés, in parks and by the river. It’s also diverse and still very affordable, which means artists and designers are able to live, work and create here.
Photo Credit: ©VisitBerlin, Wolfgang Scholvien
BG: What are some of your favorite neighborhoods?
CS: My absolute favorite neighborhood is Kreuzberg — it’s beautiful, lively, cool and very relaxed, all at the same time. You’ll find an amazing mix of people, from those who used to live here in the “wild” ’70s and ’80s before the end of the Cold War, to young families, Turkish immigrants, hipsters and more. Mitte is another great area; it’s got a lot of the important tourist sites and buildings, but also tons of small shops and art and design studios in between.
Photo courtesy of Strandbar Mitte/Beachbar Mitte
BG: What are some must-do local activities?
CS: Riding a bike is the easiest and most beautiful way to explore the city and to get to know the DNA of Berlin; you can rent bikes at almost every corner for just 8 to 10 euros a day. If the weather is bad, check out museums like the hamburger Bahnhof, a converted 19th-century train station-turned-contemporary art museum, or the Gemäldegalerie, which has the world’s leading collection of European paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries (smb.museum).
Photo Credit: ©VisitBerlin, Wolfgang Scholvien
Photo Credit: ©VisitBerlin, Stijn Nieuwendijk
Photo Credit: Lluís Ribes Mateau
BG: Where should travelers head for romance?
CS: Rent a boat (available with or without a skipper) for a scenic sail on the River Spree; you can also book a delicious picnic or barbecue. A must-visit sunset picnic spot is Tempelhofer Feld, the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, which has been turned into a popular public park. It’s so romantic there, and somehow it feels like you’re by the sea. Take a stroll through the historic village of Rixdorf in the Neukölln neighborhood, where you’ll find an oasis of old farmhouses, cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens such as the Comenius Garden. Or take in the stunning city views from the lively Klunkerkranich Rooftop Café, also in Neukölln, which has a working urban garden.
Photo Credit: ©VisitBerlin, Ferran Porta
Next: Top hotels, restaurants, and more ►
BG: What hotels are honeymoon worthy?
CS: I recommend the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin (room rates start at $300 a night), one of the most famous hotels in Berlin. It has charming interiors, a relaxing spa and Michelin-star restaurant. It’s located right next to Brandenburg Gate and the Tiergarten and just a couple of minutes away from historic sites such as the Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Museum Island.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Adlon Kempinski
CS: For something modern and trendier, the 25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin (room rates start at $157 a night) in City West has glass-walled rooms with colorful hammocks, plus the hopping Monkey Bar, which overlooks the Berlin Zoo.
Photo Credits: Stephan Lemke for 25Hours Hotels
BG: What are your favorite places to eat — and what must visitors try?
CS: You’ll find so many great options here and cuisines from all over the world. Masaniello is owned by a Neapolitan family and has some of the best pizza in Berlin (and a lovely beer garden in the summer), and Princess Cheesecake serves delicious sweets in the heart of Mitte. Every Sunday in the spring and summer, you’ll find groups of Thai families sitting under colorful umbrellas cooking and selling delicious curries and Thai specialties at the Thai Wiese in Preussenpark in Charlottenburg. And head to Street Food Thursday at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, where delectable tastes and goodies from around the world are served in a fun setting.
Photo Credit: ©VisitBerlin, Markthalle 9 Vlad Trifa
BG: Any other insider tips for enjoying the city?
CS: Always buy museum tickets in advance and reserve a time slot, so you can skip the lines and just enjoy the art — that’s how locals do it. If you want to party like a Berliner, remember that nightlife here starts very late (so have a late dinner, then hit the bars and clubs afterwards), and that the city is so laid back, you don’t ever need to dress up.