Berlin, Germany — Activities
Berlin Culture
In the decade or so since the fall of the Wall, Berlin has emerged as one of Europe's most culturally vibrant cities, infused with a unique blend of Western and Eastern European cultures. There are world-class theater and opera performances and a comprehensive array of museums and galleries to choose from. Beyond this, there are all the expressions of the counterculture for which Berlin is famous, particularly in Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain.
Tickets to cultural events are available from Visit Berlin (tel: (030) 250 025; www.visitberlin.de) or directly through most venues. Tourist information offices sell tickets for the day's events at up to 50% reduction.
Music
Philharmonie
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is renowned worldwide and its sublime performance space, the Philharmonie, matches their reputation. Within the venue, the Kammermusiksaal der Philharmonie hosts chamber players, soloists and small orchestras.
Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1, 10785 Berlin
Tel: (030) 2548 8999.
Website: www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
Staatsoper Unter den Linden
The premier venue for opera, ballet and concerts was built in the 18th century, as the Court Opera House. Today, the State Opera House is under the artistic and musical direction of Daniel Barenboim and stages classical and modern opera, as well as ballet, operettas and concerts.
Unter den Linden 7, 10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 2035 4555.
Website: www.staatsoper-berlin.de
Theater and Dance
Berliner Ensemble
The neo-baroque Berliner Ensemble was built before the turn of the century, as the Neues Theater. It was taken over by Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel and its resident company continues to show performances from Brecht's works, as well as classical and modern pieces, making it a place of homage for any Brecht fan.
Bertolt-Brecht-Platz 1, 10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 284 080.
Website: www.berliner-ensemble.de
Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
For non-conformist and unconventional theater and dance, the Volksbühne (‘people's stage') is one of the top venues in Berlin and its modern reinterpretation of drama and productions of new writing are often the talk of the town. Performances are normally only in German, however.
Linienstrasse 227, 10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 240 655.
Website: www.volksbuehne-berlin.de
Berlin Tours
Walkingtours
Walking tours are a great way to see the historical center of Berlin. Insider Tour offer three- and four-hour daily walking tours that cover all the major sites, such as the Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz and the Reichstag. Free walking tours are offered by New Berlin Tours who use local students to act as guides on a tips-only basis.
Insider Tour
Tel: (030) 692 3149.
Website: www.insidertour.com
New Berlin Tours
Tel: (030) 5105 0030.
Website: www.newberlintours.com/nbt
Bustours
A cheap and simple way for visitors to see the sights in Berlin is to board bus 100 as the bus journeys from the center of west Berlin to the east, traveling through the Tiergarten and passing the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate. Guided bus tours are available from a number of companies, which are significantly more expensive for a hop-on, hop-off tour. Pick them up from Alexanderplatz, outside the Park Inn Hotel.
Boat tours
Berlin's Spree River runs through the center of the city and many of the German capital's must-see sights are right on it, from the Museum Island to the Berliner Dom. The place to pick up tour boats is at the far end of Unter den Linden where the Spree meets the western end of Alexanderplatz. Compare prices and check what languages the commentary is offered in - not all offer English.
Bike tours
Biking tours are very popular in Berlin as distances between east and west can add up quickly, and because Berlin is an exceptionally bike-friendly city, with fantastic provision for bike lines and very considerate drivers. Fat Tire Bike Tours offer some very interesting routes, including a ‘Berlin Wall & Cold War Tour' and a ‘Nazi Germany Tour'.
Tel: (030) 2404 7991.
Website: www.fattirebiketoursberlin.com
