The subway operates 24 hours a day, making weekends particularly exciting. Thanks to the thriving low-cost carrier market, many international visitors fly to Berlin for a party-filled weekend.
In particular, the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, home to many clubs and bars, is home to a plethora of street musicians, turning the entire city into one big playground. Berlin is a relatively safe city, but you should still be careful when walking around at night.
■Sunday
2am: Late-night dining
Burger Meister, a hamburger stand located under the train bridge near Schlesisches Tor Station, is a popular spot where people line up even into the night, whether they've been drinking all night at the bar or are heading to the club. This small takeaway shop was renovated from a former public toilet and serves hamburgers made with coarsely ground beef patties sandwiched between soft, sweet brioche-like buns. They're so delicious they'll blow away any guilt you might have about eating something like this in the middle of the night. They're open until 4am on weekends.
A location where a train runs over a bridge. There is a dining area in front of the shop.
Our recommendation is the chili cheeseburger topped with cheese and pickled jalapeños. Last year, they opened a second store in front of Kottbusser Tor Station.
9am: Dance at the club
Weekends are filled with partygoers, and you can hear the sound of bass echoing all over the city. At popular clubs, it's not uncommon to see queues of several hours just to get in.
If there's a club you've got your eye on, we recommend going on Sunday mornings when the crowds are quieter (though there are exceptions, of course). Many of Berlin's clubs open late on Saturday night and continue into the evening, with the famous Berghain usually keeping the party going until early Monday morning. Getting up early to go to a club is a unique experience you can only have here.
Berghain, the club known as the temple of techno
By the way, there's a camera called a Photoautomat that you can often find on street corners. This is similar to what we call a Purikura in Japan, and is a Berlin specialty where you can insert a coin to take a black and white (they now also have color!) passport-style photo. Why not take a photo as a memento after the party?
It looks just like a Japanese passport photo machine
You can take four different photos at once
1pm: Sunday brunch and shopping at the market
The antique market at nearby Arkonaplatz is a popular spot among antique lovers, thanks to its many well-maintained items. Also, on sunny days from spring to summer, you should definitely visit Thai Park, a park known as Preusenpark, where Thai people gather to enjoy Thai food in a casual, picnic-like atmosphere. This hidden gem, popular among Berliners, serves authentic Thai food.
*Some markets may not be held depending on the season.
Antique stall at Mauer Park. There are many tourists, so prices can be a little on the high side.
The highlight of shopping at the Mauerpark flea market are the stalls selling handmade fashion accessories and jewellery. Chatting with the makers is also part of the fun.
There are also many food stalls. You can taste gourmet food from around the world
The staff are also very friendly
This is the so-called Thai Park held in Prussia Park
Thai people are serving food from their home country. The exotic atmosphere is incredible!
4pm: Berlin Wall
If you stroll around the city, you'll see that remnants of the famous Berlin Wall remain as an everyday sight. The East Side Gallery in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district is famous, where you can see graffiti by artists on the remains of the approximately 1.3km-long wall. However, there are also preserved parts of the wall all over the city, and traces of the division between East and West remain on the streets. Why not walk around while taking in these glimpses of history? You'll be even more captivated by the depth of the city of Berlin.
The East Side Gallery preserves approximately 1.3km of wall towering along the Spree River.
It's been 27 years since the fall of the wall. It has deteriorated and the graffiti has been repainted several times.
A city overflowing with hip and modernity! Spend a Friday in Berlin [A weekend in Berlin]
Enjoy Berlin's food and art! Spend a Saturday in Berlin [A weekend in Berlin]
In particular, the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, home to many clubs and bars, is home to a plethora of street musicians, turning the entire city into one big playground. Berlin is a relatively safe city, but you should still be careful when walking around at night.
■Sunday
2am: Late-night dining
Burger Meister, a hamburger stand located under the train bridge near Schlesisches Tor Station, is a popular spot where people line up even into the night, whether they've been drinking all night at the bar or are heading to the club. This small takeaway shop was renovated from a former public toilet and serves hamburgers made with coarsely ground beef patties sandwiched between soft, sweet brioche-like buns. They're so delicious they'll blow away any guilt you might have about eating something like this in the middle of the night. They're open until 4am on weekends.
A location where a train runs over a bridge. There is a dining area in front of the shop.
Our recommendation is the chili cheeseburger topped with cheese and pickled jalapeños. Last year, they opened a second store in front of Kottbusser Tor Station.
9am: Dance at the club
Weekends are filled with partygoers, and you can hear the sound of bass echoing all over the city. At popular clubs, it's not uncommon to see queues of several hours just to get in.
If there's a club you've got your eye on, we recommend going on Sunday mornings when the crowds are quieter (though there are exceptions, of course). Many of Berlin's clubs open late on Saturday night and continue into the evening, with the famous Berghain usually keeping the party going until early Monday morning. Getting up early to go to a club is a unique experience you can only have here.
Berghain, the club known as the temple of techno
By the way, there's a camera called a Photoautomat that you can often find on street corners. This is similar to what we call a Purikura in Japan, and is a Berlin specialty where you can insert a coin to take a black and white (they now also have color!) passport-style photo. Why not take a photo as a memento after the party?
It looks just like a Japanese passport photo machine
You can take four different photos at once
1pm: Sunday brunch and shopping at the market
The antique market at nearby Arkonaplatz is a popular spot among antique lovers, thanks to its many well-maintained items. Also, on sunny days from spring to summer, you should definitely visit Thai Park, a park known as Preusenpark, where Thai people gather to enjoy Thai food in a casual, picnic-like atmosphere. This hidden gem, popular among Berliners, serves authentic Thai food.
*Some markets may not be held depending on the season.
Antique stall at Mauer Park. There are many tourists, so prices can be a little on the high side.
The highlight of shopping at the Mauerpark flea market are the stalls selling handmade fashion accessories and jewellery. Chatting with the makers is also part of the fun.
There are also many food stalls. You can taste gourmet food from around the world
The staff are also very friendly
This is the so-called Thai Park held in Prussia Park
Thai people are serving food from their home country. The exotic atmosphere is incredible!
4pm: Berlin Wall
If you stroll around the city, you'll see that remnants of the famous Berlin Wall remain as an everyday sight. The East Side Gallery in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district is famous, where you can see graffiti by artists on the remains of the approximately 1.3km-long wall. However, there are also preserved parts of the wall all over the city, and traces of the division between East and West remain on the streets. Why not walk around while taking in these glimpses of history? You'll be even more captivated by the depth of the city of Berlin.
The East Side Gallery preserves approximately 1.3km of wall towering along the Spree River.
It's been 27 years since the fall of the wall. It has deteriorated and the graffiti has been repainted several times.
A city overflowing with hip and modernity! Spend a Friday in Berlin [A weekend in Berlin]
Enjoy Berlin's food and art! Spend a Saturday in Berlin [A weekend in Berlin]
