Need some extra inspiration? Here are
11 of the best Berlin experiences, from
bunker tours to open-air swimming
SUMMER SOUNDS
If you ind yourself in Berlin on a weekend
during summer, head to Mauerpark. Here,
you’ll ind the popular Bearpit Karaoke, a
sort of gladiatorial arena where members of
the public come on stage to blast out their
favourite tunes. The concept, founded by Joe
Hatchiban, came to London for the irst time
in 2017, but this Berlin edition is the original
— and best. bearpitkaraoke.com
DOWN BY THE RIVER
There’s plenty of redevelopment going on
along the banks of the mighty Spree river. A
ine example comes in the form of Holzmarkt,
an old wood market that reopened in 2013 as
an urban village and creative hub, home to
everything from a co-working space and art
studio to a wine shop and bakery. A riverside
utopia in the city, this community project is
a welcoming space for alternative, creative
types. holzmarkt.com
GOING UNDERGROUND
Berlin certainly doesn’t shy away from its past.
There are relevant museums all over the city,
but for something a little more involved, head
to the Berliner Unterwelten for guided tours of
historic bunkers, anti-aircrat installations and
abandoned subway tunnels. All help build an
understanding of what it was like to be a
German citizen while Allied bombs rained
down on the city. berliner-unterwelten.de
KEBAB KINGS
The city is said to have as many as 4,000
stalls, restaurants and food trucks ofering
a version of the doner kebab, a fast food
favourite largely imported through the city’s
thriving Turkish community. Who serves the
best is the subject of debate, but Mustafa’s
Gemüse Kebap is hugely popular. If you don’t
fancy queueing, try one of the Rüyam Gemüse
Kebab outlets, which are just as tasty but not
quite so rammed. rueyam.de
MURAL MASTERCLASS
There are plenty of street art tours around the
city, but Alternative Berlin Tours ofers more
than most. Ater being shown around by a
street artist, participants are invited to a former
margarine factory for a hands-on course in
graiti techniques. alternativeberlin.com
The banks of the Spree
BELOW: Grafiti workshop with
AT A GLANCE Alternative Berlin Tours
October 2019 95BERLIN