Luxury Travel Guide to Berlin

For The Serene

Practically on the doorstep of our property in Potsdamer Platz, the Grosse Tiergarten is Berlin's luscious equivalent to London's Hyde Park and New York's Central Park. The centuries old royal hunting ground reflects Berlin's propensity for transformation and regeneration, from its early French influences to the Capability Brown inspired Englisher Garten. This vast oasis on your doorstep is a perfect opportunity to take in the scenery. Take some time out to admire the finely cultivated gardens and small lakes, and find your own perfect spot of seclusion.

For something a little more carefully crafted, seek out the Botanischer Garten. Second only to London's Kew Gardens in size, Berlin's botanical gardens might be even more diverse. Four hundred years of cultivation and the deliberate sourcing of plants from around the world has led to an enormous and varied landscape. Much like the equally alluring Gärten der Welt, plants are arranged by country as well as by type, including small forests replete with streams and quaint footbridges. Lose yourself in the 43 hectares of lush green space, and admire the period greenhouses somehow preserved from the 19th century.

If you're looking for something a little more urban and a little less urbane, seek out the Prinzessinnengarten near Moritzplatz, in the trendy district of Kreuzberg. Derelict and destitute until 2009, the relatively modest plot of land is now a thriving urban garden complete with bar and cafe. As well as being a great place to relax, the garden's ethos (teaching locals how to grown their own food) and prime position makes it a great place to socialise in a growing creative quarter. Grab a cheap and healthy lunch, buy some freshly grown produce for a bit of home cooking, or take a tour with one of the site's founders to get into the community spirit.

It wouldn't be Berlin without some strange amalgam of the two, either. Viktoriapark is a true urban park, sprouting up at an otherwise dull intersection in the fashionable district of Kreuzberg. The park formed around a Prussian monument to a Napoleonic battle, and offers excellent views from its elevated position. An artificial waterfall modelled on a popular Polish retreat makes for a beautiful backdrop to drink some of the locally grown wine. The limited reserve was once used for special gifts, but can now be yours for a very modest donation.

For The History Buff

If there's one thing Berlin doesn't lack for, it's history. Checkpoint Charlie and The Topography of Terror offer important windows into the city's difficult past, but are often packed with daytrippers. For a slightly more secluded history lesson, consider visiting the Olympiastadion, and the lesser known site of the Olympic Village.

Repurposed as the home of football team Hertha Berlin and host to several finals, the Olympic Stadium on Berlin's outskirts still stands as a testament to the twisted, brutalist vision of the wartime regime. The neighbouring Maifeld, once home to the games' ceremonies and a desperate last battle for the city, now houses the official Berlin Cricket Club. Aside from the running track and the missing swastika on the towers which flank the entrance, little has changed since 1936. See the original swimming pools and Greek style amphitheatre, the engraved bell repurposed for Soviet target practice, and the plaques commemorating Jesse Owens' infamous quadruple gold, a fitting riposte to Hitler's vision for the games.

While the stadium is still in use, the first ever permanent Olympic Village has long since been abandoned to the elements, with many of the buildings rendered unsafe. But thanks to recent efforts some have been restored, and tours are now available at certain times of the year. Occupied by Soviet forces until the end of the Cold War, murals and reliefs remain from both sides on the cavernous walls of its training facilities and restaurants. Visit the re-roofed swimming pool, see the gym with its original, tattered pommel horse, and walk around Owens' restored dormitory.

Elsewhere in the city's outer reaches is the lakeside villa at Wannsee, where the upper echelons of the Nazi hierarchy plotted the Final Solution while Jewish labourers tended to their lavish gardens. The contrast between the beauty of the site and the horrors that transpired within is striking, and is hammered home by the contents of the house. With English tours and placards, the museum offers a comprehensive insight into the history of the Jewish people in Germany, and how quickly and perniciously ideologies can take hold. Take time in the grounds to reflect on the beautiful lakeside surroundings, and how they couch this comprehensive view into the all too recent past.

Of course, there is more to German history than the torrid 20th century. You'll find a happier insight into the Prussian era of culture and engineering at the Spandau Citadel, an opulent fortress subsumed by the growth of the capital. Inspired by Renaissance architecture, the iconic red brick facade was considered impregnable on its construction in the 16th century. Enjoy its regular theatre shows and live music performances, including the summer's special Citadel Music Festival. Visit the former commander's residence for a whistlestop tour of the structure's royal history, or book a visit to the Queen's bastion to view 70 medieval Jewish gravestones, a fitting reminder of recent failures to erase the Jewish people's contribution to this ancient metropolis.

For The Tech Enthusiast

For a more modern and less divisive twist on history, explore the Deustcher Technikmuseum, the national catalogue of the last two hundred years of advances. Move from the Gutenberg press that changed the nature of communication to the development of Berlin as Germany's 'Elektropolis', with a black and white TV studio and details on the founding of industry giants such as Siemens.

Transport tycoons can enjoy the automobiles pioneered by German engineers, a range of historic locomotives and a 19th century Prussian river barge, along with a history of trading in the days of the empire. Take a tour of the hundred year-old brewery, visit the planetarium, and absorb Berlin's unique relationship with technology through the cold war with art deco television sets and planes from the Berlin airlift.

If you've brought the kids along or just miss your home console, check out the world-leading Computerspielmuseum, or computer game museum. A short journey from Alexanderplatz, the museum is a living document celebrating 50 years of the world's most popular pastime, and counts Hideo Kojima of 'Metal Gear', Nolan Bushnell of 'Pong' and late 'father of video games' Ralph Baer among its patrons. See a vacuum tubed goliath from the 1951 Berlin World Fair that claims to be the world's first video game, play on the original arcade version of Pong, and enjoy home consoles in living rooms complete with period decor.

Step back in time to experience the 1990s attempts at virtual reality, then try out the latest mind-bending gear. Play on a Soviet built machine that was behind the times before it was even built, and relax into some more modern games on the museum's giant screens. Then finish off with a tour through the collection of gleaming virtual photography and game-inspired paintings, before picking up something pixelated in the gift shop. Entertaining, enlightening and inclusive: it's Berlin in a nutshell.

For Aesthetic Admirers

Fans of the arts and architecture will find plenty to enjoy in the German capital. For a carefully curated tour of Berlin's lesser known marvels, check in with Niche Berlin. With tours that can be arranged through your concierge, you'll be shepherded through the city by a series of experts, with the sights tailored to your personal preferences. From brutalist to bauhaus, you'll experience the newest pop-up galleries, exhibitions and sculptures before most natives even know about them.

For the authentic Berlin experience, no trip is complete without a Sunday stroll to the Mauerpark. Fight hipsters for retro chic clothes and cultural curios at the famous flea market, and grab a pick-me-up from the good value bars and multi-kulti food booths. If you're feeling brave, round off the day with a bit of Falco or Nena at the karaoke show. It's certainly low-fi, but there's no better place to enjoy the bustle and beautiful variety of the capital and its populace.

Berlin specialises in the postmodern, and the Contemporary Fine Arts is a potpourri of modern marvels. The constantly rotating exhibitions include such luminaries as performance artist Jonathan Meese, the Tobias brothers and their takes on Romanian folklore, and Sarah Lucas' provocative self-portraiture. For something a little more experimental, track down the misleadingly titled Autocenter. The repurposed car body shop is soon to celebrate its 15th anniversary as an independent, not-for-profit exhibition space for up-and-coming visual artists. Acting "beyond the confines of curatorial concern and limitation," you're sure to see something that defies the standards of your usual gallery.

If the aural aesthetic of a good tune is more your thing, you can't miss the legendary Hansa Studios on Potsdamer Platz. A famous retreat for performers looking to rekindle their creative flame, Studio 1 and the acoustics of the Meistersaal (or 'Hall by the Wall') have played host to David Bowie, R.E.M, U2 and Iggy Pop among others. Tours can be arranged through your concierge, and can also include a combined package taking in the capital's best known clubs and famous musicians' old haunts. For the ultimate in wish fulfilment, you can even book one of the studios for a recording session or party. Beat that for a teambuilding venue!

No guide meanwhile would be complete without a cathedral, and the Berliner Dom delivers. Opened in 1905 as a reputed power move against the Catholic Church, the cathedral is believed to be the fourth iteration on the church since it first occupied the site in the 15th century. Damaged during WW2 and not fully restored until after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Dom has retained much of its former majesty. Enjoy the organ in its ornate alcove, tour the Hohenzollern crypt with its four centuries of German royalty, and climb to the top of the dome for a view only rivalled by the famous TV tower.

For The Fine Diners

Start your day at the heart of German democracy with breakfast at Käfer, the world's only public Parliamentary restaurant. The full breakfast is good value and comes highly recommended, but the benefits range beyond the food. Sitting on the terrace provides spectacular views of the city in the morning sunshine, and access to the restaurant extends to the Sir Norman Foster designed dome, with views down into the main Parliament chamber. Due to high demand and requisite security checks, you should book at least two days in advance.

For a slightly cosier alternative at breakfast or brunch, seek out Ungeheuer in trendy Neukölln. The rustic, candlelit cafe has the homely charm of an English tea room and vibrancy of a trendy cocktail bar. The food is equally dazzling, with ornately arranged platters of fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses, as well as an array of delicious homemade cakes. A coffee and a pastry here can be the perfect platform to explore the dynamic culture of this startup haven.

If you've been for a run in the Tiergarten or checked out Checkpoint Charlie, stop into Little Green Rabbit for lunch. Just along from the equally tempting Currywurst Museum (yes, really), their 100% organic menu includes fresh salads served with homemade bread and noodles, vitamin-packed super smoothies and tasty hot soups. It's proven so popular that it might be a bit busy, but don't fret: another one has popped up just a few blocks away on Jägerstrasse.

German food is wonderful, but it can sit a little heavy. If you're looking for a light dinner, Hugos has you covered. The restaurant atop the Hotel Intercontinental offers another beautiful panorama as well as a Michelin star. Renowned for several years now as Berlin's premier gourmet dining experience, the six course menu ranges from pigeon and caviar to shrimp and scallops. The vegetarian menu is considerably cheaper and equally delicious. Patrons also talked in hushed tones about the 'surprise' tasting menu; we imagine it's a pleasant one.

For an equally perfect way to end the day, it's hard to look past Dóttir. The brainchild of the team behind celebrity haunt Grill Royal and the Michelin star winning Pauly Saal is a quirky Icelandic eatery, serving fish so fresh you'd swear it was straight out of Hamburg. Head chef Victoria Eliasdóttir rough-houses with the usual crisp and delicate flavours of her home country, creating strange and delightful fusion dishes that promise a unique, multi-sensory experience. Dóttir didn't stay secret for long and has boomed in popularity since it launched in 2015, so booking ahead is crucial.

For The Nightlifers

What better way to begin an evening than with a slice of the Roaring Twenties? Berlin's Weimar period is notorious, and what Limonadier lacks in debauchery it makes up for in ambience. Just up the road from Viktoriapark, this hidden gem is among the capital's best cocktail bars, with a warm atmosphere and superb service. The drinks aren't bad either, with a 'wheel of aromas' and dozens of house specials on top of the more typical fare. A perfect way to begin a night, and if you lose your lustre for partying, also a perfect place to end it.

From the homely to the positively industrial, Tausend is about as exclusive as Berlin bars get. A graffitied steel door under a railway bridge leads into an underworld reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange. The German-Korean fusion food from the neighbouring cantina is well regarded, but Tausend is perhaps best as a spot to start the night, when the usually strict door policy is less readily applied. There are few trendier places to be seen sipping a cocktail from an unusually shaped container, and few experiences more unique.

For a high class alternative to the usual thumping dance music, drop by The Pearl on Fasanenstrasse. With a decadent waterfall and lighting evoking the war room from Dr. Strangelove, The Pearl feels exclusive without the dead air that usually entails. A mixed crowd, a smart dress code, good cocktails and a variety of R&B, hip hop and house music makes it an attractive and elegant destination for all comers. For a rowdier alternative, try Adagio. Famous for its pulsating themed parties and DJ battles, the dress code isn't strict, but they can be discerning about allowing in tourists. The crowd trends young, but a €350 VIP section can give you a blast of mainstream music along with a good seat.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can try your luck at the capital's most notorious and desirable establishment, Berghain. The best place for techno in Berlin is also the most picky, with no guest list, long lines and a bouncer who's collaborated with Hugo Boss. It also promises twelve hours of unrivalled partying in a unique former East German power station, and a clientele that styles itself as 'diverse and frictional'. We'll let you decide whether it's worth it.