The number one city on my travel wishlist for 2015 was Berlin. Despite its great reputation, impressive history and affordable travel costs, I had never managed to drop by. But before I could make any visiting plans last year, suddenly (blog) work allowed me to go there 4 times! Alas, business trips are usually super short, so apart from the wandering that I did in a couple of hours of free time I still haven’t really visited the city.
That’s why my friends and I are going on a fun girl trip to Berlin in March! Being the Hurts superfans that we are, we booked tickets for their Berlin show and decided to stay a little longer to finally discover the city. We haven’t decided on our accommodation yet, but will probably go for an affordable Airbnb apartment.
Because it’s our “first” time there, I wanted to ask you guys for some see/shop/coffee/food tips! And in exchange for these, I’ll share a few tips from my last visit too… Shoot!
Stay: 25 Hours Bikini Berlin
Enter hipster walhalla. Literally every plant, toilet seat and work desk is Instagram-worthy at the 25 Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin. And I haven’t mentioned the stunning views on the Berlin zoo yet! Half of the rooms look out on the monkey cages, and the same goes for the top floor which houses the extremely cool Monkey Bar and top-notch lunch/dinner spot Neni. This hotel really makes you forget about visiting the city: you just want to stay inside and enjoy this place to the fullest. True story.
Eat: DUDU
When I was in Berlin for Levi’s, sweet Sarah introduced us to DUDU, an achingly trendy Asian fuse lunch and dinner place. We ordered a few sushi rolls to share (delish!) and I couldn’t resist the fresh seafood bowl. I mean: raw salmon, tuna, white tuna, cooked freshwater shrimp, shrimp tempura and Japanese egg on a bed of warm sesame rice, wildflower bloom salad, guacamole and salsa roja… This left me speechless. Definitely coming back here!
Shop: The Store
The Store is a new “hybrid retail, art and hospitality lifestyle concept” from Soho House Berlin. This ridiculously cool place has some ridiculously cool brands (that sometimes come at ridiculous price tags) worth checking out. My wallet doesn’t allow me to go crazy at the Proenza Schouler and Balenciaga racks either, but at least stop by to browse through their huge collection of fashion books, have a haircut at the barber shop or just sip from a coffee in a super inspiring environment. You’ll spend hours here, I promise.
Okay, now it’s your turn! Where should I sleep, eat, shop, visit and have coffee in Berlin?