Everybody knows that Berlin is one of the edgiest city in Europe, but if you’re looking for the real off-beat experience check out some of these – they are the 6 unique things you can do in Berlin. Are you ready for squat-house cinema, underground supper clubs, partying in a power station and more?
5 unique things to do in Berlin
You should also check out:The Ultimate Guide to Berlin
1. Swim or Sweat at Badeschiff
One of Berlin’s best swimming pools, the Badeschiff (which means bathing ship), is surely also one of the quirkiest swimming pools in the world. Originally created as an art project and solution to living in a polluted city by local artist Susanne Lorenz, today Badeschiff is a cool water oasis in the middle of the city in summer and a sauna and heated pool in winter. Just one note: German sauna culture typically requires full nudity and the staff are pretty strict about it ?
A post shared by Badeschiff Berlin (@badeschiff_berlin) on Sep 25, 2016 at 3:57am PDT
Address: Eichenstrasse 4, 12435 Berlin
Website: www.arena-berlin.de
2. Spreepark, a decadent amusement park
This decaying amusement park, hidden in Treptower Park, was originally opened in 1969 when the main attraction was the famously tall Ferris Wheel of Berlin. After the fall of the wall, the park went bust and Norbert Witte re-opened it as Spreepark in 1991. However, this Witte dude managed to accumulate millions of German francs of debt and he was arrested while trying to smuggle approximately 14 million dollars (!!!) worth of cocaine from Peru to Germany. Nobody knows what will happen to the park, but you can still enjoy the site and occasionally there are tours and events taking place here.
A post shared by Spreepark Berlin? (@spreepark) on Feb 18, 2016 at 6:19am PST
Address: Kiehnwerderallee 1–3, 12437 Berlin
Website: www.spreepark.de
3. Squat movies
Is it just me, or abandoned houses and decaying properties always have a huge appeal? Ever dreamt of a weekend as a squatter? I did. And in Kreuzberg (where else?) the punk squat KØPI 137 hosts movies every Monday and Thursday night, while New Yorck 59, in Bethanien Haus, hosts Latino Kino on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. In Friedrichshain, Filmrisz organises loads of events, including a summer festival that offers children activities, food stalls, art and music. If that’s not a unique thing to do in Berlin, I don’t know what is!
A post shared by Helen Soteriou. London ?? (@helentakespictures) on Nov 19, 2016 at 5:21am PST
Addresses:
KØPI 137: Köpenicker Str. 137, Kreuzberg
New Yorck 59: Mariannenplatz 2, Kreuzberg
Filmrisz Rigaer Str. 103, Friedrichshain
Website an interesting place to get to know the squat culture and get an idea of the type of events www.stressfaktor.squat.net
4. Supper Clubs in Berlin
If you are a foodie like me, you must love this growing “underground” culture of the supper-clubs that is spreading around the world like a good virus. I participated to a few in London and my sources friends in Berlin, swear by the followings.
– Daniel’s Eatery is a culinary project space offering sporadic lunches & dinners, classes & workshop organised by the innovative German chef; – Mother’s Mothers, is another incredible initiative which started inviting refugees to cook local specialities in 2016;
Muse, a supper-club-turned-restaurant that serves their regular menu from Monday to Friday and then organise events or host guest chefs to cook a 8 courses special menu.
A post shared by Muse Berlin (@museberlin) on Nov 17, 2016 at 6:35am PST
5 . Urban farming
Like in Milan and many other cities in Europe and beyond, also in Berlin, there is a huge urban-gardening-revolution happening. In fact, Detlev Zastrow, who founded the urban farm right in the middle of Kreuzberg, was inspired by an event which happened over 30 years ago. While he was about to kill a sheep in front of some children, the horror in the kids’ eyes stopped him from doing so, but also informed him of the need to educate children about nature, animals and their relationship with humans. Today, at the farm, there are horses, sheep, goats, turkeys, hens, pheasants, rabbits and ducks that children can visit and take care of by being part of the cooperative.
Address: Franz-Künstler-Straße 10, 10969 Berlin
Website: www.deutsche-schreberjugend.de
6. Kraftwerk Berlin
Kraftwerk is an abandoned power plant that has been ingeniously transformed into an industrial and underground venue and is also home to the legendary techno nightclub Tresor. Today, expanding and innovating Kraftwerk Berlin also hosts art installations, events and various gigs. I wish they did something like this with London’s Battersea Power Station but everybody knows that Berlin cares more about art and culture than business-obsessed-London, right?
A post shared by Kraftwerk Fanpage (@kraftwerkpage) on Apr 2, 2015 at 1:09pm PDT
Address: Kopenicker Strasse 70, 10179, Berlin.
Website: www.kraftwerkberlin.de
You should also check out:5 Coolest Bars in Berlin
What are your favorite unique things to do in Berlin?
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