August 22nd, 2015

So, word on the street is that Berlin is fast becoming the most visited city by tourists in Europe. It's third behind London and Paris and is still climbing! Here are our top 7 things not to miss on your trip to Berlin…

Try your hand at Ping-Pong

One bar, one sound system, one table tennis table. Dr Pong is one of the most original and fun bars in Berlin, no matter what your age or skill. It's fast-paced fun with a fantastic atmosphere, and the kind of place you wouldn't find anywhere else but in Berlin. The music is good, the beer is cold, and everyone's friendly - regulars who have been coming here every week for years.

Brandenburg Gate

A trip to Berlin wouldn't be complete without some historic culture. Built in the late 1700s, the Brandenburg Gate is the only surviving city gate of Berlin. Used as one of the Berlin Wall crossings, the gate became a site of protest during the division of Germany and a place of celebration when the wall fell in 1989. Today it is fully restored and is the symbol of not only the turbulent history of the region but also the reunification of East and West Berlin.

Find more than you bargained for…

If you want to know where the residents of Berlin go every Sunday, it's Mauerpark. You can find pretty much anything there - furniture, clothes, accessories, instruments, art and the food is really something too. Keep your blood sugar up with Gefüllte Ecke (a 'filled corner', a square of spinach and cheese-filled pastry goodness). Once the crowds start piling in, pop over to the much quieter Arkonaplatz market or lunch at Kauf Dich Glücklich (the best waffles you'll find in Berlin), or Hüftengold (the best toasties).

Relax on the beach

You may already know that many of the lakes around the city have adequate beaches. However, Berlin also has many 'Strandbars' or 'beach bars' on offer during the summer next to its rivers. Refreshments, deck chairs, loungers, volleyball, it's all there. One of the best is Yaam, one of the biggest beach bars just off from the East Side Gallery, with ample room for beach games. Guys, this outfit makes for the perfect beachside look.

Breakfast on top of the Reichstag

I'm sure you'd plan to visit the Reichstag and climb its impressive glass dome walkway when you visit the German capital. The only problem is that you now have to register in advance online, and on the few occasions they allow visitors in without doing so the queues are horrendous. But if you book breakfast on top of the building, you skip the queues and can enjoy beautiful views over a hearty brekkie. If you fancy a new outfit for the occasion, head to one of our four Superdry stores around Berlin.

The Bathing Ship

A floating pool, sauna and bar on the River Spree in Treptow is a massive hit in both the summer and winter months. Enclosed in a cosy membrane out on the water you'll find two saunas (95 °C & 70 °C), swimming pool, rest area, massage rooms, lounge with a bar, and a great view of the skyline of Berlin. Visit at night for the ultimate way to recharge your batteries. Ladies, on top of your Superdry bikini, this crochet top and denim shorts are the perfect ensembles.

East Side Gallery

Often described as a memorial to freedom, the East Side Gallery is the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall still in existence, showcasing paintings of artists from around the world. The artwork, which began appearing in 1990, documents the changing time after the fall of the Berlin Wall as well as expressing hope for the future.

For more information on Berlin, check out the Lonely Planet guide.

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