Misabel

At 7:30 in the morning I was wandering around the Alt-Stadt (Old City), with it’s city walls, towers and gardens. At that time it was deserted and I was almost completely alone (I kept bumping into a elderly man with a bavarian hat on, but he was very friendly and quiet). Later, big groups of tourists were racing up and down the steps and through the gardens. But alone in the morning it was like being in some book I read as a child. Had to imagine the stinky middle ages, though, as everything had been beautifully spit-polished, ‘restored’ to a pinky-golden glow that I don’t think it had even when new. It was a little like a stage set, but in exploring the tunnels, staircases and gardens there were some moments when I felt utterly delighted with the story-book beauty. It was peaceful, enchanting, and I had it all to myself! It was worth getting up early even after a late night. Go, set off early, simply roam around as though you were a child with a sense of adventure and I guarantee you will be charmed.

This was Albrecht Dürer’s city as well, although I recommend it for the old buildings rather than for Dürer’s house (now a museum) or for the tourist cult of Dürer which has been going strong for over a hundred years (however, the short film about Dürer in the museum was excellent).

Apart from the fact that my girlfriend lives here, there are great places to eat.

For example:

Take a tram to the Prenzlauer Allee/Danzigerstraße stop and go to the Arabian food place ‘Zweistrom’ – almost on the corner of Danzigerstraße and Kollwitzstraße. Fantastic vegetarian options! Try the ‘halloumi teller’. Good prices too.

Get off at the same tram stop using the M2 tram, and on the corner opposite find a reasonably priced Mexican place called La Paz. Cocktails are plentiful. Vegetarian mushroom nachos are really good.

‘Schall und Rauch’ on Gleimstraße is good, too… famous for its Sunday breakfasts. It’s ‘gay’ friendly. Prices not small, but this is Berlin, not Paris. I think it’s reasonable, though I don’t eat there a lot because I am always broke.

For cheap and very tasty and very fast Thai food, try Bankok Treffpunkt by taking the M2 tram again to Marienburgerstraße. It’s got a big yellow sign.

Find Kollwitz Platz for ‘Anna Blume’, excellent cakes! Not cheap however – Kollwitz Platz is the place to be in Prenzlauer Berg. Take your babies (it’s almost mandatory!) and your cash and go to the Saturday market