Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PARK
VIKTORIAPARK
Platz der Luftbrücke)
Take a break in this unruly, rambling park draped over the 66m-high Kreuzberg hill, Berlin's
highest natural elevation. It's home to a vineyard, a waterfall and - at the top - a pompous
19th-century Karl Friedrich Schinkel memorial commemorating Napoleon's 1815 defeat. In
summer, locals arrive to chill, tan or have a beer at the
Golgatha
beer garden.
SQUARE
CHAMISSOPLATZ
On Saturday mornings, the entire neighbourhood turns out for Berlin's longest-running
or-
ganic farmers market
held on this pretty square framed by stately 19th-century town-
houses. With cobbled streets, old-timey lanterns and even an octagonal pissoir, the entire
square looks virtually unchanged a century on. No surprise that movie directors favour it as
an outdoor set for Old Berlin.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
ALL ABOARD THE BADESCHIFF
Take an old river barge, fill it with water, moor it in the Spree and voila:
Badeschiff
(
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
; 030-533 2030;
www.arena-berlin.de
;
Eichenstrasse 4; summer adult/concession
€5/3; 8am-midnight May-Sep, shorter hrs in winter; 265, Schlesische Strasse, Treptower Park)
- an artist-designed urban lifestyle pool that is the preferred swim-and-tan spot for
Berlin cool kids. With music blaring, a sandy beach, wooden decks, lots of hot bods
and a bar to fuel the fun, the vibe is distinctly 'Ibiza on the Spree'. Come early on
scorching days as it's often filled to capacity by noon. Or show up for sunset and
night-time parties or concerts. In winter, an eerily glowing plastic membrane covers
the pool and a deliciously toasty chill zone is set up, including sauna and bar.
