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As one of Europe's most quickly-changing cities, Berlin has a lot to offer those who are visiting, whether you're stopping in for just a few days for a weekend break or you're staying for week.
Here's what you need to know if you're planning a weekend break in Berlin.
Arriving for your weekend break in Berlin
Weekend hotel deals in Berlin:
Hecker's Hotel Berlin is located on Grolmanstrasse, just steps from the Kurfurstendamm (also known as the Ku'damm), Berlin's upscale and central shopping district. In 2009, the hotel has made a number of improvements to each room, including bathroom renovations and new flat screen LCD televisions. Breakfast buffet is included with many room packages, including the Berlin weekend package, starting at 162 EUR/person, which also includes a bottle of sparkling wine and a Berlin-Welcome-Card for free public transportation and discounts on nearby attractions.
For a late-night meal:
After arriving, make your way to the chic Mitte area for a meal at Weinbar Rutz, serving food late for post-theatre customers. The weinbar's first floor serves up more traditional German fare a la carte with equally delicious wines upstairs, which is the weinbar's fine dining, Michelin-star experience with set course meals.
Day 1 of your weekend away in Berlin
After breakfast, make your way to either the Kulturforum or Museuminsel district for a morning of learning and inspiration at one of Berlin's famous museums. The Kulturforum features the Art Gallery, the New National Gallery, and the Arts and Crafts Museum while Museminsel, a World Heritage Site, offers five internationally recognized museums: the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalier, the Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum.
After a morning of culture, make your way to nearby Potsdamer Platz for a late lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring one of the newest city centers of the city and its historical attractions. Steps from Potsdamer Platz, you'll find the Checkpoint Charlie attraction and museum. Another block or two away, you'll also find a stretch of the Berlin Wall next to the Topography of Terror outdoor museum.
For a late afternoon tea or coffee, or if you're looking to do some shopping during your weekend break in Berlin, be sure to spend some time on the Ku'Damm and in its famous department store, KaDeWe, where the food stalls and shops allow you to relax for the rest of the afternoon.
For dinner, consider taking the train to nearby Wolfsburg to dine at the Ritz Carlton's famous AQUA restaurant: one of the best restaurants in the world.
Day 2 of your weekend away in Berlin
After breakfast at Hecker's, make your way to Gendarmenmarkt for one of the most stunning architectural squares in the city: the Konzerthaus Berlin and the twin cathedrals of the Deutscher Dom and Franzosische Dom. Best enjoyed with a coffee from the steps of one of these gorgeous buildings.
Next, make your way up to Unter den Linden and walk west while enjoying the shops and the Linden trees to finish at the Brandenburg Gate: the symbol of Berlin and Germany. Once you've finished posing with street entertainers and storm troopers, make a final stop at the Reichstag for a panoramic view of the city before you leave.
Hop-on, Hop-off: If it's your first time in Berlin, there's a lot to see and do if you've got 48 hours or less. The best way to see it in a short time is to hop on a double-decker bus like Berolina Sightseeing. For 20 EUR, you get a hop-on hop-off pass that lasts for 24 hours from purchase. From 10am to 6pm, the bus travels through Berlin's top sights with a guided audio tour. Kristel Van Winkel
