Hey Friends,

today we would like to introduce Berlins biggest Sport Clubs to you. Berlin offers a wide range of Sport Clubs. Such as Football Clubs, Ice Hockey Clubs, Basketball Clubs, Handball Clubs and so on… Some of these Clubs also play in the first German leagues. It is always a special event for us to visit a game, because the atmosphere in our Stadiums is fantastic!! Berlins Fan scene is quit large, as the smaller citys around Berlin don’t have any big Sports Clubs. So many people form the surroundings visit Berlin on the weekenend to see their favortie team playing. Also the entrance fee, compared to other Countrys, is pretty cheap.

Foto (vom Deutschen Volleyball Verband)

Hertha BSC

Hertha BSC is one of the oldest football Clubs in Germany. It was founded on Juli 25th 1892. The Home games are played at the “Olympiastadion”in Charlottenburg – Wilmerdorf. Unfortunately this team is not one of the stronger football Clubs in germany, the last time they have been German Champion was in 1931, but it is always great to be at a game. Their stadium can host up to 77.000 people. So its LOUD!! And the regular visiting Fans, especially the so called “Ostkurve”, direct great fan koreografi‘s. Tickets cost between 15 and 50€. To get there, you simply use the “U2″ Metro line. It will go all the way to the Olympic Stadium. Next match day in Berlin is the 29th of November. They will play against the current Germany Champion “Bayern Munich”.

Alba Berlin

Alba Berlin is the biggest and most successfull Basketball Club in Berlin and Germany. They have won the Cup for the last 2 years and have been German Champion for several times. Their home base is the “O2-World” right at Ostbahnhof Station. It can host up to 17.000 people. Tickets cost 8 – 70€. The next match day is Sunday the 23rd.

Eisbären Berlin

The “polar bears” berlin are the most successfull Hockey team in Germany. Since they have been founded in 1950, they have been 15 times GDR-Champion and 7 times German Champion. Their home base is also the “O2-World”. Tickets would cost 15 – 20€. Next match day is the 16th of November.

Füchse Berlin

The “foxes Berlin” are Berlins biggest Handball Club. handball is a pretty european Sport and not very famous overseas. But it is an intense Sport full of little fights and strain. If you havn’t seen a game yet, it might be time to visit one. Their home base is the “Max-Schmeling-Halle” Berlin. Just one metro stop away from the Hostel. Tickets would cost 8 – 30€. Next match day is the 16th of November.

If you need more Info about matchdays or how to get to the staduims, just ask us at the reception.

Enjoy your Berlin Stay!!

Upcoming events   in Berlin
So, what’s going on in Berlin in May?
There are some sweet events we would like to introduce you to.
First of all there is the Lange Nacht der Museen, meaning the long night of the museums. One ticket gets you into all participating museums, including the transportation in between them. It starts
on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from 6 p.m.  and ends at 2 a.m.
You can have a look yourself here to find out more
German football cup  – DFB-Pokalfinale takes place in Berlin at the Olympic stadium. You will probably not be able to get tickets, but then again, who wants to see Bayern München???  Nevertheless, you will see many tipsy football supporters throughout the city. Remember, yellow/black is Dortmund; red/white is Munich. Just a hint to avoid unnecessary cultural difficulties. Kickoff is at 8 pm and the game will be televised in every pub.
You aren’t interested in neither sport nor museums? No problem. How about
Zombie Run Berlin? 10000 zombies are expected to crawl from their graves to either collect flags or scare the s$%*t out of everyone. Well , zombies nowadays seem to be very competitive.
You can sing up here as a zombie
And here as a runner
Still nothing for you?
How about this: on May 20th David Bowie opens his exhibition in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum and Martin-Gropius-Bau. The emphasis will be on his most creative years which he spent in Berlin between 1976 and 1978. Tickets are 14€, reduced 10€, including state of the art Sennheiser headphones for your audio tour.
Modern art anybody?
Yes, we do have that too. The Biennale.
This festival takes place every 2 years and is mainly about contemporary art. This year the curators stress out the interaction between the city and its inhabitants. Ask Steffi at the reception. She is our expert in the art field or click here
Here is my last effort to get you to convince you:
The DMY is THE designer meeting point for everybody interested in well, design of course. Whether it is  furniture or social design. You will find very much exciting concepts in an exciting venue – the abandoned Tempelhof Airoprt. DMY opens in may 28th. click
Enjoy our city

Welcome to Berlinale – -the international Film Festival
Berlin is a multinational and cosmopolitan city and so is its film festival. Last year guests from over 120 different nations came to our enjoy Berlinale. It is also considered the largest publicly attended film festival worldwide. For 10 days you will have the possibility to spot your favourite directors and movie stars posing on the red carpet.
So, what should you know? Here’s your low-down
The Berlin Festival is divided into different film sections, each one with its own focus:
Competition: “Big” international movies are competing for the prestigious awards, the Silver and Golden Bear
Panorama: Independent art house productions and documentaries
German Kino: Latest productions from Germany, including feature and documentary films (all with English subtitles)
Forum: Experimental and cutting edge films, most of them from far-flung corners of the world
Generation: International film selection for kids and teenagers

Tickets:  Tickets may be purchased three days in advance. Tickets for repeat screenings of Competition movies may be purchased four days in advance. On the day of the screening, tickets are only available at the box offices of the cinemas themselves
Buy tickets at the central box offices
Potsdamer Platz Arkaden or Cinema International. Both are easily reachable with public transport
A limited amount of tickets can be also purchased online. Also 3 days in advance. Easiest is to print your tickets at our reception, alternatively you can pick them up  between 10.00 am and 7.30 pm ) at the Berlinale Internet Counter in the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden shopping centre by showing your printed confirmation and ID.
Tickets are between 9€ and  13€

There are numerous cinemas throughout the city screening movies. However I recommend the following for an unique experience:
Adria – built in the 50ies with an authentic style
Berlinale Palast – most prestigious red carpet, however a bit bleak and too modern
Delphi – very, very elegant, built 1949
Eiszeit – small, intimate. Located in a former squat
International – most probably the most beautiful cinema in Berlin
Zoo Palast – before reunification the center of Berlinale. Newly opened after 3 years of reconstruction

So, the days are getting shorter and darker. The only escape is to embrace every sunny minute and to go out.
1)    Russian Memorial in Treptow
Take the circle S-Bahn and get off at “Treptower Park”. The monument is one of three Soviet memorials built in Berlin after the end of the war. The Soviet War Memorial is a vast war memorial and military cemetery in Berlin’s Treptower Park.  If you haven’t been to Russia and you don’t plan on going there this might be the best spot to “feel” the soul of this country.
2)    Spreepark
an old abandoned GDR-era amusement park flanked by the River Spree at the edge of Treptower Park in Berlin. You might need to jump the fence. Spreepark has been left to rot for more than 10 years so expect some real creepy one eyed clowns.

3)    Teufelsberg
get off at S-Heerstrasse and walk into the forest toward the hills. What expects you is a abandoned spy station from the cold war. The gates of the former US spy station are locked and secured by a high fence. However, you might be lucky to sneak in through one of the holes as many Berliners consider getting in a kind of sport. Once you are in you will be rewarded by a zombie apocalypse thrill and a breathtaking view over the city.

4)    Grunewald
the biggest stretch of homogenous forest in Berlin.  It I she best getaway if you are sick of the city. It is situated in the far west of Berlin where you  will find the Teufelsberg  as well.

5)    Schloss Charlottenburg
Queen Sophie-Charlotte was the driving force behind this sprawling palace and garden complex (and gave her name to both building and district) – her husband King Friedrich I built it in as a summer home for his queen. Later kings also summered here. It was severely damaged during World War II, but has now been restored, and stands as the largest surviving Hohenzollern palace.
6)    Jewish Cemetery
Located in the district of Weißensee it is the second largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. It was established in 1880 and has roughly 100 acres. You can rent a kippa a t the entrance and explore this gem of Jewish life in Berlin.
7)    Weissensee and Orankesee
Next to the Jewish Cemetery lie 2 of the most peculiar lakes in Berlin. You can swim in both of them in summertime. However during winter you can have a mulled wine at on e of the kiosks surrounding the lakes. A stroll through this neighborhood will show you a completely different and not touristic part of the city. A bit further south of the lakes you will find “Sportforum Hohenschönhausen”, the center of the infamous DGR gold medal factory.

8)    Landwehrkanal
This is a 11 kilometre  long canal parallel to the Spree river built between 1845 and 1850. It connects Friedrichshain with Charlottenburg, flowing through Kreuzberg and Tiergarten.
Especially the part flowing through Kreuzberg is perfect for a stroll. Along the canal you find many cafes, shops and Turkish markets.

9)    Tempelhofer Freiheit
always my favourite, whatever the weather. This is an airport in the middle of the city. Best is, it is abandoned and therefore open to public. It is bigger than most of the towns our guests come from. Enjoy
10)    You would like more suggestions? Ask us at the reception. We make sure to find something awesome for you.

and here we go again: the almost complete list of all Christmas markets in Berlin

for all of you who need a little bit more a link to all

and here in English

Christmas Markets Berlin 2013

1.    Christmas market at Kollwitzplatz
02.12; 09.12; 16.12; 23.12.2013
Ökomarkt Kollwitzplatz, Kollwitzplatz
10405, Prenzlauer Berg
from 12.00 to 19.00
Organic Christmas market, Sundays only
2.    Lucia Christmas Market
25.11.2013 – 22.12.2013
Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstraße 97, 10435, Prenzlauer Berg
from Monday to Friday from 15.00 to 22.00
Saturday & Sunday from 13.00 to 22.00
Family-friendly Christmas market with daily cultural program
3.    Organic Christmas Market
01.12; 02.12; 08.12; 09.12; 15.12; 16.12; 22.12; 23.12.2013
Sophienstraße, Mitte
from 12.00 to 19.00
Christmas market with arts and crafts, organic products
4.    Berlin Christmas Tide Market
25.11.2013 – 29.12.2013
Platz vor dem Roten Rathaus (Berliner Rathaus), 10178, Mitte,
from Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 22.00
Saturday- Sunday from 11.00 to 22.00
24.12: closed
25.12; 26.12: from 11.00 to 21.00
Arts and crafts, up market snacks and food, traditional roundabouts for children and many more attractions

5.    Christmas Magic at
Gendarmenmarkt
25.11.2013 – 31.12.2013
Gendarmenmarkt, 10117, Mitte,
Daily from 11.00 to 22.00
Traditional Christmas goodies, delicious culinary delights, upmarket arts and crafts and a cultural program. Admission 1€.
6.    Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz
25.11.2013 – 6.1.2013
Alexanderplatz, 10178, Mitte
daily from 10.00 to 22.00
Christmas stalls, large ice-rink and daily program for the whole family
7.    Christmas Market at the Opernpalais
25.11.2013 – 26.12.2013
Opernpalais, Unter den Linden 5, 10117 Berlin, Mitte
from Monday to Thursday from 12.00 to 21.30
Friday to Saturday from 11.00 to 22.30
Sunday from 11.00 to 21.30
24.12: closed
25.12; 26.12: from 11.30 to 21.00
Small nostalgic market with arts and crafts and Christmas music program
8.    The Big Berlin Christmas Market
25.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Alexanderstraße von Jannowitzbrücke bis Alexanderplatz, 10178, Mitte,
from Monday to Friday from 13.00 to 22.00
Saturday & Sanday from 10.00 to 22.00
24.12: closed
9.    Weihnachtsmarkt an der Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche
25.11.2012 – 01.01.2013
from Sunday to Thursday
from 11.00 to 21.00
Friday & Saturday
from 11.00 to 22.00
10.    Winter World at Potsdamer Platz
Christmas market:
03.11.2012 – 04.01.2013
daily from 10.00 to 22.00
Advent Saturdays : from 10.00 to 24.00
24.12. from 10.00 to 16.00
Closed on 18.11 and 25.11
Potsdamer Platz, 10785 , Tiergarten
11.    Christmas Market at the
Schloss Charlottenburg
25.11.2013 – 26.12.2013
Platz vor dem Schloss
Charlottenburg, Charlottenburg
from Monday to Thursday from 14.00 to 22.00
from Friday to Sunday from 12.00 to 22.00
24.12: closed
Large and romantic Christmas market with craftwork, culinary delights, a music programme and children’s activities in front of the illuminated castle
12.    Spandau Christmas market
25.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Altstadt Spandau, 13597, Spandau
Monday to Thursday from 11.00 to 20.00
Friday from 11.00 to 21.00
Saturday from 11.00 to 22.00
Sunday from 11.00 to 20.00
with craftspeople, show program and gastronomy Place

13.    Christmas market at
Winterfeldtplatz
02.12; 09.12; 16.12; 23.12.2013
Winterfeldtplatz, Winterfeldtplatz  10785, Schöneberg,
from 11.00 to 19.00
Christmas products and arts and craft
14.    Alt-Rixdorf Christmas market
07.12.2013 – 09.12.2013
Richardplatz, Berlin, Neukölln
Friday from 17.00 to 21.00
Saturday from 14.00 to 21.00
Sunday from 14.00 to 20.00
Nostalgic Christmas market
15.    Christmas market Alt Köpenick
07.12.2013 – 16.12.2013
Köpenicker Altstadt, 12555, Köpenick
Monday to Friday.:from 14.00 to 20.00;
Saturday and Sunday: from 12.00 to 20.00
Christmas products and arts and crafts
16.    Märchenhafter Weihnachtmarkt am Jagdschloss Grunewald
08.12.2013 & 09.12.2013
Jagdschloss Grunewald
from 11.00 to 19.00

open air cinema Berlin (c) Hansken

Yes, it is summertime, and therefore the perfect time to watch a movie outdoors!

Berlin knows a lot of nice and cool open air cinemas. We would like to introduce to you 5 of our favorite ones.
A top 5 of open air cinema´s in Berlin:

1. Freiluftkino kreuzberg

This open air cinema is known for it´s international flair, because most of the movies are being shown in their original language with English subtitles. It has 600 seats and the tickets cost 6,50€.
As an extra in case it gets cold they provide blankets.
Where? Mariannenplatz 2, U-Bahn stop Kottbusser Tor.

2. Freiluftkino Friedrichshain

this open air cinema is located in a really nice park, and is even within walking distance from your hostel in Berlin, the Volkspark am Friedrichshain. Surrounded by big trees you will find yourself enjoying some of the greatest films from last year, and you almost forget that you are in the big city of Berlin. For more information and to see which films are being shown klick here: freiluftkino friedrichshain

3.Freliluftkino Mitte

this is a very small open air cinema, which will show all time favorites in original language with subtitles. Tickets  cost 5€. There are 75 seats, and you can buy drinks and snacks. Also you can bring your own food and drinks.

4. Freiluftkino Hasenheide
Located in the park Hasenheide, far away from the busy city! Tickets cost 6,50 €. check the program to look for films with OmU, original language with subtitles. It is a little bit further away from the hostel, but definately worthwhile the journey through the city. The park has a lot more to offer beside the cinema. bring your pick nick box and make a day trip out of it.

5.Sommerkino Kulurforum Potsdamer Platz
go here to experience the big city feel, watch a movie and while your at it you can enjoy the view over the Potsdamer Platz.
Tickets cost 7€ and there is space for 1000 visitors. Check their program here:

If you need help to check whether the open air cinema shows movies in English or with English subtitles, don´t hesitate and come ask us at the reception for advice.
We wish you a great summer in Berlin!

Berlin outdoors

Berlin doesn´t need to be expensive, you can save money and still enjoy sight seeing and hanging out. So why spend money on a fancy club or bar when you can just buy yourself a beer at any SPÄTI in Berlin and choose a spot from the list below to drink your beer and enjoy the real Berlin life!

1.    Freakshow at  Mauerpark

walk down the Schwedter Straße and then you will get there quite easily and fast. Here you can find yourself a nice spot on top of the hill. Watch the young, and older, crowd, from punks to yuppies, it is a peoples park. On the hill there are also a couple of nice swings you should try.

On sundays there is a fleamarket going on and it gets really crowded in the park!

2.    Watch naked people at Tiergarten park

Tiergarten is with his 520 acres Berlins biggest inner-city park. Located very central it is easy to reach by public transport or by bike. I would even recommend to go there on your bikes, because it is so big, it is almost like a forest! At the southwest of the park you can find the Berlin ZOO, which is also worth a visit!

Enjoy strolling around the park but watch out for the naked people, mostly men, sunbathing on one of the many loans. They are not dangerous, but they might scare you anyways! Find a spot underneath one of the many big trees the park has, lean back and relax!
3. Watch sporty people at Volkspark Friedrichshain
Drink your cold beer and watch other people sport at the sport-park Friedrichshain. Here there are many possibilities for recreation. There is a pit with sand where you can play beach volleyball, there is a selection of rocks you can climb on, and of course you can do any typical park sport from jogging to playing soccer.

4. Hasenheide park in Neukölln

Drug dealers and other scum are walking through the park day and night.  have a seat and watch what is going on! Better than watching TV!

Beside that, the park is really fine….there is an open air cinema, there are a couple of playgrounds, there is a vivarium and you can pick-nick there.

Easy to reach by public transport, just ask us at the reception if you need help with getting there!

5. Admiralsbrücke
On this bridge people get together in summer, during the evening to hang out, chat and drink a beer!

It is located in Berlins lively neighborhood kreuzberg, close by the U-bahnstop Kottbuser Tor.

As with all public space, please respect the neigbours and don´t make to much noise and equally important: clean up after yourselves!

Take care and have a blast exploring Berlin on a budget! If you are still looking for a bed in Berlin, just contact us!

Badeschiff Berlin

We have listed some of the coolest places in Berlin to go for a swim! here is our personal top 5!

summer is definitely here in Berlin, and it is really quite hot and sunny at the moment. You could of course go for sightseeing and visit some of the museums in Berlin, but you could also go for a swim! Don´t know where to go, just read our blog or come ask us at the reception

1. Krumme Lanke
Located at Berlin Grünewald, this nice and clean swimming water and the perfect green surroundings almost makes you forget that you are in the exciting metrople Berlin. To get here you just take the u2 to wittenberg platz and catch the u3 from here. All in all it will take you about an hour to get there. But it is definitely worth it! don´t hesitate and just come ask us at the reception if you should need any help with how to get there!
2. Flugahfen See
This lake is located really close to the Tegel Airport, that is still an active airport although they will close it down somehwere in the future.

So at the moment, while swimming you can see the airplanes take off…really nice city feeling, and still the water is pure, you can even see the fishes swimming…
no fee!

3. Schwimmingpool Pankow
this fully equipped pool with 2 big slides, beach-sports area, diving platform and a comfy sunbathing area is the perfect choice to go to with kids. they won´t be bored, and there are loads of other kids to play with. While your kids play you can relax!
4€ entrance fee

4. Wannsee Beach complex
Together, the Wannsee Lake and the surrounding Grunewald and Düppel forests form one of the most popular recreational destinations in the southwest of Berlin. The Wannsee, which is actually a large bulge of the Havel River, offers a really wide variety of excursions and leisure trips to the Brandenburg countryside. The Berlin Stern- and Kreisschifffahrt boat tour service is located directly in front of the Wannsee S-Bahn station.

There is an 4€ entrance fee!

5. Das Badeschiff
This is the most extraordinary swimming pool in Berlin and one of the coolest meeting points in town. It is floating on the river spree! Further more it has a cool open air bar and a beach-like sunbathing area. Here it is all about looking and being looked at so make sure to be in shape and wear your nicest bikini/shorts!
Easy to reach from the hostel by public transport! have a look at the directions
5€ entrance Fee.

Enjoy the summer in Berlin! And stay tuned for more recommendations on what to see and do in our BLOG!

Summer Berlin

Coming to Berlin and bringing your kiddies? And you don´t know what to do beside the sightseeing in the historic heart of Berlin? We have listed up some nice parks, playgrounds and restaurants where you can easily bring your kids! Let the children play while you relax and chat with your friends and family.

1. Alois S. Tapas Bar

this is probably my favorite restaurant to visit with kids in summer. There is a big outdoor terrace with a playground in extension. While you sit and dine and talk and do more talking and when the kids get bored, they can go play.

Where? At Senefelderstrasse 18. Not far from the EastSeven Berlin Hostel.

2. Children´s farm Mauerpark

at the end of the mauerpark, at the schwedter steg, there is a children´s farm called Moritzhof.

there are all kinds of animals here, like ponies, pigs and bunnies. Also there´s a big playground right next to the farm.

3.  Minigolf & beergarten Brachvogel

here you can eat simple but good food, your kids will love….Pizza, pasta, beef and potatoes…. After filling your bellies you can play Minigolf! And if the night is still young, you can drink a cold beer afterwards while watching the kids play on the playground….I can´t think of a more balanced evening, relaxing after a little bit of exercising and watching the sun go under….

Carl-Herz-Ufer 34, 10961 Berlin

 4. A spooky park in Prenzlauer Berg, the LEISE PARK

Go there if you dare!!
A bit spooky and scary, you may think, this park is located on the grounds of a former cemetery. It is called Leise-Park, which means as much as quiet park. You find here lots of nice playgrounds for your kids, also there are still some grave-stones maintained.  It is a beautiful park, with many nice flowers and plants. Go there during the dawn and you might see a fox running through the park!
Go here to get away from the busy center and to let your thoughts flow and your kids play.

5. Museum for Technology

This is a good option for a rainy day!

This huge museum will keep you and your kids busy the whole day, while exploring the 14 different exhibition  departments, featuring locomotives, airplanes, ships, engines and much more. A lot of activities for kids to do and a lot of hands-on exploring to do!

Getting There: Metro Stop “Gleisdreieck” (Line U1, U2), or “Möckernbrücke” (Line U1, U7) Easy to find, it has a real airplane sitting on top of the roof!

For more tips and ideas on what to see and do in Berlin just read our hostel blog!