also a way to use the U-bahn

there is much confusion about how to use our public transport. let me try to explain

tickets:
tickets are valid for 2 hours and must be validated (small box usually located next to the ticket machine). you can only go in one direction. for going back you need a new ticket, even if you still are within the 2 hours.
AB tickets cover all of the city. an ABC ticket is only needed if you want to leave town, i.e. if you want to go to schönefeld airport of potsdam
sort trip tickets are good for 3 stops on U & S and 6 on busses and trams
reduced tickets are for elderly, children or unemployed only.
best value is the day ticket – stamp it ONCE only. if you are staying longer than 5 days buy a week ticket – stamp that one also once only.

means of transportation:
no, there is no difference between U-bahn, S-bahn, busses or trams. tickets are valid for all of them. to companies run the network, the yellow one ( the good ) and the red one (the bad)
S&U usually rum at lest every 5 minutes, from 4am till midnight. N-busses run along underground lines when the underground has stopped.
M-lines: introduced a couple of years ago, confuse still most of the berliners. either trams or busses which operate 24/7 every 10 minutes. quite handy to get home.

what to do at night:
take the following lines to get home:
tram M10 – runs between friedrichshain and prenzlauer berg every 10 minutes. get off at eberswalderstrasse
bus N2 – night bus, operates almost the same route as the U2 every 30 minutes
tram M1 – runs from friedrichstrasse and mitte. get off at kastanienallee
bus N8 takes you from neukölln to hackescher markt, take the N2 from there

this journey planner is also pretty handy 

that’s all folks – if you have any further questions we are more than happy to help. come down to the reception

One of the most exciting exhibitions I’ve seen the past months is “Ryan Trecartin – Site Visit”,  the first solo show in Germany by the video artist Ryan Trecartin, in the “Kunst-Werke for contemporary art” in Berlin-Mitte.  Trecartin, born 1981 and based in Los Angeles, creates videos and installations, which alienate us on the first glance, but seem familar at the same time. He draws his contents, narratives and aesthetics from elements of Pop culture with protagonists, we think we know, but cuts, edits and shows us his images in such a fast, frenetic pace, that I felt uncomfortable, excited, amused and totally confused while watching. Video art is an art form, which might be hard to enjoy at the beginning, it is not as easy to receive as a good old Warhol painting or concrete art in general, but it invites the spectator to question their own perception towards a still relatively new art form and their expectations of what art is and can be. Ryan Trecartin’s video installation in the Kunst-Werke (the room is spectacular by the way!) absorbs you and leaves that feeling of wanting to explore much more of it.

© Ryan Trecartin, Andrea Rosen Gallery New York; Regen Projects Los Angeles; and Sprüth Magers Berlin London.

I have great sympathy for art which I don’t understand right away, which confuses me and makes me curious and let me think about it for weeks. If you are interested in that and in an artist, who the MoMa PS1 and “The New Yorker” celebrated as “the most consequential artist to have emerged since the 1980s”,  you found one of your activities for your Berlin visit.

For more information go to the website of the KW: http://www.kw-berlin.de/en/exhibitions/site_visit_432

Wasserturm in Prenzlauer Berg

To keep yourself in shape and to prevent immense boredom we thought you might be interested in doing some outdoor activities while staying at our hostel.

Therefore, since the day of today, we have a basketball and  a table tennis set for you to get at  a 10€ deposit from the reception.

Here are some suggestions on where to go to practice your skills:

1. Teutoburger platz.

This is the park that is closest to our hostel.  When you get out the door take a left, than take the first to the right, and the park is on your right hand side after a few meters of walking. Go here to play table tennis. After that relax and drink a beer. Yes, in Berlin you can drink outside!

You can also bring your kids, there is a nice playground there.

2. Park am Wasserturm

The Wasserturm is the unofficial symbol of Prenzlauer Berg, this 30m high tower was built in 1877 as the local water reservoir. Once used by the Nazis as a prison, today the round brick Wasserturm has been converted into trendy apartments.
Check for art exhibitions next to the tower, in the underground reservoir. The park that surrounds the Wasserturm is relaxed! there is a huge playground, a fountain, trampolines and a table-tennis spot (3tables)! Also you can play basketball and soccer!

3. Volkspark am Friedrichhain
Volkspark Friedrichshain -A beautiful park, excellent for jogging or having a picnic or
barbeque. In the middle you’ll find Friedrichshains highest hill, which provides a 78-metre
high view over Berlins flat terrain. The hill was actually man-made to cover up a destroyed
anti-aircraft bunker from World War II, as well as several tonnes of bombed out rubble.
Also you can play beachvolleyball for free here. They have a special area reserved for
beachsports. Its free to use for anyone but you´d have to bring your own equipment.

And of course you can also find table tennis spots in this huge, forest like park.

bbq party @ eastseven

4. Hostel Garden

okay if you really don´t want to leave the hostel and hang out here, you can hang out in our lovely garden. There is a Hammock where you can chill out. And when it gets really hot you can even take a shower in the garden. Isn´t that cool? Also we have a table football, so you can play a match with your fellow travelers. And why not go organize a barbeque-party? We have a grill free to use for all our guests.

If you are planning to come to Berlin you are more than welcome to reserve a bed at our cozy hostel in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg. Looking forward to meeting you!

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!

Powder for Pigeons

3 bands are playing this Saturday at rockbar Tiefgrund! We sponsor and promote this event, organized by SoundGround Berlin.

As Björn from Soundground Berlin contacted us regarding a cooperation, we didn´t hesitate one moment.
We offer one of his bands a free room for one night, and we get some free concert tickets to give to our guests! For us that is a nice deal. And the band that we shelter is a 2manband, so we needed to spend only  1 doubleroom!

We as a small non-chain hostel in Berlin totally like the idea of promoting underground subculture, and Soundground Berlin offers a stage to yet undiscovered talent.  The bands that are playing this Saturday are SHAUN, POWDER FOR PIGEONS and the WATCHA MACALIT.

SHAUN is a band from Berlin that play a mix between Grunge and Stonerrock.

WATCHA MACALIT perform a mixture of indie, grunge & rock, and  beside that their music has influences from many other genres.

POWDER FOR PIGEONS is sleeping here at our hostel, we are very exited about that! It is a two (wo)manband who will definitely rock the house this Saturday!!

The concert takes place in an underground rockbar in Berlin, it is called Tiefgrund, this Saturday, the 8th of June. Door opens at 8pm. Concert starts at 9pm. The small underground venue is located only a 5 minutes walk away from the Ostkreuz. If you need help with directions on how to get there, just come ask us at the hostel reception!

tickets cost only 5€! We have some free tickets to give away to our guests. If you want to win a ticket for the concert go to our facebook page and post a short message on our wall. Then come to the reception on Friday, before 6pm. First come first get!!!

For more events in Berlin check our Hostel Blog or check the online Magazin ZITTY.

Hope to see you at our hostel!

StreetFoodThursday (c) ChristPics

This is unique in Berlin and it is exactly what we all have been waiting for: a real street-food-market!

Every Thursday the Markthalle 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg is the location for the biggest Street Food Event in town.

Here you can go to and try small dishes from all over the globe!

The young cooks who present their specialties at the street food event mostly don´t own their own restaurant (yet).  You can expect a lot of creativity in cooking-style and the different kind of flavors you can taste in one night is unique!

It is always busy on Thursday evening! The crowd is bustling in front of the Markethall and waiting to get in on time  to safe a seat and start tasting international specialties. Mostly young people and students come here! This is the place to be to meet up after a long day at work or at the university. Meeting up with friends, discussing life over a small dish and a cold beer. It is the perfect way to try food you have never tasted before.

There is African food, Spanish tapas, Mexican Tortillas, Kimchi and a lot more for you to taste!

Beside great food and fine drinks you can also expect some nice music. of course their are street musicians at the street food event, it makes the evening complete!

If you go here makes sure to bring your friends and big appetite!! You won´t be disappointed!

Every Thursday from 5pm till 10pm, at Markthalle 9.…

To find out what else is going on in Berlin, just read our hostel blog!

Easter Holiday Berlin

Are you coming to Berlin for the Easter Holiday? We have made some suggestions of things to do! read on and plan your trip!

1. Kulturbrauerei Berlin

the biggest Easter-fire in Berlin will be held at the Kulturbrauerei, inside their enormous courtyard. The fire will be lit at 5pm, on Sunday the 31st of March.

Their will be activities for the kids, their will be food and drinks as well!

at 22pm their clubs open and you can dance the night away. 20 Dj´s will perform at this big party, over 8 different floors. Tickets cost 12€ and you can buy them there.

2. Eastern Market at Alexanderplatz

traditionally, a big Easter market covers Alexander on the Easter holiday!

Nice to stroll around and buy some souvenirs for your family and friends at home!

3. Go for a big breakfast, with a lot of Eggs!

What is Eastern without eggs? No fun at all! so make sure to eat some eggs. We made you some suggestions, where you can eat the best eggs!

for instance at Hilde, Metzterstr.22

or at Entweder Oder, Oderbergerstr. 15

Both Cafe´s are within walking distance from our hostel in Prenzlauer Berg

4. An exhibition of the German Historical Museum on the Berlin Theme Year
“Diversity Destroyed. Berlin 1933 – 1938 – 1945”

During the time of the Weimar Republic Berlin was the political nerve centre and a pulsating metropolis with more than four million inhabitants. The appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of the Reich on 30 January 1933 marked the beginning of the ultimate destruction of the democracy. Essential basic rights and the legal order were invalidated, trade unions disbanded, political parties and social organisations banned or forced to shut down. The “seizure of power” by the National Socialists was accomplished with unparalleled swiftness and was marked by a wave of terror against political opponents, the Jewish population and other groups in German society.”Fort mit der roten Mißwirtschaft – wählt Deutsche Volkspartei”. Wahlplakat der Deutschen Volkspartei zur Stadtverordnetenwahl, Entwurf: Otto Arpke/Erich Ludwig Stahl, 1919, © Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum Berlin im Zeichen des Wahlkampfs, 2. März 1933, © Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum Fackelzug durch das Brandenburger Tor anlässlich des 3. Jahrestags der Ernennung Adolf Hitlers zum Reichskanzler, Berlin, 30. Januar 1936, © Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum Werbeplakat für die Olympischen Spiele in Berlin, Entwurf: Franz Würbel, 1936, © Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum Das in der Pogromnacht zerstörte jüdische Geschäft “Beleuchtungshaus des Westens, Wilhelm Philippi” am Kurfürstendamm 203 in Berlin, 10. November 1938, © Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum

The exhibition “Diversity Destroyed. Berlin 1933 – 1938” is the contribution of the German Historical Museum to the eponymous Theme Year of the city of Berlin. It recalls in particular the takeover of power in 1933 and the November pogrom in 1938. The exhibition brings together more than forty projects of museums and memorials, private associations and initiatives that deal with the history of Berlin under National Socialism in exhibitions, temporary art projects, theatre performances, readings, film projects or audio guides. Together they document the disastrous consequences of the Nazi dictatorship for life in the capital city.
Text: www.dhm.de

5. Go to the flea market at Mauerpark

if you are staying over the weekend you absolutely can´t miss out on the Mauerpark
flea market. Held every Sunday from 7 till 16 it is the place where hip & young Berlin and
Berlin-visitors get together. Not only looking for bargains, also it is a social happening where
friends meet over a bratwurst, or watching one of the many spontaneous concerts from
musicians coming from all over the globe.

Enjoy your visit to Berlin! for more information on what to see and do in Germany´s capitol, just come visit us at the reception!

Coolest Shops Berlin

A selection of some of the coolest things to do in Berlin!

If you are coming to Berlin you might at first be overwhelmed by the big amount of things to visit and things to do. With our blog we want to present some of the coolest shops, clubs, tours and museums for you to visit. Feel free to meet us at the reception for more insider tips!

1.You like shopping? Go to Glücklich am Park
They do not only sell beautiful clothes, dark sunglasses & toys…………they even have ice cream, enjoy it on there lovely terrace in the Kastanienallee.
2. Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, Mauergedenkstätte – Berlin Wall Monument

This evocative stretch of the Berlin Wall on Bernauerstrasse is one of the few remnants of the concrete wall left untouched since 1989. The Gedenkstätte – monument – includes a Documentation Centre which chronicles the history and experience of the Berlin Wall.
3. Read a book and drink a wine at the Buchkantine!

what better way to relax than over a good book and a fine wine, at the Buchkantine this is all possible. Just take a book from one of the shelves and find yourself a nice seat at one of the comfy sofas.

You find the Buchkantine at the Dortmunderstr. 1. Ask us at the receptions for directions!
4. Hamam Berlin
This is for ladies only! Located in the popular district Kreuzberg, easy to reach by public transport.
It´s getting colder outside so why not warm up a bit at  the Hamam to enjoy a really nice Turkish bathing ritual…
Hamam is a bathing ceremony of the cleansing of the body and soul. Relaxation and communication in a warm and pleasant atmosphere are key elements of the Hamam culture. Here women from different cultures and walks of life work and meet.
You’ll find the Hamam at Mariannenstr. 6 in Kreuzberg
Opening hours: daily from 15h till 23h
Entrance fee: 14€ for 3 Hrs
5. Buncker Tour

Are you interested in going beyond the popular touristic sights and explore a bit more of Berlins history?

Then go for instance on a bunker tour!

There are several different bunker tours, in english, german and spanish.
Something exceptional and very interesting! A must do!

6. Big hangover breakfast

And after partying like a madman you should have a big hangover breakfast, of course!

For instance at one of my favorite cafe´s in Prenzlauer Berg, Café Hilde. They do fantastic breakfast, serve good strong coffee and it´s nice cozy and warm inside!

Located at the Metzer Straße 11, it is just a 5 minutes walk from our hostel.

7. Blutwurstmanufaktur

This is a traditional butcher, if you like meat and sausages go here to experience the true nature of the German meat  culture…. They do lunch too, traditional food, meat! For small prices! This place is famous for its traditional black pudding. High quality!  This is really a nice experience! But nothing for you if you are a vegetarian!

8.Weinerei!
great cozy place, it´s mainly students you will find here. getting together to drink really
great wine and philosophize in a relaxed livingroom-feel atmosphere.
the concept of the weinerei is quite unique. You ´buy´ a glass, for one euro, and then you
can fill and refill it as often as you like. Also there are little snacks the accompany the
wine. when you leave you can pay whatever you think it was worth.
Don´t go here to late, when the wine is out, its over and out!!

9.White Trash Fast Food
This is  a famous and legendary rock club. The name already implies it, they also have a fast food restaurant.
serving the most delicious burgers & fries I have ever had.
What else to expect at the White Trash, great live music & a great rock´n´roll atmosphere!!

10. Tempelhofer Freiheit

after the closing down of the Tempelhof Airport in 2010 the over 300 hectare are now open to public. It is a park with a special flair. A lot of people come here to kite, skate, and cycle. Or just simply to use the big green grass area for a picnic.

Enjoy sightseeing in Berlin! If you are still looking for a place to stay in Berlin, come visit us!!

Eating together at the hostel

Yes it is weekend again! And we have made you a list with suggestions on what to see and do in Berlin. Of course you can also hang out in our hostel lounge or cook a meal and eat together with other travelers!

Lay back, it is weekend,  and read on!

1. Buncker Tour

Are you interested in going beyond the popular touristic sights and explore a bit more of Berlins history?

Then go for instance on a bunker tour!

There are several different bunker tours, in english, german and spanish.
Something exceptional and very interesting! A must do!

2. Big hangover breakfast

And after partying like a madman you should have a big hangover breakfast, of course!

For instance at one of my favorite cafe´s in Prenzlauer Berg, Café Hilde. They do fantastic breakfast, serve good strong coffee and it´s nice cozy and warm inside!

Located at the Metzer Straße 11, it is just a 5 minutes walk from our hostel.

3. Blutwurstmanufaktur

This is a traditional butcher, if you like meat and sausages go here to experience the true nature of the German meat  culture…. They do lunch too, traditional food, meat! For small prices! This place is famous for its traditional black pudding. High quality!  This is really a nice experience! But nothing for you if you are a vegetarian!

4.Chez Gino

Kind of kitschy modern deco German Restaurant, nice ambient and friendly service. Located in the vivid WranglerKiez which is really worth a visit if you are in Kreuzberg!

They serve really nice Swabian food like for instance Flammkuchen! Also, as a big fan of Spätzle, I could really recommend their Käse-Spätzle (spätzle with cheese).

5. Weinerei!
great cozy place, it´s mainly students you will find here. getting together to drink really
great wine and philosophize in a relaxed livingroom-feel atmosphere.
the concept of the weinerei is quite unique. You ´buy´ a glass, for one euro, and then you
can fill and refill it as often as you like. Also there are little snacks the accompany the
wine. when you leave you can pay whatever you think it was worth.
Don´t go here to late, when the wine is out, its over and out!!

6. Go party, but stay sporty! Go to the Ping pong bar, Dr. Pong,

at the Eberswalder straße. You pay a deposit of 5€ to get a bat , and then you just start playing table tennis with everyone that is there! Its definitely a great deal of FUN!

7. Buy a museum day pass
and visit one of the follwing museums (or all of them) you won´t regret it: Pergamon Museum, Neue nationalgalery, Hamburger Bahnhof, Jewish Museum, Neues Museum.

8.  Schneeweiscschen und Rosenrot

Go here if you want to try modern German food. What to expect? High quality products, German/Italian fusion dishes, and the best service in town!

And: East seven hostel guest can get a 10% discount, ask for it at the reception!

9. Bassy Cowboy Club

this is the place for you if you dig rock´n´roll music from before 1969!

Live music starts at 22h and at 00.30  the long rock´n´roll dance night begins. Don´t forget to bring your dancing shoes!
 10. Pay a visit to the  Berlin Wall documentation center
this documentation center, which is completely free of charge to visit, is located at the Bernauer Strasse.
It is really close by to your hostel in Prenzlauer Berg, only a 10 minute walk.
At this documentation center there is a Tower you should really climb up, because  from above you have a clear view over the Berlin wall and the death stripe.
Learn more about Berlins History by paying a visit to this informative little museum.

Enjoy your weekend in Berlin!!

Gendarmenmarkt (c) Shaleen

Hi, this  is Shaleen writing a Blog for the EastSeven Hostel. At the moment I am working as a trainee at EastSeven Berlin Hostel.  I wanted to share some nice things to see and do in Berlin with you. I hope you like my post and I hope you enjoy sightseeing in Berlin!

New in Berlin and eager  to visit some historical sights? Then don´t miss to visit the East Side Gallery. It´ s a part of the Berlin wall which was in 1989 a grim divider of humanity. It is the worlds largest open air mural collection with more than 100 painting from dozens of international artist such as Kani Alavi, Brigit Kinder and Thierry Noir translating the era`s global euphoria and optimism into a mix of political statements, drug induced musing and truly artist visions.

Done with the wall, take a break in Strandgut Berlin  and drink a toast to Berlin at the chicest of the E.S.G side pit where the beer is cold , the cocktails are strong , and the Dj`s are tops. In Germany mühlestrasse 61-63;from10am;S-Bahn  Ostbahnhof.

Once  done with the old historical sights, Unter den Linden and Museum Island , why not visit a modern reinterpretation of the historical original, Potsdamer  Platz,which used to be the  equivalent of the New York Times Square  until World War 2 sucked the life out of this area. It is divided  in to three slices: Diamlery-city with a large mall public art and high-profile  entertainment venues; the flashy Sony center built  around  a central Plaza canopied by a glass roof that  shimmers in Myriad colours at night; and the comparatively subdued Biesheim center, which was inspired  by clasich American  skyscraper  design . Don`t   miss out on the Panaramapunkt; Europe’s  fastest lift, up and down the red-blick post modern Kollhof Building. From the 100m viewing platform, a stunning 360-degree Panarama  reveals the city layout and it’s landmarks. Study key moment in Potsdamer Platz history by taking in the exhibit then relax over in the on-site Cafe.

Before u can even think u are done with the tour  here are some other few places  that can catch your interest in Kreuzberg where the famous Schlesische straße is. It’s one of Berlin’s nightlife strips, this time in legendary Kreuzberg neighbourhood-a part of the city still  popular with the bohemian crowd. Kreuzberg was the birthplace of the  legendary Berlin Döner Kebab, so pick a snack stand (Imbiss) and get stuck in.

 Thirsty and you  would like to get a cold drink ? Then it’s time to get out and have some fun  in the famous kulturbrauerei -its a huge complex of night-time hangouts originally housed Berlin’s Schultheis brewery for more than 150 years .at night the `culture Brewery´ turns into a popular meeting point for determined drinkers.eager to explore the  buildung’s wealth of bers, clubs,cafes,or just hang out in the huge countryard.

That is all for now, I hope I have been inspiring to you and I wish you a perfect stay in Berlin!