Autumn in Berlin

To prevent you from complete boredom we have listed up some cool events and things to do in Berlin in Autumn.  It is just to give you some ideas and inspiration. Sure there is much more to see and do than the 5 things listed here. Come ask us at the reception for more information any time.

1. Visit the Stasi Prison in Berlin Hohenschönhausen

The site of the main remand prison for people detained by the former East German Ministry of State Security (MfS), or ‘Stasi’, has been a Memorial since 1994. Since the vast majority of the buildings, equipment and furniture and fittings have survived intact, the Memorial provides a very authentic picture of prison conditions in the GDR and gives another view of the divided Berlin.
Tours of the prison are usually led by former inmates, who provide first-hand details on prison conditions and the interrogation methods employed by the GDR’s Ministry of State Security (MfS).
It is only possible to view the extensive prison complex on a official guided tour as Visitors require detailed guidance in order to understand the various sections of the prison.
Public tours every Saturday and Sunday, every hour from 10am to 4pm in various languages, but better call ahead to ask at what time it is in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish or Norwegian…
Phone Visitor’s Service: Phone: +49 – (0)30 – 98 60 82-30 / ask at the reception and we call for you!
Admission:
Regular fee 5,00 Euro, concessions*) 2,50 Euro, Students 1,00 Euro
*) university students, senior citizens, handicapped persons, Berlincard-holder
How to get there:
Take the Metro U2 from the Hostel and go 2 Stops to Alexanderplatz. From here you take the Tram M5 to the stop “Freienwalder Strasse”. The Memorial is then about a 10 minute walk down Freienwalder Strasse in Genslerstraße 66.

2. Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum
When visiting Berlin, you should visit some historical sites as well. For instance the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Here you will find out so much more about the terrible second world war and its victims. It is not gonna be a fun trip, but really interesting and important.
Opening Hours
15 March until 14 October: daily 8:30 – 18.00
15 October until 14 March: daily 8:30 – 16:30
Entry is free.

3. This is the perfect season to go to a museum.

And Berlin has many many interesting museums to choose from.

The following 3 museums are so cool, you could spend your entire day there!

– German history museum

– Pergamon museum

– Hamburger Bahnhof

for further information on museums just ask us at the reception or check the EatsSeven Berlin Book in the lounge.

4. Shop till you drop!

Yes indeed, you still need some nice clothes for the winter!

A great street for shopping you will find close by the hostel, the kastanienallee. Here you will also find plenty of nice coffee shops to take a short break from shopping.

To get in the mood just check out our shopping guide video

5. Go to the sauna to do some healthy sweating!

There are a couple of good suanas close to the EastSeven Berlin Hostel. My favorite one is called the Saunabad.

In autumn they are open daily from 3pm till midnight. For 2,5  hours you pay 10€

Tuesday is ladies-day.

Have fun exploring Berlin without spending too much money!! Hope to welcome you soon to the EastSeven Berlin Hostel!!!!

street festival Berlin

Staying in Berlin the coming week? Then read this blog post so you can find out what is happening in the coolest city of Germany!

1. Street Festival at Dunckerstraße, Saturday the 31st of August

this Saturday afternoon there is a small and fun street-festival, not far from the hostel. It is fun to go there with kids. In the afternoon there is theater (for kids from 4 years on) and later in the evening there is live music.

Weather forecast looks good, so go there and enjoy yourself!

2. Turkish Market in Kreuzberg

the Turkish market in Kreuzberg is really worth a visit.

Explore Berlin’s multiculturalism on this vibrant and colorful market!

Every Tuesday and Friday from noon to 6 pm.

Take U8 from Alexanderplatz and get out at the Schönleinstraße

Begin at: 12:00
End at: 18:00

3. Organic market at Kollwitzplatz

On a late Saturday morning you should go to where the locals go – the farmer´s market on Kollwitzplatz – 200 Meters from EastSeven. Fresh organic vegetables, varieties of sausages and a lot more of savoir vivre. By your food of the season there, go back to the hostel and prepare it in our fancy self catering kitchen.

Begin at: 09:00
End at: 16:00

4.Vegan-vegetarian Summer festival at Alexanderplatz

this Saturday, the 31st of august,  there is a vegan vegetarian festival at Alexander platz. I can almost hear you think: hmm what is that? To give you an impression; there will be food-stands, live cooking performances, information stands on vegetarian and vegan food and life-style, live music and much more.

Alexanderplatz is very central and very close to the hostel, so I would suggest check it out for yourselves!

from 10am till 9pm. There is no entrance fee :).

5. Dine at  Restaurant `der Hanh ist tot`

They serve German-French food. It is very delicious! You can choose from two different 4 courses-menus. A menu costs only 19€.

The restaurant is very cozy and nicely decorated, there are seats outside as well, with a perfect view over the Zions Church.

Zionskirchstr. 40, 10119 Berlin

So that´s all for now. If you want more recommendations just come see us at the reception or check our Hostel Blog.

Best Staff

we have got some good news to start the week with. Proudly we want to inform all our blog-readers that we  have won an award, again! It is going very well, we are working hard because we love the job, and the guests really do appreciate our affords. SO here it is: the Award for Best Staff July 2013.

we would like to thank Hostelbookers, for the good cooperation! And of course we would like to say a big thanks to all the people who gave us as staff a good rating. Thank you so much. this is what keeps us going :)!

It is most rewarding to find out that the people who stayed here enjoyed their stay and that they loved the staff!

What makes out a good staff member? All of the Staff at EastSeven Berlin Hostel are locals. They know their way around in Berlin. This results in the best insider tips for our guests. Also the EastSeven Staff members love traveling themselves. They therefore know exactly what a traveler needs.

At the hostel, we regularly meet with all the staff-members to discuss what we can do better! We are always looking for different and unique things to offer our guests. Newly, one of our staff members came up with the idea to buy a basket ball and table tennis set for our guests to get form the reception at a deposit. Already a lot of people came to the reception to ask us about the table tennis set and the ball. We have some cool recommendations for playing basketball and table tennis close by the hostel!

All right, enough good news for today! Hope to see you soon at our hostel in Berlin!

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!

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!

Restaurants in Berlin

If you are in Berlin for the first time you surely want to try the typical German food. We have made you a list of places where you can go to to try some of the nice German dishes. For advice you can always come see us at the reception!

1. Schneeweisschen und Rosenrot

located really close to the EastSeven hostel you can just walk here after a day of sight seeing and fill your belly with high quality food!
They serve modern German food. What to expect? A fairytale-like atmosphere and the best service in town!
And: Eastseven guests can get a 10% discount, ask for  a coupon at the reception!

2. Chez Gino
One of my personal favorite in Kreuzberg, the cozy Chez Gino restaurant in the Wranglerstrasse. Kind of kitschy modern deco, nice ambient and really friendly service. Located in the vivid WranglerKiez which is really worth a visit if you are in Kreuzberg! there is a good night life here as well, so after dining go dancing!

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

3. Weihenstephaner Berlin

this restaurant is located in the oldest building in Berlins central neighbourhood Mitte. The house was built in 1749! The place is famous for its authentic historical atmosphere, they serve Bavarian food and the service team is really friendly.
The restaurant is located at the hackescher markt, so easy to reach from our Hostel:  Neue Promenade 5, Am Hackeschen Markt. The Hackescher Markt is a popular tourist attraction, it is famous for the Hackesche Höfe ( Höfe means courtyards). These courtyards are accessible through Rosenthalerstrass 40

4. Cafe Restaurant Louis

Go here if you want to taste real traditional German-austrian food! They probably serve the biggest SCHNITZEL in town! So make sure you are really hungry when you go there!
Location: Richardplatz 5 (Berlin-Neukölln). Come ask us at the recpetion for directions and a map of public transport!

5. Schneeweiss
the interior is as white as snow!

Good service in general, high quality, honest food and very reasonably priced. It is a bit trendy, but that´s cool!

located in the Simplonstrasse in Berlin Friedrichshain, surrounded by nice bars and clubs, the perfect place to start into a long night.

6. Hofbrauhaus Berlin
The Hofbräu  is quite new in Berlin. They opened their doors in November 2011. You should go here if you are looking for true Bavarian spirit!
The staff is wearing the traditional Bavarian clothing, the girls wear DIRNDLS and the guys LEDERHOSEN. You should try the original Hofbräu Beers and their Bavarian specialties.
There is live music too, and located at Alexanderplatz, it is easy to reach from the EastSeven Hostel! It might get really crowded here, so make sure to reserve a table.
7. SpätzleExpress

if you like Spätzle, a type of egg noodle with a soft texture, this is  the place for you!  Big servings for little money!
Also a great option for vegetarian people, just take the käse spätzle, spätzle with cheese.

8. Gugelhof
Kind of chic but not too expensive! This restaurant located on the famous Kollwitzplatz, in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg, is a culinary oasis for food from  between the rivers Rhine, Moselle and Saar flourishes because the Alsatians like to eat well and due to external influences they are able to improve and to maintain their culinary level. Especially in summer the big terrace in front of the restaurant is nice to sit, but make sure to reserve in advance.

After eating here go to the Käthe Kollwitz Park for a walk (it is right next to the restaurant), and have a look at the statue of Käthe Kollwitz, the famous left wing anti-war artist.

9. 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.

10. Zum SchusterJunge

Last but not least, our all time favorite German restaurant, located within walking distance from the EastSeven Berlin Hostel. Traditional German food in a nice environment!
This is the place to grab a quick bite, try the typical traditional German food, you will like it!

Enjoy your stay in Berlin!

Bikes for rent

I personally think that the best way to explore the city is by bike, especially during the summer!

Biking in Berlin is very common among locals and visitors. Car drivers are normally used to bikers, but you should always be careful and watch out!

On bigger roads there are bike lanes, if there is no bike lane just stay on the right part of the street. Sometimes biking in Berlin looks like pure anarchy, please obey the rules to avoid becoming a newspaper headline.

Here we have listed a top 3 of organized bike tours after that we have written down some personal recommendation from the hostel owner Jörg. You can rent bikes from the hostel!

The Top 3:

1. Berlin On Bike

very easy to reach from the EastSeven Hostel, located at the courtyard of an old brewery Kulturbrauerei, you´ll find the Berlin on Bike company.

They offer 6 different tours and therefore you will always find one tour that suits your interests. For instance you could try the Berlin Wall tour and learn more about Berlin´s recent past. Also they offer a Nightseeing tour, to experience the truly magical atmosphere Berlin offers at night!

Costs 14€ plus 5€ for the bike. tours last for about 3,5 hours.

2. Fat Tire Bike Tour

tours leave daily at 11am from Alexanderplatz. meeting point is in fornt of the main entrance of the TV tower.

Costs are 22€ including the bike.

You can choose from different kinds of tours, depending on what you want to see and learn about Berlin. Beside the main sights you can also take a bike tour through Potsdam and the Sanssouci castle. Or take a tour that will take you to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

They also have e-bikes for rent.

3.  Berlin Bike Tours

tours leave daily at 10am and 3pm. Meeting point is Bornholmer Str. 75. Make sure to be there 20 minutes in advance so that the tour can leave on time.

they offer 3 differend tours. The Wall Tour, Berlin Mitte Tour and Berlin Potpourri. A lot of hostiroy and unique sights are involved! You won´t be disappointed! Prices vary from 21€ to 24€.

To get help on how to get there just come ask us at the reception!

Sachsenhausen Memorial

Some insider tips and recommendations from Jörg, the hostel owner and also  a passionate cyclist!

Wherever you want to go you can try to get an idea on bbbike.de
To bike along the former wall MauerRadWeg
A daytrip (40 km) can be this tour to the Sachsenhausen KZ Museum Sachsenhausen Memorial one way by bike Berlin-Copenhagen on bike  and one way with S-Bahn
Or you go all the way to Potsdam to see the Sanssouci Castle
Also in Summertime we recommend to go swimming in a lake like Weissensee or Krumme Lanke or Plötzensee or further out to Liepnitzsee.

Coming to Berlin and still looking for a place to stay, you are more than welcome to book a room at our Hostel in Berlin,  EastSeven Berlin Hostel!

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!

We love Berlin

Come to Berlin and enjoy the great Gay Nightlife!

In Berlin there are lots and lots of cool  and kinky gay bars, also many Berlin clubs are more gay than straight. To give you a small overview we made you a slection of some of the hottest places in town, to party and relax! Further information is also to be found on www.berlin-life.com. If you´re visiting Berlin you are more than welcome to stay in our cozy hostel in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg.

1.Berghain Club
You might have heard from this one already, it is known as the best club worldwide. This famous place is nothing for weak at hearts! In this former gigantic thermal power station you’ll find the hardest of Berlin’s hardcore, pushing squares ’till way past breakfast time.  On Saturdays the club is mainly visited by gays, not only because of the big number of darkrooms that are present in this huge building.

2. Monster Ronson´s Ichiban Karaoke Bar
You enjoy singing and you just loooooooove karaoke? Then go to the Monster Ronsons Karaoke bar. A cool thing here is that you can rent small booths, go there with your friends and sing your heart out! If you are a dare you can also use the big stage and feel like a star!
Warschauer Straße 34
Open Daily from 7pm

3. Tom´s Bar
this is the place if you are looking for successful cruising, that´s  exactly what Tom´s bar is famous for! The international crowd that visits Tom´s bar is constant in search of human contact, either in the bar upstairs or in the famous darkroom that is located in the basement. I just say go there and enjoy getting in touch with nice the mix of tourists and local gay party people that visit Tom´s bar!
Motzstrasse 19
daily from 7am
4. SO36: Cafe Fatal
Ballroom dancing in the famous club SO36, every Sunday! The people who come here is a mix of gay punks, Kreuzberger Lesbians and heterosexuals, there is an extremely nice atmosphere here.
There are also dancing lessons, so if you go here make sure to put on your dancing shoes.
Where? At Oranienstrasse 190 in Kreuzberg
5.Hafen
Hafen is a trendy and plushy bar and it is probably the most established gay club in the whole of Berlin. Located in the gay-triangle in Schöneberg it is always crowded here! It is a great place to start your night out in Berlin!

Motzstrasse 19

6. Bangaluu Dinner Club

a bed restaurant where you can dine like the ancient Greeks already did, while laying and relaxing!

divas, male dancers and strippers are regularly seen here! you will be entertained!

for more tips on gay bars & clubs in Berlin just ask us at the reception!