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!

EastSeven garden

We are so lucky to have a garden to chill out in. Especially in summer it is great for relaxation after a day of sight seeing. In the morning you can eat the breakfast out side, and in the afternoon most parts of the garden are shady! In the evening you can use our BBQ and play kicker.

Features

we have a big BBQ area with a huge Grill you can use for free.  On top of that we offer coals for free and organize BBQ-parties. There is an organic supermarket just down the road. here you can get high quality meat and also veggie-burgers.

Just come ask us at the reception if you need any help with getting started!

EastSeven garden

Herbs.… we are growing some herbs, free to use if you are going to cook yourself a nice meal at the hostel kitchen. We have thyme, rosemary and mint.

Hammock area….for a nap or just to hang out and read a book…

this is perfect if you arrive early at the hostel and you still have to wait for the room to be ready. You can then already take a rest in the hammock, it is really comfy and relaxing.

Outdoor shower…after a couple of really hot days and more hot days to come  we decided to install an outdoor shower. Here you can really cool off, since it is cold water only…. This weekend we had temperatures of almost 40degrees, and it looks like it is gonna stay summer for more days.

kicker

A Kicker-table

if you want to play table football, you can at EastSeven. We actually extended our terrace so that we have space for the table. This is your change to do some fine motor activity and exercise your skills.

At the reception you can get cold drinks. We sell 4 different high quality beers, sodas, and ice tea.
Enjoy summer in Berlin at our cozy hostel!

If you are planning a trip to Berlin we would be happy to accommodate you at the EastSeven Berlin Hostel!

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!

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!

today summer officially started, the weather is nice and it is weekend! A lot of cool events are awaiting you this summer.
One of the nicest music festivals that takes place every year on the longest day of the year is the Fete de la Musique!

What is so special about this festival is, it´s totally for free and really all around the city! It is an open air festival and luckily today the weather is perfect for that!

Apart from the bands playing at stages across the city, during the festival street musicians are allowed to spontaneously play their acoustic songs on any street corner. So go out on the street tonight, bring a couple of beers and a couple of friends and let yourself be entertained by musicians from all kinds of different music genres.
Close to the EastSeven Hostel you will find the Fete de la Musique at the Mauerpark, at Bassy Cowboy club and at the Kulturbrauerei (FranzzClub).
The festival starts at 4pm, and will approximately end at 10pm….after this there will be after parties at many different locations….this is the famous fete de la nuit, in Berlin, the city that never sleeps

Have a closer look at the programm and see who is playing where and when, at the hand out at the reception, or at the Fete de la Musique homepage.

For more information on what to see and do in Berlin please read the hostel blog or ask our local staff at the reception!

Hope to welcome you soon at the EastSeven Berlin Hostel!

Wasserturm in Prenzlauer Berg

We made you a list of some cool parks in Berlin!
It is summertime and the living is easy….. It is the perfect time to visit one of the many beautiful parks in Berlin. Lay back, hang out with your friends, have a picknick, there are so many ways to enjoy the parklife in Berlin. Closely to the hostel, in Prenzlauer Berg, there are a number of nice parks! We have gathered them and made a top 5!
1. 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.
2. Mauerpark
If you are over 20 and still like to play (particularly with beer bottles), then this is your playground. Its the best place in Berlin for relaxed outdoor boozing and there are hilltop swingsets which are a great spot for watching the sun sink lazily in the West.
Dont miss the fabulous flea market on Sundays.
3. A spooky park in Prenzlauer Berg, the LEISE PARK
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.
4. Park & playground at 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!
5. Park Tiergarten
this is the park where you should go to when the city gets too hot. After visiting all major
sights in the city centre you can easily walk from Brandenburg Gate to this big innercity
oasis! This park has a lot of big old trees, so there is plenty of shade, all the locals go here
for a picnic or to do some sport excersises. You might also witness a class of art students
trying to catch the beautiful sceneries the parc offers.
Since it is such a big park you can also take a bike and cylce your way through it!And after a hard day´s walking, why not recover in EastSeven´s lush garden with some selected German beers!
For more great information on parties and events in Berlin check our hostel blog!
Hope to see you soon in Berlin!!

EastSeven garden

A top 10 of the best outdoor places to go to during your visit in Berlin.

The trees are green again and the sky is blue,  Berlin we love you ♥♥!

If your coming to Berlin during the spring and summer time you will notice that all the Berlin life is  happening outside. People are hanging out in parks, or they  sit on the sidewalk in front of their houses. Simply enjoying the sun!

To give you some inspiration on what to do, we have listed up some cool outdoor bars, open air cinemas and swimming pools. Berlin Summer we are ready for it!

1. Open air cinema
the days are long and the nights are hot!  If you want to see a great movie with English subtitles or in English language go to the open air cinema Kreuzberg!! @ Marianneplatz 2!!
After watching a movie you can stay in Kreuzberg to explore this cool neighborhood. A lot of nice bars and clubs are within walking distance from the open air cinema!

2. rent a boat
on the water its more cooler than anywhere else in the city, so why not rend yourself a boat and have fun!
for instance you could rend a paddle boat @ Spreeboote  It is located close to S-Bahn station Rummelsburg, easy to reach by public trasnport!
Or you can rent a small boat at the Schlachtensee, which is also a really popular lake for swimming and sunbathing! easy to reach, there is a S-train station Schlachtensee.
For help on how to get there and back, please ask us at the reception!!

3. The Volkspark am Friedrichshain
is a very big park with a lot of different things to see and do. There is a fairytale-fountain, a sportpark, a beach-volleyball-area and a open air cinema!
It is perfect for jogging, pickniks, or just a nice and relaxed strawl. In the middle youll 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.

4. Badeschiff Berlin
By far the most hip swimming pool in town! Also it is the most extraordinary swimming pool Berlin knows. It is floating on the river spree!
It is  one of the coolest meeting points in town. There is an open air bar and a beach-like sunbathing area. They organize events, they serve food and drinks, it is perfect for a day of relaxing and chillin´.
Centrally located and easy to reach by public transport or by bike!
3€ entrance Fee.

5. Wannsee Beach complex
Together, the Wannsee Lake and the surrounding Grunewald and Düppel forests form one of the most popular recreational destinations in southwest Berlin. The Wannsee, which is actually a large bulge of the Havel River, offers a 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.
Check here to see a map of the exact location
4€ entrance fee

6. Summer time is ice cream time
you can find ice cream shops on almost every corner in Prenzlauer berg.
Some of our favorites are: kleine eiszeit, kauf dich glücklich and cuffaro. All located within walking distance from the hostel. Just ask us at the reception, we will show you how you can walk there.

7. Relax at EastSeven Berlin Hostel Garden

why not just stay at the hostel?! We have a relaxed big garden with lots of shade! There is a family sized BBQ you can use! So just get some ingredients from the shop down the road and start your BBQ- party!!

8. Go for a swim at lake Krumme Lanke
Located at the forest of 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.  It is easy to reach by Public transport, also you can take your bike in the subway so you can do a little bike tour through the forest.  It is really refreshing to end your bike tour with a cool dive into the lake, yay!!

9.Freiluftkino 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.

10. Deck 5
a rooftop beachbar….a bit difficult to find, that´s why its still a bit of a secret spot, which is cool. Go to the Schönhauser Arcaden shopping mall. Take the elevator to the 5th floor…and there you´ll have it: sun coktails and a great view…
Enjoy your stay in Berlin!

What to do in Berlin during these extreme hot days??

Of course it is a good idea to go for a swim. Just read our previous blog post on swimming pools and lakes. But beside swimming there are other refreshing activities. We have listed a couple ideas for you in this top 5!
enjoy your summer vacation in Berlin!

Leise Park

1.City Parklife

Berlin knows a lot of big and green parks. It is extreme hot today and it is gonna be hot the coming days too, but if you stay in the shade you will be fine! Close by the hostel you find the Kollwitzpark, named after the famous left-wing anti-war artist Käthe Kollwitz. A bronze statue of whom is also to be found at the heart of the park.
It is a small but lively park, with two small play grounds and a green lawn in the middle. twice a week there is a organic market here.
Another nice park is The Leise park, located next to the cemetery st. Marien/st. Nicolai. It is a brand new park and actually build upon former cemetery ground. A few grave-stones are randomly located in the park and remind you of the former use of this piece of Berlin.
The park has a lot of big trees, so there is a lot of shade. Perfect hideout during these hot days.

2. Open air cinema
the days are long and the nights are hot! if you want to see a great movie with English subtitles or in English language go to the open air cinema kreuzberg!! @ Marianneplatz 2!!

After watching a movie you can stay in Kreuzberg to explore this cool neighbourhood. A lot of nice bars and clubs are within walking distance from the open air cinema!

Garten BBQ Party

3. Relax at EastSeven Berlin Hostel Garden

why not just stay at the hostel?! We have a relaxed big garden with lots of shade! There is a family sized BBQ you can use! So just get some ingredients from the shop down the road and start your BBQ- party!!

4. rend a boat

on the water its more cooler than anywhere else in the city, so why not rend yourself a boat and have fun!

for instance you could rend a paddle boat @ Spreeboote  It is located close to S-Bahn station Rummelsburg, easy to reach by public trasnport!

Or you can rent a small boat at the Schlachtensee, which is also a really popular lake for swimming and sunbathing! easy to reach, there is a S-train station Schlachtensee.

For help on how to get there and back, please ask us at the reception!!

5. The Volkspark am Friedrichshain.
is a very big park with a lot of different things to see and do. There is a fairytale-fountain, a sportpark, a beach-volleyball-area and a open air cinema!
It is perfect for jogging, pickniks, or just a nice and relaxed strawl. In the middle youll 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.

Badeschiff Berlin

Here is our Top 5 for the  coolest and hippest swimming pools and lakes in Berlin

Hot time summer in the city……
The weather is far to beautiful too go visiting Berlin´s sights and museums. Instead of doing  that you should cool down in one of the hippest swimming pools, or some of the loveliest lakes in Berlin. Did we get your intention? then please read on, choose a place to swim, get your swimming suite and off you go!!!

1. Badeschiff Berlin

By far the most hippest swimming pool in town! Also it is the most extraordinary swimming pool Berlin knows. It is floating on the river spree!

It is  one of the coolest meeting points in town. There is a cool open air bar and a beach-like sunbathing area. They organize events, they serve food and drinks, it is perfect for a day of relaxing and chillin´.
It is really centrally located and easy to reach by public transport or by bike!
3€ entrance Fee.

2. Krumme Lanke
Located at the forest of 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.  It is easy to reach by Public transport, also you can take your bike in the subway so you can do a little bike tour through the forest.  It is really refreshing to end your bike tour with a cool dive into the lake, yay!!
no fee

3. Flugahfen See
This lake is located really close to the Tegel Airport. While swimming you can see the airplanes take off, at least you can until the airport closes down in the near future…

really nice city feeling, and still the water is so pure, you can see the fishes swimming…
no 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 southwest Berlin. The Wannsee, which is actually a large bulge of the Havel River, offers a 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.

4€ entrance fee

5. Schwimmingpool Pankow
fully equipped pool with 2 big slides, beachsports area, diving platform and a comfi sunbathing area.  It is a bit out of the centre but therefore probably not as crowded as the more central located swimming pools. And it is really nice here!
4€ entrance fee

We hope the weather continues to stay as beautiful as it is! Enjoy your refreshing cool down at one of the places mentioned above!!

If you need help finding these places, please come see the Staff at the reception!!

Don´t know when to come to Berlin? 5 reasons to come to Berlin in June. Just read our blog post and get informed on events happening the coming month!

CSD (c) Barbara Sigge

1. Christopher Street day parade, on June 23rd 2012

This is the pride parade of the year! There will be more than half a million people present at the Christopher Street Day parade, demonstrators and spectators.  It is a very diverse crowd at the parade, gay and straight, young and old, from all over the world. One thing they have in common, they are pleading fair play for diversity!

It is a political parade but also a really big party, so make sure to be there!  klick here for the route of the parade.

2. 48 Stunden Neukölln

a really inspiring and fun art and cultural festival that takes place in the neighborhood Neukölln!
The Festival takes place from June 15th till June the 17th, and there will be a lively and diverse program.

What can you expect?? There will be live performances, arts, readings, theater and dance. The Festival is the biggest festival of arts in Berlin, so make sure that you don´t miss out on this.

What is so cool about this festival is that the venues where it takes place are diverse and all through the neighborhood, in private homes, small galleries, in pubs,  neighborhood centers and parks.

Check the website for the detailed program!

Fete de la musique (c) Barbara Sigge

3. Fete de la Musique, on June 21st

this vibrant music festival is celebrating the start of the summer ever year in Berlin, with a lot of live music all through the city!

Thé festival for live music, all around town!
this amazing event takes place every year, on the 21st of June, the day the summer begins…..
Special about this festival is, it´s totally for free and really all around the city! It is an open air festival, a lot of different bands with different musical styles will perform and turn the city into one big live open air stage!

Close to the EastSeven Hostel you will find the fete de la musique at the Mauerpark, at Bassy Cowboy club and ZumDrittenman (kollwitzstrasse/sredzkistrasse)
The festival starts at 4pm, and will approximately end at 10pm….after this there will be after parties at many different locations….fete de la nuit!

4. DMY Berlin, 6th of June till 10th of June, 2012
DMY holds the yearly DMY International Design Festival in Berlin in summer, which has established itself into a scene-meeting place, trend barometer, design laboratory and playground over the years.

Over a period of five days young designers and renowned creatives present the newest developments in contemporary design, giving Berlin designers the opportunity to network with the international design scene. Current developments will be showcased, future trends detected and interdisciplinary projects and utopian designs will be encouraged. The borders between art and design are often free flowing.

Today the DMY International Design Festival occupies a crucial role in the global fair- and events- calendar as an independent event format for creative, experimental and innovative design.

(Text: Berlin.de)

5. International street theater Festival `Berlin Lacht`
International Street Theater Festival at Mariannenplatz, 15-17th of June
This is street theater at his best! Expect the unexpected!
There will be acrobatic, live music, clowns and a lot of more different kinds of performances!
I am sure it will bring you to laugh!

have a fantastic time in Berlin and a lot of greetings from the hostel in Berlin, EastSeven.