Berlin is not only a historical city of the long 20th century but holds also relicts of an anterior time. For example the Zitadelle Spandau which is one of the most well-preserved Renaissance forts in Europe. The old medieval castle was rebuilt in the 17th century in a “neo-Italian manner” by the elector Joachim II. In 1839 it was changed again in a neo-classical style.

The oldest parts of the Zitadelle are the donjon Juliusturm and the Palais which were built in the 13th and 15th century. During World War II the area was used for military purposes.

The ancient arsenal houses a nice museum and it is definitely worth it to climb the wooden stairs of the Juliusturm. On the top you have a beautiful view over the west of Berlin where nature and city are close to each other. At the end of the day you should have a break in the historic tavern where you can enjoy the rustic atmosphere while eating with your hands (open every day from 11:00, Sunday from 10:00).

The Zitadelle Spandau offers also many activities for kids: Discovering the Middle-age, art classes in the Kunstbastion (School of arts), puppet theatre and many more events. Just have a look at the programme.

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Zitadelle Spandau | Art & culture, Music, Festivals & events | Entrance € 4.50
Am Juliusturm | Outer – South&West | +49303549440
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Coming to Berlin but starving for an original American breakfast? Then you have to check out “The California Breakfast Slam” in Neukölln. It’s the only place where you can find “Fluffy Pancakes”, “Texas Style Turkey Sausages” or “Organic Poached Eggs on Cured Ham Slice”. For us Germans who are used to “Brötchen” (buns) and marmalade it is maybe a little bit unusual to have a hot meal for breakfast but in Berlin you can not escape the multicultural influences.

The kitchen chef Patrick Blasa is also a musician and comes from California. He’s always missed a delicious home breakfast since he came to Berlin 8 years ago. One day he stopped looking for it in Berlin and just started to offer it himself. But this food is not like you would find it on every corner in the states, it claims some gourmet twists as you can see on the menu which changes every weekend. Patrick himself cooks in the kitchen and always considers the good quality of the food he buys for the dishes.

The California Breakfast Slam happens only on weekends. Make sure to reserve a table if you plan a slam there – or just drop by if you are in the area, you may be lucky!

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The California Breakfast Slam | Coffee & tea, Festivals & events, Restaurants (American) | Starter € 3.80
Pflügerstrasse 19 | Kreuzberg
Sat – Sun 10:00 – 16:00

CUE is a mobile and open platform where one can improvise, meet other artists or just have a drink and watch the work of others. Interdisciplinary jam session is an improvisation of video, sound, light and performance. Imagine visuals projected over a musician playing the saxophone and an actress performing a pantomime. One is free to add to the composition. Every square of the location can become a stage. And it does.

These improvisations take place every first Friday of the month and the location differs: during summer CUE happens also outdoors, but this is an exception. Generally, one can count on an indoor location, with some video equipment and many visual artists, actors, and musicians. Best is to bring your own equipment and to be spontaneous.

Some time ago CUE took place a couple of times in Tacheles (check the Tacheles article) as well, the graffiti art house in Oranienburgerstr. The platform could not have been a better choice, the whole art house is an improvisation of its own.

If you are curious, take a look at the CUE website for a video featuring the mixture of music, visuals and people. Keep in mind that CUE is a jam session, and like all improvisations, it can always be different.

Tip: make sure to check their website, the events are irregular.

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CUE Berlin | Art & culture, Festivals & events | Free
Adress varies | Mitte
Varies check website

I remember my first visit to Berlin in 1996 when I was 19, walking down Oranienburger Strasse, sitting in shabby little bars and surrounded by orange mohawks, leather trousers, washed down buildings, and protest banners. The view of the ‘Tacheles’ from those little bars is one of the most colorful pictures my brain has ever taken.

These days, Mitte consists mostly of fancy boutiques and high end restaurants and galleries. Nice, but I can’t help feeling a certain nostalgia for years that I never lived in Berlin. Maybe I was left with that teenage wonder……

Despite all the changes, however, hints of that old Berlin can still be found… In the middle of newly renovated buildings and modern supermarkets, lives the ‘Schokoladen’ with it’s run down walls decorated with pink paper lights and overgrown vines. Walking into the ‘hof’ is like stepping back into the roaring 90′s when it started; soon after the fall of the wall and at the beginning of that period of no limitations for a bohemian artistic lifestyle. The walls are still a washed down grey, and the windows still haven’t been painted. During the week, the space is used as gallery space for local artists and every weekend they hold concerts with independent bands, and parties.

It’s the kind of place with crowded little smoky rooms filled with people dancing, and where stepping out for air is a necessity.

It has outlived its old neighbors, but is fighting to keep its doors to the past open.

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Schokoladen Mitte | Art & culture, Bars, Festivals & events
Ackerstrasse 169 | Mitte
Concerts Fri – Sun 19:00 | See website for events