History, Grit, and Football on Both Sides of the Wall

Berlin is a city that never really stands still. It’s a place rebuilt, reimagined, and always alive — where street art covers history, where kebab shops sit beside beer halls, and where techno clubs share walls with football bars.

It’s not a polished capital — and that’s exactly the point. Berlin’s energy comes from its mix of people, its layers of history, and its love of the good things in life: beer, football, and staying out late.

The City

Berlin wears its past in plain sight. You can walk from the Berlin Wall Memorial to Brandenburg Gate in an afternoon and still pass Cold War watchtowers, memorials, and modern glass offices built where the border once cut the city in half.

Each neighbourhood feels like its own world:

• Kreuzberg brings together Turkish markets, punk bars, and football on every TV.

• Friedrichshain is all graffiti, beer gardens, and nightlife that spills into the morning.

• Mitte holds the museums, monuments, and that mix of old East and West Berlin architecture.

• Prenzlauer Berg and Neukölln offer the city’s best cafés, vintage shops, and local hangouts.

Berlin’s charm isn’t in its skyline — it’s in its street corners, courtyards, and beer-stained benches.

Things to Do & See

There’s no right way to “do” Berlin, but here are a few essentials for any trip:

• East Side Gallery – a kilometre of the Berlin Wall, covered in murals that tell the story of the city’s rebirth.

• Tempelhofer Feld – a park built on a former airport runway where locals cycle, skate, and barbecue until sunset.

• Mauerpark – famous for its Sunday flea market and open-air karaoke sessions that turn into street parties.

• Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate – must-sees for anyone interested in Berlin’s political and historic heart.

• Cold War relics – Checkpoint Charlie, the Stasi Museum, and hidden bunkers under Alexanderplatz give a glimpse into the divided past.

• The Spree – grab a beer and walk along the river between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg; it’s where Berliners go when the sun’s out.

What to Eat & Drink

Berlin’s food is as mixed as its people. You’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants a few blocks from kebab stands that never close — and somehow both hit the spot.

• Currywurst – spicy sausage, ketchup, and curry powder. Cheap, messy, essential.

• Döner Kebab – a Berlin invention brought by Turkish immigrants, now basically a religion.

• Schnitzel & Kartoffelsalat – the classic German combo, best enjoyed with a cold pilsner.

• Berliner Pfannkuchen – the city’s jam-filled take on a doughnut, often just called a “Berliner.”

Where to eat like a local:

• Markthalle Neun (Kreuzberg) – street food, craft beer, and Thursday night markets.

• Burgermeister – burgers served from an old public toilet under the U-Bahn.

• Zur letzten Instanz – Berlin’s oldest restaurant, serving traditional dishes since the 1600s.

And of course, beer gardens and bars are everywhere — from Prater Garten (Germany’s oldest beer garden) to riverside spots like Klunkerkranich with rooftop views over the city.

The Nightlife

Berlin’s nightlife is legendary for a reason. From dive bars in Neukölln to industrial techno clubs in old factories, there’s something for every kind of traveller.

If clubbing isn’t your thing, no worries — many of the best nights happen in football pubs, smoky bars, or in the open-air courtyards where Berliners just hang out with bottles from the späti (late-night shop).

Sport & Fan Culture

Berlin doesn’t just watch sport — it lives it.

Union Berlin — Football Built by the Fans

In Köpenick, Union Berlin is the pride of the working-class east. Their stadium, the Alte Försterei, was literally rebuilt by supporters. The atmosphere is raw, loud, and 100% authentic — standing terraces, cold beer, and non-stop singing.

Hertha BSC — Old School in the West

Across town, Hertha BSC play in the monumental Olympiastadion, a venue that’s seen everything from the 1936 Olympics to modern cup finals. Hertha fans bring a more traditional vibe — scarves, chants, and pre-match beers in Charlottenburg’s old taverns.

Lower-League & Local Football

Berlin’s football story runs deep. Clubs like BFC Dynamo, Berliner AK 07, and Viktoria 1889 offer gritty, community football with a proper local feel — and usually for under €10 a ticket.

Ice Hockey & Basketball

When the football’s done, Berlin still buzzes. Eisbären Berlin (ice hockey) and ALBA Berlin (basketball) both play near the East Side Gallery and draw packed, passionate crowds — complete with drums, flags, and plenty of beer.

Where Fans Go

Matchdays in Berlin start early. Around Union, Köpenick turns into a street party of sausage stands and improvised beer stalls. Near Hertha, pubs like Zwoelf Apostel and Bier’s Kudamm 195 fill with locals before the game.

For post-match beers:

• Panenka Bar (Kreuzberg) – the city’s best football pub, packed with fans and memorabilia.

• FC Magnet Bar (Mitte) – cult favourite where football, indie, and politics collide.

• Clash (Kreuzberg) – punk, football, cheap drinks, and loud opinions.

Why Berlin?

Because no city captures Europe’s mix of history, culture, rebellion, and sport quite like this. You can walk through the scars of the past in the morning, eat world-class street food for lunch, and find yourself in a terrace chorus by night.

Berlin is for travellers who want real football, real food, and a city that never stops moving.