where to stay in Berlin? Mitte used to be the centre of former East Berlin, when the city was still divided into East and West. Mitte is probably the most central area for the major Berlin tourist attractions. It is a very fashionable place and great for enjoying all the good things life has to offer. Anything is possible from visiting unique little art galleries to shopping for shoes, from admiring the grand architecture in the historical centre to simply enjoying a good meal or a coffee in one of the many lively restaurants or cool Berlin cafes. You are truly spoilt for choice here! It has quite a dynamic atmosphere by day but by evening, when all the tourists have gone home, it is less packed. Apart from Oranienburger Strasse of course, which attracts an interesting clientel!
There are of course many other places in the evening that have more of a local charm about them. If you want to leave the tourist trap of Hackesher Markt a short wander brings you to the "Schenenviertel" area, notably Alte Schoenhauser Strasse is a great street to people watch by day and have a meal in the evening. The artistic area's are also easily explored. A lovely stroll is to start off at Auguststrasse or one of the surrounding streets, home to many of the leading independent local art galleries and cool local Berlin cafes. Make your way down to Tucholskystrasse and you will end up next to the former post office and a club called "Rodeo" which is also a restaurant.
The Berlin governmental district is best seen on foot or by taking a boat ride. The boat rides go from all along the Spree, the Berlin river, near to the ‘Hackescher Markt’ end. If you are feeling energetic and fancy a walk along the river, start from U-Bahn Hackescher Markt, ask for directions to the River Spree (‘zum Fluss Spree bitte’, should get you there), then just follow the Spree towards the sleek ultra-modern buildings of the governmental quarter. You'll pass many historical landmarks including the Reichstag on the way. Further along the river near the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (house of world culture), nicknamed ‘the pregnant oyster’ by Berliners, you'll come across one of the many beach bars that Berlin has become famous for in the summer months. It's usually packed out by sun-worshipping Berliners and tourists reclining in one of the many deck chairs. A great place to unwind or start the evening!