A growing collection of basic information pages about life and living in Berlin.
On the following pages I’ll try to guide you through some of Berlin’s every day tasks. Berlin 101 is a growing collection of suggestions, tips, pointers and advice that should help new Berliners make their way through typical Berlin days and Berlin nights. Things you should probably know when you’re planning to visit, to stay, to live in Berlin. Be it for a day, a week – or for good. If you happen to have a special question please feel free to add a comment below and I’ll try to find an appropriate answer.
Berlin Shopping Guide
Where to shop? What to buy?
Berlin Blockade and Airlift – Facts and Figures
The Berlin Airlift (german: Berliner Luftbrücke / ‘Berlin air bridge’) was organized by the Western Allies, British and U.S. America in particular, to support and supplly West Berlin with food and goods during the soviet Berlin Blockade 1948/1949.
The Berlin Wall (1961 – 1989)
What was the Berlin Wall? Where was the Berlin Wall? Why was the Berlin Wall built?
The Fall of the Berlin Wall 1989
A page is dedicated to the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Internet in Berlin – Going Online
Berlin Airports: Schönefeld
The one Berlin Airport, that is actually not in Berlin
Berlin by Bike
Getting around the city on two wheels.
Winter in Berlin: the sledding hills
Berlin may be flat – but there are some hills you can go to ride your sledge in the winter time
Tipping in Berlin
Where to tip? What to Tip? How much to tip?
The Berlin Bear – The Coat of Arms of Berlin
The official Coat of arms of the City is the Bear – but it's also everybody's darling
Drinking in Public
Yes, it's okay – as long as you do try to behave…
Eating in Public
Yes, it's okay – as long as you do try to behave…
Berlin Weather
What to expect from spring / summer / autumn winter weather conditions…
Summer in Berlin
Berlin Lakes – lakes in and around Berlin
Go for a swim – or just hang by the beach on one of the many lakes
Berlin electricity: power plugs, voltage, sockets, plugs
When traveling abroad, you almost always have to think about the local electricity / the power situation: What is the voltage in Germany? What do the plugs look like? Do I need a power plug adapter and/or a power converter? What travel adapter will work?
Berlin maps: street maps, transport map, historical maps, …
A list of different resources and services featuring various Berlin maps: historic maps, interactive maps etc.
Berlin Healthcare
A view on the German health care system
Berlin Movie Theaters
Where and how to find films / screenings in English and/or original version
Public Holidays / Bank Holidays in Berlin
Berlin Heating Systems
Gas heating? Coal heating? central heating? Here's a view what kind of heating system you'll probably find in your apartment – and how to operate it.
Learning German in Berlin
Planning to stay? Want to communicate with the locals? Pick up some German!
Berlin Water: Tap Water = Drinking Water
Water from the tap and what you should know about it (yes, it most certainly is drinkable!)
Self-Service Laundry – Berlin laundromats
A (growing) list of self-service laundry facilities
Money Exchange: Cash and Currency Tips for Berlin
Came here with a handful of dollars? Here's your Euros…
Public Screening a.k.a Public Viewing
Watching a soccer game / football match in public, in a bar, at an organized event
Berlin TAXI 101 – taking a cab in Berlin
Taking a cab – how to take a Taxi in Berlin – a short guide with some basic facts and figures on Berlin Taxi fares, tipping, etc.
Berlin Accommodation
Berlin by Car
Public Transport
Berlin Food
Trash and Recycling
- TV-Sets, Computers, Electronics, Batteries, etc.
- Biodegradable Waste / Organic Waste
- Paper and Cardboard recycling
- Packaging waste, plastic, wrapping, other recyclable material
- Recycling glass and bottles in Berlin
- Returnable Bottles / Deposit Bottles
- Donating Clothes, Shoes, Books, DVDs etc.
- scrap metal dealers
- Christmas Trees
Hallo,
We are travelling to Berlin on the 18th May and we are looking for a RV site which is easily accessible to the Velodrom, we will either travel to the Velodrom in the RV or perhaps by bicycle, depending on distance. Could you recommend an area, or particular sites, that would be suitable.
Bitte
Hallo,
Sorry it took me a while to respond! I must admit that I don’t know of any particular site that I would recommend for parking your RV. You could either try to find a spot near Velodrom, which actually should be very well possible if you give it some time in advance. Or instead you could park your RV close to a M10 tram stop or close to a S41/S42 S-Bahn ring station – both have stops near Velodrome.
I hope this helps somehow?
Have a nice stay!
Cheers!