Berlin: the alternative tour

You’ve walked Unter den Linden, visited the Bundestag, enjoyed breathtaking views from the Fernsehturm. A few nights clubbing till morning are in your bag, and binge eating currywursts has become your second nature. What else is there to do, see, and eat in the German capital? Here’s a few unusual experiences you can add to your list.

Last summer I decided to self-inflict a full-time, one-to-one, 10-day German course in Berlin. I also decided that I would stay away from the mainstream attractions and seek alternative experiences. Having been to Berlin a few times before and having walked its ordinary beaten path — the wall, the museums, some of its clubs — I wondered what else I could experience in the German capital. If you have already been to Berlin and covered the basics, this article is for you. Sit back, relax, and take note.

Reading the local paper while having breakfast

Neukölln

Every time I travel, I always promise myself that I will stay active. I rarely manage to, but this time, surprisingly, I did. Finding a pay-as-you-go gym proved difficult. While looking for a swimming pool, I came across Stadtbad Neukölln, the public pool of the Neukölln…