Berlin on a Budget: Complete Guide

Walking Tours

There are a million options! All donations based! Check out:

• GuruWalk

• Walkative

• Alternative Berlin Tours

Museums/Galleries - Free!

König Galerie: Interdisciplinary, space-based exhibitions featuring emerging international artists housed in a former Brutalist church.

Deutscher Dom: 18th century cathedral structure housing exhibitions on German democracy and its development. Also, a bell tower with panoramic views of Berlin.

Futurium: Interactive displays designed to make guests contemplate the future of culture and our planet. Trippy.

Kunstraum Kreuzberg: Former hospital turned squatter space turned present-day cultural center and contemporary art space!

East Side Gallery: A Berlin Wall monument. Must-visit for first timers.

Shows/Events

Comedy at The Wall or Babette’s Garden: Donation-based stand-ups are all over this city. Check Eventbrite for updated showtimes and even more fun options.

“Musik im Park”: Free, outdoor summer concert series on Köpenick Island.

Kultursommer Festival: Summer, various locations. All types of theater, dance, music and more. Open to the public.

Shopping

24COLOURS: Affordable, trendy pieces for women. Super cute.

Vintage Revivals: Varied selection of vintage items at bomb prices. Everything from old T-shirts to sports jackets to club and costume pieces.

Humana: Can’t make a thrifting list without good ol’ Humana. Locations all over the city. (Hint: The one at the Frankfurter Tor is the largest second hand shop in Europe.)

Marheinekeplatz Flea Market: A Kreuzberg staple offering a bit of everything for the patient bargain-hunter. (Weekends only.)

Getting Around

Berlin is big — the biggest city in the EU. While taking public transport from one end of the city to another will take longer than a taxi, the network is vast, efficient and will get you everywhere you need to go. With patience, you can see the entire city without cashing out for a single Uber. (24-Hour tickets start at 8.80 Euro.)

EAT

Kebab: Berlin’s ubiquitous kebab joints serve up enormous portions of Döner for anywhere from 5 - 10 euro. It’s impossible to recommend a top spot, but people love Mustafa’s. (Weisse Kebap Haus was my spot this recent trip.)

Banh Mi: The Vietnamese sandwich can be found fresh and cheap in stands all over the city. (Try the stand at Schnellerstraße 133 in front of Decathalon.)

Yoyo Foodworld: 100% vegan, self-service spot. Ridiculous variety of items. Dishes around 7 euro.

Burgermeister: beloved burger chain. Delicious options for less than 10 euro.

DRINKS

Belushi’s Happy Hour: 2 euro Jaeger shots, Sunday-Friday 5-9pm. Lively bar attached to a hostel. Fun for an energetic pregame.

Vagabund Taproom: Hi beer friends! Happy Hour 5 - 7pm with 50% tap pours. Plus, 5 euro long drinks all day, every day. A Wedding staple.

Club der Visionäre: Waterfront bar/club with different spaces for chilling and dancing. Nice mix of locals and tourists. For a more laidback club atmosphere, as the night deepens, CdV can’t be beat. PRICE: 5-8 euros cover.