After your German Course

Once your German lessons are over for the day you can venture out: start from the Kapitel Zwei language school (SEO) to explore Berlin and the Berlin area. We would like to make some suggestions:

Alexanderplatz

• Visit the Alexanderplatz and the largest TV tower in Europe. From up there you have a wonderful view of Berlin. With its 368 meters it is the highest viewpoint in Berlin and therefore a famous sight.

Hackescher Markt and the Museum Island

• If you are interested in culture, visit the Hackescher Markt and the Museum Island afterwards. Since 1999, the latter belongs to the world heritage by UNESCO. Perhaps the structure of the museum complex reminds you of the Louvre, the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg or the British Museum in London?
• Here you can also see the Berliner Dom (Cathedral), the Lustgarten (Pleasure Garden) and famous museums like the Old and New Museum, the Old National Gallery, the Pergamon Museum or the Bode Museum.
• In the summer you can dance Tango Argentine open air, right next to the Spree. Get inspired and let yourself be invited to dance. For more information about the Museum Island click here.

Berlin Mitte

• The Brandenburger Tor (Gate) (1788-1791) is the most famous sight of Berlin and can be reached by bus (TXL, 100) S-Bahn within 15 minutes. Maybe you and your friends have already been there for the Love Parade, the European Football Championship, New Year’s Eve or one of the many demonstrations. From the historical point of view the Brandenburg Gate was a symbol of division of Berlin and Germany until 1989. Today it is a national symbol of German reunification.
• From the Brandenburg Gate you can walk to the famous Potsdamer Platz, where East and West Berlin meet. The Potsdamer Platz with its special architecture represents the new and modern Berlin. You can go shopping in the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden and with some luck you might even spot a movie star in front of the theatre at the Berlin Film Festival Berlinale.
• To learn more about Berlin’s history, visit Checkpoint Charlie. This was the most popular border crossing between East and West Berlin between 1961 and 1990. This is probably where some GDR functionary smuggled chocolate, cigarettes, music and tights for their loved ones. For more reliable information about the Wall, the Cold War and the demand for democracy, visit the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie.
• Politically interested students may want to visit the Kanzleramt (Chancellor’s Office) at Hauptbahnhof and try a knock on the door of Angela Merkel’s office. Then you might want to walk directly to Friedrichstraße along the Spree River through the Government Quarter, featuring the German Federal Parliament (Reichstag). On November 9th 1918, the Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the republic from the west balcony of the Reichstag beating Karl Liebknecht to it.
• You also should not miss the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin Mitte, a place of political events for Prussia and Germany. Which one of the two domes is the German Cathedral (Deutsche Dom) and which is the French Cathedral (Französische Dom)? In addition the many cafés around invite for a break.

Berlin and the Spree River

• Furthermore, we recommend a boat trip on the river Spree starting from the nearby S-train stations Jannowitzbrücke or Hackescher Markt. Relax, take some snaps and discover Berlin as you cruise 44 km on the water.
• Do not miss a walk along the Spree River and have look at the East Side Gallery, an international memorial for freedom. It is a 1.3 km long section of the Berlin Wall. You can start at the Oberbaumbrücke nearby metro and train station Warschauer Straße.

Parks and Palaces

• Berlin also offers a lot of parks and palaces, where you can find peace and time for thoughts. The parks offer a beautiful show of nature’s colors all year ‘round. The Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German Federal President, or the Charlottenburg Palace are both worth a visit.
• In the Tiergarten or the Treptow Park indulge in the German “Curry” sausages on offer – you will learn to miss them.

Surrounding

• Finally you will have to make a trip to the surrounding region of Berlin: For example Potsdam with its beautiful Sanssouci Palace are worth a visit as is a trip to the Pfaueninsel, which is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. Click here for more information about sightseeing in and around Berlin.

Close to universities

From S+U station “Alexanderplatz” you can reach your university comfortably

• to Humboldt-University (HU) in 15 min. by walk or using the train no° S7, S75 or busses like TXL, Bus 100 as well as
• to Technische University (TU) in 35 min. using train no° S5, S7
• to Universität der Künste (UdK) in 35 min. using train no° S7, S75 and metro no° U2
• to Freie Universität (FU) in 40 min. using train no° S7, S75 and metro no° U9 and U3

Close to libriaries

For our ambitious readers, there are two large public libraries

• Staatsbibliothek Berlin,  either Potsdamer Platz or Unter den Linden 8
• Die Grimm-Bibliothek of the Humboldt Universität Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 1/3

Nightlife

The Berlin nightlife enjoys a legendary reputation. All the countless bars, pubs and nightclubs are perfect places for new ideas and trends. New locations open all the time and are waiting to welcome you! Find out more about Berlin’s cultural life and partying:

• Berlin 030
• Tip-Berlin
• Gratis in Berlin
• PRINZ Berlin
• Kulturprojekte Berlin

Flea markets

• Whether you need a bike, a musical instrument, clothes, household goods or in fact anything at all then come and visit one of the many flea markets in Berlin. The most famous one is called “Mauerpark” and it takes place every Sunday. It is located near the subway station “Eberswalder Straße” in Berlin “Prenzlauer Berg”. In the Mauerpark you can also take to the stage as an (un) talented karaoke singer in an amphitheater. Berlin will celebrate you. More information you find here.

Infrastructure

Last but not least, Berlin provides a perfect public transport system. More information on tickets and all connections can be found here.

• BVG
• Deutsche Bahn (DB)