Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [91]
To buy a used bike, try the Mauerpark flea market Click here, www.zweitehand.de or www.craigslist.de.
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Running
Berlin offers great running terrains in its many parks. Flat and spread out, the Tiergarten (Map) is among the most popular and convenient, although the Grunewald in southwest Berlin is even prettier. The trip around the scenic Schlachtensee (in Grunewald) is 5km. The park of Schloss Charlottenburg (Map) is also good for a nice, easy trot. More challenging is Volkspark Friedrichshain (Map), which has stairs, hills and even a fitness trail.
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Swimming
Berlin has lots of indoor and outdoor public pools. Opening hours vary widely by day, time and pool, so call ahead before setting out. Many facilities also have saunas, which generally cost between €10 and €15.
Sommerbad Olympiastadion (off Map; 3006 3440; Osttor, Olympischer Platz; adult/concession €4/2.50; 8am-8pm May-Sep; Olympiastadion) Do laps in the 50m pool built for the 1936 Olympic athletes.
Stadtbad Charlottenburg (Map; Alte Halle 3438 3860, Neue Halle 3438 3865; Krumme Strasse 10; adult/concession €4/2.50; 8am-8pm) Alte Halle is a beautiful art-nouveau pool with colourful tiles and popular with gay men on nude bathing nights; Neue Halle is modern with a 50m lap pool and sauna.
Strandbad Wannsee (off Map; 803 5612; Wannseebadweg 25, Zehlendorf; adult/concession €4/2.50; 8am-8pm May-Sep; Nikolassee, then bus 513) Possibly Europe’s largest lakeside lido with 1km of sandy beach and plenty of infrastructure and concessions.
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WALKING TOUR
This meander takes in all of central Berlin’s blockbuster sights, plus some fabulous hidden corners. From Potsdamer Platz it winds through the Government Quarter to Unter den Linden into historic Berlin, ending in the Scheunenviertel. Along the way, you’ll be treated to great views, tremendous architecture, interesting nosh spots and plenty of places you might recognise from the history books.
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PLAY IT COOL BY THE POOL
Viva Berlin! Take an old river barge, fill it with water, moor it in the Spree and – voilà – an urban lifestyle pool is born. In summer, a hedonistic Ibiza-vibe reigns at the artist-designed Badeschiff (Map; 533 2030; www.arena-berlin.de; Eichenstrasse 4; admission €3; from 8am), with bods bronzing in the sand or cooling off in the water and a bar to fuel the fun. On scorching days, come before noon or risk a long wait. After-dark action includes parties, bands, movies and simply chilling. In winter, an ethereally glowing plastic membrane covers up the pool and a deliciously toasty chill zone with saunas and bar.
Any time of year is a fine time to feel your daily cares slip away at Liquidrom (Map; 258 007 820; www.liquidrom-berlin.de; Möckernstrasse 10; 2hr/4hr/day pass €17.50/20.50/22.50; 10am-midnight Sun-Thu, 10am-1am Fri & Sat), a stylishly minimalist day spa that’s the perfect mood enhancer on a rainy day. There are a couple of saunas, dipping pools and lounge areas, but the star of the show is the darkened domed hall where you float in a saltwater pool while being showered with soothing sounds and psychedelic light projections. Pure bliss.
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Kick off your tour at Potsdamer Platz (1; Click here), Berlin’s newest quarter and a showcase of contemporary architecture. Check out the section of the Berlin Wall (2) outside the S-Bahn station entrance, the public art in DaimlerCity (3; Click here) and the tented plaza at the Sony Center (4; Click here). Continue north on Ebertstrasse to the gargantuan Holocaust Memorial (5; Click here) where you should wander among the concrete blocks