Nowkoelln Flowmarkt

This Flohmarkt only occurs once a month takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month and is one of our favourites so far. There are far less professional market traders selling over-priced handbags and cameras that you find at Mauerpark and Boxhagener. The general fare tends to be people selling their own second hand stuff or crafts people selling hand-made things.

The location is lovely, stretching along the canal, and the atmosphere very cheerful. There are live music acts throughout the day and food stands (which are actually a bit pricey).

Our stall at Nowkoelln Flowmarkt

We have been twice and found some great bargains on both visits. People are willing to haggle and if you're prepared to rummage around then you can get some crazy things for just a few euros.

Nowkoelln is also a good spot to sell your own stuff. Having helped clear out an apartment in our block we had a fair amount of curious items to sell and had a great day standing next to the canal. We made some nice new friends: people were very friendly, despite our inability to count auf Deutsch.

Check the website for the date of the next market: Nowkoelln Flowmarkt. If you want a to have a stand at the market you can either sign up at the proceeding event for a large 3m covered stand, or just turn up on the day with your own table/rail/rug and they come around and collect money off you depending on how much space you have.

Directions: go to Schonleinstr. on the U8, take the exit for Burknerstr., go down Burknerstr. and then keep following the canal until you reach the market.

Berlin Burger International

As a (not very good) vegetarian one thing I have missed is burgers. The trouble with vege-burgers is they lack substance. Too often eating a vege-burger is like eating a porridge sandwich: too soft, too bland, too messy. That's why I was very happy to discover Berlin Burger International.

These burgers are sky-scrapers, piled high with salad and sauce, kept standing with a skewer, and full of flavour. Although nothing will quite match the chewy, meaty goodness of good beef my vegetarian order was by far the best I've ever had. I heard positive noises in regards to the meat options too.

Stacked!

Located at Pannierstr. 5, just round the corner from Hermannplatz. 

Berlin Tempelhof

Once one of Berlin's busiest airports, Tempelhof airfield now serves as a public park, offering fantastic spaces for cycling, roller skating, kiting and walking.

Overlooked by the vast Nazi-built terminal building you can make your way around the park, walking down its two runways or following the circular taxiing tracks. And if you visit on a windy day you'll be treated to a sky full of kites.

The design of the park facilities is also notable it's functionality and unobtrusive implementation. The runways are marked out with cycling and running routes which let you know how far you've come. Maps are displayed on flat blocks that make them easy to understand in a park that has few landmarks to navigate by. There are also three info kiosks that also serve as viewing platforms; they may not look particularly high, but in such a flat, open space they give great views.

To really appreciate the vast scale of the airfield you have to go there. Now that I live round the corner I am lucky enough to make frequent visits, though the daily bike rides I envisioned have yet to materialise...

The park can be accessed by various entrances marked on this map, and the best U-Bahn stops to go to are Tempelhof, Paradestr. (U6), Lienenstr. or Boddinstr. (U8).

N.B. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, so in December and January it closes at 5pm.

Flughafenstraße

Berlin is full of junk/antique stores that are as much museums as they are shops. Flughafenstraße has a fair few of these on it and some of the owners seem to put as much care into the display of their wares as curators in galleries.

Apparently the price you are told when you first ask about anything is twice that which you should pay, so don't be afraid to bargain. Having said that they're still pretty cheap so if you don't feel like your German is quite up to a Life of Brian-style stand-off then you'll still be able to find some bargains.

U-Bahn: it's got Boddinstr. (U8) at the top, and Rathaus Neukölln (U7) at the bottom.

Multilayerladen

There are lots of expensive, big name clubs in Berlin that play host to big name DJs who I know nothing about. I feel reticent about laying down up to 14€ to gain entry to these venerated techno temples.

Multilayerladen has the look of an office, with disco balls hang from the false ceiling. It's shabby and, on the night we went, packed full of people. Entry was free and the music kept everyone dancing till the not-so-small hours.

Office Chic

The night we went was the 'Miniclub', and it really did have a relaxed, house-party feel to it. You can see their upcoming events on the slightly confusing (and German) website.

U-Bahn: Kottbusser Tor (U8, U1/2). Head towards Oranienstr. from the station, and before you go under that housing estate turn right. The club is opposite a large climbing frame (perfect spot for a between-dance breath of fresh air).

Arkonaplatz Flohmarkt (Flea Market)

Berlin is quite famous, I think, for its flohmarkt. Every Sunday the city's crafts people, traders, house-movers and entrepreneurs set up their stalls across the city.

Since arriving the only market that has been mentioned to me is Mauerpark which, on a sunny September afternoon, is a heaving place, full of all sorts (old and new). There are plenty of food stalls to keep you going as you wander its apparently infinite passages, and lots of interesting things and people to entertain you for a whole day. From 3 o'clock (weather permitting) you can also venture across the adjoining field to witness the Bearpit Karaoke, which is certainly a sight to behold.

However, if you want to escape from the crowds and browse with more ease, venture a little south from Mauerpark, to the Arkonaplatz Flohmarkt. The market is much smaller than it's rowdy neighbour and is all antique/2nd hand goods.

As I am currently living 'between homes' I resisted the urge to buy any of the large, 3D plastic shop-front letters available and tried to avoid eye-contact with any of the lovely but reasonably priced 60s furniture. Also available were antique lithographs, vintage toys, retro glasses, furry hats and plenty more besides.

I hope to make a full investigation into all the city's flohmarkts and trödelmarktes over the coming weeks and will report back with my findings (both ethereal and material).

Closest U-Bahn stop for Arkonaplatz: Bernauer Straße (U8), or Eberswalder Straße (U2).

La Focacceria

After visiting the Arkonplatz Flohmarkt we were keen to find something nice to eat, and were very happy to stumble across La Focacceria.

The food is simple but delicious, and pretty reasonably priced too. The primary offering is slices of deliciously topped focaccia bread which, once chosen by you, are baked in pizza ovens and served straight to you on a chopping board (very rustic).

The pricing strategy was straight forward, you pay for the number of stücke (pieces) you want. Bulk buys give you cheaper stück. We ordered 5 for €7, and were pleasantly full. For €18 you could get 14 stücke, which we figured would happily satisfy four people for just €4.50 each.

We also saw some very nice looking lasagne and cannelloni being served up for just €3.90 per generous portion.

From some reviews online it sounds like the place can get very busy, though when we were there it was quite calm and we had a nice seat outside. However, if its bursting you can always get take-away.

Closest U-Bahn stop: Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Bernauer Straße (U8).