Things you gotta do in Berlin: Part 2

Berlin - so many goodies, many things to do and much awesome. Here's part 2 of what you've got to do in this beautiful, ugly city:

Walk through the Turkish market

Located on Maybachufer along the Landwehr Canal in Kreutzberg, it's a scenic and sensory delight. The perfect place to buy picnic goodies: Turkish simit (sesame rolls see above), feta, olives, cheap fruit and veggies and freshly fried Turkish treats (crispy sigara börek, gözleme).

At the start of the market are a few cute cafés along the canal, which are a good catch up place to meet friends. As you get towards the end of the market there's awesome coffee (where you'll find a Melbournian or two), fabrics, beads and handmade gifts. 

Here's a music video by Berlin band Seeed where they actually walk through the market.

Take a train trip to Potsdam

About a 30 minute train ride from Berlin, Potsdam is just delightful. Walk up the stairs to Sanssouci Palace, meander through the gardens, have a hot chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat. A great place to go to escape the concrete jungle-ness of Berlin.

Potsdam

Walk along the East Side Gallery

Okay, this'll be in your tourist books but I had to mention it to make sure you definitely go! A remaining section of the Berlin Wall, it's covered in art celebrating it's collapse. Plus it's free to walk along (winning if you travel on a shoestring budget like myself)

Check out the graffiti art along Revaler Str

It's becoming more developed these days, though it's still worth a visit. Formerly an abandoned factory site it's covered in graffiti with a beer garden, outdoor rock climbing and cinema

Revaler Str

Walk around Schlachtensee with a cute German boy

Backstory: I went on a date with a boy to this lake. I thought I'd be all healthy-like and have a green juice beforehand. Not the best idea. We got the train there and it was super cute, we had a cup of tea at one of the cafés and continued to walk around the lake.

Then all of the sudden I had the fullest bladder of all time. With no houses or signs of civilisation to be seen. We ran along the remainder of the lake (which felt like it never ended) until we came across some houses and knocked on an old lady's door begging to use her bathroom. Sure it's a super hilarious story to look back on, but boy it was not a fun feeling at the time.

Moral of the story: go but make sure you have a toilet stop beforehand.

Knit in a local park

Or read a book, journal write, people watch.

There's always a little park wherever you are in Berlin.

Try a Club-Mate

Admittedly I'm not the biggest fan, but when in Rome. It's a yellow yerba-mate based energy drink with a cult following. You'll see hipsters walking all over town with one in hand. Try it and be one of the cool kids for the day.

What do you think? Tell me your favourite recommendation in the comments below.