If you haven’t ever been to Berlin (or haven’t been in a some while), then you need to do yourself a favor and visit. The city has gone through such a dramatic transformation and development over the past few years, it is remarkable. The city also has an energy that, to me, is unmatched on the Continent. The food is good, the museums are good, the style is good, and the place is semi-affordable (even with the Dollar exchange pain that we Americans are used to).
I had the pleasure of spending last week in the expansive German city and below are some of the sights from my trip. In addition to what you see here (and a substantial bit of these photos have been appearing on my Instagram @acontinuouslean), I also visited a few shops and will report more on that shortly. If Europe is in your future travel plans, be sure to spend some time in Berlin, you won’t be sorry.








Great photos. I only wish we have a similar app to MyTaxi up here in Canada!
Great photos — Berlin looks amazing. And the Red Wing Shoes ad is awesome as well.
I love the hats on the cross-walking gentleman!
Just went to Berlin in May with my sister. Unbelieveable city. Unparalleled energy as Herr Williams noted.
If you are a history buff, hit up the Red Berlin tour with Mike from http://www.newberlintours.com. Fascinating way to see the city and learn about the legacy of Communism.
For neighborhoods, hit up Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Neukolln for nightlife and food (Turkish, Indian, and Thai especially). Also, rent a bike.
Hah! I noticed the hats last time I was there but never knew why, cracking. I’m flying to Berlin tomorrow and have been before but there’s so much to see… any chance of a quick list of other recommended stores and places of interest, my trust in you and my Google Maps will do the rest.
Great pics.. I also love Berlin, I’ve been there a couple of times, but it was too long ago. I’ve heard about the great transformation, and I’ve been meaning to go there fore some time now. With you comment, I’m thinking this september I’ll be there.
Were the pics taken with the Fuji x 100? They look so nice!…
All photos taken with the Fujifilm X100!
That schnitzel pic is testing my vegetarian resolve.
Thanx for the answer Michael.. I gotta get me one of those! Good thing I got my birthday coming up ! ;) lol
Michael, are you an interhouse member of the Soho House group?
or can the public walk into the Berlin one?
I’m not a member of Soho House, but my friends are. So you need a member to take you in Berlin (just like the other clubs). But I think you can stay in the hotel without a membership (which seems like the best way to play it).
Awesome pictures! I need to get to Berlin soon!
Manufactum has a great web site, too. Not sure if they ship to USA, though. Lots of stuff you didn’t know you needed…
I really like your photo’s, they have a “look” to them.
Love the place!
If you like your track bikes—Keirin Berlin
http://www.keirinberlin.de/
and art books and self published printed matter:
Motto Berlin
http://www.mottodistribution.com/site/?page_id=1020
for your contemporary photographyC/O Gallery is worth a visit:
http://www.co-berlin.info
Firmament
http://www.firmamentberlin.com/
I’ve used this twice for apartment search for the stay… pay on arrival.
http://www.ferienwohnung-zimmer-berlin.de/index.php
Red Wing “Purpose-Build”…they got the hyphen right, but blew it on the verb tense.
And speaking of hyphens: Connect those dotted lines on the first shot….soooooo well Teutonic engineered (to death).
Was just reading today that the new Portra 400 is the hot all-purpose and imminently SCANNABLE film that will make you want to pick up your film equipment again…and what better place to employ my Rolleis than Berlin? Thx. for the tour tip.
Manufactum isn’t just the best store in Berlin, but one of the best stores in the world. Really an excellent place. If you’re not in Berlin, they have stores in a few other German cities and also a great catalogue.
Speaking of shopping, did you make it to the Ampelmann store? An entire store based on the little man wearing the hat on the traffic lights.
your redwing photo reminds me of this store here in japan
http://www.madeinworld.co.jp/
Made in the World is pretty amazing.
http://blog.redwingheritage.com/2011/05/16/deadstock-heaven-made-in-the-world/
I take it you have been to every city in Europe?
Every city worth visiting.
@Michael
Really like the iPad wallpaper. Is the image online? Or did you make it yourself?
Thanks
So jealous of your visit to Manufactum! Pick up anything notable?
The wallpaper is a map i bought on eBay and scanned.
No, I didn’t buy anything there, but I wanted a bunch of stuff. Awesome store.
Thanks for whetting my appetite. I loved this.
Bearlin, Leanin, Comein, Squalin, Somethin, Wheatthin. Anyway, could’ve been better.
“Beat a body down with a ‘luminum bat”
Just left Berlin today. Now in Prague. What a city!
Did you know that this week’s NY Mag is also featuring Berlin? I guess great minds think alike.
I feel in love with Berlin when I was there in 2006. I was there for the Love Parade which was definitely an experience all on its own.
The NY Times also has a feature on the greatest cities in Europe, with a lot of people pushing for Berlin.
Spotting the ex Nazi bulidings is interesting eg the Air Ministry, Propaganda Ministry, Tempelhof. Shame the flak towers in the parks were demolished. And a visit to the ‘Topography of Terror’ on what was Prinzalbrechtstrasse to put in perspective what odious f-ks the Nazis were.
Great pics and Manufactum is really great. They’re focussed on vintage stuff produced in a traditional manner, e.g. from abbeys, freelance farms, tailors or winemakers and stuff. Worth a visit, also in Hamburg (which is even more beautiful than Berlin)!
Good stores:
14 oz (Quality clothing, selvage denim, footwear)
Burg & Schild (Biker-americana, high end japanese denim, american made clothing)
If you’re in Hamburg, visit Rudolph Beaufays, who sells great vintage clothes from england. Highly trad. Check websites for adresses.
Every city worth visiting? I take it you’ve been to Copenhagen then?!