A theater trifecta offering a wide range of avant-garde and experimental events: international guest performances, contemporary dance, sound and light installations, and festivals.

A beloved house and techno club overlooking the River Spree is notable for its intense LED lighting installation, which runs the length of the club.

There are several enclaves for the new art scene, but one place to start is the area near Checkpoint Charlie, where nearly 50 contemporary art galleries and museums have sprung up.

Start the morning (or end the night) with a dip in a domed saltwater pool. A good example of the new urban bathing culture, the spa has wild light projections and live DJs.

A distinctive-looking Protestant church, destroyed during 1945 air raids, features a wall of concrete honeycomb inlaid with thousands of piece of blue glass. One partially destroyed spire has been made into a memorial.

A circus-like showcase of rarities from a Russian collector who dutifully handpicks and restores all of his beloved, weird, wild objects -- from birthing doll to airplane engine, to life-size Power Ranger.

Promenade along the river bank that tours through Museum Island, the Reichstag, and the futuristic government district. Get an architectural overview of the municipal buildings. Break in a lounge chair near the water.

Berlin’s tallest structure, a Soviet-era needle spiked with a metal ball, becomes a default point for orientation. You can get a drink at the Telecafe up at the top, but you’ll be paying to take an elevator and sit among a mob of teen tourists.

The emphasis here is on Berlin-made photography, but there's a selection of homegrown sculptures, paintings, and arhcitectural models that are international in scope.

Berlin’s central park, big and leafy -- with barbecues and a lovely low-key beer garden.

A provocative building housing provocative art. The "People's Theater" makes presence in stature (large, imposing, well-lit from below) and staging (exciting experimental theater).

Grand old movie theater popular on the festival circuit. Huge screens and seats for 447. During the decades of division it served as one of East Berlin's leading cinemas.

Every Saturday, Erika Hoffman opens up her bright and airy apartment for guided tours of her private collection — room upon room of large-scale installations, paintings, video works, and sculptures she's collected since the '60s. Intimate and exciting, and a fascinating contrast to the private Boros Collection.

950-acre airport opened in 2010 as a city park. Runways, terminals, and hanger are the same as they ever were. Bikers, rollerskaters and skateboarders are all over the tarmac. The only air traffic comes from the many kites flown from the runway.

Also known as “kunstbunker.” Hello awesomeness. In an actual bunker from World War II, is a private collection of contemporary art, installed to the specifications of the space. You must book your visit way in advance (guided tours in English only on weekends).

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On weekends, hipsters and hippies converge on a giant lawn that's one part flea market, one park playground, and one part pop-up dance party (complete with rigged disco ball). A small set of bleachers becomes the center of a public karaoke contest, and there are, unexplainably, plenty of people in costume.

A large gallery/small contemporary art museum tucked into a courtyard in Mitte. Post-viewing, join artsy folks for a coffee and fresh croissant in the glass cube called Cafe Bravo.

An arresting collection of original-sized, reconstructed buildings from ancient cities in Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East. The Islamic antiquities and archaeological holdings are spectacular.

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Impressive collection and curation of modern art in a cavernous neoclassical train station. There's plenty of breathing room for larger-than-life Warhols, Beuys, and Lichtensteins.

The building (which showcased an ensemble of Neoclassical antiquities) was war-torn, bombed-out, and neglected by Communist East Berlin for about 70 years. It took British architect David Chipperfield another eleven to figure out how to fix it up. The revamp is incredibly delicate and modern. A fine place for the bust of Nefertiti.

At the very least, please pass by the exterior of Mies van der Rohe’s glass museum. The enormous first floor room, nearly empty, plays tricks with light and space. The excellent exhibition is located underground.

An old Jewish school for girls has been turned into a new institution for galleries and restaurants that pay homage to Jewish culture. Mogg & Melzer steps into the delicatessen role, serving excellent matzo ball soup, pastrami sandwiches, and reubens piled high with sauerkraut in a clean, cozy, modern space. 

Berlin's only Michelin two-starred restaurant resides at The Regent hotel, complete with white tablecloths, fancy plating, and a little bit of stuffiness.

Charming, white-walled, laid-back, and very neighborhoody. It's on a particularly sunny corner across from a park, and you can enjoy a homemade soup, coffee, or delicate sandwich while catching some rays.

Currywurst, the Berlin sausage snack, has been served from this kiosk since 1930. Long lines at lunch and early evening, eat standing up so that you're ready to go for seconds.

Berliners are very opinionated about their late-night, post-clubbing snack, a sausage cut into bit-size pieces and sprinkled with curry powder. Order with fries, and all the condiments they provide.

A delicious deli counter, cafe, and dry goods shop adjacent to the throwback general store Manufactum. The bread and cheese selection is top notch. Lots of edible souvenirs you'll want to bring home.

Incredibly tasty and uncomplicated Korean home-cooking served in a simple shop on a residential street. The walls are covered with Bible verses, as are the laminated menus, which offer bimbimbop and kimchi mixed in with instructions on living a Christian life. Proceeds go to charity.

Aussies run this fresh-feeling neighborhood coffee shop, where they showcase their love of carefully concocted espresso drinks, toothsome sandwiches, and homemade baked goods.

A large and lofty restaurant and music venue inside of an old hospital (that kind of looks like a castle). On the menu: modern German food and live rock-and-roll.

Dreamy standalone building that once served as the crossing point for the Paris-Moscow railway is home to a charming French-German restaurant — elegant and Old World inside and out.

Tucked inside a quiet ivy-and-brick courtyard near Hackeschermarkt, an American dancer-turned-baker creates hearty deli-style sandwiches, soups, salads, and cakes.

Serious baristas roast, tamp, tap, and serve excellent espresso drinks in a cramped but cozy spot on a charming block near Mauer Park.

An Asian jewel box hidden from the bland tourist promenade in a small courtyard. Thick Persian carpets line the floors, and folks lounge on ikat divans next to low tables (there’s a no shoe policy). Order the Russian tea ceremony, which has a silver samovar plus a slew of accompaniments — like rum raisins, marmalade, crystallized orange. The waiter will no doubt offer vodka to cut the sweetness.

Modern cafe great for meetings with those graphic designers/DJs/stylists. Cool rack of magazines for flipping through while waiting for your latte.

Fantasize about the Austrian coffee houses of the 1920s and play into it: Ask for a window table in the walnut dining room, leisurely read the paper, and stay for an an aperitif.

Thoughtfully cut meats and interesting vegetable sides in a clean, white, dressed-up butcher shop. Quiet. Nice lighting. Excellent meals.

A Bavarian market up front (wooden crates of produce, deli cases), and energetic cafe in the back. Stop in for specialties like spätzle.

Korean barbecue joint with a party atmosphere and soju bar next door. Keep up the beat in the bathroom, where you will find toilet karaoke.

Tiny, casual Japanese ramen counter with a small but solid menu of noodle soups. The German ceramicist who owns the place also supplies the lovely dinnerware.

This French bistro was a hopping place for artists and journalists in the post-Wall years. You can still feel the history when you walk in the door, but the waitstaff is a crap shoot (sometimes, attentive and excellent; other times, dismissive). Good steak frites and elbow-rubbing make up for the rest.

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Make reservations! This super cozy 22-seater is all about seasonal French plates, depths in taste, and unpretentious service (which can be tough to find in this town).

An opulent and somewhat secluded palace and gardens on the western side of the city. Each room has its own luxurious charm (without a trace of the Berlin grittiness you hear so much about). Setting and service are impeccable from dining salon, to winter garden, to Turkish bath.

Feels a little New World ritzy for a luxe accommodation that aims to channel Old World elegance. But the amenities and services are everything you'd expect.

Classical-style luxury hotel in touristy Gendarmenmarkt Square. Home to the only German restaurant with two Michelin stars.

One of Berlin's first grand hotels is still pretty ostentatious (gold ceilings, limestone bathrooms), but these days it feels rather corporate. The conference crowd takes up most of the lobby bar area, though the service is good and the Brandenberg Gate is just steps away.

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A rare specimen of Old World splendor (you can take tea in the Opera Court and schmooze in the ballroom). The surrounding area, unfortunately, is a bit touristy. Make a quick escape to the opera.

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Feel like a local the minute you pick up your keys the ground floor cafe, the unofficial front desk for the inn/b&b-hybrid upstairs. Choose between four well-appointed rooms or the two-bedroom suite. (They also have off-site apartments to let.) All are clean, fresh, modern, affordable, and run by some of the nicest guys in town. 

The 27-room townhouse is run by an irreverant German with a penchant for good design and NY steaks. So much so that he filled the spiffy 19th-century space with a stunning spiral staircase, Kartell lamps, and sconces from his favorite opera house. Then he flanked the hotel with a NY-style steakhouse on one side, and a delicatessen on the other. 

Nice, albeit slightly sterile, modern business hotel with eight state-of-the-art conference rooms, private dining room, wine vault, and summer terrace for large groups or corporate events. Close to KaDeWe department store and Ku'damm promenade.

The best cafe for solid, free WiFi usage in Mitte also has spiffy apartments for short-term rent. You can live like a local, and experience the hustle and bustle of Rosenthaler Platz right from your window.

Good for business travelers who want a little bit of action and neighborhood culture in between meetings. Apartments are sleek, modern, affordable, and fitted with a kitchenette.

A thoughtfully designed boutique space where each of the 35 rooms have a different modern theme and nice, big bathtubs. Located in ever-so-charming Kollwitzplatz area (near the best farmer's market in Berlin).

Whimsical, creative, edgy hotel hangout feels like crashing at a friend's shared artist loft. Extremely affordable and fun. Book a "WG" (flatshare) if you want to socialize and/or save some cash.

The private member's club has 40 very spacious rooms in a decked-out Bauhaus building, a very buzzy lounge and restaurant, and insane views of the city from the rooftop patio. Watch Berlin's movers and shakers at work (while tipsy).

If you want a location central to shopping and sight-seeing, you can't go wrong with Lux. It's the sleeker side of new Berlin with design-driven rooms, fancy salon, lobby hangout.

A weekly Turkish market that stretches along a leafy canal. Shop for headscarves, produce, and pistacchio spread, then end with a tall beer at nearby Ankerklause bar.

Proper, jaunty Brit-wear (from cardigans to tuxedos), shop, and clubhouse. Hang around long enough and you may be invited to wear a smoking jacket and join a dinner party.

Labor intensive products using Old European standards, beautifully designed, durable, and functional (metal, glass, wood) displayed carefully. So that you covet a garden shovel and a rain coat with equal measure.

Avant-garde obscure Berlin based clothing and accessories labels mixed with edgy international brands.

Way old chocolate maker since 1912 chrome, glass, wood; a beautiful setting for eating bitter chocolates.

Europe's largest department store is a century old and remains a wow-factor in the former West. German boutique brands splay out on multiple floors, so take your time, and make your way to the food hall filled with kiosks, bars, delis, and coffee shops. Merchandise displays pluck consumerist heart strings.

Specialty delicatessen and fancy foods shop where you can also pick up a hot coffee and loaf of breakfast bread. On a charming block in Prenzlauerberg overlooking a park.

Need souvenirs? Try this shop for colorful kitchenware (teapots, water jugs, canisters) from noteworthy European brands.

Hard Wax is one of the most important records stores in the world for electronic music enthusiasts. It's known as a stalwart in Berlin's techno scene, but some of the city's biggest DJs, whose expertise spans dub, disco, house and ambience, have worked or are currently working behind the counter.

A fine bookstore inside an old butcher shop — lots of nice floor and wall tiles, big windows, and picture books.

Handsome little shop for sharp knitwear.

Sweet little boutique jutting off a very nice strolling stretch of Augustrasse offers the ladies drapey items (wraps, bubble sweaters, shapeless dresses) and affordable accessories from local designers.

A magazine-phile dream. Super comprehensive magazine store. Floor-to-ceiling shelves of magazines, quarterly journals, small-run periodicals in fashion, photography, design. Hard-to-find monthlies, local newbies, with titles like Gentlewoman, Purple Fashion, 80*81, Pin-Up, Achtung, Granta, The Weekender. in English and German.

A whole shop devoted to licorice, that polarizing treat, with varying degrees of Salmiak (the savoriness that makes your face pucker). Clear glass jars of gummy treats are lined up according to region and salt/sugar profiles. There are super cool tins of nibs, antique scales, and an old-fashioned cash register that cranks.