Reservations: 10:00 – 18:00 (Sun-Fri)
Reception Hotel & Hostel: 24 hours
Apartments Concierge: 07:00 – 21:00
Fall into Berlin –
Ah, autumn. The perfect time of year for strolling the city, as the leaves begin to turn but it’s still (sometimes!) warm enough for drinks on the cafe terrace or in the beer garden. And if the weather is not playing along, there are more than enough cosy bars and restaurants, while the concert halls and theatres begin their new seasons and there’s a whole range of new exhibitions in Berlin’s museums and galleries to check out.
All in all, there can be few better times of the year to experience everything Berlin has to offer, and we thought we would pick a few highlights of our own for this autumn guide. They are all taken from our very own DIY Berlin Guide – which you can find in The Circus houses. Not only are they all well worth a visit in their own right, but some of them will bring you to parts of the city most visitors never get to experience.
These insider tips have been curated by The Circus Team and illustrated by the wonderfully talented Nina Hüpen-Bestendonk – make sure you check out Nina’s website and instagram to see more of her work.
BEELITZ HEILSTÄTTEN
Abandoned Berlin at its finest – although to explore these atmospheric ruins of an old TB hospital you’ll have to travel out to the forests beyond the edge of the city. You can wander between the ruins or take a tour into the crumbling buildings, and there is also a treetop walkway to lift up above the canopy that – in the autumn – is a spectacular display of reds and oranges and browns.
Recommended by Katrin, CEO of The Circus
TURKISH MARKET
You’ll find this colourful bazaar on the Landwehr Canal every Tuesday and Friday. It has everything, from beautiful Turkish rugs to pistachio-flavoured honey. Make sure you buy the Gözleme, the most delicious spinach and cheese pastry you will ever try. Just make sure you bring a bag for all your goodies and plenty of appetite. Also check our BTC events here as once in a while we organise tours to the Turkish Market with one of our staff members where you will have a little stroll through the neighbourhood and learn more about the Turkish culture and history of one of the biggest communities in Berlin.
Recommended by Kat, The Circus Hotel
BORNHOLMER HÜTTE
A cosy bar and a bit of time travel back to the days of the GDR – East Germany. The old skittles pub was painted a light beige back in 1977, and today’s dark brown decor is the product of decades of local smokers settling in for the night. We can especially recommend the peppermint schnapps (a Berlin specialty), the knackwurst (sausage) and the nine-pin skittles alley in the basement.
Recommended by Indre, The Circus Reservation Office
FOOTBALL IN BERLIN
The new season begins and Berlin’s football teams are dreaming of glory – or in Hertha BSC’s case, an escape from the Second Division, into which they fell last year. But ever if they are playing in the Bundesliga 2, the Olympic Stadium is well worth a visit and we have tickets available for home games at reception. Or why not try one of the lower league teams? Lichtenberg 47 play in the shadow of the old Stasi HQ, Hertha 03 Zehlendorf play in the Grunewald forest, and you’ll find a cool set of fans in the Mommsenstadion for Tennis Borussia.
Recommended by Jim, COO of The Circus
BERLINER PHILHARMONIE
It’s also a new season for the musicians in what has to be one of the most stunning examples of 1960s architecture in Berlin. Take a tour of the Berliner Philharmonie and you’ll visit the performance halls, get an introduction and overview of the building’s history, architecture and acoustic design. You’re guaranteed to fall in love!
Recommended by Andrew, The Circus Entertainment