Meet my city: Berlin by Pavlos Leptokaridis '12

Pavlos graduated from the American College of Thessaloniki in 2012, majoring in Business Administration with a double concertation in Management and Finance in 2010. After his bachelor he continued with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and graduated in 2012. He is currently working as a Team Lead-Financial Crime Operations in Deutsche Bank in Berlin.

Which is the best time to visit your city?

Springtime from the beginning of May until June, would be the best time to visit Berlin. The city is full of trees, flowers, parks and small rivers and one can fully enjoy the sightseeing throughout, either on foot or by biking.t.

On the other hand, the winter time can be really cold. Therefor one should be well prepared, since the temperatures can reach below zero degrees.

Which museum or attractions are worth visiting?

The "Museum Island" is where you may visit the most important museums in Berlin, such as the Pergamon museum and others... (Please check: Museum Island Berlin: tickets, museums & more | visitBerlin.de)

Once you are there and since the “Museum Island” is located near "Unter den Linden," visitors can enjoy a walk on the historical road towards Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building, which is the German parliament (the walk is shorter than 2 km).

Which restaurant would you suggest?

There are thousands of restaurants in Berlin, and visitors can literally enjoy cuisines from all over the world due to the multicultural nature of its residents.

My personal choice would be Paulo Scutarro Italian Restaurant, near the famous shopping street Kurfürstendamm, which is an elegant choice if you are nearby. It needs a reservation in advance, though.

Which places would you recommend for accommodation?

I would recommend the area near the Hackescher Markt, the most hype place to visit, for those visitors who want to experience the real Berlin vibe.

For others who might prefer a high-class and elegant stay in Berlin, accommodation near SavignyPlatz and Kurfürstendamm are worth considering.

What is something worth buying?

For all gin lovers, Berlin offers a locally made high-quality organic liquor which uses cucumbers from the Spreewald - Berlin's Spree forest, crossed by various canals fed by the Spree River. Great souvenir to bring back home.

What is the best way to get to know your city? (Tourist bus, walking tour, renting a bicycle)

A combination of walking tours in the city center and biking through Tiergarten would be the best way to enjoy a city tour, depending on the weather. Alternatively, in case of bad weather, a tourist bus would give the visitors the opportunity to see the most important sightseeing. Have in mind though, that the tourist bus offer a standardize tours.

Also, you may rent a shared car in order to travel from one place to the other since such vehicles are available all over the city for anyone to pick them up. This choice may provide more flexibility and time to spend on sightseeing. Furthermore, public transportation also gives visitors the opportunity to move conveniently around the city. Finally, keep in mind that Berlin is full of rivers. Therefore, during summer and springtime, a boat tour in Berlin offers an alternative but still beautiful way to explore the city.

What is your favorite place in town?

One of my favorite places in Berlin is Tiergarten, one of the biggest parks in Berlin. It is located in the very heart of the city and lies between the famous Brandenburger Tor and Zoo Park. During spring and summertime, people visit the park to take long walks under the shadow of its huge trees, bike alone or with friends, and enjoy picnicking.

Which is your top secret place in the city you live in? 

The local street markets (flea markets - called Flohmarkt in German) are famous in Berlin. People of all ages and from all over the world tend to visit such markets during the weekends in order to buy all things related to food, like vegetables, fruits, teas, cheese, pies, etc., as well as vintage furniture, clothing, music records and almost all things related to a household.

One of the most popular markets in Berlin – during weekends - is located in Boxhagener Platz, which is in East Berlin. This is my top secret place since it provides the opportunity to meet with friends and find top-quality products like fresh meat, fresh produce, dairy, deli items, baked goods, and others (Greek products included). What is worth mentioning is that people from all over Berlin visit this market during weekends, creating a cultural blend and resulting in a wild and unique atmosphere of the market.