Weekend in Berlin (Part 1): Iconic Museums, Food Trends, and Hidden Gems
Ready for your “48 Hours Berlin Express” adventure? History, art, gastronomy, and fascinating local lore welcome you to an unforgettable weekend getaway. Having just returned from an action-packed trip to Berlin, I’ve put together a treasure trove of insider tips for you… 48 hours (or a little more…) to explore and fall in love with a city full of wonderful surprises.
Let’s start with the museums. First stop: the Neue Nationalgalerie. The building alone is breathtaking: a monumental black steel and glass structure designed by modernist master Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—a true cornerstone of modern architecture and 20th-century art collecting. Designed by the legendary architect, it represents an extraordinary fusion of transparency and geometric precision.
The permanent collection traces pivotal moments in 20th-century art, boasting masterpieces of German Expressionism (which I adore), Bauhaus, Surrealism, and American Abstract Expressionism. Walking through the galleries, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with heavyweights like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, George Grosz, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Barnett Newman.
The building immediately captivates with its iconic upper pavilion: a monumental black steel roof supported by just eight external columns and encased in floor-to-ceiling glass. Through March 7, 2027, this space is hosting “NIGHT”, the first major solo exhibition by Maurizio Cattelan, bringing together historic works and new pieces created specifically for the Berlin museum.
The piece everyone is talking about? Naturally, “Him”. From behind, it looks like a young boy kneeling in innocent prayer. But as soon as you walk around it… boom! It’s the unmistakable face of Adolf Hitler. Cattelan plays a clever trick, catching us off guard: by placing him in a position of vulnerability and mock penance, he forces us to confront historical memory and the reality that evil often hides where we least expect it. Record-breaking fact: in 2016, this piece was auctioned at Christie’s in New York for a staggering $17 million! Truth be told, the news left me quite shocked, but still… congratulations, Maurizio!
Right next door, the atmosphere shifts completely with the “Ruin and Rush” exhibition—a deep dive into the era of so-called “Babylon Berlin.” This overwhelming city was a place where cabaret luxury and industrial progress coexisted with poverty, civil unrest, and post-war hardship through diverse artistic styles like Expressionism, Dadaism, and New Objectivity.
German Expressionism found its beating heart in Berlin, particularly during the early decades of the 20th century. This movement sought to express inner emotions, psychological tension, and social anxiety through distorted forms, intense colors, and stark lines. In “Ruin and Rush,” old Berlin lives on through these artists’ memories: a city of cafes, cabarets, illuminated streets, and working-class neighborhoods, alongside political tension and inequality.
Their works capture the restless spirit of an era marked by radical change, offering a deeply subjective and often critical take on modernity. Among the must-see pieces is Otto Dix’s famous Portrait of the Dancer Anita Berber—an absolute icon of queer culture and the wild nightlife of the Roaring Twenties.
Key figures include Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who painted vibrant scenes of Berlin life using elongated figures and harsh, acidic colors; Emil Nolde, known for his intense color compositions; and George Grosz, who exposed the corruption and decay of Weimar society with bitter irony.
Three listening stations feature poetry readings by Anita Berber, Mascha Kaléko, and Erich Kästner, adding depth to a deeply evocative show.
Downstairs, you can explore several modern art exhibitions, including “Abstraction-Figuration,” “Everyday Life Becomes Art,” and “Socialist Realism,” featuring works by masters like Fontana, Picasso, Miró, and Dalí.
Further along is “100 Works for Berlin” by Gerhard Richter, famous for his massive grid-like mosaic walls of multicolored squares (a photo-op you can’t pass up).
Richter utilized various techniques here, including experiments on glass, mirrors, and painted photographs, featuring the renowned Birkenau series based on four clandestine photos taken in 1944 at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
If Expressionism captivates you, extend your tour to the Brücke-Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, and the Berlinische Galerie. Each offers a unique perspective on the city’s boldest artistic side!
After all that culture, hunger is bound to strike. In Berlin, there’s one golden rule for street food: Currywurst! You’ll find it everywhere, served in disposable bowls to eat hot right on the sidewalk, with or without fries. It’s delicious, perfectly spiced, and subtly exotic thanks to the aromatic curry sauce. The secret lies in that fiery red seasoning generously poured over the classic sausage, which comes white (my personal favorite) or red.
Created after WWII by Herta Heuwer, who decided to spice up grilled sausage with ketchup and curry powder, it accidentally became the most iconic dish across Berlin Imbisse (snack stands) and a nationwide favorite. You can’t miss it: vendors sell it across the city, sometimes even on mobile setups complete with portable grills strapped to street vendors.
Here are the best places to try it: Witty’s Organic Food in Schöneberg for a fully organic take. Curry 36 (4 locations), wildly popular at all hours. Curry Wolf, featuring views of the Brandenburg Gate.
Konnopke’s Imbiss, Berlin’s oldest snack stand, watched over by a portrait of the legendary Marlene Dietrich.
Looking for a couple of charming local joints? Zur Bratpfanne (serving since 1949), a true local favorite.
Absolut Curry, known for its extra-spicy version served from a food truck parked right outside the Bellevue U-Bahn station.
Calling all cult cinema lovers! Head over to Babylon, a historic cinema in central Berlin renowned for screening iconic silent films accompanied by live orchestras, theater organ, or piano.
This gorgeous Art Deco cinema regularly hosts special screenings of silent classics like Nosferatu, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, and Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, Modern Times, and Limelight, all brought to life with live musical accompaniment. It’s a thrilling journey back in time!
BLINDED BY DELIGHT—the perfect title for the grand spectacle of music, dance, acrobatics, and stage design currently running at Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast, one of Europe’s most impressive theaters. Featuring a cast of over 100 performers, riveting choreography, pop music, and dazzling costumes, it’s a sheer feast for the senses.
The show features world-class acts, including a quartet of trick cyclists doing stunts on two wheels, a stunning trapeze artist, and an ensemble of acrobats flying to breathtaking heights. The showstopping costumes, encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals, were designed by American fashion designer Jeremy Scott (former creative director at Moschino), while 30 flawlessly synchronized dancers close the show with a high-kicking line inspired by New York’s famous Radio City Rockettes. A must-see for anyone visiting Berlin—an explosion of beauty, imagination, and artistic talent.
That’s all for Part 1 of your adventure… Stay tuned, because next week, for a trendy night out, I’m taking you… to prison!
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