http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19615 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19615 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18481 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18481 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18401
The building is a former factory and represents for me a typical Berlin atmosphere. The mixture of old and new in a city where ideas have space to grow. The centre of the building is the enormous atrium, where, as well as in the lounge, you will meet other backpackers and can make new friends. The owners made a private dream come true with this hostel and you'll have a warm welcome in this place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18401 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18120
Avoid the breakfast (three euros); we were directed to a darts pub (?) and were served up a very strange mix of spam, boiled eggs and UHT milk all in the midst of an OAP coach party briefing. Bizarre.

If you have a taste for currywurst at three in the morning there's a take-away across the road.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18120 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17739
I chose the Citystay Mitte. A good choice, not only because of the location at Hackescher Markt, an area which seems to be pure Berlin. I was allowed to find hidden places and spaces.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17739 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16758
I can recommend the hotel Bleibtreu Berlin or the Pension Kurfurst. Both have websites for booking. The Berlin tourist information site also has numerous hotels in this area to suit everyone's taste and pocket. The hotels mentioned are a bit pricey and some are for snobs and are not well located for travel around Berlin.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16703 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16703 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16406
Those looking for a hotel-style accommodation with hostel prices, this is the one. Been going there since 1998 and makes part of why Berlin is so special to me! Has nice big rooms and cosy art deco style. So good, even real Germans stay there. Also has very nice and comfortable cafe adjoining it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16403
Really cheap and comfortable, these apartments are a must if you are visiting Berlin. Also very easy to book and very friendly to deal with.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16403 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16330 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16330 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13527
Some of the rooms have country themed decor (think Swiss cheese, mountains, flags etc) and kitchen and bathrooms are impeccably clean.

The small bar is laid back and chilled out; a good place to meet fellow travellers for a random chat.

Staff are welcoming and incredibly helpful, and you can even hire bikes for only 12 euros a day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12861 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12861 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11822
It is totally free and you don't need to register.

Especially in Berlin there are plenty of free rooms to rent out short-term. This is just the place when you are looking for an alternative to staying at a youth hostel. This is where you can check out what the real Berlin lifestyle is all about!

I went to Berlin last summer and stayed at an ample apartment shared by three people. I was only there for three weeks but I got to meet local characters and had the chance to hang out at insiders only locations.

I can recommend this experience to anyone who detests feeling like a tourist and who wants to breathe the same air as the locals in Berlin do!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11822 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11255 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11255 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11092
The accommodation is basic but fun - the rooms have beds on a mezzanine and there's a large communal kitchen you share with performers. Great for the budget - conscious and a great insight into the real Berlin.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7324 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7324 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6486
For an overview of Kreuzberg take U-bahn line U1 from Schlesisches Tor to Gleisdreick. Trains run along an elevated section. West Kreuzberg is traditionally more upmarket, whereas the east is still more down-at-heel.

The main sights include the Jewish Museum and the Transport and Technical Museum. Typical Berlin tenements survive in Kreuzberg, and there are particularly interesting blocks at Chamissoplatz and Riehmer's Hofgarten, between Yorckstrasse and Hagelbergerstrasse.

Kreuzberg is also a good area for budget accommodation and has decent bars and restaurants.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6486 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3429 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3429