If any city knows how to have a good time on a shoestring, it's Berlin.
Once deemed "poor but sexy" by its own mayor, the German capital possesses a carefree spirit that has made it a natural magnet for artists, entrepreneurs, and creative industries alike.
As one of the most exciting and rapidly growing destinations in Europe, we've picked out some of the best activities for which limited budgets are no obstacle.
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1. Soak up some culture on a gallery crawl.
One of Berlin's defining features is undoubtedly its thriving and ever-expanding gallery scene.
While admission to state museums and institutions can verge on the costly, a trip to one of the many independent spaces will prove a far cheaper — and often more satisfying — alternative.
Lively clusters of galleries appear all over town, but we especially recommend a trip to Potsdamer Strasse and the surrounding streets in Schöneberg, where young and established spaces exist side by side.
Openings are often timed to coincide with one another, so check local art listings INDEX as a guide to the most happening evenings, or refer to this handy map.
If you're very lucky, you might just score yourself a free wine in the process.
Postdamer Strasse: Kurfürsenstrasse U-Bahn
Price: Free
2. Seize your 5 minutes of fame at Mauerpark Karaoke.
Housing one of the most popular outdoor flea markets in Berlin, Maurpark attracts hordes of visitors every Sunday for its mad mix of stalls and, more unusually, its "bearpit karaoke."
Since early 2009, charismatic MC Joe Hatchiban and his battery-powered karaoke kit have taken to the park’s 1,500 capacity amphitheater to host wildly successful sing-along sessions.
From crooning older locals to break-dancing kids, the diversity of brave participants and their excitable audience make for an afternoon of top-class entertainment.
Gleimstrasse 55, 10437 Berlin
Price: Free
3. Tour the city on the 100 bus.
Navigate the city like a pro while sparing yourself the pricey, tourist-trapping coach tours with a top-deck ride on one of the city's standard double-decker buses.
Single tickets cost just 2.70 euros and last two hours, with the option of getting on and off at any point within that time.
The iconic 100 bus route passes by the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Museum Island, the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), Berlin Zoo, and the Victory Column.
Hop off at cultural institution Haus der Kulturen der Welt to check out its impressive sci-fi design by architect Hugh Stubbins.
Price: From 1,60€ (~$1.79) for a 6-stop ride
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