Santa Rita, Salento: All You Need to Know
April 26, 2024
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Berlin is a great city for conscious travelers. After World War II the city became a place where freedom, equality and creativity became key. Today the city and its progressive character is a breeding ground for a lot of initiatives around sustainability. It also draws in a lot of eco-minded travelers, and many of them start a life as an expat here, hooked by the inspiring atmosphere this city holds. The tips below are a good starting point if you want to explore the city in a slow and conscious way with a focus on sustainability.
Good Morning Vietnam vegan restaurant Kreuzberg
When you are a vegan or a vegetarian there is, as far as I know, no better city to travel to than Berlin. There is an abundance of exclusively vegan restaurants in each district and there are also many vegetarian restaurants with a lot of vegan options on the menu.
In addition, many traditional restaurants have vegetarian or vegan options on the menu and this is often clearly displayed at the front of the restaurant. if you are looking for a place to eat, be sure to read this article in which I highlight my favorite vegan restaurants in Berlin.
East Side Gallery mural
If you are a conscious traveler then you are aware that you can not really know a place without learning about its history. Berlin was almost completely razed to the ground in the 20th century during World War II and after that, the Cold War set in. There are many places around Berlin that should definitely be on your to-see list to understand the impact these horrifying events had on the city.
You can take a tour to visit the bunkers where people hid during World War II, visit the Sachsenhausen concentration camp where thousands of people died and stop by the memorial of the murdered Jews of Europe. At the East Side Gallery, you can see a part of the Berlin Wall which divided East and West Berlin during the Cold War.
Pieces of the Berlin are sold as popular German souvenirs these days at tourist shops throughout the city.
Flowmarkt Schöneberg
If you are into Flea Markets then Berlin is the place to be. You can find dozens of flea markets around the city and most of them are held every weekend.
Whether you are looking for a cool lamp from the seventies, music records from the sixties or some second-hand clothing, you will surely find it at one of the cozy markets in your preferred “kiez”. To make it easy for you, I wrote a post about my favorite flea markets in Berlin and where you can find them.
Your Sweet Home Berlin
When you think about sustainable accommodation you probably envision an ecolodge somewhere on a green hill near the sea. There aren’t any ecolodges like that in Berlin, but there surely are some great hotels and hostels who make serious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the place where they are located.
In addition, it’s always a good idea to stay and live as the locals do at, for example, a great Airbnb. If you want to know more about sustainable accommodation options in Berlin then read this post I wrote about some great hotels, hostels and private accommodation in Berlin.
Wesen eco fashion
When I did my research before traveling to Berlin I stumbled upon GreenMe Berlin, an online eco-city guide. The information you can find on the website is so valuable ranging from a green city map and eco-city guides to events and podcasts. And the best thing: they also offer tours.
You can have a pick between a local “kiez” tour in which you discover different eco projects, fashion stores, vegan eateries, and such in one specific neighborhood or, you can choose a tour with a special focus on vegan food or ethical fashion and design. Unfortunately, tours were on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic when we visited but it’s on the list for our next stop in Berlin!
Treptower Park
With numerous rivers and lakes, dense forests, and dozens of parks, Berlin is one of the greenest cities in Europe. If you want to have a splash in the water during the hot summer months, head to Wannsee, Schlachtensee, or Müggelsee. For some quality time at a beautiful riverside location, look for spots around the Spree and Landwehrcanal or head to the small harbor at Treptower Park.
Do you know there’s also a park with statues of characters from fairytales? And an old airfield turned into park and urban gardening space? Check out my post about the best parks in Berlin to find out more.
Supermarché sustainable fashion store
Berlin has a very rich green fashion scene with shops, ateliers and designers spread out across the city. Of course, it’s best to buy as little as possible to counteract the negative impact capitalism has on the planet. But if you need something and can’t find it second-hand, it’s best to buy it at a shop that supports fair production conditions, uses recycled or organic fabrics, and has the wellbeing of animals in mind.
Do you fancy vegan shoes? Or are you looking for jeans that don’t require thousands of liters of water? Read this post to find the best sustainable fashion shops in Berlin.
Alternative Berlin free tour
Although it’s fun to visit iconic sights in Berlin like the Reichstag, Brandenburger Tor, and the Fernsehnturm, it does not seem to represent the edgy feel the city holds. These alternative Berlin tours take you to places that are not in a tourist guide.
Get ready to be immersed in the alternative side of Berlin that is often raw but very real. Learn about local graffiti artists, why a painted banana on an art gallery is a good sign, and visit the squats where ultra lefties Baader and Meinhof forged their brutal plans for the RAF.
Berlin Music Tours The Hansa Tonstudio
Berlin has an amazing music scene and a lot of artists and musicians have been drawn to Berlin in the past because of its inspiring and uplifting atmosphere. The one best known is probably David Bowie who fled to Berlin in the late seventies to overcome his drug addiction.
If you feel like you want to explore the music scene in Berlin you can take a tour with Berlin Musictours, go to a concert at Astra Kulturhaus or Kulturbrauerei, visit the Ramones Museum or have a walk around Schöneberg and make a stop at the building and café (Hauptstraße 155) where David Bowie used to live and hang out.
Picknweight Kilostore Mitte
Berlin is the Mecca for people who like thrifting and bargaining for beautiful vintage clothing. Aside from its numerous flea markets, Berlin also has an extensive second-hand fashion scene with great shops all around the city.
Some offer real vintage designer pieces at sharp prices while others sell everyday fashion by the kilo. Read my post about the best thrift stores and vintage shops in Berlin and get going!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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