There's nothing more revigorating during the dark winter days than spending a couple of hours in a sauna. Germans have mastered the art of sauna and you can find amazing pieces of architecture in the public swimming pools (Stadtbad). I find Stadtbad Neukölln very peculiar in its neoclassic architecture and it's definitely a wallet-friendly option to enjoy some sauna time there. Be prepared to be naked in front of man and woman!

The central ‘Mitte’ area of Berlin is packed tight with galleries and museums, which means you can cram a lot into a short amount of time, if that’s what you want. The best of the lot is the Me Collectors Room, which shows off large chunks of the Thomas Olbricht collection alongside other contemporary private artworks. The permanent ‘Wunderkammer’ display offers over 200 pieces from the Renaissance and the Baroque periods, with a solid focus on the strange and macabre. There’s even a Mark Ryden original that fits in nicely.

While strolling around Mitte, check out the flagship store of Berlin´s cult women fashion brand. (And try a delicious cinnamon bun at Zeit für Brot next door.)

My favorite lake to visit during the warmest months. It's located in the southwestern part of Berlin and it's reacheable by public transportation, just around 40min from the city center.

Volksbühne hosts and produces an intriguing program of theatre performances, contemporary dance and concerts.