By Nikos Mastrogiannopoulos/ info@eurohoops.net
Eurohoops presents a detailed travel guide for Berlin, the hosting city of this weekend’s Final Four. How to travel to the capital of Germany, places to visit, eat, and much more useful information to combine with the conclusion of the 2023-24 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague between May 24 and 26.
Fenerbahce Beko, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos Aktor, and Real Madrid are on the way to Berlin as well. A potential clash of the Greek powerhouses in the championship game would shape the first clash of domestic rivals in the modern history of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
Eurohoops will be in attendance, reporting on the Final Four. Besides following exciting action on the court, a tourist guide comes in handy as well.
For those staying at home, below is the schedule of the Final Four.
Semifinals (24/5)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Fenerbahce Beko (18:00 CET)
Real Madrid – Olympiacos (21:00 CET)
Finals (26/5)
Third-place game (16:00 CET)
Championship game (19:00 CET)
Country: Germany
City: Berlin
Official language: German
Government: Federal parliamentary republic
Currency: Euro
Population: 3.4 million
About the country
Among the newest capitals of the Old Continent, the history of Berlin starts with its foundation in the 14th century. Upon reunification in 1989, Berlin emerged as the modern capital of Germany. Visitors enjoy a city combining history with culture.
The second largest city in the European Union based on population. It is also a state of the Federal Republic of Germany, home to around 3.4 million people. Germany is an integral part of the EU and the euro.
A moderate mesothermal climate describes the weather with cool summers and particularly cold winters averaging a maximum temperature of 3 °C. Between November and March, heavy snowfalls are recorded. So, for milder conditions visit in spring or summer.
Transportation
The usual way of landing in Berlin is through two airports. Tegel located northwest, serves the largest airlines (Aegean, Lufthansa). Schonefeld located southeast, serves low-cost flights (Ryanair, Easyjet).
Both airports connect to public transport for an easy and direct path to the city center. Nearby the arrivals of Schonefeld, there is a stop of the underground railway (Line S9 to Spandau) that goes through the whole city center. In Tegel, you will need to take the express bus (line TXL) to Hauptbahnhof or Zoo Station, and from there use the S-Bahn or U-Bahn. Alternatively, of course, you can take a taxi to the hotel or apartment where you will be staying.
Far fewer visitors choose to travel to Berlin via train, bus, or car. In case you choose to use Germany’s very good rail network, the main station is located at the Hauptbahnhof and serves both domestic and international connections. From this station, you can easily travel anywhere in central Berlin.
Specifically
- The airport is 11 kilometers from downtown. Bus X7 is a safe option. It connects to Rudow station in about 9 to 12 minutes. It runs every ten minutes and is available from 05:30 to 01:15. Buses 163 and 171 take about 45 to 55 minutes to reach the center and make several stops along the way. Tickets are available at the airport. The cost is 3.40 euros per adult.
- A second option is via train. Express trains RB14 and RE7 are fastest with journey times around 30 minutes. However, they only run twice every hour. The ticket you buy must be valid. For example, the Brandenburg Airport is in the suburbs of Berlin (Zone C), so the ticket must be valid for Zones ABC. The cost is 3.40 euros per adult.
- Of course, there is also the option of a road trip. Take your car and go. For example, you can start from Athens, reach Thessaloniki, cross the border with Bulgaria, then cross the border with Serbia, head towards Hungary, pass through Austria and specifically Vienna, and then cross the A4 motorway to Germany.
- Last but not least, taxi. Beige in color, the taxis to the city center cost around 49 euros under normal conditions. It will be around 40 minutes. There are additional charges for more people entering the vehicle.
The multipurpose Uber Arena
From the Mercedes-Benz Arena to the Uber Arena. Do not get confused. It is the same venue. The name change was completed in March 2024. A new sponsor changed the name of the indoor arena along with surrounding venues, including the Uber Eats Music Hall. The hosting stadium of the Final Four has a capacity of 14,500 fans and is the home of ALBA Berlin and hockey team Eisbaren Berlin. In fact, according to the latest updates, Uber Arena welcomes approximately 1.5 million visitors per year and is expected to have over 14,000 more due to the Final Four this year.
It previously hosted two Final Four installments of the EuroLeague, crowning champions in Panathinaikos in 2009 and CSKA in 2016. But that is not it, we are talking about a gem in Berlin. Beyond hosting sporting events, numerous huge and smaller concerts, operas, and plays have been in Uber Arena along with UFC cards, handball games, and tennis tournaments.
Sights to visit
More the 150 museums are located in Berlin, including several considered among the best in respective fields worldwide. If you wish to visit, a Museum Pass is value for money. With 32 euros, you have entry to 50 museums across the city over three days. Also, you do not need to wait in line to buy tickets.
Some of the city’s most important attractions are the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Soviet War Memorial.
Also, the Berlin Wall. After separating the city into two parts, it has become one of the most iconic sights.
The German capital also has countless parks, including many of historical and cultural interest, for hours of quality relaxation. The best known to tourists, Tiergarten is certainly the largest. Stretching 210 hectares (520 acres) and close to Mitte, it is a large green oasis in the center of the city. Another important park is Tempelhofer Feld. The former military airport and parade ground during the Nazi era ceased operations as an airport in 2008 and has since developed into one of the city’s main recreational areas. Where airplanes once took off, today you will see young people skateboarding and rollerblading. It is also very popular with cyclists.
You should also definitely visit the gardens in Charlottenburg. Even if you do not have time for the full tour of the palace, it is worth the walk through these enchanting gardens that take you back to the 17th century.
Shopping
The market in Berlin offers countless options. The most popular shopping street in Charlottenburg is Kurfurstendamm Avenue with all the big brands of the planet next to each other. Tauentzienstrasse is home to the amazing KaDeWe, Europe’s largest department store, in existence for over a century. In the Mitte district, the historic Friedrichstrasse stands out for its architecture and its elegant department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and the expensive Quartier 206 with many high fashion stores. Besides antiques at Hackescher Hof, small shops in courtyards are an attraction.