Berlin Mementos: 18 Souvenir Shopping Ideas for Travelers
Too many people and for very different reasons strove to set their foot in Berlin over the course of the 20th century. Today, the city proves just as luring a destination for numerous travelers who want to come and enjoy themselves in this fascinating European capital and, perhaps, bring home something memorable. To see exactly what can serve this purpose well, check out this guide.
(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin)
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1. Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen
Image Courtesy of: Pedelecs
Berliners love their sweet treats. Try some of the city's most historic confections at Fassbender & Rausch. The store's been around since the nineteenth century, but the chocolate probably won't last more than a few hours in your bag. It's tasty. The shop looks like a fairy tale with its large chocolate volcano and chocolate-sculpted Reichstag inside. Nibble on a chocolate-covered gingerbread Lebkuchen or a marzipan truffle. Confections run from around 5 to 30 euro. You can also hand select truffles from the large display case. After getting your fill of chocolate, take a stroll through the Gendarmenmarkt for a look at the Französischer Dom and the Deutscher Dom – both beautiful cathedrals from the outside and inside.
Where to find it:
Fassbender & RauschAddress: Charlottenstraße 60, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Opening Hours: daily from 10 am - 8 pm. Sunday opens from 12 am.
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2. S.Wert Design
Check out one of the modern wall calendar creations by the s.wert design team or a Euro cookie cutter. The designers s.wert often create Berlin-inspired works perfect for the office or home. The ultra-modern 2012 wall calendar is just 29 euros and can be found at the main store in Mitte. You can also pick up a colorful pillow to use as a head cushion on the plane trip back. Then pop the pillows on your couch at home as a souvenir from Berlin. The pillows run around 49 euros. Brunnenstrasse's not too far from the East Berlin design store. Take a leisurely walk in this hip Mitte neighborhood and check out designer shops as you walk from Brunnenstrasse to Alte Schönhauser Straße.
Where to find it:
S.Wert DesignAddress: Brunnenstraße 191, 10119 Berlin, Germany.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 7 pm.
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3. Blutwurst
Berliner's love their blutwurst (blood sausage). Buy some meaty spreads in sealed jars that pack easy and come from a well-respected butcher in town for only 5 euros. Blutwurstmanufaktur is located in the old historic part of Berlin-Neukölln. In 2004, the French "Brotherhood of the Chevaliers du Goûte Boudin" recognized the blutwurst maker Marcus Benser for his outstanding contributions. The jars of blutwurst and other sausage spreads can be bought at the main store.
Where to find it:
Address: Blutwurstmanufaktur, Karl-Marx-Platz 9-11Opening Hours:
Monday- Friday: 8 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 8 am - 1 pm.
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
4. Berlin Belts
Berlin's nothing if not hip. Hold up your hipster trousers with a handmade belt from the local leather worker Hoffnung Berlin. These handmade belts cost on average from 60 to 120 euros. A variety of leathers are available and a craftsman is on site to help with fittings. The tannings used to treat the belts are organic and top quality. Belts at Hoffnung are often dyed three times to get a polished finish in different hues. Most of the traditional buckles come from Italy, but the craftsmen at Hoffnung are experimenting more and more with their own designs. Take time to stroll through the cluster of boutiques or stop for a coffee at one of the tranquil cafes.
Where to find it:
HoffnungAddress: Rosenthaler Str. 40-41, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11 am - 6 pm;
Friday, Saturday: 11 am - 7 pm; Sunday: closed.
5. Frau Toni's Perfumes
Songs have been written about the smells of Berlin. Now smell like the best of the city with one of Frau Toni's signature scents. You can even create your own perfume. The twenty perfumes for men and women can be sniffed and sampled at the elegant shop just a few streets away from Checkpoint Charlie. Smell is said to be the most evocative of our senses. If you want to bring home the smell of summer in Berlin, Frau Toni has a Berlin summer fragrance for sale. The perfumes start at 22 euros and head up from there. All fragrances are manufactured in Berlin and bottles are available in various sizes: 15ml, 50 ml and 100 ml.
Where to find it:
Frau Toni'sAddress: Zimmerstraße 13, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm;
Thursday - Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm;
Sunday: closed.
6. Ein Berliner
Kennedy's line "Ich bin ein Berliner" made these jam-filled treats famous. The doughnut look-a-likes are called Berliners in some parts of Germany and Pfannkuchen in Berlin. During the carnival season, many bakeries will offer a variety of pfannkuchen, but don't worry - they are also available all year round. They only cost a euro or two and come in a variety of fillings - jam, vanilla cream or chocolate. Not only does this bakery make great sweets, it is also surrounded with tons of boutiques and is the oldest bakery in Prenzlauerberg. So it's a perfect place to take a break for some refueling before the next stage of your shopping spree.
Where to find it:
Bäckerei SiebertAddress: Schönfließer Str. 12, 10439 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 6:15 am - 6:30 pm
Saturday: 6 am - 12:30 pm, Sunday- Monday: closed.
7. Berlin Buddy Bear
The flag of Berlin features a figure of a bear in the center against the backdrop of red, white and red stripes. This bear is one of Berlin's greatest symbols which led to the development of Buddy Bears in 2001. A German couple and a sculptor developed human-sized hand-painted bears to station throughout Berlin. The raised arms of the upright Buddy Bears were designed to communicate friendliness and optimism. Many artists used their talents to individually decorate the hundreds of bears installed throughout the city.
Now you can buy a small version for your desk at home for around 10 to 60 euros. Proceeds from the bear sales help support UNICEF programs. While you can find these bears at numerous spots in Berlin, the best place to get it would be the bear's original home outside the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens). The KaDeWe is one of the largest department stores in Europe and by far the biggest in Berlin. It's also near the designer drive - the Ku'damm or Kurfurstendamm. The Ku'damm is perfect for those who want to immerse in high-end shopping.
Now you can buy a small version for your desk at home for around 10 to 60 euros. Proceeds from the bear sales help support UNICEF programs. While you can find these bears at numerous spots in Berlin, the best place to get it would be the bear's original home outside the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens). The KaDeWe is one of the largest department stores in Europe and by far the biggest in Berlin. It's also near the designer drive - the Ku'damm or Kurfurstendamm. The Ku'damm is perfect for those who want to immerse in high-end shopping.
Where to find it:
KaDeWe and the buddy BearsAddress: Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday - closed.
8. Königliche Porzellan Vases
The King of Prussia, Frederick II, helped found this porcelain manufacture. In 1763, he gave his name and seal to the nascent company. Frederick often joked that he was the company's "best customer." His passion for Rococo shows in some of the older designs, but KPM also offers a variety of modern styles with simple lines and subdued coloring. All handmade pieces carry the company seal - a bright blue scepter - and are entirely unique. Vases run from about 50 to 1,000 euros. Tea sets are also lovely but a little more tricky to transport home.
Where to find it:
KöniglicheAddress: Wegelystraße 1, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday - closed.
9. Askania Watches
Most people in Berlin say that if you show up right on time, you're late. Therefore, it's always best, while in Germany, to arrive a few minutes early. One way to stay on schedule is with the help of a treasured watch from Askania. In the Hackesche Höfe courtyards, the Berlin-based watchmaker offers timepieces from aviation history and contemporary wristwatches on display and for sale. The company pays homage to the city's history with watch lines, such as “Tempelhof” - a tribute to the Big Lift and pilot's watches from the 1930s.
Where to find it:
AskaniaAddress: Rosenthaler Str. 40 -41, 10178 Berlin, Germany
10. Prussian Schnapps
Schnapps in Berlin has been produced since the late nineteenth century. A locally made herbal liquor can be found at a historic distillery that doubles as a schnapps museum. It's a tasty way to settle the stomach after a plate of pork knuckle or to warm up during one of those relatively cold Berlin winters. Preussische Spirituosen Manufaktur is based in a turn-of-the-century building in the working neighborhood of Wedding. There's not much to see on the street, but the schnapps shop inside offers a glimpse of spirits manufacture over the century. In German “Schnapps” means any alcoholic beverage stronger than 32%.
See old fashioned stills and sample some of the company's modern recipes, like Elderflower liqueur, ginger schnapps and pear brandy. A bottle of the traditional gin costs around 33 euros, a herbal schnapps is 27 euros and the liqueurs run from 20 euros a bottle.
See old fashioned stills and sample some of the company's modern recipes, like Elderflower liqueur, ginger schnapps and pear brandy. A bottle of the traditional gin costs around 33 euros, a herbal schnapps is 27 euros and the liqueurs run from 20 euros a bottle.
Where to find it:
Preussische Spirituosen ManufakturAddress: Seestraße 13, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 12 pm - 6 pm.
Dr. Kochan's Schnapskultur
Address: Immanuelkirchstraße 4, 10405 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 12 pm - 6 pm;
Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm.
11. Football Scarf
Get ready to root like a real Berliner fan for one of the city's home teams. The Hertha Berliner Sport Club von 1892 (Hertha BSC) is a popular football team that competes in Germany's top professional league. Pick up a scarf with the Hertha BSC blue and white colors or a jersey at one of the team's fanshops in the city. The shop near Zoologischer Garten is a great place to stop if you're on the way to the Berlin Zoo or to the department store KaDeWe.
Where to find it:
Hertha BSC Fanshop Europa-Center-BerlinAddress: Breitscheidplatz 9, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday: closed.
12. Collectible Dolls
The Puppenstube im Nikolaiviertel is the best place to find collectible dolls in Berlin. The store stocks both historic and modern dolls from well known makers, like Käte Kruse, Zapf, Schildkröt, Philip Heath, and Götz. The dolls cost a pretty penny (up to and around 600 euros) but there are also less expensive bears and other stuffed playthings. Take time to stroll through Nikolaiviertel. It was the center of a former trade route with well-preserved medieval alleys before air bombing in World War II wiped out the buildings. Today, you can still get a sense of what this once medieval area looked like because it was reconstructed in 1987 to mark Berlin's 750th anniversary. Visitors can also walk into the Nikolaikirche – Berlin's oldest church.
Where to find it:
PuppenstubeAddress: Propststraße 4a, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 6:30 pm
On Sundays and holidays: 11 am - 6 pm.
13. Berliner Weisse
In the nineteenth century, Berliner Weisse was the most popular drink in Berlin. Now the cloudy sour wheat beer is produced by the city's two main breweries: Schultheiss and Berliner Kindl. The beer is often found on local drink menus. Berliner Weisse is typically served in a bowl-shaped glass with a little raspberry or wood-ruff syrup to give it a red or green color and a sweeter flavor. Buy the beer and the syrups at one of Berlin's many liquor markets or on the third floor of Alexcanderplatz's Galeria Kaufhof. You can get a pre-mixed beer for around a euro and a typical Berliner Weiss glass to go with it. Galeria Kaufhof sits right next to the TV Tower and the World Clock, a former meeting place for many residents of East Berlin before the fall of the Wall.
Where to find it:
Galeria Kaufhof Berlin AlexanderplatzAddress: Alexanderpl. 9, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm.
14. Gadget Cases
Berlin's start-up scene is on the move. Young entrepreneurs often rock the latest gadgetry while sipping an espresso at the corner coffee shop. For jet-setters protecting their technology while traveling, the Berlin duo Redmaloo designs sleek cases in leather for iPads and other devices. An iPhone sleeve runs around 39 euros. An iPad sleeve is 99 euros. Check out these accessories for electronic devices at one of a number of stores carrying the products in Berlin. The shop Box off Berlin is just down the street from Frau Toni's perfumes. BoB sells the colorful cases, as well as other Berlin-made items. A quick walk from Box off Berlin will take you to the historical exhibition of the Topographie des Terrors, the Stasi museum and Checkpoint Charlie.
Where to find it:
Box off BerlinAddress: Zimmerstraße 11, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 12 pm - 5 pm.
15. Currywurst
Currywurst can be found at most street corners of Berlin. It's basically sliced pork sausage with ketchup that's sprinkled with curry powder. In 1949, a German woman created the dish using ingredients from the ration of British soldiers stationed in Berlin. Currywurst quickly caught on and it's stayed popular ever since. To eat or make the dish, you may want to don a currywurst apron. To learn about the history of currywurst, to try the snack and buy an apron, head to the city's very own Currywurst museum. The apron costs around 10 euros. It's black with a logo of the Currywurst museum on the front. You can also buy a currywurst dish to serve up the spicy snack back home. The dish costs from 9.50 to 12.50 euros and the jar is small enough to be packed easily. For a bottle of currywurst sauce to douse your wurst, stop by Galeria Kaufhof's 3rd floor souvenir section.
Where to find it:
Galeria Kaufhof Berlin AlexanderplatzAddress: Alexanderpl. 9, 10178 Berlin, Germany
16. East Berlin Jewelry
Since the East Berlin label started in 2002, it's cultivated a devoted following. Check out the clothes and Berlin-inspired jewelry at the label's flagship store in Berlin's Mitte neighborhood. Pick up a silver necklace with a charm of the city's ubiquitous TV Tower for 59 euros or an East Berlin inscribed ring for 129 euros. The Mitte neighborhood is home to some of Berlin's coolest designers and galleries. A quick walk can take you to Alexanderplatz – the plaza that was once the center of East Berlin and remains a meeting point for many people in the city. Then take a ride to the top of the TV Tower while wearing your new TV Tower necklace from the East Berlin store!
Where to find it:
The East Berlin Flagship StoreAddress: Alte Schönhauser Straße 33-34, Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11 am - 8 pm.
17. Ampelmann Cufflinks and Cookie Cutters
Ampelmann is one of the few East German icons to maintain popularity after the fall of the Berlin wall. The Ampelmann is the red and green little man on crosswalk signs in East Berlin. His hatted silhouette can be found in cufflinks, vases or even candy at one of Berlin's Ampelmann shops. The silver cufflinks are an understated nod to Berlin's Ostologie (nostalgia for East German times). The cufflinks range from 45 to 70 euros.
There are also Ampelmann vases and bookends for a smaller price. For something super easy to pack and purchase, pick up the Ampelmann fruit gummi candy or an ampelmann cookie cutter for just a couple of euros.
There are also Ampelmann vases and bookends for a smaller price. For something super easy to pack and purchase, pick up the Ampelmann fruit gummi candy or an ampelmann cookie cutter for just a couple of euros.
Where to find it:
Hackesche HöfeAddress: Rosenthaler Str. 40 -41, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Daily: 9 am - 10 pm.
Potsdamer Platz
Address: Alte Potsdamer Str. 7, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
Sunday: 1 pm until 6 pm.
18. Pelle Mia Messenger Bags
Keep your sundries safe as you zigzag on a bike through Berlin. Local designer Pelle Mia creates colorful and waterproof messenger bags seen on the backs of many cyclists in the city. For their unique designs, Pelle Mia uses recycled materials, like tires, saris and 1970s air mattresses. Bags run from around 60 to 160 euros.
Where to find it:
Pelle Mia Address: Naunynstraße 52, 10999 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 11 am - 7 pm.
Other Interesting Souvenirs from Germany
If traveling to Germany is not on your immediate agenda, or you simply can't afford an extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting German souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the German products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
1. A Piece of Berlin Wall - Original fragment of the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, a genuine piece of the Cold War and that of the German and American history combined! A live manifestation of the 'Iron Curtain' that once fell across Europe, this unique souvenir is a perfect fit, as a decorative accessory, for a home or office interior, and is a definite must-have collector's item.
2. Cuckoo Clock - Made in Germany, in a traditional style, with love, care and German precision, this original German cuckoo clock features a mechanical or quartz clockwork placed inside a case hand-carved out of a solid piece of wood with traditional walnut finish. When the clock strikes the hour or half-hour, the door opens and a cuckoo pops out, calling along with the clock's gong. The old-world charm at its best. Ideal for bedrooms.
3. Hummel figurines - Hummel porcelain figurines (or simply Hummels) are based on the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. They became much popular after the World War II, thanks to the American soldiers stationed in West Germany who favored them a lot as souvenirs to send back home. Goose Girl, Apple Tree Girl, and many other fine earthenware figurines of girls and boys, created by German sculptor Arthur Moeller in the 1930s-40s, are still much popular these days with collectors and non-collectors alike.
4. Steiff Bear - Entirely handmade by Steiff, the world's oldest manufacturer of soft toys and the inventor of the famous Teddy bear, this cuddly soft plush toy is an ideal christening or birth gift that may be passed down to future generations as a treasured heirloom. Sewn from the finest plush materials available, it is absolutely perfect for a baby's delicate skin.
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