Berlin, Germany information | Berlin travel guides

Berlin is a safe place but it has some not-so-well maintained areas, too. No specific rules apply with the exception of public transportation and tourist areas where pickpockets are a problem. Watch your bags during rush hours and at larger train stations.

The police in Berlin are competent, not corrupt; therefore, if you try to bribe them you are likely to spend at least a night behind bars to check your background. They are generally helpful to tourists. Most of the officers are able to speak English, so don't hesitate to approach them if you are frightened or lost. The nationwide emergency number is 112 for medical emergencies and fires, while the police emergency number is 110.

Since the 1980s, there have been localized riots on Labour Day May 1st. In general they take place in Kreuzberg around OranienstraÃe/Mariannenplatz. Nowadays they usually start the night before May 1st, especially in the Mauerpark Prenzlauer Berg, at Boxhagener Platz and in Rigaer Str. Friedrichshain and start again in the evening of May 1st in Kreuzberg and in the mentioned areas. The violent riots have become rather small since 2005 due to the engagement of the citizens who celebrate the Labour Day with a nice "myfest" in Kreuzberg and well-planned police efforts. It is still better to stay out of these areas from 8PM until sunrise. Vehicles should not be parked in these area as this is asking for damage!

Racially-motivated violence is rare but the risk is higher on the outskirts of East Berlin. It is recommended for non-Caucasian tourists to be attentive in areas such as Lichtenberg, Hellersdorf, Marzahn, Treptow and KÃ¶penick in the evening/night especially if alone.

In the bordering neighbourhood of the districts NeukÃ¶lln and Kreuzberg between Hermannplatz, SchÃ¶nleinstrasse to Kottbusser Tor and Wedding Moabit and Gesundbrunnen the risk of falling victim to robberies and assaults is slightly higher. Tourists should visit these areas with some caution during the night as a mixture of drunken party people and poor neighbourhoods might lead to trouble.

Although harmless, panhandlers have recently started to beg at local tourist spots such as Pariser Platz next to the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and the Museuminsel. They are usually women accompanied by their daughters who ask if you speak English and say that they are from the new EU countries and trying to raise money to fly home. The story is false, so don't give them money, which would encourage further exploitation of the women and their kids. They also have a new tactic where they hand you a card telling their "story" and asking for money; beware that the children that they carry in their arms will search through your bags while you are reading the card. The best way to avoid this is simply to ignore them and not to respond when they ask you "Speak English?" If you feel scared, don't hesitate to contact the police, as they will help.

contact

You can find internet cafes and telephone shops all around Berlin. Do a bit of research with the telephone shops because most have a focus region in the world. Many bars, restaurants and cafes offer free wi-fi for their guests.

The mobile network 3G/GPRS/GSM covers the whole city. If you are coming from a non-GSM standard country e.g. the United States check your mobile phone for GSM compatibility. Note: The GSM iPhone, which works with AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S., works perfectly in Berlin.

A free wireless network covers parts of Berlin, but requires special software on your computer. More information including maps of Berlin with coverage is available online, (http://www.olsrexperiment.de/).

prostitution

Prostitution is a legal business in Germany. Berlin has no major red-light district though some big brothels were built the biggest is Artemis. Berlin has no "Sperrbezirk" restricted areas for prostitutes so the "apartments" or brothels are spread through out the whole city. The Oranienburger StraÃe in Mitte is infamous for its prostitutes at night. These women are a tourist attraction and the ladies focus only on tourists to request exorbitant prices.

The proximity to Eastern Europe, relaxed visa rules, and the illegal community increase the number of prostitutes. Advertisements are in the tabloids and especially the internet. Human trafficking and illegal immigration is a problem therefore police raids do take place and close down illegal places. Brothels and prostitutes must be registered like normal businesses or will be prosecuted for tax evasion. In general, the police officers are not interested in the clients especially if you stay calm and especially don't try to argue but you must have a photo ID passport copy is fine with you. Otherwise, you might spend a night at the police station while your background gets checked.