Berlin by Fernanda Viana Dias

Fernanda at Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station. Shot by Ricardo Wolff

Fernanda at Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station. Shot by Ricardo Wolff

I am from Curitiba, Brazil, and Berlin, to me, means freedom in its purest form. I have lived here since 2012 and still totally I am completely in love with the city. In the capital of Germany I can do the things I love, I can have a cool, simple, unpretentious lifestyle and I feel safe – no matter what time of the day it is.

There are lots of amazing free music concerts throughout the year – even during (my lunchtime!) in Winter. My next attendance (I’m looking forward to it) will be at the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Winter in Alexanderplatz by Fernanda Dias

Winter in Alexanderplatz by Fernanda Dias

I love to dance. Berlin is the capital of techno and (how very lucky!) I am a techno fan. No big surprise that Berghain is, of course, my favorite club. Although, I must say, that my favorite beach club will always be Warung in Southern Brazil.

Happy-hours: During Summer, Spring, Fall and on weekdays I like to go to Club der Visionäre – usually after work. It’s where I catch up with friends and where I listen to good electronic music. It’s a small venue that has two bars and a – little, but charming – dance floor by the canal in Kreuzberg. For good wine and tasty drinks I go to ORA, an old pharmacy converted into a bar in Oranienplatz.

In Berlin you can enjoy nature and still be at Europe’s hot-spot. During Summer I love to go for a swim by bike or by train in the lakes nearby. Liepnitzsee is one of my dearests.

Sommer am Liepnitzsee. Fernanda at one of Berlin's many lakes. Shot by Dimitri Schlotthauer

Sommer am Liepnitzsee. Fernanda at one of Berlin’s many lakes. Shot by Dimitri Schlotthauer

Berlin is a beating heart.

Berlin is anarchy, Berlin is living History.

Another interesting tour – where I’ve already been twice ­– is the Sammlung-Boros Bunker.

Another idea to discover some of Berlin’s unique history is a tour to Teufelsberg.

Berlin is art.

I live in Mitte and whenever I have the chance I go for a walk along Auguststraße to see what’s new in the many art galleries near my home. When it comes to bigger exhibitions I always check the Hamburger Bahnhof or the Martin-Gropius-Bau –, especially for Contemporary Art.

In multicultural Berlin you can eat incredible food from around the world and – what’s best – for very reasonable and inviting prices.

My Lieblingsrestaurants are:

Mädchenitaliener – Divine Italian food.

Dudu – Delicious minimalist Japanese fusion cuisine. My tip is “Sushi for Two” – you can taste an interesting mix of the house’s specialties, for two people.

Altberliner – Wonderful German food in a sweet location, the Arkonaplatz.

For a quick and lovely breakfast I usually go to Oliv Cafe, in Mitte.

A must see in every Spring… The cherry blossoms at the ‘Japanischer Garten’ in the Erholungspark-Marzahn

Cherry Blossom season

Cherry Blossom season by Fernanda Dias

I feel inspired.

When the sun comes up and when the sun goes down (and if I’m not working) you can find me at the Volkspark am Weinberg, happily enjoying Berlin’s blue skies and having an ice-cream from Süße Sünde.

Chilling in Volkspark Friedrichshain. Shot by Marcelo Godoy

Chilling in Volkspark Friedrichshain. Shot by Marcelo Godoy

I am in love with movies and starting in May the Open-Air Cinemas like Freiluftkino-Kreuzberg are also on the list of my favorite programs.

Mit Liebe,

Fer

You can follow Fernanda on Instagram and enjoy her beautiful pics from Berlin during the different seasons of the year at @fernandavd