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Berlin-based curator, maker, hotelier and former stylist Kirsten Landwehr talks Cabana through her perfect weekend in the German capital - from a cozy bar where conversations last for hours, to intimate galleries, open-air swimming, antique fairs full of forgotten curiosities and even a go-to Peruvian restaurant.
BY KIRSTEN LANDWEHR | CABANA TRAVEL | 13 OCTOBER 2025
Château Royal © Felix Brüggemann and Kirsten Landwehr
My Favorite Place to Stay: Château Royal
Of course, Château Royal Berlin. It has become my home in more ways than one, it's a place [my husband and I] created to reflect Berlin’s layered character - with art, history, and hospitality all under one roof.
My Favorite Restaurant: Ari's
Berlin has so much to offer, and there are always new exciting places popping up. Right now, I’m enjoying Ari’s, which feels like a warm, low-key introduction to Peruvian hospitality. It’s relaxed but with refined and interesting flavors.
© Kirsten Landwehr and © Ari's, Mishka Kornai
My Favorite Cozy Bar: Freundschaft Weinbar
This is my go-to spot. Exceptional wines are curated by Willi Schlögl and Johannes Schellhorn, two of Berlin’s most passionate Austrian wine experts. It’s a place where conversations last for hours, carried by a glass that never disappoints.
My Favorite Café : Espressobar
I usually drink tea, especially Matcha, but every now and then I enjoy stopping by the Espressobar on Mommsenstraße in West Berlin. It has that rare quality of feeling both local and international at the same time — and you almost always run into someone you know.
My Favorite Museums and Galleries
Currently under the direction of Anna Gritz (formerly KW Berlin), Haus am Waldsee offers thoughtful exhibitions in a beautiful lakeside villa in the far west of the city. It’s intimate yet ambitious, a place where you can really take your time.
Also worth mentioning is Galerie Neu—one of my long-time favorites in Berlin’s gallery scene. They always have their finger on the pulse.
My Favorite Things to Do
In summer, I love cycling to Humboldthain, swimming at the open-air pool, and spending time at Tropez Tropez. It’s a playful place where art meets leisure, and the seasonal exhibitions make each visit feel fresh. It’s one of those rare Berlin spots that truly captures the city’s spirit of freedom.
My Favorite Places of Architectural Interest
San Gimignano Lichtenberg is an unexpected gem in the east—an Italianate tower complex transformed into a cultural space. While you’re there, it’s worth venturing a bit further to explore the Dong Xuan Center and the Haubrok Foundation—together they make for a fascinating dive into East Berlin’s many cultural layers.
My Favorite ‘Insider Tip’
The Jewish Cemetery Weißensee is the largest preserved Jewish cemetery in Europe—peaceful, moving, and steeped in history. Walking through it is like stepping into a hidden world, far from the noise of the city. It’s a place that lingers with you long after you leave.
My Favorite Shop, Antique Store or Market
The antique flea market at Trabrennbahn Karlshorst is a great place where GDR design meets eclectic vintage finds. There’s always something unexpected, from mid-century chairs to forgotten curiosities. Also worth a visit: Jochum Rodgers—a beautifully curated selection of furniture and design that feels more like a gallery than a shop.
My Favorite Garden or Green Space
Just a short walk from Château Royal Berlin, the Tiergarten remains my go-to green escape. It’s a park with endless moods; sometimes lively with families and cyclists, other times completely serene. It reminds me why Berlin is such a livable city.
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