studentsineurope

a u s b e r l i n: where to go for the best Berlin souvenirs

If you’re looking for cool souvenirs that capture the liberal spirit of Berlin, the place to go is ausberlin (check out www.ausberlin.de to browse, but ordering will be difficult unless you speak German). Located off Alexanderplatz in the heart of the city, ausberlin offers music, jewelry, clothes, and gift items all made by designers and artists from Berlin.

Everything in the store speaks to the irreverent, urban character of Germany’s capital. Check out the sweatshirts emblazoned with the silhouettes of construction cranes – one of Berlin’s permanent fixtures since the wall fell and reconstruction began. Or buy a sterling silver curry-wurst fork. You’ve seen the plastic disposable version all over the sidewalks – now you can celebrate Berlin’s indigenous cuisine with the elegance it deserves. If you’re feeling really rebellious, consider an ash tray that claims it’s from the Betty Ford clinic.

Clothes are a big feature at ausberlin, which makes it the perfect place to pick up a one-of-a-kind handbag or a Berlin-designed dress. You can duck into a small curtained-off fitting room to explore your options, but I found the hardest part was limiting myself to just one. ausberlin even has children’s toys, a cookie-cutter shaped like Berlin’s famous television tower, and his-and-hers versions of a perfume called Breath of Berlin, which smells fantastic in spite of its unfortunate name.

If you’re going to a city that celebrates unusual ideas, don’t settle for the same souvenirs everyone else gets. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to support the fantastic creative energy that makes Berlin unique.