Local is the name of the game at this food market, where you can tuck into delights such as slow-roasted pork sandwiches washed down with a coriander beer, brewed on-site. With international and vegetarian stalls, there really is something for everyone

One of Berlin’s most unusual and memorable art galleries is a former Nazi bunker erected in 1942. Combining past and present, the concrete space showcases Christian Boros’ impressive contemporary art collection that includes names such as Ai Weiwei and Wolfgang Tilmans. It's not just the works that make a visit special: you can only enter the bunker if you have registered for a tour before, which will be guided by art historians who explain each room and piece in great detail. Be sure to book well in advance.

During the Cold War – the definitive era of spies and surveillance – US forces built a listening station in Berlin’s Grunewald forest to keep track of what was going on in East Germany. Comprised of large radomes, the derelict complex is now a platform for street artists and the perfect site for views over the entire city.

On the outskirts of the city amid beautiful lakes, lush greenery and “Stepford wives” villas, sits a fairytale-looking house with an impressive sculpture garden. The Haus am Waldsee is a must for contemporary art by international artists living in Berlin. After taking in whichever exhibition is on, stroll around the estate’s idyllic garden and enjoy coffee and cake by the water.

Niche is a team of three women who have developed tailor-made expeditions in Berlin to introduce guests to lesser-known sites with a focus on art and architecture. The tours explore the dynamism of Berlin through a personal point of view relying on the knowledge and experiences of these three urban connoisseurs

In the western part of town, the square around St. Matthias Church turns into a cornucopia of tantalising foods and aromas. Look for the vermouth specialty stall and get a little tipsy in the early afternoon pretending that you’re having apperitivo somewhere in Italy. When your stomach starts growling, go for some freshly grilled fish on rye bread (it sells out by 2PM latest). Other favourite market locations include Boxhagener Platz and Arkonaplatz.

Inside a former factory building, a cabinet of curiosities is devoted to a sprawling collection of 20th-century artefacts. The museum displays an eclectic assortment of objects celebrating modern industrial design – from bizarre knick-knacks and Nazi paraphernalia to elaborate TV sets and boxes of washing powder, the ever-changing exhibition opens a window to the near past.