From sustainable means of transport, to local breweries, from flea markets, to jazz club, this article has been useful to many backpackers heading to Berlin! First of all we start suggesting other very useful tools (magazine) you need to get once in town: the 030 or the Zitty, Tip, Prinz or the main English language paper, the ExBerliner.

A funny way to cherish the urban life, as a citizen would do, is renting a bike. And don't worry, cycling in this City is a pleasure! For about 15? per day or 50? per week you can rent your bike at Berlin-by-bike in many Fahrradstation centres spreading all over Berlin. Visit the website of Fahrradstation or go to: Hackesche Hofe, Hof 7; Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat and Sun 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 28384848; or in Auguststr. 29A (Mitte) from Mon-Fri 8 am-8pm; Sat and Sun 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 2859 9661; or in Leipziger Str. 56, from Mon- Fri 8 am-8 pm; Sat and Sun from 10am to 4pm; ph:+39 (030) 666 49 180; or at Bergmanstr. 9, Kreuzberg from Mon- Fri 8am-8pm; Sat and Sun from 10 am-4pm; ph +49 (030) 21515 66).

If you like the idea, you can count also on the silver CallBikes (+49/ 0700/ 05 22 55 22) available in different corners of the cities. Basically you can take the bike and leave it in every corner of the city simply using your mobile phone to connect to the central booking system! For as cheap as 0,06? per minute or 15? per day, all you need to do is call the company, give them credit card details and get a code to unlock the padlock. Better if you pre-register one week in advance. Then get cycling maps, information and assistance at Das Radlerzentrum (ADFC: Brunnenstrasse 28; ph: +49 (030) 448 4724; Mon- Fri 1200-8pm and Sat10am-4pm). With your bike now you can really reach every corner of West and East Berlin.

In springtime a good place to be is the Tiergarten Park. Get a beer at Caf? am Neuen See, a Bavarian beer house: it's the ideal place to cool down with fresh beverages and small appetizers close to the pond. You can also indulge on boat trips, for a romantic afternoon. (Lichtensteinallee, 2; ph. +49 (0) 30 254 4930; all days 10am-1pm). To end the light meal with something sweet, get a special cake at the park Caf? Buchwald, since 1852 an institution! (Bartningallee, 29; ph.+49 (0)30 391 5931; all days Mar-Oct 11am-11pm; Nov-Feb 11am-6.30pm)

For vintage second hand shopping don't miss the Flohmarkt am Ankonaplatz where you can get anything from 60's and 70's. (Prenzlauer Berg: U-Bahn Bernauer Strasse; Sun 11am-6pm) or the Flohmarkt Sch?nenberg, right in front of the homonym Municipal hall (U- Bahn Rathaus Sch?nenberg; Sat-Sun 8am-4pm).

If USSR still plays a role in your imagination, you'd better go to the small, students-run market at Boxhagener Platz (Friedrichshain; U/S Bahn Warschauer Str.; Sun 9am-4pm).

The evening is best spent in a Jazz club. Have a look at the berlinjazz where you can surely find a list of popular spots. Quasimodo is renowned among jazz lovers for sessions of jazz, blues, folk, funk, soul. You find it in Kantstra'e, 12 in Charlottenburg. Or at Quasimodo. It is open daily from 9pm; live music from 10pm.

If you want to combine dinner and music then you have to try Soultrane, the elegant side house of the A Trane: after dinner, first class jazz is being served. (Stilwerk, Kantstra'e 17, Charlottenburg; ph: +40 (0) 30 315 18 60).