One Charge Challenge: Berlin, Germany

Berlin is one of the most densely inhabited cities in the entire European Union (the UK and therefore London’s departure from the EU can be thanked for that), but it is also one that is steeped in both ancient and more recent history.

Division and then the subsequent reunification of the city have created an atmosphere of inclusivity, love, and a support for all forms of creativity, which in turn has spawned a globally-renowned nightlife scene and a constantly evolving cultural hub where art, fashion, and music collide.

In short, it’s impossible to experience absolutely everything Berlin has to offer on such a tight schedule, but our journey begins on the outskirts of the city, high up in the Drachenberg region, which affords spectacular views across the sprawling urban landscape.

The elevation, dubbed “Kite Mountain” by locals, is partly the result of tons of rubble produced during the Second World War. A bleak reminder of a dark chapter in the city’s history, but one that now brings joy to so many. 

On a clear day, you’ll find daredevil paragliding enthusiasts launching and soaring above the forests of the Grunewald region. But closer to the ground, it also offers a picturesque and twisty driving route to enjoy the Polestar 2 and exploit some of its massive 400 miles (655 km) total range.

Caffeine and croissants

With the sun now breaking through the bruised skies that hover above Berlin — and having dedicated a chunk of our remaining range to enjoying some ‘spirited’ driving — it is time to top up the body with some carefully curated caffeinated drinks. 

There are few better places to enjoy a cup of coffee than Bonanza Coffee Roasters, located southeast of the famous Brandenburg Gate.

With beans roasted in its nearby and achingly hip facility, the flat white is a work of art. Accompanied by a few fresh pastries, it provides a hearty enough breakfast to fuel us for a few more hours.

The aforementioned Brandenburg Gate, with its instantly recognisable bronze sculpture adorning the top of its fluted Doric columns, is the most obvious place to visit next.

What was once the signifier of a divided city now stands as a symbol for peace, unity, and acceptance. So it comes as no surprise that the area is currently acting as the Fussball Fanmeile (or football fan zone) for this year’s festival of football. 

The expansive, 2km space is dedicated to sports fans and has been showing live games on gigantic screens (alongside hosting impromptu parties) for the duration of the event so far.

Uniting the people

It’s normally an arrow-straight drive through the surrounds of Berlin’s famously tree-laden Tiergarten to the Siegessäule Victory Column, arguably one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, but thanks to road closures, we decided to take a detour to the seemingly endless Friedrichstraße.

Arguably one of the most famous shopping districts in Berlin, it is jam-packed with boutiques, theatres, and places to grab a bite, and proves a solid option for more coffee and carbohydrates.   

At the Siegessäule, atop its 67-metre column, a golden-winged sculpture of Goddess Victoria twinkles in the sunlight. Despite originally being erected to commemorate Germany's various military victories, it has now come to stand for something altogether more peaceful.

Intrinsically linked with Berlin’s techno-infused Love Parade (more recently labelled Rave the Planet), Goddess Victoria now oversees the good times enjoyed by hordes of electronic music fans every year.

Crossing the river Spree via the beautiful Lutherbrücke (Luther Bridge), we continue the culture tour with a brief stop at the beautiful Bode-Museum, which juts out into the river Spree on Berlin’s aptly-named Museum Island.

In addition to providing epic photo opportunities (particularly at dusk), the museum houses works of art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including halls dedicated to the Italian Renaissance era.

It is a culture vulture’s paradise, but seeing as time is precious, we decide to continue east and cross the Spree once more, this time taking in the iconic silhouette of the Oberbaumbrücke - or the Oberbaum Bridge.

Having suffered serious damage during the Second World War, as well as providing part of East Berlin's border with West Berlin during the 1960s, the double-decker bridge was later rebuilt and restored in the 1990s, complete with a new steel middle section that gives it a distinctive look and reminds all who cross about the city’s chequered past.

An exclusive club

Squint hard enough and it’s possible to make out the boxy structure of Berlin’s most famous nightclub in the distance, which is just a short hop from the Oberbaumbrücke, across another slightly less glamorous bridge in the form of Schillingbrücke.

Set in a former power station, Berghain is famous for its pounding techno, pure hedonism, and uber-mysterious door policy, which makes it one of the hardest clubs in the world to get into.

Despite the allure of a cold beverage in Berghain’s Panorama Bar, the Polestar 2 has proven it has more charge left in its battery packs than we do, so we point the car west towards our final destination and, eventually, sleep.

As the name suggests, the Olympiastadion was built in 1936 for the Olympic games but the gargantuan 74,649-seat sporting amphitheatre will host the final of this year’s football competition. It is a fittingly imposing piece of architecture for one of sports’ most coveted trophies and the perfect place to end an amazing journey. 

With the silhouette of Berlin’s skyline filling the Polestar 2’s rear-view mirror, we make a beeline for the greenery surrounding the city, safe in the knowledge that its inhabitants and visitors will keep the good times going until we return. 

Words by: Leon Poultney