Due work I’m going to spend a week this summer in Berlin and I have multiple questions.

First of all: How cashless is the city? Where I live (Valencia, Spain) I can count with the fingers of one hand the places that doesn’t accept ApplePay (or a contactless card).

I’m staying near the Alexanderplatz station. Any recommendations for dining there? I’m not going to eat at the hotel restaurant every nigh.

The weekdays I’m mostly being going from the hotel to conference centre and then returning to the hotel without no time to enjoy the city. So, for the weekend my idea is to visit one or two must see tourist places (like the Brandenburg gate), but also explore the city instead of following your average tourist route. Any suggestions? Like flea markets, parks, places that nerds would enjoy, real local food, etc.

Thanks.