Berlin’s art scene has gone full circle. Once the artistic epicentre of Europe in the 1920s, the turn of another century has seen it rise from its post-war ashes to become a hotbed of local and international talent. In November 2005, Unesco named Berlin the first European ‘City of Design’, and cheap rents and available studio space means artists from New York and Paris are packing their wares and moving to the German capital. There are around 450 galleries (and counting) in the city, many clustered in the Scheunenviertel and in and around Mommsenstrasse in Charlottenburg. It is estimated one new gallery opens every week. In true Berlin style, anything goes – from traditional to modern, and from classic to pop – although what draws collectors is the thrill of uncovering an innovative, edgy work of art.

You can buy from Berlin-based artists (like the ultra-modern Florian Merkel and Anton Henning) in any of the independent galleries. For an overview of the art scene, visit www.berliner-galerien.de and www.artfacts.net. There are four annual art fairs in Berlin during the autumn: Art Forum Berlin (030 3038 2076, www.art-forum-berlin.com), Preview Berlin (030 4980 5517, www.previewberlin.de), Kunstsalon (www.berlinerkunstsalon.de) and Berliner Liste (030 2809 6115, www.berliner-liste.org). If you don’t have several days spare to navigate your way through these enormous fairs, you can join an organised art tour through the aforementioned websites.

If you’re not looking to buy, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (030 280 7020) has a unique artwork loan service. In a bid to promote contemporary artists, such as Berlin-based Andreas Schmidt, locals can rent an original piece for up to three months for free (there’s actually a paltry €1.50 charge to cover insurance). If you sign up for Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, membership you can opt to rent a piece you particularly love for up to a year, after which you’ll be forced to part with it – none of the works are for sale.