Berlin has risen from the ashes of its troubled twentieth-century past to become one of the world's most liberal and safe cities. It's difficult to believe that Berlin was divided by barricades for nearly three decades during the Cold War. Berlin is an incredible experience filled with an eclectic mix of history, culture, and breathtaking sights. It's a city that intrigues us while welcoming us visitors with open arms.
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What not to miss?
Brandenburg Tor
The Brandenburg Gate is a well-known landmark in Germany that you will undoubtedly want to see. Brandenburg Gate, an old city gate, was rebuilt around 250 years ago and still stands proudly today. Famous as a location for major historical events, it's a must-see when visiting the nearby Reichstag.
Berliner Fernsehturm
Purchase your tickets in advance and climb to the top of the Berlin TV Tower for some spectacular 360-degree views of the city or even a little brunch. If you go in the late afternoon or early evening, you can enjoy bubbles and Currywurst while looking out over the city. Just reserve your tickets to the top of the TV tower before you arrive. You'll get to the top faster and avoid the long lines during peak times.
Reichstag
The Reichstag not only houses the German government, but it also houses one of the world's most impressive glass domes! The dome is open to the public, so go inside and take in the incredible architecture (and views) from the top. Make reservations for a tour of the entire Government District, Chancellery, and Reichstag.
Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral, perched on Museum Island, is a sight to behold. The remarkable history and incredible architecture are breathtakingly beautiful and well worth a look. Spend some time in the main Cathedral before heading downstairs to learn more about the crypts and history of this magnificent structure.
East Side Gallery
This massive stretch of the Berlin Wall has been commissioned as an international memorial for freedom, featuring over 100 paintings by artists worldwide, including the colorful Some heads by Thierry Noir. Take a good pair of walking shoes and stroll the length of the 1.3km section to admire the artists' works.
What else to visit?
Museum Island
A one-of-a-kind building complex on Spreeinsel in the heart of Berlin. It includes five large Prussian-era Berlin museums and a reception and exhibition building, the James Simon Gallery, which opened in 2019. Museum Island in Berlin is a work of art in and of itself: five world-famous museum buildings from the time of the Prussian rulers, along with the modern James Simon Gallery, form an exciting ensemble designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The Museum Island master plan was also approved in 1999. The Archaeological Promenade, an underground connection to be built between the museum buildings, is at the heart of this.
Jewish Holocaust Memorial
Visit the Holocaust Memorial to reflect on history's heinous mistakes. Eisenman, the creator, created this space for visitors to feel uneasy and confused in a place where no order can be found. It was established over ten years ago as a place to reflect on and remember the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Gendarmenmarkt (visit Checkpoint Charlie)
Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin's most beautiful squares. The square in Berlin-Mitte is beautifully framed by three monumental buildings of the German Cathedral, the French Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus. The Gendarmenmarkt has a colorful history dating back to the 17th century. The architectural traces of each historical period can be found on the Gendarmenmarkt.
The former border crossing Checkpoint Charlie is one of Berlin's most important and visited monuments. During the German division, the attraction for domestic and international tourists was a military checkpoint. Even though the Wall is long gone and replicas have replaced the Checkpoint Charlie barriers and watchtowers, interest in the former border crossing remains high. In addition, there is a mural museum nearby.
Nightlife (Torstrasse, Nollendorfplatz)
Torstraße has quietly established itself as Berlin's new nightlife district. Whereas it used to be a dividing line between the elegant and rather bland parts of the Mitte district, the street has now become a draw. This district is characterized by a typical Berlin blend of new chic and urban lifestyles.
Since the 1920s, the area around Nollendorfplatz has been a gay hotspot. The men met at the travesty bar Eldorado, where Marlene Dietrich and Claire Waldoff were also having a good time. A plaque at Nollendorfstraße 17 honors Christopher Isherwood, who also lived in the area. His Berlin stories inspired the world-famous film musical Cabaret.
Alternative Berlin Tours
You must leave your comfort zone to see the best graffiti, hear the best music, visit the best bars, meet the best people, and hear their stories. It would help if you considered another option. Alternative Berlin Tours provides tours such as the Real Berlin Experience Tour, Street Art Tour, Alternative Free Tour, and Private Berlin Tours. We highly recommend them! You can reserve a tour or contact them via their website or Instagram.
How to travel there?
Discover the best ways to get to Berlin from around the world. Although the capital is not as well connected as the German "business" cities, the unstoppable push of tourism has encouraged an increasing number of businesses to establish themselves in Berlin.
Berlin has two airports: Berlin Tegel Airport, the city's main airport, and Berlin Schönefeld Airport, which was once located in East Berlin during the Cold War.
If you prefer to travel by train, you can do so from London quite easily. The Eurostar to Brussels, then a Thalys to Cologne, and finally an ICE to Berlin is the best option. Although it is more expensive than booking a direct flight to Berlin from anywhere in the UK, it is not as expensive as you might expect.
Eurolines is one of several coach companies that connect Europe's major cities with Berlin. However, it is the slowest and most uncomfortable way to get to Berlin.
Berlin is also reachable by car, though it may take up to a day or two, depending on where you start.
When to travel there?
May to October is the best time to visit Berlin because the weather is generally pleasant for leisurely city strolls and lunch on outdoor patios. Temperatures range from 19°C to 23°C from late spring to early fall. These are popular months to visit, so airfare and lodging will be more expensive.
High Season (mid-June to August, Oktoberfest, Christmas): Summer is the busiest tourist season, with the warmest weather and an abundance of events and festivals. There are two "mini high seasons" as well: the time around Oktoberfest (about two weeks beginning on the first day of autumn) and the Christmas holidays from mid-December to early January. This is Berlin's busiest time of year, with airfare and hotel rates at their highest of the year.
Shoulder Season (April through mid-June, September through Oktoberfest, and mid-to-late October): Spring in Berlin can be delightfully warm, but it can also bring snow, hail, and, on occasion, a combination of the three. Generally, the later the season is, the better the chances of good weather. Early June is often one of the best times to visit the city because the tourist crowds haven't yet arrived, prices haven't risen, and the sunshine is plentiful. September will be warm but much less humid than the summer months. While the weather may be wetter now, temperatures are often pleasant, trees will burst with vibrant autumn color, and discounts on rooms and airfares may be found shortly after Oktoberfest.
Average costs
How much money will you need for your trip to Berlin? You should plan to spend around €110 per day on your vacation in Berlin, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €41 on meals for one day and €14 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Berlin for a couple is €102. So, a trip to Berlin for two people for one-week costs on average €1,536. All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Where to eat?
Monsieur Vuong, Hanoi, and Saigon have arrived in Mitte at a chic little red Vietnamese restaurant. There are only five dishes and two daily specials, but they are so delicious that you will order another bowl of rice to soak up the leftover sauce. Try some jasmine or artichoke tea after your gói bo. Mr. Vuong does not take reservations, so you'll have to fight the excellent crowds for a table. This restaurant is the best in the city, trust us!
Five Elephant is a unique micro coffee roastery, bakery, and café in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Meanwhile, the Kreuzbergers have opened another location on Alte Schönhauser Straße in Mitte, between Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz and Weinmeisterstraße. In comparison to the rustic Homebase on Reichenberger Straße, this is much more modern and minimalist. Even if you don't have much time, it's worth stopping by because this café is well-prepared for 'to-go' customers. Along with the coffee, you can get small portions of the famous cheesecake to go.
Currywurst's popularity began in a Berlin kiosk. Today, classic street food can be found in countless takeaway shops throughout the city. With or without fries, and with or without ketchup or mayonnaise. Each stand has a slightly different flavor. Wittys Organic Food in Schöneberg or Konnopke in Pankow are two options.
Döner kebab is a Berlin specialty. During the 1970s, a Turkish immigrant in Berlin invented the snack. From Mustafa's vegetable kebab to Vöner, you can now find the combination of juicy grilled meat from the spit, fresh salad, and spicy sauce in a crisp flatbread on almost every street corner.
Events
Festival of Lights
The Light Festival is the world's largest festival. Every year, millions of people visit the city to see the magnificent lights. The festival's goal is to inspire and educate Berliners about the value of sometimes overlooked cultural monuments. Since 2015, an annual event called The International Projection Mapping Championship has been held alongside it. If you want to see talented artists compete in Video Mapping, come to Potsdamer Platz and watch the show.
Oktoberfest
Even though Oktoberfest is more of a Bavarian tradition, Berliners enjoy the opportunity to sample various beers and tasty pretzels. The festival is typically held at Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, Britzer Gardens, and Alexanderplatz. It takes place between the last weekend of September and the first two weeks of October. Grab a bite at one of the fantastic food stalls before making your way to the massive tent for some local beer and live music. Although it is usually less crowded on weekdays, if you want to experience the party atmosphere, go on weekends. Children and adults alike can enjoy the fairground's numerous fun games and rides.
Berlin Art Week
Visit Berlin Art Week in September to rub shoulders with other art enthusiasts. It hosts two events: Art Berlin and Positions Berlin. The city's contemporary art institutions work with artists to create a variety of art galleries and discussions. At the significant events of Berlin Art Week, collectors, gallerists, reporters, international visitors, and artists interact. Art enthusiasts worldwide debate the current artistic positions in Berlin, adding depth to the project.
We've reached the end of the article about Berlin. We believe you will visit this amazing city. In the meantime, you can read other articles on our blog. How about London, Glasgow, or Munich? Do not forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases.