Berlin Travel Guide

Most will have heard a considerable amount about Berlin during their lifetime. The history is inescapable. It makes for such an intriguing place to visit. To see first hand how one of Europe’s most suppressive cities has risen to be one of the most liberal. Berlin today, seems like a place where anything goes. People are allowed to be who they want to be with no judgement at all. Quite a transformation from a bygone era that is still so evident throughout. The German capital is fascinating and hopefully, this Berlin Travel Guide will go some way to helping you get the most from your time there.

Getting In

By Air

If you are flying into Berlin, then you will arrive at one of two airports. These are the city’s main airports, Berlin Tegel Airport and the smaller, Berlin Schonefeld. To get from Berlin Tegel Airport to the city, take the TXL express bus which departs in 6-minute intervals. This will take you to Alexanderplatz via Hauptbahnhof (Central Station). One way costs €2.80 and the journey takes just under 40 minutes.

If you arrive at Schonefeld Airport, take the S-Line to the city. One way costs €3.30 or you can get an all-day pass for €7.70. Just remember to get zones A, B and C. Schonefeld Airport is just outside B-Zone, meaning the ticket is a slightly higher price. Ticket checks are very common on this train.

By Land

If you are arriving by bus, your aim will be to disembark as central as possible. Companies like Flixbus, for example, have a whole host of drop-off points in Berlin. Being the capital, there are departures to Berlin regularly from most major German cities, each with a different arrival point. Aim to arrive at places like Alexanderplatz as this will give you a better selection of public transport. Other bus terminals are further away from the city centre and whilst this doesn’t increase the price of transport, it does increase the journey time.

Most trains will arrive into Haubtbahnhof but pass through stations such as Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz. Again, decide which is closer to your accommodation and disembark accordingly.

Where To Stay

No city has stressed me out more when looking for accommodation. Berlin is huge and it made me realise that whatever happened I would need to make use of their public transport system. Coming to terms with that, certainly opened up a lot more options, most of which were a lot better value. Don’t fret about being right in the heart of things and paying for the privilege, only to wake up every morning and just on the train to a different part of the city. Instead, find the best value in an outer part of the city (within reason, of course) and save yourself some money.

Personally, I stayed at the Holiday Inn – Berlin City East. It was simple and all you would expect from a budget hotel. What swung my decision to stay there was the tram right outside its door. From there I could be in Alexanderplatz in less than fifteen minutes. That being said, the hotel was very average and I am sure there are better places to stay in Berlin for the same price.

When To Go

Berlin has a climate typical to that of western Europe. Cold, harsh winter months and a considerably warmer summer, even though it never gets overly hot in the city. To enjoy Berlin to its fullest, visiting when the weather is good is very necessary. A lot of the major sites in Berlin require being outside. Others tend to have quite a long queue to get in, both good reasons to avoid being there in the wetter months. Whilst rainfall can happen at any time through the year, visiting between May and September offers the best chance at avoiding it.

What To Do

DDR Museum

This interactive museum allows you to step into everyday life in former East Germany. You will learn about how the people lived, both inside their homes and on the streets. Topics range from politics and military service to the kitchens and bedrooms of those who lived during this time. The exhibition encourages visitors to feel and interact, so as to reach a fun and full understanding of the past. Entry to the museum is €10 and I would recommend going early, the queue seemed to be longer just past lunchtime on the day I visited and the following day when I walked past. Unusual and different, this museum was the best I have ever been to.

Brandenburg Gate

This iconic Berlin landmark was built in 1791 on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg. Throughout its history, the Gate was often a site for major historical events. It once symbolized divided Germany, as the Berlin Wall shut off access to the gate for both East and West Germans. It was also where U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s famous 1987 speech in which he entreated the Soviet leader, “Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall” took place. Today it is considered as a symbol of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany, as well as European unity and peace.

Reichstag Building

The German Parliament building is one of Berlin’s most historic landmarks. The Reichstag building was built in 1894 before being seriously fire-damaged in 1933 and falling into disuse after the Second World War. It wasn’t until after the reunification of Germany in 1990, that the building was reconstructed. After its completion in 1999, it once again became the meeting place of the German parliament. Atop the building is a large dome which has a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. Visitors must register in advance to visit the dome and can do so here.

Thai Park

Who would have thought that the best Thai food outside of its homeland would be in a weekend market in Berlin? Not me anyway! But that is the case. Every weekend when the sun is shining, dozens of vendors set up their umbrellas and camping stoves in Pre Park to sell their homecooked dishes. The food is as authentic as it gets and as you sit there in the midday heat with a cold beer and delicious food, you will feel like you could easily be in Bangkok. The smells, the atmosphere and the delicious food make this a must-visit.

To read more about Thai Park, click here.

Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin’s most well-known border crossing was Checkpoint Charlie. The original border post on Friedrichstraße between former East and West Berlin is still there today, with a soldier’s post and border crossing sign. Checkpoint Charlie became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of East and West. Soviet and American tanks briefly faced each other there during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. It is quite touristy, with people dressed up in army uniform posing for photos with tourists but it still remains one of Berlin’s iconic sites. The Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie details the history of the Berlin Wall as well as having displays about the people who attempted to escape the more suppressive East Germany for the liberal freedom of West Germany.

East Side Gallery

This open-air gallery consists of a number of murals painted on a mile-long piece of the Berlin Wall. There are many powerful images on display there, none more so than The Kiss. This famous image depicts Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev giving the East Germany President Erich Honecker what appears to be a passionate kiss on the lips, although this image has been heavily restored following graffiti damage. This gallery is a great way to see how a positive spin can be put on such a depressing and suppressive, historic monument.

Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror is both an outdoor and indoor history museum. It is located on the grounds of buildings which during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945 housed the SS Reich Main Security Office and Gestapo, among others. The museum consists of five locations where photographs and documents illustrate the history from the time the Nazis took power until the end of the war. With more than a million visitors each year, it is one of the most frequently visited museums and memorial centres in Berlin.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Also known as the Holocaust Memorial, this 200,000 square feet area consisting of 2,711 concrete slabs pays homage to those who died during the Nazi reign of terror. The meaning behind the slabs, all of which are different sizes and heights, is open to interpretation. Some say, it is designed to look like a cemetery, others have also interpreted the contrast between the grey flat stones and the blue sky as a recognition of the “dismal times” of the Holocaust. Architect Peter Eisenman, who designed the memorial has said in the past that the number and design of the monument have no symbolic significance at all.

Whilst visiting the memorial, be sure to check out the information centre. This is located underneath the memorial and its entrance is to the eastern side. Entry is free but a queue is likely. Avoid visiting on Monday’s when the centre is closed.

Berlin Wall Memorial

The Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer commemorates the division of Berlin by the Berlin Wall and the deaths that occurred there. Once a border strip, the memorial gives you an insight into the division of Berlin. It extends along 1.4 kilometres of the former border strip, with the preserved grounds behind it and is able to give an impression of how the border fortifications developed until the end of the 1980s.

Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin. The palace was built at the end of the 17th century but was greatly expanded during the 18th century when a large formal garden surrounded by woodland was added. The palace was badly damaged during the Second World War but has been reconstructed since and remains one of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions. Entrance to the palace is €10 and this includes access to the gardens.

Other Note-Worthy Attractions in Berlin

Alexanderplatz

Potsdamer Platz

Berliner Fernsehturm

Pergamonmuseum

Victory Column

Treptower Park

Sample Berlin’s Crazy Nightlife

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Rotes Rathaus

Where To Eat

Berlin has a food scene as diverse and interesting as the city itself. To read all about the best food in Berlin, both contemporary and traditional, click here.

What To Avoid

Cheaping out on public transport

Berlin is huge and exploring the entire city on foot is a challenge. Whilst I am usually an advocate for skipping public transport as often as possible, in Berlin, it is a necessity. Fortunately, it is not overly expensive. All-day tickets cost just €7. This includes use of both the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Tram and Bus. Using Berlin’s extensive public transport system will take all the stress off your time in the city, allowing you more time enjoying the sights.

Berlin mixes it up like no other city in Europe. The overload of dark and historic sites, coupled with the modern, fresh and beautiful, topped off with a nightlife that is world-renowned. It has something for everyone and in most cases, a lot of it. I feel that it is almost impossible to get bored in Berlin. There is always something to see, something to explore. Hopefully, this Berlin Travel Guide will help you along the way and assist you in enjoying this marvellous city!

To read more about Berlin and Germany, click here