It is no secret that I absolutely love Berlin. I only spent a couple of days in this German city {wahhh}, so my time was limited upon arrival. Luckily, I was able to fit a lot in! Though my feet were beat by the end of the day. I suggest spending weeks, if not months, in Berlin. However if you are short on time, I am here to share with you a quick travel guide to Berlin.
Language:
German, English
How to get around:
The S-Bahn and the U-Bahn. Public transportation is very easy to navigate in Germany, like most countries in Europe. These trains in particular are very well-known and have historical relevance to them. For an unlimited day pass, you can expect to pay 7 Euros.
As an alternative, utilizing your feet in Berlin is also a popular form of transportation. It is not the most compact city in the world, however you can easily hit many of the popular sights by walking. And you can burn off some of that German beer you undoubtedly will have consumed the night prior.
Where to stay:
During my short stay in Berlin, I called the Grand Berlin Hostel home. This hostel is a great option and will only cost you around $10-15 USD a night for a shared six-person dorm. The hostel bar offers a great happy hour and features daily activities to participate in at a very low cost. Although it is not located in the city center, a metro station can be found within a two minute walk from the hostel.
Where to eat:
Germany offers some of the best cuisine I have ever tasted {if you’re into greasy sausages, rich potatoes, and cold beer}. However, I had my fair share of this in Munich and decided I wanted something different one evening. That’s when I stumbled upon Good Morning Vietnam. Located at Alte Schönhauser Str. 60, 10119 Berlin, Germany, this was hands down, the tastiest Vietnamese food I’ve ever inhaled. And it was only a short walk from my hostel! I wanted to order an entire separate meal just to keep as leftovers for the next week. And the wine wasn’t too shabby either.
What to do:
There is plenty to do in Berlin, however if you are pressed for time, I suggest giving these a go first.
The Holocaust Museum – The Holocaust Museum was not what I was expecting. My expectations included those of a museum in the traditional sense. But the display you will find in the middle of the city, to remember those lost in the Holocaust, is something entirely different. Larger than life concrete pillars, of all different heights, are congregated into a grid. You can seriously get lost in them there are so many. To be honest, I couldn’t even find information about the museum when I looked around. The area was so massive and I was thoroughly confused. But after doing some research, apparently that was the entire idea behind the display!
“This grid is rotated against the logic of the field, thereby thwarting any paradigmatic understanding of its formal arrangement. The uncertain frame of reference that results further isolates individuals in what is intended to be an unsettling, personal experience.” – Peter Eisenman – Architect of the Field of Stelae.
Teufelsberg – Located nearly 45 minutes outside the city by public transporation, Teufelsberg is an abandoned spy station set upon a hill overlooking all of Berlin. I, myself, have personal ties to the location as it is where my father was stationed for years in the U.S. Army. This is what prompted my curiosity for paying Teufelsberg a visit, but the views and artwork was what had me advising anyone, and everyone, in the area to go. The entire station has been transformed into a modern art exhibit. Graffiti, junkyard art, and political satire covered every inch of available space. It is a must-see! I can happily say a couple I met in Berlin did go after I suggested it and were thoroughly pleased!
The Berlin Wall – The Berlin Wall was undoubtedly the most moving landmark for me. It represents so much heartbreak and turmoil, and stands as a reminder of this which I find to be so important. The Cold War was not as distant as some might like to believe. The East Side Gallery should not be missed and is where the famous kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East Germany President Erich Honecker, is showcased. Running my fingers along the wall allowed me to go back in time and feel compassion for those that stood where I did under much different circumstances only some years ago. You can find remnants of the wall located throughout the city. It was unbelievable to see the contract of past and present. I also just recently found out there is a piece of the original wall located in New York City! I will obviously be getting there as soon as possible.
Checkpoint Charlie – Checkpoint Charlie may hold more significance to me as an American, however it was a station which allowed passage from one side of the Berlin Wall to another, and is extremely interesting in that sense. Many escapes, prison swaps, and meetings between Soviets and Americans were crafted at Checkpoint Charlie. These days, it is restored to look as it once did. You can take photos with men dressed up as soldiers and check out the museum across the street from the landmark. Sure, it’s a bit cheesy, but I can be all about the cheese sometimes.
Explore Tiergarten – If you are looking for a place to escape after experiencing multiple displays of historical turmoil, head over to Tiergarten. Located in the center of the city, this park offers lush greenery and plenty of space to stretch out. Walk up the Victory Column {226 ft. be warned, walking is the only option} which offers views of the city via from an observation deck. If you would rather not work for your views, take a gander at the Soviet War Memorial.
Nightlife – Unfortunately, I did not get to experience the nightlife in Berlin. For a number of reasons, but mainly because spending money at expensive bars wasn’t high on my priority list during my travels through Europe {I always opted for a cheap bottle of wine and pizza}. That being said, others can vouch for the party scene in Berlin as being one of the best in Europe. Everyone I spoke to prior to visiting Berlin could not give the night scene any more praise. I guess you will have to see for yourself!
Movie to watch before visiting:
Bridge of Spies – I have this thing about watching movies set in whatever city I am about to visit, prior to arrival. It can be historical, fictional, whatever. Something about it just gets me amped. For example, it was obvious my pick of choice prior to visiting Rome was Gladiator {though the Lizzie McGuire was a close second}. That being said, before arriving in Berlin, I wanted to get some more historical context about the landmarks we would be observing. There are so many different stories to be told surrounding the Cold War. Bridge of Spies, staring Tom Hanks, is not only a fantastic movie, but a great preview to Berlin’s important features. I can’t recommend it enough!
Related: Recollections En Route: I Left My Heart in Berlin
