Berlin Survival Guide
Thinking of going to Berlin? Want to know what to do and where to go? Have no fear, I've got you covered. I present to you the ultimate Berlin Survival Guide - your one stop shop for a fantastic trip no matter whether you are an adventurer, a clubber or a creature of culture.
Berlin is steeped in modern history, with the shadow of the Berlin Wall still very much a part of the city. And its not just modern history it holds in excess, with galleries on museum island and incredible 17th century architecture in the form of the state opera house, if arts and history are your thing, you will not be left disappointed.
If you only have one day in Berlin GO ON THIS TOUR!. Berlin is not a small city and you can easily waste a day just trying to find the sites featured on this list. Sandemans offer a FREE (yes, free!) tour of the city that will take you through all of the highlights and have a nice lunch stop in just 3 hours. I've been on Sandemans tours in other cities and whilst they are always excellent, I think the Berlin tour is possibly the best around. With hilarious, well read tour guides you will learn so much and get a better feel for the city than you possibly could in a week of exploring on your own. You'll pass by Brandenburg Gate, parts of the Berlin wall, checkpoint charlie, Hitlers bunker and the holocaust memorial (just to name a few!). Do this on your first day and it will give you both bearings on the city and ideas of how to spend the rest of your time.
Note: Whilst the tour is free, they do strongly encourage you to leave a tip at the end (but to be fair they deserve it), and a lunch stop is included but you have to pay for yourself!
Note: The tour is free but you do often have to book well in advance, and you will need to bring your passport with you for ID.
You wont be lost for places to go at night in Berlin; bars on every corner let cheap beer flow, and there is no better place in the world for a taste of electronica and techno clubs.
If you are looking for some less touristy, home grown favourites then look no further. Berlin has dozens of hidden treasures and local favourites that need to be visited!
If theres one thing I HAVE to do when travelling, it is always eat as much of the local food as I possibly can. Berlin is packed with drool-worthy eateries, and for any vegetarians out there, it is easy as Kuchen to find fod on the go - Berlin has a huge vegetarian culture that is even seen in the kebab shops and street food. Here are a few of my favourite foodie stops:
Get Some Culture!
Sandemans Tour - FREE(ish)
Note: Whilst the tour is free, they do strongly encourage you to leave a tip at the end (but to be fair they deserve it), and a lunch stop is included but you have to pay for yourself!
Reichstag Building - FREE
The parliament building of the German government. Opened in the late 1800’s the Reichstag building is a hub of European politics today. On top of the building sits a glass dome, with a path spiralling up to the top. The dome is free to the public and offers spectacular views over the city and a free audio tour that recognises where you are and describes what you are looking at!Note: The tour is free but you do often have to book well in advance, and you will need to bring your passport with you for ID.
Museum Island: €9/day pass
Museum Island, a literal island surrounded by the canals of Berlin, dotted with the crown jewels of German culture, the state museums.
Highlights include:
The Pergamon: long queues are worthwhile when you get to gaze upon the actual gates of Babylon, towering in the grand hall of this spectacular museum of historical buildings
The Bode Museum: Exhibits sculpture collections and Byzantine art, but the true highlight is the building itself- the Northernmost museum is a work of art itself, sitting gracefully above the river Spree.
The Alte Nationalgalerie: The countries national at gallery – a must for art fans!
DDR Museum: Right next door to museum island, the DDR museum gives insight to what life was like in East Berlin whilst the Wall was still standing.
Berlin Cathedral: A beautiful building, impossible to miss!
Holcaust Memorial/Musuem: The Sandemans tour will take you through the memorial but this moving tribute to the victims of the holocaust is worth returning to. In addition a free museum is on the sight, which is not included in the tour.
The Pergamon: long queues are worthwhile when you get to gaze upon the actual gates of Babylon, towering in the grand hall of this spectacular museum of historical buildings
The Bode Museum: Exhibits sculpture collections and Byzantine art, but the true highlight is the building itself- the Northernmost museum is a work of art itself, sitting gracefully above the river Spree.
The Alte Nationalgalerie: The countries national at gallery – a must for art fans!
Other:
East side gallery: A portion of the Berlin Wall that has been immortalised as an open air street-art gallery. Its a little way from the city centre but definately worth it if you have time.DDR Museum: Right next door to museum island, the DDR museum gives insight to what life was like in East Berlin whilst the Wall was still standing.
Berlin Cathedral: A beautiful building, impossible to miss!
Holcaust Memorial/Musuem: The Sandemans tour will take you through the memorial but this moving tribute to the victims of the holocaust is worth returning to. In addition a free museum is on the sight, which is not included in the tour.
Nightlife
River Spree
The River Spree runs through the city and could not be a prettier sight come nighttime. Take a stroll along the river bank and you will be spoilt for choice for bars, restaurants and spectacular views.
Tresor
Arguably the oldest techno club in the world, Tresor is situated inside of an old power plant and offers three stories of psychadelic genius. Plasma balls line the walls, and as the club owns its own record label you can be sure to see some of the most up and coming artists. Entry is reasonably easy, just make sure you dress the part. Head to to black ever goes amiss in Berlin!Take a Walk on the Wild Side...
Teufelsberg
A man made hill built from the rubble of West Berlin post-WW2, Teufelsberg is a haunting spectacle just outside of the inner city. With an abandoned 'spy tower' sat on top, Teufelsberg is an adventurers dream. For more about Teufelsberg check out my post from a few weeks back: http://bumblingbug.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/trespass-on-devlis-mountain.htmlIce Hockey at Mercedes-Benz Arena
Maybe you've never condisered seeing a sports game whilst travelling. Perhaps you arent mad about sports. I was certainly both of those, until I got tickets to watch a major leauge game at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin Ostbahnhof. Ice Hockey is second only to football as Germanys most popular sport, and the atmosphere is electric. Indoor fireworks, huge polar bear mascots, and crazy American-style commercialisation (XXXXXXXL popcorn & pretzles) make this a one of a kind experience.Liquidrom
Liquidrom is a technospa. 'A what?' I hear you ask. It's exactly what it sounds like, a spa with techno music, or to quote their website 'the centrepiece of liquidrom is the dimmed cupla hall with its pool and warm salt water. Moonlight shines though the round window at its zenith. Underwater colour and light effects combine with the sounds of electronic music. Experience the feeling of weightlessness in liquid sound.' I don't think I need to say much more to convice you of how incredible that sounds!FOOD!!!!
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Kebab shops
Berlin is famous for its kebab shops, and when they're found on every single street its not hard to see why. Even better is the range of fillings for your kebab - whatever meat floats your boat or falafel and/or halloumi can be ordered at pretty much any kebabery in the city! Vegetarian drunk food, eat your heart out!
Cafe Anna Blume
After a wild night/morning at Tresor and a dinner of oil laden kebabs you may wake up craving a spectacular brunch to work off the ensuing hangover. Cafe Anna Blume has you covered. An extensive breakfast menu covering every sweet or savoury option you can imagine, all tied up with a Parisien flair for the classy and quaint.
Coa
If your a bit bored of schnitzel and want to cast your taste buds further afield, head to Coa, an asian restaraunt with dishes that will take you around the world. Cheap and delicious, you can't miss this one - particularly as it is almost in the centre of the city! And whilst you're there, treat yourself to a cocktail - you wont regret it!
Language: Most people speak some english but its always polite to ask if they speak english, and say please and thank you in german.
Do you speak English?: Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Thank you: Danke
Please: Bitte
Money: Berlin uses Euros, and as a fairly cheap city you can probably achieve everything on this list in a 4 day trip for about €150
And so concludes this Berlin Survival Guide. I hope you find it useful and enjoy all that Berlin has to offer.
Until next time,
Happy travelling!
Vicky
Final Facts:
Transport: You can buy general transport day tickets for around €7.00 for an AB ticket or €7.40 for ABC - this covers all transport on trains, trams, metros and busses! If you are staying 5 or more days, buy a week pass instead - its cheaper! Otherwise get a day pass for zones A&B if you are staying close to the city centre, and zones A,B&C if you are staying a little further afield (or you heading to Teufelsberg).Language: Most people speak some english but its always polite to ask if they speak english, and say please and thank you in german.
Do you speak English?: Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Thank you: Danke
Please: Bitte
Money: Berlin uses Euros, and as a fairly cheap city you can probably achieve everything on this list in a 4 day trip for about €150
And so concludes this Berlin Survival Guide. I hope you find it useful and enjoy all that Berlin has to offer.
Until next time,
Happy travelling!
Vicky
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