Berlin is a fun / funky / chic city with a casual style of it’s own, and the cost of doing things here felt a bit less then other major European cities. The nightlife is of course legendary, and with so many recent and not so recent landmarks, there are many sites to see all around the city. The people of Berlin rides bikes everywhere, and it is a great way to get around, and even get lost in a new neighborhood. The food offers greater variety than most German cities, which may be a relief to many, myself included. Getting there is the biggest challenge with such an antiquated airport system, so a stopover may not be that easy or cheap. I enjoyed my first time in Berlin, and hopefully I will be able to expand this soon on my next trip. Fun place to go.
Due to the problematic non-opening of the new BER Brandburg Airport, the main gateway for international travelers is TXL Tegel Airport. Though quaint, it was massively outdated, but rather close to the city. Taking a taxi from the airport is quite easy and recommended. And now with Air Berlin no longer flying, flights to Berlin are a bit in flux for a few more months.
Some of the basic sights:
A hot spot for selfie-taking tourists, and a few funky museums make this a fun stop on your way to Tim Raue for dinner.
A good place to start for a tourist hot spot. Close by is the Memorial to the Holocaust Victims of Europe and a stroll through Tier Garten makes for a lovely afternoon.
One of the many museums and galleries in the Museum Island area… though small and simple this was on of my favorites.
Go early, and gets crowded quite easily due to it’s small size, but worth a look. The interior is pure 1960’s and has some beautiful features. Oh, and the view is pretty good too.
… and not so basic:
Have a 1 or 2 hour tour of Berlin in a Go Cart! Can’t imagine this happening in Paris or London, and everyone was having a total hoot motoring around Berlin.
Former military airport now a park, museum & events space, with several themed guided tours. But check the times for the tours, a rather odd schedule for the English Tours. But walking along the old abandoned airfields and runways is eeire and lovely at the same time. And that this open space hasn’t been filled with buildings, shopping arcade and housing is one of the treasures that makes Berlin, Berlin.
Steinpl. 4, 10623 Berlin
A great “Boutique Hotel”, nice but not overly fancy. Great Bar and Restaurant, and a good and quiet location.
Spittelmarkt 13, 10117 Berlin
Not expensive and close to many things in Mitte and Alexander Platz. Member of the Design Hotels, so it has new and modern styling and great staffing.
Drakestraße 1, 10787 Berlin
Fantastic Boutique Hotel, on the edge of The Tiergarten. You just open your window room and all you is a forest & gardens. The excellent Spanish restaurant, Cinco by Paco Perez, is part of the hotel.
Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin
Totally delicious turkish street food, and worth the wait…. the line starts at 10am. And pretty much authentic, though I am no great expert. Untouched by butter or pork, so un-German!
Gertraudenstraße 10, 10178 Berlin
Just south of the museums and an easy walk from Alexanderplatz, clean simple grilled food, and a lovely modern setting. A good palce for a casual dinner, but nice enough for a special date as well.
Charlottenstraße 55, 10117 Berlin (Mitte)
Bavarian-style beer hall, with a dark wood-paneled ceiling & walls, serving South German cuisine. Go here for when you need a fix on that Oktoberfest style Wurst and Sauerkraut.
Behrenstraße 55, 10117 Berlin (Mitte)
Rated The Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Berlin, the hip Cookies Cream is one of the most “in” restaurants of town. International stars like George Clooney and Robby Williams have already eaten here. You will be happy here, even as a decided meat-eater you’ll be surprised how creative and tasty the vegetarian cuisine can be.
Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 26, 10969 Berlin (Mitte)
See our Report / Review of one of the finest dining experiences in Berlin, if not Germany.
Hardenbergstraße 4-5, 10623 Berlin
There are several of these throughout Germany. Very much the MUJI of Germany. Clean, modern and reasonably priced German clothing and household goods.
Münzstraße 5, 10178 Berlin
Isn’t it about time you got a great pair of frames!
The flea market on Straße des 17. Juni is a Berlin original. Founded in 1978, it is the oldest flea market in the city. It is well worth browsing here: amidst the selection of junk there are also genuine collectibles with the value of rarities. You can also find dealers of the big, old farmer cabinets, and fine porcelain from way back when. An arts and crafts market has been connected to the market since 1988, with hand-knitted items, wooden toys, ceramic articles, and much more.
Steinpl. 4, 10623 Berlin
A great “Boutique Hotel”, nice but not overly fancy. Great Bar and Restaurant, and a good and quiet location.
Spittelmarkt 13, 10117 Berlin
Not expensive and close to many things in Mitte and Alexander Platz. Member of the Design Hotels, so it has new and modern styling and great staffing.
Drakestraße 1, 10787 Berlin
Fantastic Boutique Hotel, on the edge of The Tiergarten. You just open your window room and all you is a forest & gardens. The excellent Spanish restaurant, Cinco by Paco Perez, is part of the hotel.
I was happy that I had to ability to change locations in Berlin, the first few days staying in the Mitte region. Upon returning from my family visit in Leipzig, changed hotels near the Zoo / Teirgarten. Was a great way to see several sides of the city.
If ever in Germany on a Sunday, remember that this is the day the law dictates most businesses to be closed, except for those servicing Trouists. This means that all of Germany is going where a Tourist may want to venture. Parks, Castles, etc, will be more than crowded. You may want to plan that trek to Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam for a day in the middle of the week.
Click the image above for the Destination: Berlin photos
a good resource for “Alternative Berlin” activities, go to: Culture Trip
Need a bit of help planning a trip?
Let me know.
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