We ended our trip to Finland with 3 nights in Berlin. As first timers there we wanted to do the main tourist spots, but wanted to avoid the large group tours. I suggest booking a free walking tour or a paid one. I booked a 4 hour paid walking tour with a local guide which was a wonderful experience. Without context of the sights, simply walking through them is meaningless. Also, a local guide can figure out a plan in terms of locations and also use the local transit such as bus, underground etc to ensure a complete experience. We were lucky to find Maria (found her online). Contact her on: roessler-gastaldi@arcor.de
She is Italian but has lived in Berlin for over 35 years and can really give an insider outsider view of the city. So many decades of information packed into one human being - remarkable!
Her toured covered the following:
On your own, you can visit a concentration camp outside of Berlin (one hour from the city by train). They have audio tours available there and while depressing the camp really gives one a sense of the terror unfolding therein. Also, you can visit the east side gallery which is basically a long stretch of the Berlin Wall painted with graffiti by various artists.
There are also several museums (must visit the Jewish museum), replete with art works and installations, several memorials dedicated to victims of the war (the gypsy memorial was a favorite for me), also, the Body exhibit was on, an exhibit on Salvador Dali’s exhibit and more and more. Also, Berlin is definitely not as touristy as Paris or London so roaming these sights is not as overwhelming as other tourists cities in Europe. Last weekend of March was also perfect weather wise, since the spring was just breaking and we got lucky with 2 sunny days. However, days were still Cold and we wore jackets and sweaters all through.
The parliament building needs tickets to enter, however you must book them online supposedly weeks in advance. One can also queue up in the mornings for some daily tickets. They also, have a restaurant inside the parliament for guests so that is a plan B method of getting in, but once again, book this in advance.
There’s also the Stasi prison tour, an actual prison used by the Soviets of this is of interest.
There’s also classical music at the Berlin philharmonic that was spectacular in terms of acoustics and brilliance. Tickets can be bought online in advance.
Berlin also has many concert venues, with music being big, bars and pubs and discos etc. and of course the opera house too.
Most hotels are equipped with a sauna and a new fancy space is the Vibali sauna but remember these are same-sex saunas and you have to go naked - so go only if you are comfortable with the concept.
In terms of food, Berlin needless to say, offers world cuisine.
Some suggestions:
Nola - Swiss food
Dada - falafel place for quick lunch
India club - chic Indian restaurant run by a chef from delhi (dinner only)
Coda - dessert and cocktail bar
Cookies and cream - hipster vegetarian restaurant serving 3-4 course fancy meals
Gayaya - quick Asian vegan
Vapiano - Italian “fast food”
Fassbender and Raush - hot chocolate and to purchase variety of dark chocolates. They have a lovely cafe upstairs so ensure you don’t do the take away at the entrance.
Suggest booking everywhere - also lots of places are closed Sunday and Monday so check in advance and plan.
All shopping is closed on Sunday as well.
They also have boat cruises which we didn’t do since walking the city by foot made it much more memorable and the weather was favorable.
The most popular and high end hotel there is the Adlon kempenski hotel. In the luxury category there’s also hotel du Rome and the Ritz Carlton. Other great options are the Regent and the Westin which are slightly lower price points but superbly located.
She is Italian but has lived in Berlin for over 35 years and can really give an insider outsider view of the city. So many decades of information packed into one human being - remarkable!
Her toured covered the following:
Old Berlin:
We will start our sightseeing tour almost in front of your hotel with the beautiful square Gendarmenmarkt
Within a short walk we will reach the Bebelplatz (Bebel Square) and from there
we will stroll along the historical avenue oft he old city centre: Unter den Linden
& make the acquaintance with: the Humboldt University, the New Guard, the Old Armoury, the Crown Prince Palace.
On the Lustgarten we will admire the newly reconstructed Royal Palace, the Cathedral and the Museums Island.
Contemporary Berlin:
A short trip with the S-Bahn will bring us to the:
New governamental quarter
Brandenburg Gate
Memorials
Potsdamer Square
If we will have enough time left, you may choose one of the 2 following proposals:
- West Berlin:
Dipolomatic Quarter
Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church
- Berlin Wall
Check Point Charlie
On your own, you can visit a concentration camp outside of Berlin (one hour from the city by train). They have audio tours available there and while depressing the camp really gives one a sense of the terror unfolding therein. Also, you can visit the east side gallery which is basically a long stretch of the Berlin Wall painted with graffiti by various artists.
There are also several museums (must visit the Jewish museum), replete with art works and installations, several memorials dedicated to victims of the war (the gypsy memorial was a favorite for me), also, the Body exhibit was on, an exhibit on Salvador Dali’s exhibit and more and more. Also, Berlin is definitely not as touristy as Paris or London so roaming these sights is not as overwhelming as other tourists cities in Europe. Last weekend of March was also perfect weather wise, since the spring was just breaking and we got lucky with 2 sunny days. However, days were still Cold and we wore jackets and sweaters all through.
The parliament building needs tickets to enter, however you must book them online supposedly weeks in advance. One can also queue up in the mornings for some daily tickets. They also, have a restaurant inside the parliament for guests so that is a plan B method of getting in, but once again, book this in advance.
There’s also the Stasi prison tour, an actual prison used by the Soviets of this is of interest.
There’s also classical music at the Berlin philharmonic that was spectacular in terms of acoustics and brilliance. Tickets can be bought online in advance.
Berlin also has many concert venues, with music being big, bars and pubs and discos etc. and of course the opera house too.
Most hotels are equipped with a sauna and a new fancy space is the Vibali sauna but remember these are same-sex saunas and you have to go naked - so go only if you are comfortable with the concept.
In terms of food, Berlin needless to say, offers world cuisine.
Some suggestions:
Nola - Swiss food
Dada - falafel place for quick lunch
India club - chic Indian restaurant run by a chef from delhi (dinner only)
Coda - dessert and cocktail bar
Cookies and cream - hipster vegetarian restaurant serving 3-4 course fancy meals
Gayaya - quick Asian vegan
Vapiano - Italian “fast food”
Fassbender and Raush - hot chocolate and to purchase variety of dark chocolates. They have a lovely cafe upstairs so ensure you don’t do the take away at the entrance.
Suggest booking everywhere - also lots of places are closed Sunday and Monday so check in advance and plan.
All shopping is closed on Sunday as well.
They also have boat cruises which we didn’t do since walking the city by foot made it much more memorable and the weather was favorable.
The most popular and high end hotel there is the Adlon kempenski hotel. In the luxury category there’s also hotel du Rome and the Ritz Carlton. Other great options are the Regent and the Westin which are slightly lower price points but superbly located.
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