Berlin has always been on my bucket list of cities to visit in Europe. It is so unique and full of culture and history. With cities however, there is always so much to do and see that it can be hard to do everything. My boyfriend and I went for a long weekend, which means we only had 3 full days to explore. This does not feel like nearly enough time. When you’re going out each night also, the mornings can be short! It can feel overwhelming. Despite how much you do every day, it still feels like you’re missing out. It also takes time to get your bearing’s and when you do, it’s time to leave. That’s why it’s so helpful to read blogs before you set off and create a flexible itinerary of things you want to do. Berlin is a fantastic city, so quirky and different to any other. So, you will want to make the most of it. Keep reading to find out my top 10 things to do in this wonderful city.
- Explore Berlin by Bike
This is by far the best way of getting around the city. You can see so much in a day. You don’t have to worry about public transport. It’s cheap to hire one for a couple of days and you can park up and leave it anywhere. A couple of nights we even cycled to the bars and clubs to save money. It’s easy to cycle around as the roads are flat and since everyone cycles, the traffic lights accommodate bikes. There are also plenty of clear routes such as parks and canal paths. However, you still need to be cautious as there’s plenty of traffic, pedestrians and trams / tramlines (my boyfriend’s bike wheel got stuck in one and he went flying, so learn from his mistakes). Also make sure to cycle on the left!
2. Tiergarten and The Reichstag Building
Tiergarten is beautiful and worth a visit. This is a three-mile park hidden in the centre of Berlin. Join the locals and go for a cycle, run or walk. You can have a picnic, read in the tranquillity or even sunbathe naked, whichever you fancy. Visit in spring or summer to enjoy the park in gorgeous weather. There are also plenty of bars and cafes surrounding the park. The Reichstag Building is also nearby. This house of the German parliament survived wars, fire bombings and the country’s division. It is now a symbol of a new era in German politics. The dome at the top of the building is a must visit and a significant architectural monument. However, make sure to pre-book to visit online, as the queues are quite long. This isn’t ideal in 30-degree heat.
3. Berlin Nightlife
Berlin nightlife is not like any other. Each bar or club is unique and fabulous in its own way. Most people know about Berlin’s large techno scene and the exclusivity of some clubs. The very famous Berghain has queues lasting 7 hours and even when you get to the front, there is still no guarantee that you’ll get in. The clubs are known for being risqué and thoroughly hype gay culture. If you do manage to get in, it is known to be worth it and parties last up to 72 hours. It will be an experience you won’t forget. I must add a small disclaimer, if you’re British and wanting to get into a club, be cautious. Tourists often aren’t liked in the places the locals love. Other bars, a bit more chilled, include Mein Haus Am See and Pawn.com. These still fascinate and portray Berlin’s edgy / risqué / unique style. Other disco / techno clubs are a bit more versatile and don’t leave you worrying if you’ll get in or not; Crack Bellmer on weekends and Hoppetosse are worth a visit if this is your kind of scene. Berliner’s can stay out partying for ages, so no wonder they’re well known for their nightlife. But don’t be put off if some of these don’t sound for you, there is something for everyone, including cocktails bars and jazz bars.
4. Visit a Flea Market: Mauerpark and Kollwitzplatz
Completely immerse yourself into Berlin culture and take an afternoon stroll through one of the cities famous flea markets. There are plenty of stalls with a wide selection of things to buy. From meats and cheeses to handmade jewellery or pottery and vintage clothing, there is something for everyone. You can even dabble in some tasty street food; pizza, pasta, kebabs or currywursts. Plenty of pop-up bars are situated around the markets as well. Treat yourself to a nice glass of wine whilst listening to some live music. If you want to keep the costs down, you can still have a good time at one of these markets as there is always some live music bringing in crowds of people. Mauerpark is a well-known venue for popular and immersive weekly outdoor music sessions.
5. Check Point Charlie and The Berlin Wall.
A major part to Berlin is its rich history. These are two iconic tourist attractions of the cold war. Check Point Charlie shows the gate way to the American sector and the Russian sector of Berlin following the second world war. If you’re a war fanatic you can simply have a look around the area, which has lots of information about this for free or you can visit the museum. Likewise, The Berlin Wall is free for tourists to visit and learn more about the history. You can walk along where the wall used to be and follow the timeline of the wall from when it was built in 1961, to when it was knocked down in 1989. There are a few murals on the sides of buildings and recordings of stories which are very powerful also.
6. Visit a Jazz Bar
As well as its riveting techno scene, Berlin is also big for jazz music. We’d seen many videos on social media before we went of chic/ laid back jazz bars. We found Flat B close to where we were staying near Alexanderplatz, which did not disappoint. Situated underground, you pay 20 euros for a few hours of live music. Chilled, yet engaging and lots of fun, this is a great ‘pre-drinks’ bar if this type of music is for you. Or even if it isn’t. Other great jazz bars are; Zig Zag and The Hat Bar.
7. East Side Gallery
Stretching for 1316 metres, the East Side Gallery holds over 100 paintings. Each has a story to tell and includes expression of thoughts and feelings around Berlin history and the impact of The Berlin Wall. Each piece of art remains untouched and, it is the longest surviving section of The Berlin Wall. Take a walk alongside and see how peaceful yet powerful each painting is. Here you can also find the famous kiss painting. If you’re a street art lover, this is a must see.
8. Visit Holtzmarkt 25
Close to East Side Gallery, this is a large outdoor area, great for enjoying a drink or some food in the sun. This must be one of my favourite places in Berlin as it was so cool, chilled and quirky. The place is electric and has many different areas to sit and happily laze away your day. You can even chill next to the river with a selection of drinks and a pizza. A very tranquil atmosphere, with lots of hidden quirks. If you go for food, I recommend the Nina Pizza, if you like strong cheese.
9. Lakes Surrounding the City
There are many lakes around Berlin. Each offer something different, but all still in keeping with Berlin’s style. We cycled only half an hour outside of the city centre to Plotzensee, which is a hidden lake on the outskirts. You can opt to sunbathe on the grass and jump off a wall into the lake. Or on the other side there is a beach, with volleyball pitches, outdoor bars and DJ boat. There’s even a double bed on the beach. There is a fee of 8 euros, however, which seemed a bit steep for an outdoor area. If you’re visiting Berlin in the spring / summer I would recommend checking out one of the lakes as it’s a beautiful change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was 30 degrees when we visited, so a dip in the lake was needed. Other lakes are Wannsee, or Mugglesee I would visit next time.
10. Hackescher Markt and Museum Island
Museum Island is a UNESCO-inscribed collection of five museums, a must visit for anyone interested in art / history. The selection of museums includes The Altes Musuem, Neues Museum, Pergamonmuseum, Nationalgalerie and Bode Museum. Take a day walking round each to absorb Ancient Egyptian, Greek or Roman art etc. Even just walking around these beautiful, world-famous architecture buildings is breath-taking. Whilst in the area, take a walk through Hackescher Markt. Full of shops and restaurants, you’ll keep entertained in the lively scenes.
Although these were my personal top 10 things to do in Berlin, there are SO many others. 3 days does not feel long enough to explore. As soon as we got home, I wanted to book another trip here. It’s difficult to cram everything in, but hopefully this blog can give you inspiration if you’re planning a trip here. Even if you’re not, maybe Berlin is now on your bucket list.
