Paula, our intern at CasaVersa, went to Berlin last July. She wrote a post about the city and we can also see her pictures. Check it out!
Berlin is one of my favorite’s cities: not only because of its history but because of the vanguard that this city has to offer.
If you want to visit Berlin, you need to stay for a couple of days.
Berlin’s Main Attractions
First of all, it is important to mention one of Berlin’s main attractions and reminders of a divided history is The Wall. Seeing it helps you fully grasp what happened during the Soviet Period. It is very interesting to see the eastern side of the Wall as it has many images that represent the feelings of its population. Taking a photo at Checkpoint Charlie (or “Checkpoint C”), which was the best-known Berlin Wall Crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin, during the Cold War, is a must!
The Brandenburg Gate is the meeting point for most of the tourists in the city: a 18th-century neoclassical triumphal arch in Berlin, and one of the best-known landmarks of Germany.
If you’d like to experience the liveliest places at night, a Pubcrawl is a great option. You’ll visit many bars during one night, meet new people and drink lot of beer.
Remembering WWII: 7 must visit Berlin attractions
If you are interested in the Second World War, there several places to visit:
- The Jewish Museum, with its disconcerting architecture, and Fasanenstrasse, the synagogue where the Night of Broken Glass took place in 1938.
- The Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe serves as a central place for remembering the Holocaust.
- Sachsenhausen, a Nazi concentration camp in Oranienburg, used for political prisoners from 1936 to the end of the Third Reich in May 1945, is nowadays a tourist attraction. The remaining buildings and grounds are now open to the public as a museum. You can go by bus as it’s near Berlin.
- Potsdam, where Stalin, Churchill and Truman negotiated terms for the end of World War II. The Topography of Terror - an outdoor and indoor history museum in Berlin. It is located on the site of buildings where the Gestapo, the leadership of the SS and the Reich Security Main Office formerly stood. There are three permanent exhibitions both in German and English:
- Topography of Terror. Gestapo, SS, and Reich Security Main Office on Wilhelm- and Prinz-Albrecht-Straße.
- Berlin 1933–1945. Between Propaganda and Terror
- Topography of Terror Site Tour. The History of the Site
Is Wurst the Worst? What to Eat in Berlin
Regarding the food, the famous German sausage called “wurst” is something you should taste before leaving Berlin. There are more than 1500 different types of wurst (sausage) made in Germany and you’ll find street stalls selling them everywhere.
Berlin’s best family outings
A perfect plan is visiting the Berlin Zoo: not only will the children enjoy it but the adults as well. It is an ideal plan for the whole family! Did you know that is the most popular zoo in Europe and the oldest zoo in Germany? It was opened in 1841.
Something that I recommend, even if you go alone, with friends or with your family, is renting a bicycle to do a sightseeing. Central Berlin has a cycle culture, complete with cycle lanes and cyclist signs at the traffic lights. This route includes the Reichstag, the head across to the leafy paths of Tiergarten, up to Brandenburg Tor, the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and end with the Topography of Terror.
And there’s still more to do in Berlin…
If you like music, Berlin is a thrilling classical music destination: it offers a wide variety of performances in historic churches, concerts halls, palaces and in fascinating venues.
If you’re after the best view of the city, visit “The Fernsehturm” (the Berlin TV tower), standing at over 368 meters high, it was built in the late 1960’s in what used to be East Berlin, and is still the tallest structure in Germany. You will have a gorgeous view over Berlin, at clear visibility up to 42 kilometers.
Berlin is the capital city of the German Christmas Markets. Whether you prefer a contemplative and magical Christmas, there are about 80 Christmas markets to enjoy.
The Best Way to get around Berlin
You can easily travel around the city by the Berlin subway, known as the U-Bahn. With its ten lines, the U-Bahn runs along a network of approximately 146 kilometers and includes 143 stations. Most metro lines operate underground, but some run on above ground tracks. The U-Bahn Berlin is known for its yellow-colored trains. It’s very easy to use, punctual and inexpensive – perfect for tourists wanting to get about town!
Berlin is a city where everything can happen. It’s mix of vibrancy, history, modernity, and arts is something to be experienced.
Finally, if you are planning to visit this amazing city in the heart of Europe, we suggest doing a Home Exchange. You’ll save on accommodation so you’ll have more to spend on experiences!
