loading 0%
Mark Ford
I’m grateful to have you here searching for Berlin travel tips. Let me walk you though this cool city and how to get the most out of your experience. The German capital’s rich history combined with the do it yourself culture and reasonable pricing has attracted creative entrepreneurial minded people who come to live and thrive in the city. Berlin has so many great experiences to offer. Like an historical event that put shock into the city over half a century ago.
One cold day in the 1960’s a few decades after the second World War the decision was made to divide Berlin into two cities. East Berlin and West Berlin. Barbed wire was put out on the streets and the building of a wall that would separate parts of the city and families from each other. Can you imagine if they did that to the city that you live in?
Just that staggering thought makes Berlin stand out from the crowd. What is also so cool about Berlin is that the city doesn’t hide its history – Berliners are proud of their rich history and the tourism thrives on it! In this post you will get access to exactly what to see and how to experience Berlin in the best possible way!
Since Berlin was divided into two cities from 1963-1989 there’s still two major airports operating in the city. Schönefeld and Tegel. The former is located south of the city and is a bit smaller, with budget airlines such as Easyjet. Tegel is the big international airport in Berlin and it is located north of the city.
Berlin Public transport
If you arrive at Schönefelt there are two great options to get into Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station): by S-Bahn or regional train. I suggest traveling with the regional train since it has less stops and the ride will take around 30 minutes to the Berlin central station. Tickets can be bought at the platform.
When arriving at Tegel you’re actually closer to the city centre, but there’s no train from this airport. Your two options are either a taxi or to go by bus. The busride takes only 22 minutes and the taxi ride is around the same. The bus ride is only €3 and the taxi ride costs around $30-35.
Berlin U-bahn
The public transport system in Berlin is organized by an app called BVB and one ticket that works on all trains, S-bahn, buses and trams. It is very easy to get around Berlin when using the app to plan your travel to see the time table and which station you want to go to.
A one-day pass costs €7 and a 7 day ticket clocks in at the mere price of €30. Very affordable and convenient.
When planning your stay and looking for Berlin travel tips, depending on your interests and what you’re looking to do in Berlin, I recommend focusing on these three areas:
Oberbaumbrücke
Central: Mitte is located in the center of Berlin and it is close to all the historical tourist attractions and Alexanderplatz. This is where I recommend you stay if you want to get the most out of Berlin. It’s close to everything, there are an abundance of hotels and it’s easy to get around.
Cool, creative, hip: Kreuzberg/Friedrichshain. Located in the southeast of Berlin. Here’s where the action is, with graffitti, cool stores, bars, restaurants, nightclubs. This area is for the “hipster / hippie / outsider” type with music gigs and punk rock record stores. Considered a bit rough and used to be part of East Berlin, well worth a visit.
Relaxed: Prenzlauer Berg. If you want a more relaxed stay in Berlin, and still be close to the city center I highly recommend Prenzlauer Berg that is located just north of the city center. Rent a nice AirBnb here and live like a
Berlin
local Berliner. Visit the big Mauer Park where you can have a relaxed walk away from the hectic city life and enjoy a picnic in the sun.
Berlin is known to be reasonably priced and hotels are easy to find.
AirBnb €40 per night
4-star hotel starts at €45 per night
What is the best food to eat in Berlin
Ever heard of currywurst? How about schnitzel? Apfelstrudel? Dönerkebab? Or a Berliner? When searching for Berlin travel tips these are all classic food items you’ll have to try when visiting Berlin. Don’t eat meat? No problem! Berlin is the vegan capital of Europe with plant based versions of all the foods listed above spread out around town. Most vegan places are found in Kreuzberg. Use the Happy cow app to easily find your favourite places!
Food in Berlin
Recommended:
Austria, a restaurant with the biggest schnitzel in Berlin. Great staff and massive plates of food.
Where to go for drinks in Berlin
If you thought about beer when thinking about Berlin you’re absolutely right. Beer is to be found everywhere and the people of Berlin are known for its relaxed drinking culture. So much so that you can even grab a cold beer from shops right before going on the subway. Where else could you do that? There are so many great bars that you’re best just to walk around to find your favourite one. Kreuzberg is the place if you want cheap beers in a shady yet cool bar and Mitte is for you if you want a sophisticated glass of wine.
Street art in Berlin
Recommended:
Löwenbrau Bar. Have you ever had a 1 litre glass of beer? Try it here.
Top 8 Experiences You Can’t Miss When Visiting Berlin
Brandenburger Tor
1. Brandenburger Tor
Brandenburg Gate is a combined city gate and propylé, which has become a symbol of Berlin. It has played different roles in the city’s history and is the classic building the most people associate with Berlin.
2. Monument of the Holocaust
Monument of the Holocaust
Monument to the murdered Jew of Europe, the Holocaust-Mahnmal or the Holocaust Monument in the Folks, is a memorial in central Berlin. It was dedicated to all Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust. The memorial was built following drawings by architect Peter Eisenman between 2003 and 2005 and occupies an area of 19,000 square meters near Brandenburg Gate.
3. Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most famous border crossings between East and West Berlin between 1945 and 1990. It was located on the border between Berlin’s American and Soviet sectors as well as the districts of Mitte in eastern Berlin and Kreuzberg in western Berlin. The checkpoint was located on Friedrichstraße in Mitte and only employees of the Allied military organizations or their embassies, non-German foreigners and employees of the Permanent Representation of West Germany and East German officials were allowed to pass it.
4. Fernsehturm
Fernsehturm
Berliner Fernsehturm is a radio and TV tower in Germany’s capital Berlin, built in 1965-1969. It has a height of 368 meters and is located at Alexanderplatz, located in the district of Mitte. It is Germany’s tallest building. The tower was built by the East German regime, which also used it as a symbol of East Berlin. It gives a good view of the whole city and from there East Germans could see West Berlin, which most people did not have the opportunity to visit. The visible tower also reminded the inhabitants of West Berlin of the eastern part of the city. Due to its location near Alexanderplatz, the tower is nicknamed Alex turm (Alex tower), especially by visitors in Berlin.
5. Reichstagsgebäude
Reichstagsgebäude is a building in Berlin. The building was constructed to become the seat of parliament in the Empire of Germany and
Reichstagsgebeude
continued to be it during the Weimar Republic. Since 1999, it has been the seat of Germany’s federal parliament for the Bundestag and since 1994 for the Bundestag when it rallies to elect the Bundestag president.
6. Berlin Mauer – East side gallery
The East Side Gallery is a remaining section of the Berlin Wall. It is located near the Berlin Ostbahnhof train station on the River Spree in the Friedrichshain district. On the east side of the wall are 160 paintings by various artists from all over the world. These paintings were
East Side Gallery
carried out in the early 1990s and show the artists’ views on the political changes in Germany. The gallery was inaugurated on September 28, 1990. It is 1316 meters long and received the status of a building memory. In 1997 the paintings were in bad condition due to the weather’s influence and therefore some of them were restored. It is considered the world’s longest gallery.
7. Berliner Dom
Berlin Cathedral, formally the Oberpfarr- und Domkirche zu Berlin, is Berlin’s Lutheran Cathedral and the largest Protestant church in Berlin. The present church building was erected between 1894 and 1905 after drawings by Julius Raschdorff.
Berliner Dom
8. Museumsinsel
Museum Island is a term on the northern part of the island of Spree Island in the River Spree in central Berlin, Germany. It has got its name from the state museums on the island, which are considered to be among the most significant in the world.
Accreditation: Flying The Nest
Plus 1 Travel provides you with a travel search engine and multiple comparisons for all your business travel and holiday needs.
I hope you enjoy searching through the Plus 1 Travel website for all you need for your travels. Whether that is a flight only, flight and hotel or anything else have a fantastic trip.
Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com