When you visit a city like Berlin, which is so full of culture and history, it can be difficult to know where exactly to start.
With its turbulent past and still largely in development, Berlin is one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Here are some tips on how to make the most of your weekend in the German capital.
What to see in Berlin
Berlin (Photo credit: zoetnet)
Any new visitor to the city should be sure to see all the main sights of the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Berlin Wall, TV Tower and Holocaust Memorial. On a clear day the TV Tower (Fernsehturm) can provide a great view of the city.
However, it can be a long wait to get up there and on a short visit you should consider alternatives.
The victory column (Siegessäule) provides a spectacular view as well, although not as expansive, but at a cheaper price.
Another alternative is to go up to the viewing platform located on the Park Inn Hotel Terrace at Alexanderplatz for fantastic views of the city.
If you wish to learn about the terrors of the past in the city; the Topography of Terror it is a museum to visit.
It contains a preserved section of the Berlin wall along with both an outdoor and an indoor museum, documenting some of the worst crimes of the Nazis, as this was also the location of the SS headquarters and the Gestapo.
The largest remaining section of the wall itself became the East Side Gallerythe largest open air gallery in the world that shows a variety of artists and their interpretations of its meaning in the context of freedom.
What to do in Berlin
A walking tour can provide a great introduction to the city and some of the free tours on offer can be just as good, if not even better than a paid tour.
There are many different ones to choose from, such as those that take in all the main sights, alternative ones and night tours.
An afternoon can easily be spent at the abandoned Tempelhof airport, where you can run, walk or just relax on the runway. If it’s hot why not have a picnic or barbecue?
It’s worth a trip to one of Berlin’s many markets such as Mauerpark, held on Sundays, where you can look for hidden gems or take part in some of the park’s infamous karaoke.
If you want to discover Berlin in a more relaxing and different way, then taking the water on a boat tour can be an ideal way to do it.
With one of the most active techno scenes in the world, Berlin’s nightlife reputation precedes it.
Clubs like Berghain and Tresor are worth a visit if techno is your scene.
In a big city like Berlin, however, there are clubs to cater for every taste in music.
Other Options
Be sure to explore Berlin’s many lakes and parks which provide a break from the hustle and bustle of city life – it is one of the greenest cities in Europe after all!
A trip to the beautiful city of Potsdam makes a great day trip – here you can find impressive palaces, immaculate parks, numerous churches and the old town.
Alongside this is the Glienicke Bridge which was the scene of spy exchanges between East and West during the Cold War.
Charlie Beeny currently lives and thrives in the city of Berlin, where he is working on a two-month internship at GoEuro.