If you are thinking of traveling to Berlin, Germany, you are in the right place. With its historical texture and streets waiting to be discovered, Europe’s Bohemian spirit Berlin is Germany’s capital and largest city. Located in the northeastern part of the country, the city center has a population of around 3.7 million and the total population of the state of Berlin is around 6 million. Berlin, the capital of Germany, one of the most developed states in the world, is one of the most important cities in the world. It is one of the leading cultural and political capitals of both Germany and Europe.
Berlin, which had its share as the capital of the country’s heavy wars, was able to overcome the heavy destruction of the wars in a short time. Today, the city is one of the favorite destinations of thousands of tourists every year with its multicultural and tolerant structure, vibrant nightlife, numerous museums and art galleries. Also, as an excellent example of German urban planning, Berlin is very orderly. Although it is the capital city, its population has not increased much and transportation within the city is quite comfortable.
Getting from one point to another in the city is very easy by public transport, and city dwellers also use bicycles extensively. In addition, Berlin is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in the world. While walking around the city, you can suddenly feel like you are walking in the forest.
When to go to Berlin
Since there are few hot and sunny days in Berlin, on such days Germans flock to the parks to sunbathe. Spring and autumn are generally cool, but suitable for walking.
Where to Stay in Berlin
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Berlin. Berlin, the capital of Germany, which is one of the favorite destinations of thousands of tourists every year, fascinates everyone with its lively structure, green nature, different museums, lively streets and historical buildings. A single day will not be enough to discover Berlin, which has a different beauty every season. It is quite easy to find accommodation options in Berlin that you will fall in love with when you step into the city.
Although Mitte is the most preferred area for accommodation in Berlin, which consists of 12 districts, it would be correct to say that it is central for each district. It is possible to find a historical and interesting point in each of the districts. While you can find very low-budget hotels in the city where many hotels were built after the fall of the Berlin Wall, you can also choose to stay in very luxurious hotels.
Places to Visit in Berlin
With its historical buildings, museums, wide streets and clean air, there are many places to visit in Berlin, a city with a river running through it. You can visit the touristic spots of the city, which is known as the art, music and cultural center of Europe, explore its backstreets and experience the Bohemian atmosphere of the city to the fullest. Since the early 2000s, the development of house music and the proliferation of art galleries created a Bohemian atmosphere in the city. You will definitely feel this atmosphere during your trip to Berlin.
The city, which suffered heavy blows in the World Wars, embraces its past and reflects it in the best way. One of the most striking situations among dozens of places to visit is that the city is covered with trees. While wandering the streets, you may come across a large park and suddenly find yourself in the forest. It is a good idea to choose the area where you will stay in Berlin according to the places you will visit. If you are wondering about economical accommodation alternatives, you can click here.
The most famous spot in Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate, built at the end of the 18th century. The German Parliament Building is also a remarkable work with its magnificent structure. One of the most popular spots in the city is Alexander Square, the largest square in Germany. Museum Island, located on the River Spree, is also a cultural center consisting of five museums. One of the best examples of Baroque architecture is the Berlin Cathedral. The East Side Gallery came into existence when a part of the Berlin Wall was colored by painters.
Checkpoint Charlie, a checkpoint between East Berlin and West Berlin, is also an important place to explore the city’s history. The Holocaust Monument, which was built to commemorate the Holocaust, is also an important monument in terms of the country’s history. One of the most beautiful places in modern Berlin is Potsdamer Platz. Kreuzberg, one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Berlin, is also a district full of cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
Brandenburg Gate
The first stop on the list of places to visit in Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. Originally known as Brandenburger Tor, it is the city’s most important symbol and the area that attracts the most visitors. Built between 1788-1791, the gate was built by the King of Prussia III. It emerged with Friedrich Wilhelm’s desire to have an ostentatious door built. While the gate was being built, architect Carl Gotthard Langhans was impressed by the majestic gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. Considered as one of the most beautiful examples of neoclassical architecture in Germany, the quadriga, or carriage drawn by four horses, was added to the door in 1793. The person pulling the carriage is symbolized as Victoria, the goddess of victory.
German Parliament Building (Reichstag)
The German Parliament Building, located very close to the Brandenburg Gate, is one of the must-see places in Berlin. What makes the building worth seeing is its glass dome. The building was designed by architect Paul Wallot, who won the competition for the House of Parliament in 1882, and was completed in 1894.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is the most central point of Mitte, the historical center of Berlin, and also the largest square in Germany. Located near the River Spree and Berlin Cathedral, the square is also the meeting point of the locals and is called “Alex” by the people who live here. It takes its name from the Russian Tsar Alexander I, who visited Berlin in 1805. Before this period, the square was used as an important area in the Middle Ages. On November 4, 1989, more than a million people gathered here to protest the East German government, and this is the largest protest in German history.
Museum Island
Museum Island, consisting of five museums, was established on a small island on the Spree River in Berlin, which protects its historical and cultural values. The five museums, the construction of which began in 1930 and completed in 1980 by different architects, also created innovations in the field of museology in terms of architecture.
Charlottenburg Palace
Berlin, which was the capital of the Duchy of Brandenburg and then the Prussian State and the German Empire, was heavily damaged after the devastating World Wars and its palaces were almost destroyed. Among the damaged structures were the landmarks of the city. Here is the only legacy of the Hohenzollern Dynasty in Berlin and the Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin’s largest palace, is among the buildings destroyed by the war.
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), one of the magnificent symbols of Berlin, was designed in baroque style in the 1700s, remodeled in 1822, and in 1894 II. It was designed in neo-baroque style and built in 1905 when Wilhelm ordered it to be demolished and rebuilt. II. The building, which was badly damaged in World War II, was restored in 1981. Until the cathedral took its present form, it was designed in baroque, neo-classical and neo-baroque styles.
Transportation in Berlin
When you travel to Berlin, you should also know how to get there. Although the map of Berlin public transport and rail systems may seem rather complicated and scary, the public transport system in Berlin is among the most advanced in the world. The connections between the underground lines in Berlin are extremely functional and you can reach every part of the city by public transport.
Berlin Cuisine
Your trip to Berlin continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Berlin. Although Berlin is not a city that stands out with its food culture, it is a city where you can find flavors that suit your taste. The menu of Berlin cuisine is dominated by potatoes and pork. In addition, hamburgers, hot dogs and, as everyone knows, beer were born in this land. It is possible to find a variety of German beers made in different parts of the country almost everywhere in Berlin.
It is quite common to have breakfast or brunch in cafés in Berlin. The price of such a dish can start from 4 euros. Einstein Cafe is a chain famous for its breakfasts. In general, you can eat at very reasonable prices in the city.
You can taste French cuisine at Michelin-starred Hugos on the 14th floor of Berlin Intercontinental, discover traditional German cuisine at Vau or have a meat experience at Grill Royal, the city’s most popular Steakhouse. For example, Wagyu entrecote medium cooked alongside Krug.
There are also Michelin-starred restaurants in Berlin such as Restaurant Tim Raue and Pauly Saal. There are different restaurants according to your budget, such as Papilles, Il Pastificio, Heising, Kanaan, Restaurant Faubour.
Shopping in Berlin
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Berlin trip with shopping? There are many options for shopping in Berlin, such as exclusive shops, famous fashion houses, local boutiques, antique shops, second-hand shops, shopping malls. You can find all kinds of products you are looking for in Berlin, such as antiques, souvenirs, expensive clothes.
You can shop at the stores on Kurfürstendamm Street, access the products of world-famous stores such as Chanel and Balmain at KaDeWe, or visit the Alexa shopping center with nearly 200 stores. Friedrichstrasse is the city’s most popular shopping street with shops such as the famous chain Galeries Lafayette. Berlin’s famous Alexander Square is also one of the places where shops are located.
Hackescher Markt, on the other hand, is a region in the Mitte district and is one of the must-stops for those who want to shop. This area mostly reflects the German style in shopping. It is home to many restaurants and bars, as well as shops of young German designers. The complex called Hackesche Höfe is one of the few buildings in Berlin with art nouveau style. While coming to Hackescher Markt, you should also visit the shops in this complex.
Most shops in Berlin are closed on Sundays. In addition, the Christmas market, which is set up at Christmastime, is also very beautiful. The shops in front of Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche are one of the best places to buy souvenirs. While visiting the city, you can see many items related to the bear, which is the symbol of Berlin, and the walking man used at the traffic lights.
Berlin Nightlife
The nights are long in Berlin, which is famous for its open-air venues. You can definitely find a place to have fun in the city, where there are countless bars, pubs and nightclubs. You may be surprised to see that the buildings that used to be used as factories, which look like abandoned, are now used as bars and nightclubs.
You have to pay an entrance fee to enter some venues, but this fee is around half of the entrance fees in other European cities. In Berlin, the capital of arts and entertainment, you can also come across performances by street artists and opera performances.
Some think that music such as underground and techno in Germany is due to the dark and cold weather of the country. This atmosphere is also reflected in the design of the venues. There are more than 200 nightclubs in Berlin, one of the centers of house music. Although these nightclubs mainly play techno-style music, there are also nightclubs that play music genres such as pop and rock.
Clubs usually start to move after midnight and entertainment continues until the early hours of the morning. There are also many venues where world famous DJs play. Entrance fees start at 5 euros and go up to 20 euros, and prices are higher on weekends.
Located in Kreuzberg, Tresor is a former electrical factory converted into a nightclub. Tresor, one of the oldest and largest clubs in the city, is one of the centers of techno music. The entrance fee to Berghain, which is shown as one of the best nightclubs in the world, is 14 euros. The design of the club, where Berlin nightlife reaches its peak, is highly appreciated. One of the most popular places after Berghain is Watergate, located on the river bank.
World-class events and parties are held here throughout the year. Cookies are also one of the points of “underground” music. The entrance fee is 8 euros and entertainment continues until 7 in the morning. The Chalet in Kreuzberg is housed in a 19th-century building. Designed in vintage style, the club is open every day of the week. Other popular nightclubs include Weekend, Stattbad, S036, Salon Zur Wilden Renate, Golden Gate.
Cocktail bars are also a new trend in Berlin, both among young people and adults. Especially on weekends, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Schöneberg and Friedrichshain regions are the areas where bars are concentrated. As in other European cities, there are many Irish pubs in Berlin. The Irish Pub on Tauentzienstrasse is one of the biggest in the city. The Hackescher Markt area is also one of the locations where the nightlife is most active.
Opera has an important place in Berlin, which has an important place in the history of world classical music. In fact, it says “Berlin Opernhauptstadt”, that is, “Berlin, the Capital of Opera”, on the Berlin subway. There are three state-sponsored opera houses in the city, which is even more than Italian cities. Watching an opera at the Deutsche Oper, Philharmonie or Staatsoper Unter den Linden will be an invaluable experience. When you travel to Berlin, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
