Originally Posted by
bitterproffit
My favorite Berlin things:
1) I took a tour of the Reichstag. I had to apply and submit some information to the German government site, but I had a fun tour. Unfortunately, the actual assembly was closed to visitors that day, but I was able to tour the rooftop and go up the glass dome. Great views of the Brandenburg Gate and surrounding areas. It was definitely a unique tour given its history.
2) I was fascinated with the Russian war memorial at Treptower Park. It is a solemn place but with fantastic Soviet architecture and murals. The Russian memorial near the Brandenburg Gate is also interesting, but access might be limited due to anti-Russian protests in Berlin.
3) The official Berlin Wall Memorial Park was worth the visit. There were good exhibits and I found it very interesting. It is up by Bernauer Strasse near Mauer Park.
4) Obviously check out the Brandenburg Gate, Memorial to the Murdered Jews, and the area around the Reichstag. A lot of history there.
5) I love the area near the Zoo, especially Kurfürstendam and the remains of the Kaiser Willhem Church. The Ku'dam area and Savigny Platz are my favorite area to stay in.
6) Museum Island has a lot of museums (obviously) and the Berlin Cathedral.
7) I took a half day visit to Potsdam. There is a neat palace there. Sansoucci.
8) I am trying to visit every Olympic Stadium in the world and the Stadium in Berlin is a neat visit. Access inside was limited the day I was there, but I loved walking around and viewing the architecture. (There is a really interesting small Allied Museum just east of the stadium near the U Bahn station that was just packed with items from the Allied occupation of West Berlin and the Berlin Airlift).
It is so easy to get around Berlin using transit. I download an app on my phone and I buy a multiday pass and just roam around neighborhoods when I visit. The transit system is excellent and really easy to use.
I am spending a week there next month and really looking forward to returning to Berlin. Enjoy!
Thanks for the very detailed response!
I had been debating on whether to stay 3 days/ 2 nights (giving me only one full day) or 4d/3n. If I were to do the shorter stay, I was thinking of splitting the time between Berlin and Cologne. But I think I will do the longer stay just in Berlin. Moving from one city to the next will take up too much time! I am already visiting London and Madrid on this trip as well.
Any suggestions for restaurants? This is my first time there, so I would prefer to experience both "street food" (curry wurst), and perhaps fine dining (if such exists in Berlin/ Germany. LOL
Last time I visited Germany (Munich/ Frankfurt), was way back in 2005 on a one month exchange program.
Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
As an av geek, I enjoyed walking on the former runways of Tempelhof Airport. Not sure what it looks like now, but about ten years ago it was basically a big open field where they were setting up for some festival or concert as I walked around and took pics.
I found the DDR museum interesting - to learn about the history and daily life of the people in East Germany.
https://ddr-museum.de
What a coincidence you brought up the topic of aviation!
I'm a die cast model collector (1/500 planes)! I'm making this trip not so much to visit Europe, but because I wanna fly the 744 in the nose section!!!
Originally Posted by
enelym1978
Tempelhof airport is a nice thing to see. when the weather is nice, people just hang out there, bike, run, just lay in the sun.
I also did a Segway tour once, which was fun if you don't want to walk
Nostalgic!
Originally Posted by
callie-girl
hikouki
I do know a private tour guide here in Berlin - he's been at this for 12 years..
And he has offered his email (by private message only, of course!) but there are a couple of questions.
How many people?
He can do historical, street art, general Berlin highlights, etc. Any idea what would interest you most?
Let me know if you want his email.
Yes, I would be very much interested!!! Thank you!