For the past few years I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz around Berlin. I never had a huge desire to visit Germany, but changed my opinion after seeing how people were obsessed after traveling to Berlin. I made it out there a couple of weeks ago and I 100% understand the obsession.
Berlin is a young and lively city and it’s got a lot going for it. There’s lots of history to explore, beautiful parks to enjoy and a wellness scene to discover.
If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, here’s what you’ve need to see and do during a weekend in Berlin.
Berlin Travel Guide
Where to Stay
The Circus Hotel: This cute boutique hotel is centrally located, has fun and quirky decor (the wall in my room had a life-sized astronaut mural on it!), a nice little rooftop and is attached to a cute hipster-y cafe/restaurant. It was very affordable and I loved staying here.
Where to Eat
Mustafa’s Kebab: I had no idea kebabs were super popular in Berlin, but they are. It seemed like every other restaurant I passed was a kebab shop. Mustafa’s is ranked one of the most popular. I ate here and at another random kebab shop and both were delish & super cheap.
Funk You Natural Foods: A great spot to grab a coffee, a chia pudding, or any other healthy and energizing snack.
Monsieur Vuong Vietnamese: Okay, again I didn’t expect a huge Vietnamese food presence in Berlin, but there is one! This spot is one of the best for Vietnamese food in the city.
Markthalle Neun: Food halls are always a great way to quickly experience a bunch of different foods in a new city. Head to Markthalle Neun for food stands, baked goods, produce, wine, beer & more.
What to See & Do
Sandemans Walking Tour: I signed up for this free 3- hour walking tour as my intro to the city. It’s very informative, shows you the main sights, points out others you should visit during your trip and best of all gives you an insider look into life in Berlin. These tours are tip-based and a really good way to get your bearings when you arrive in the city.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: Obviously there is a dark history to Germany. There are a lot of memorials in Berlin and this is one you need to see. The memorial is made up of 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights and you can walk across/through the space. The architect never explained what it’s supposed to represent and each person should interpret in their own way. Underneath is a small information center that tells the stories of victims. Free to enter.
The Jewish Museum Berlin: For more history on Jews in Berlin and stories on the holocaust, visit the Jewish Museum. I found the architecture to be very powerful, there are void spaces specifically left blank and open to represent the void of those killed in the Holocaust. I recommend spending a couple of hours here.
The East Side Gallery: This was a highlight. Part of the remaining Berlin Wall is covered in murals at this outdoor gallery. It’s free to walk by and doesn’t take much time. Spend about 30 minutes here.
Olympic Stadium: I happen to love the Olympics and had a few hours to spare, so I jumped on the train to visit the stadium. It’s about 45 minutes on train from the city center. Once you arrive you have to pay a couple of euros to enter and wander around. I’m not sure it’s worth going out of your way for, but if you’re an Olympics fanatic you’ll enjoy it. I did.
Parks & Biergartens: I know it’s probably sacrilegious that I didn’t have any beer while in Germany, but so be it. I was traveling solo and don’t tend to drink much on my own, I’ll save that for when I return on a longer trip in the future. Anyways, there are so many great parks to picnic in and biergartens to relax at.
Where to Workout
BeCycle: One of the best workouts I’ve encountered during my time abroad! I did back-to-back classes, starting with cycling followed by yoga. Both classes were excellent, well-taught (in English, phew) and very well designed. I’m super picky about workout classes, especially cycling, and these were both so good. There’s a 2 for 1 intro deal so if you can fit two workouts in during your visit, it’s a steal. If I lived in Berlin I’d be a regular (or try to teach there!).
Things to Know About Berlin
- The currency is euros. I was surprised that many places I visited did not take credit card. Make sure you have sufficient cash on hand.
- Everyone seemed to speak English, I had no issues communicating and I definitely do not understand any German!
- Berlin is a spread out city. I usually stick to walking, but taking the subway here was necessary. I purchased a one-day ticket and used it about 6 times in one day. This will make your sightseeing much easier and will allow you to squeeze a lot into one day.
If I’m being honest, I’ve always viewed Germany in a negative light. That’s probably not surprising given the history. Visiting and learning about this city gave me a new understanding. My tour guide on the Sandemans Walking Tour shared an interesting perspective, telling us that Germans do not tend to show national pride because of how negatively they believe that would be perceived. Berlin is full of young people and those living there now did not cause or play into what happened in the past. I’m not sure what else to say about that, except that it gave me a fresh perspective on life in Germany today.
I’m glad I was able to visit Berlin and hope to explore more of Germany in the future. Have you been to Berlin? Have I missed any must-see spots?
