Travel guide for BERLIN

Information

Climate

I visited Berlin during May and the climate was ideal. Neither cold, nor hot with low humidity and a local temperature of 15-18 oC. Generally speaking, prefer visiting Berlin from spring to autumn and avoid the cold winter.

Location

Berlin is the official capital of Germany and is located in the north-east of the country.

Money Issues

All the transactions are based on euro. If however you come from a country outside EE, don’t worry. There are many exchange offices in central places all over Berlin, for example around the zoo, where you can exchange your currency to euro.

History

Who doesn’t know Berlin? Berlin’s fall in 1945 meant the end of 2nd World War for the 3rd Reich and the suicide of Hitler. The following decades Berlin was divided in two parts, the West Berlin under the supervision of the western allies and Eastern Berlin under the supervision of the Soviet Union. The reunion of the city took place at the early 90’s and Berlin was again the Capital of Germany.

How to get there

By plane which brings you to the biggest airport of Berlin, the FlughafenTegel. If you don’t plan to rent a car, you can use the line bus (X09 or 109) for Berlin’s downtown. It’s cheaper from taxi.

Trasportation

Generally, prefer to walk on foot. It can be exhausting, however it will reward you. Pay attention to the crossroads with bicycle routes (indicated with red colour), particularly if you are not used to it from your country. For bigger walks you can use the underground railway, known as U-Bahn, which is one of the bigger networks around Europe with itineraries from 5am until 1pm. Note that the lines U1 and U9 function 24hours a day during weekends. Perhaps the only disadvantage of U-Bahn is the old condition of some stations. Tickets can be found in each station.

While there

Children

We didn’t have any kids with us but in case you have I think that a good idea for you would be to visit the zoo of the city. Berlin’s zoo is the oldest zoo in Germany and one of biggest in the world. Here you can see pandas, lions, elephants, crocodiles etc. Also, don’t omit to visit the aquarium. With a ticket of 15euro you can see both, the zoo and the aquarium.

Food

Kohlsuppe (cabbage soup), Bratwurst (pork sausage), Hase im Topf (rabbit pate) and for dessert Kugelhupf (a coffeecake).

Amusement

Berlin has the rumour of the city that never sleeps. It has many centres of amusement and bars for all tastes. The best way to make your choice is through a city’s magazine, like 030. Its distribution is free of charge and you can find it in central points, near cinemas etc. It contains extended information about amusement and all the parties that have been programmed around the city.

Activities

Culture

The festival of cinema in the region around the Potdamer square each 2nd or 3rd week of February. Musical festival Popkomm (2nd half of September)

Sport Events

If you like football (soccer), then try to view a match in the Olympia stadium. Hertha BSC gives its matches there. If you want something more, then plan your trip so that you can view the Germany’s football final cap. Another famous sport event is the marathon of the city which takes place each year on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of September.

Leisure

If you like bicycling, Berlin offers you many opportunities. Rent a bike (for example from Friedrichstra?e station) and discover Berlin’s green areas like Gro?er Tiergarten. Pay attention to pedestrians.

Shopping

If you are looking for sales then you have to visit Berlin at the end of January or July. However you must know that there are always several bargains, especially in department stores. The most common commercial roads are the Kurfurstendamm and the Friedrichstra?e. You can find cheap stores around Alexander plaza. One alternative option is the Potsdamer plaza where you can find a big variety for your gifts.

Monuments

Galleries

The best art museum in Berlin is the gallery Gemalde. Here you can admire famous painters as Rebred, Reuben and Caravaggio. However, if you are looking for modern paintings then visit the Hamburger Bahnhof gallery.

Museums

The German historical museum in the avenue Unter den Linden, if you want a review of the German history from middle age to today. The archaeological museum of Pergamon. Do not omit to see the temples and the rooms of palaces in their natural size. The museum of natural history in which you can see the biggest dinosaur skeleton in the world. Do not omit to see the exhibition of meteorites.

Modern museums

If you like technology, then visit the Deutsches Technikmuseum. There you can see the evolution of technology and aviation with many planes as exhibits, some from the days of the World War. If you want to learn about the Wall and its fall, the best way is to visit the relative exhibition which takes place in a former check point known as Checkpoint Charlie. You can get there with U-Bahn and the station at Kochstr.

Historical monuments

The Gate of Brandenburg is located at the middle of Pariser square. It was made during the 18th century from the Carl G Langhans, following the architecture of temples in ancient Athens. On the top of the gate dominates the statue Quadriga as symbol of peace. It depicts the goddess Peace. In western Berlin you will see the ruins of a church from the bombardments of the 2nd world war. The church was not restored so as to remind the disasters of the war. On the contrary, a new church was erected after the war next to the ruins. It’s a very busy part, better known as ??hollow tooth??. It is worth the visit!

Modern monuments

Television’s tower at Alexander plaza. It is the highest building in Berlin (365meters) and on its top there is a café-restaurant where you can relax admiring the panoramic view of the city.

Other sights

If you like football (soccer), then visit the Olympia stadium. This huge stadium was constructed to host the Olympic Games in 1936.

Romance

Inside the big green parks waiting for the sun to set.

Not to miss

Visit the television tower at Alexander plaza. The view of the city from the top, especially if the day is sunny, is extraordinary.

Be Cautious

Generally, Berlin is a very safe city. However, during night it has many semi lighted places which make you feel a little uncomfortable while crossing them.

Best routes

If you want a sort but interesting walk, follow the Strasse des 17 Juni that begins from the Gate of Brandenburg and walk along it. The street crosses Grober Tiergarten which is the bigger park of the city and separates it to Eastern and Westerner. Keep walking and you will meet the Soviet Monument that was inaugurated on 7 November 1945. It includes a big column that was manufactured by the ruins of chancellery of third Reich, on the top of which stands the cupreous statue of Lev Kerbel. There are also two Soviet tanks, the first that entered Berlin. Behind the monument are buried 2500 Soviet soldiers. Down the street you can distinguish the column of Victory with the statue of goddess Victory on his top, for the celebration of the victory against Denmark back in 1864. If you want to see all the sights of the city in a day time, take the double decker bus which guides you around the city. In summer this bus has an open roof which makes your tour more interesting. You can find these buses at the corner of Ku’damm and Rankestra?e

Out

If you have time for a route outside Berlin, plan to visit Caputh. It’s a small village near Potsdam surrounded by numerous lakes. There you can see the summer residence of Albert Einstein and an interesting baroque palace.

Green Issues

Berlin is a city with a lot of green areas. There are many parks where it feels as if you are outside Berlin, as if you were instantly transported to a country setting. Furthermore it’s a clean city. You really admire the clean streets.

Value 4 money

You can visit all the municipal museums, especially those of Museumsinsel, with a ticket that costs only 6 Euros. The entry is also free on the first Sunday of each month.

Wish it had

A little more light on the roads when the dark falls. After all light strengthens your sense of security.

Impressions

Berlin is a wonderful travel destination. It combines many things for all tastes, from relaxation and sightseeing to amusement and shopping. Everything seems to be in perfect order like the transportation means. You feel safe and after a few hours of adaptation part of the city. Germans are very kind people and the majority of them speak English.