Dos and Don’ts of Berlin

Last week, I got to check off another city that I’ve wanted to go to for some time off my list: Berlin. I found it to be quite an interesting city – the city is over 750 years old, but so much of recent history affects the way the city appears today. I kept thinking about how the Berlin Wall still existed just twenty-five years ago, with reminders all over the city. You walk through the city and see things that were rebuilt because of bombs dropped during WWII. You see DVDs with Nazi flags covering the landmarks of Berlin. It’s crazy to think that less than a century ago, people were actually seeing these things in the city I was visiting. Berlin is a great city, but there are definitely things you should do and shouldn’t do to maximize your enjoyment.

DO see all the landmarks around the city from the WWII and Cold War eras. 

There are so many sites to see! There a portions of the Berlin Wall all over town. The most famous of course if the East Side Gallery where people have created “street art” on the former East Berlin side of the wall that was controlled by the Soviets. The art spans 1.3 kilometers and it is all very cool looking. Be warned: there is a gate that covers the art to protect it from graffiti and “souvenir hunters” that chip away at the walls to have a piece of history, so you aren’t going to get your perfect picture.

There is also a church that is in the middle of the city, near the nice shopping street that was bombed during WWII and was never repaired as a reminder of the war. Unfortunately, I only got to see the church up close at night and it was situated right in the middle of a Christmas market.

Another really awesome place is Checkpoint Charlie where the US sector ended and the Soviet sector started. Today there is still a “visa check” with impersonators that charge you €3 to take a picture with them (yep … I paid to do that). They also have a museum and some history surrounding the area. It’s kind of cool and kind of creepy at the same time.

Then, you have important symbols, like the Brandenberg Gate, that was blocked off from traffic during the Cold War because it was in the middle of the Wall’s territory. There is a dashed line in the street that marks where the Wall once had been. In 1990, people rejoiced when the Wall fell and they could once again walk through the Gate. Today it is a symbol for peace, freedom, etc. and is very important to the city. I liked to imagine all the people who gathered there during the 2014 World Cup to cheer on their team to victory.

DON’T take public transportation everywhere.

I wish I had done more walking during my time in Berlin. Walking is the best way to see a city because you stumble upon things that you normally wouldn’t see. I think we wasted a day by just taking the bus tour around the city. I highly recommend a walking tour because you will get to see and learn more during those walks.

Also, be very careful of the metro system. You MUST validate your ticket before you ride the metro. The tickets are also pretty expensive. It’s €2.90 for a single ticket and €6.70 for a day pass. That means we spent over €20 on metro tickets alone. It can get you onto buses and trams, too, but still, compared to Barcelona, it’s super expensive.

DO go at Christmastime. 

Ok, so I have never been when it wasn’t Christmastime, but it just puts a little more magic in the air when it’s Christmas. There are Christmas markets EVERYWHERE and they are so cute! You can get traditional German food, hot chocolate, mulled wine, gifts, gingerbread … so many things! If you get a drink at the markets, for a few euros extra, you can take the glass home with you. It usually says the name of the market and they are all different.

Also, Germans gave us many traditions at Christmas, like the Christmas tree. Compared to where I am in Spain, they really take Christmas to the next level. It was good to see all the Christmas cheer to remind me what Christmas is like at home. They have Christmas trees all over town, Christmas lights, Santa … it truly feels like Christmas.

DON’T let the weather get you down.

Since I went in fall/winter time, the weather is not the best. The sun rises at 8 AM and starts to set about 3:30 PM. By 4:30, it’s already pitch dark. When it was 6 PM, it felt more like 10 PM. We also only had one day where there was any bit of sun. Even then, sunglasses weren’t a necessity. Our last day there, it was sunny during the morning, but by noon, it went back into hiding and turned cold and windy the rest of the day.

Even though it’s dark really early, I think it’s still worth it to travel the city at night, when everything is lit up.

DO Museum Island.

Museum Island is a group of five museums in one area. I mean, if you don’t like art or history, then maybe this isn’t for you. But at least go and look at the area … it’s really pretty. It looks more Roman and Greek than German, but still, it’s beautiful. I had some time to go off by myself and I went to the Neues Museum. It cost me €12, but if you can buy a ticket to two museums it’s €18. The Neues Museum specializes in ancient artifacts. It has a lot of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other European civilizations inside. The main attraction is the bust of Nefertiti. Unfortunately, pictures are prohibited. I wish I had had more time to visit the museum, but the two hours I was there were great.

Also, nearby is the Berlin Dom, a giant cathedral. I wish I could have gone inside, but because I had limited time, I chose to go to the museum instead.

DON’T be afraid to travel by yourself.

I was initially afraid to navigate around the city by myself because it’s a city where I don’t know the language, the transportation system, etc., but the few hours I went out by myself were fantastic. I loved seeing the things I wanted to see. I could take as much or as little time as I wanted to admire the surroundings. Sometimes it’s nice to have the anonymity of traveling around by yourself. I wish I had taken more time to be by myself, honestly.

DO enjoy the city.

I think Berlin is different than any other city I have ever visited. Some people I was with didn’t enjoy the city and they said they wouldn’t recommend it. I think differently. I would recommend it. So much has happened in Berlin since 1936 and it wouldn’t be the the same without all that history. Of course everything that happened in that span of 55 years was horrible, but without it, it wouldn’t have shaped the city to be what it is today.

Ok, the Germans aren’t known for the politeness and their niceties and many things that are popular monuments serve as reminders of horrible oppression, but if you can look past these things and take in the atmosphere, you will see a city that is still trying to recover from all the tragedy. Yes, some parts aren’t exactly the prettiest, but you can definitely find beauty in all parts of the city.