Berlin

Before I even visited Berlin, I knew I was going to like it. It wasn’t how I imagined – the bland industrial buildings seemed to disappear into the bitter wintery chill. However, Berlin still had everything I wanted: history, street art, friendly people, great coffee and amazing nightlife. I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly, but there’s something about berlin that makes me want to linger there a while longer – I’d love to live there one day.

Costs in Berlin

Accommodation in Berlin is affordable, with shared dorm rooms in hostels starting at around  €9. A private room in a hostel will set you back at least  €20 – considerably more during the peak summer season. Expect to pay at least  €50 euros for a room in a cheap hotel or a pension.

Food is cheap in Berlin, at least compared to Western Europe, and if you’re looking to really save money you can get by with  €25-35 a week on groceries from the supermarket. A decent restaurant meal will set you back around  €15-25, while fast food restaurants run at around  €6-8. Berlin is a great city for both food stands and international cuisine – the perfect combination. You can get really great cheap eats from the food stands from  €2.50 up – I had the most delicious donor of my life here. There’s also a bunch of tempting bakeries around where you can get strudel for around €1 – yum.

Transport in Berlin utilizes an integrated transport system, meaning that your one ticket will work on all types of public transport. The transport network is a little intimidating at first, but once you get your bearings it’s really easy to get around. You can purchase a short trip ticket for zones AB for €1.30 or a standard trip costs €2.10 – it is possible to buy a four-trip ticket for €8. If you plan to use public transport more than three times a day, then you should consider a daily (€6.10) or weekly pass (€26.20). Before you arrive, make sure you find out which line and stop your accommodation is on – Berlin’s transport system is a little too complicated to wing it (not that I tried and got lost).

Things To Do In Berlin:

Breandeburg Gate – This former city gate is perhaps one of the best known sites of all of Germany. It’s large pillars are reminiscent of something you would expect to find in Athens, Greece. Thankfully, it was spared during the World Wars and was privately renovated in 2000. Walking through the gate you are led onto a boulevard which is bustling during the day – there’s numerous shops, tourist gimmicks and some of the most talented street performers I’ve seen anywhere in the world. It’s a nice place to take a lazy stroll on a warm day.

Topography Of Terrors – Originally the site of the Secret State Police, the SS and the Reich Security Main Office it now houses an open air museum. There is a stretch of the wall left as it was during the regime, which you can walk along. The dark, bland concrete wall is a direct contrast to that of the East Side Gallery memorial. The Topography of Terrors museum is a very moving exhibition of information relating to the Nazi regime – including information on the lead up to, during and post nazi Germany. The Museum contains a lot of heavy and emotional material, so take your time to walk around and absorb it all. It’s free to enter, and can get a little busy so I would advise going earlier in the morning if possible.

Holocaust Memorial – This is one of the most visually impressive memorials I’ve ever been to. It’s officially called “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe” and is a series of 2,711 concrete blocks arranged in a vary unusual way. The blocks are of varying height, while the ground slopes under it – the purpose of this arrangement is to create an uneasy and confusing atmosphere. This is not something that can be merely viewed from the outside, it is important to walk between the slabs. If time permits, it is worth coming here at night too – the dim lights cast shadows around the blocks which creates a whole new experience. There is a museum below which is free to enter and worth a visit – there are security checks which can slow down things, but usually no more than a ten minute wait.

Alexanderplatz and the TV tower – Alexanderplatz is Berlin’s most famous square and really comes to life during the Christmas season. There’s a bunch of shopping malls and a train station here, so it’s a good hub that you’ll probably visit anyway. The Fernsehturm TV tower is a landmark visible from anywhere in Berlin which makes it an excellent bearing for exploring Berlin. You can visit the observation deck of the tower to see 360 degree views of Berlin – costs €11 for an adult and is open until midnight.

Reichstag – Formally the Parliament building during the German Empire, this building is very impressive. It was thankfully spared during the wars and provides a visual omen to the grand scope of the German rule. The dome is an unusual feature of the building and makes for a great view point of Berlin city. Tours through the building are free, however you must book in advance, see the website here for more information. Be prepared for security screening measures on par with airport screening.



East Side Gallery – This is one of the reasons I was most interested in visiting Berlin and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s a remaining part of the Berlin wall that stretches 1.3km. In the 1990s artists were commissioned to decorate the wall and it’s covered in beautiful, inspiring murals. It’s the largest outdoor art gallery in the world.  Unfortunately, some graffiti has clouded up some of the pieces, but it’s still a great place to visit. 

 Tigergarten – A huge park that stretches through the centre of Berlin – it’s such a nice escape from the dreary buildings surrounding it. There’s long benches that you can sit on while soaking up some sunshine. It’s a very popular place for running and there is a running route at the main gate which you can use as a walking guide. If you exit the park by the Spanish Embassy, you can walk up towards Charlottenburg by the Zoological garden. This path takes you through the length of the zoo – which allows you to see the animals through the wire fence, for free.  There’s also a beer garden here, where you can relax by the water.