Berlin Travel Guide

Last summer I got the amazing experience of visiting wonderful Berlin. A city full of history, cool people and amazing places. The Berlin people are known for being openminded, welcoming and always up for something fun! Without further ado here’s a travel guide to my favourite parts and places in Berlin!

Where to stay

When choosing a place to stay, the only thing to make sure of is actually to be close the city. Of course, Berlin has a Metro that connects the whole city and you can get to all the biggest sights with only a few stop, but the metro can be quite expensive if travelling on a low budget. As all the biggest sights are in walking distance, finding a cheap hotel close to the city is definitely what to look for.

• Ramada Plaza Berlin – This hotel is a cheap hotel has a central placering - but then again, not too central. You live central enough to being able to walk to some of the biggest sight, while you live among ordinary Berliner apartment buildings. A great combination and a hotel that is definitely worth the money!

• Ibis hotel Kurfuerstendamm – Now long from the previous mentioned hotel is the Ibis hotel Kurfurstendamm. It is a cheap hotel that does its thing for being green in everything they do. The staff is friendly and the hotel is close to both restaurants and transport links.

• AirBnB – I can not go without mentioning this phenomena that has become huge the last couple of years! By renting someone's apartment you'll get an exclusive view into the ordinary Berliner's life and they will - if your even show you around - most definitely help you around the city! Without a doubt a great opportunity if you want to feel at home in the city!

Sightseeing

Just like any other major city around the world, there's tons of places to go all touristy. So if you have just a little tourist hidden inside, here's a small list of mine on cool sightseeing spots!

• Brandenburg Tor – Brandenburger Tor is a massive and beautiful gate standing in the middle of Berlin that holds over two hundred years of history. This is probably one of the most famous places in Berlin - in whole German really - and one of the places most people come to see. It is such a major landmark actually that the windows in the local metro is covered with small Brandenburger Tor silhouettes - fun fact. 

• The Memorial of the Berlin Wall – During World War II a 3,6 m tall and 155 km long wall divided Berlin into two: East Berlin and West Berlin. Most of the barrier was torn down in 1989, but some of it still stands the day today. Walking around the city, somewhere you'll see a long line paving stone going across the road and parks, showing where the Wall once was while you'll see bits standing around the city as well. In the area of Berlin called Mitte you'll find a big memorial park that is definitely worth a visit if you're interested in the story of the wall!

• The Holocaust Memorial – Another beautiful and touching memorial in Berlin is the The Holocaust Memorial - A memorial to the murdered jews in Europe. It consists of 2711 rectangular block of concrete laid out in a grid formation. This, the German parlament says, is to symbolise the loneliness, powerlessness and despair the jews experienced during World War II. 

• The Museum Island – Right in the middle of the city you'll find a "small" island called The Museum Island and here you'll find a bunch of the biggest museums (that does not tell about World War II) in Berlin. Definitely worth a visit if you're into art, sculptures and like. Hereof the Pergamon Museum and the Bode Museum are the most popular. On the island you'll also find the beautiful Berlin Cathedral.

Entertainment

Berlin is city that never sleeps, and there is always things to do! Here is my favourite things to do in Berlin:

• Flea Market at Mauer Park – Every Sunday tons of people make their way to Mauer park to visit the Flea Market, and I must say I understand them. The Sunday I visited the market, great atmosphere was everywhere. Dancers and singers performed around the parks and the shops sell everything from the smallest bags I've ever seen to the most cool polaroid cameras! And do not worry, if you do not find any standing remains of the Berlin Wall around the city, you will be able to find lots in Mauer Park! 

• Alternative Berlin Tour – One of my absolute favourite things to do is going on the Alternative Berlin Tour. When on this tour you see and hear places in Berlin that you might wouldn't have thought of seeing yourself. Depending on the guide, you come around different areas of Berlin known for street art and alternative living. Oh, and hey! The tour is free of charge! 

• Ka De We – If you feel like shopping in the largest department store on the European continent, Ka De We is where you need to go. With more than 60,000 square meter of selling space you can spend hours in there before you make it to the top! I do, however, recommend visit Ka De We, even if you are not into shopping and go straight to the upper floor. Here you will have an amazing view over the city of Berlin while you can go and look at the most beautiful and odd cakes and other foods. 

Foods

Much like brunch there are quite literally hundreds of options for dinner. You’ll be teased with all manner of restaurants and cuisines. There’s quite literally something for everyone, if you can book at the place of your choice then make sure you do because New York restaurants at the weekend are crazy busy. Here’s a selection of places you should try whilst you’re in the city: 

• Denn's Biomarkt – This is any fan of ecology's dream. In this supermarked you can buy the most delicious, wholesome good food. Definitely worth a visit, both if you want to buy something ecological or just look how such a shop would look like - and smell!

• Fast Rabbit – If you decide to go to Mauer Park you really have to make your way to Fast Rabbit that lays just across the street. They have almost everything you could possible dream of when it comes to vegan fastfood and the atmosphere in the little shops tells just that - Happy both vegans and non-vegans is filling up the place. 

• The Juicery – Just next the Fast Rabbit lays a even smaller shop, and this shop is a juicery. In here you can find the most delicious organic juices and smoothies, and the m ost friendly staff! Definitely also worth a visit!

What are your favourite things to do in Berlin? Let me know in the comments!

Emma xx