I was fortunate to visit Berlin for the first time in April this year. I wanted to share what I did and found, in hopes that it can help you plan your trip.
As I typically start, below is a Google Map you can use while wandering around, wondering what you’re close to and what you should do next. I love using maps in this way to have a pre-researched place to quickly jump in for a beer or snack.
Flew into Schönefeld and took Metro to the city center. Super easy and short walks. Was like 2,80€.
Hostels
I stayed at both the wombat City Hostel in Mitte (near Alexanderplatz and Rosenthaler Platz) and Plus Berlin Hostel in Friedrichshain area, on the Spree River and near East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall). I would recommend both, especially wombat, but believe it’s great to stay two places if you visit for over 4+ days. This way, you can feel the different neighborhoods and be closer walking-distance to other attractions. I could 100% live in Berlin, and it might be a better city to live than visit, and don’t feel for visitors that anything over 4 nights is necessary.
I can also recommend the neighborhoods Mitte, Kreuzberg, Neukölln, and Prenzlauer Berg.
Top To Do’s
- Get a metro card, as it can also be used on buses.
- Mauerpark in PBerg – has a nice market on Sundays
- Klunkerkranich roof terrace
- Soho House and St. Oberholz coffee shops to work in / feel local vibe
- Father Carpenter Coffee Brewery was the coziest little spot with THE BEST peanut butter I’ve had in my life.
- Explore the area around the Helmholtzkiez neighborhood and The School of Life. Some amazing shops with authentic type souvenirs. Visit the Jüdischer Friedhof cemetery nearby, too.
- Charlottenburg —- Ku’damm, Gedächtniskirche (Church, that was destroyed during the war), go to the Hotel 25hours up on the rooftop you have a nice view over the city
- Mitte —- Reichstag (political centre of the city), Checkpoint Charlie
- Prenzlauer Berg (PBerg): Zinskirchplatz (East Berlin, this was were the internal revolt against the SED regime started in East Berlin), and check out cafe/restaurants around Weinbergsweg / Kastanienallee
- Kreuzberg: debatably the coolest area of Berlin. A lot more multi-cultural than Mitte or PBerg. Try Cafe ORA as it is a super nice café in an old pharmacy. Stroll along Maybachufer & Paul Linke Ufer.
- Jewish Memorial monument is extremely touching.
- Tempelhofer Feld in Neukölln (old airport!)
- ^Do this one together with Viktoriapark. It has a great view and water fall!
- If you visit in the Summer, go swim at Weißer See
- Tour in the bunkers beneath Berlin
- Free walking tour — tons of options from SANDEMAN and Trip Advisor, gives great lay of the land on Day 1-2, and overview of the city. The history here is incredible, and I *walked* away with so much.
- River tour at the Spree: start Schloss Charlottenburg and continue on the boat until Friedrichshain.
- Markthalle Neun – food market
Don’t forget to check out the other Maps and Guides I’ve created. 🙂
Feel free to reach out with any questions, and enjoy Germany! 🇩🇪
steffan/s/pace 