Glam but first coffeeDuring Eurotrip this summer we had a chance to visit Berlin for two days. For me, it was my third time in Berlin, but I feel like I saw much more and experienced Berlin in another light.
The first time I was in Berlin, I went with my parents. Then many years later I went alone to visit my friend (that was a journey). Now- with my boyfriend and bunny. Probably the difference is not only because of the company but because, as a blogger, I am seeing towns and views differently and always searching for beautiful spots and hunting for some good photoshoots. All of these places and more I am going to share with you today!
Accomodations
Firstly, about the hotel, we stayed at. We found a very good deal, using a Booking accommodation search, for 4-star hotel (Berlin Mark Hotel) near Tiergarten and we were happy about our luck until we reached the hotel.
The first problem started with the parking. We noticed that many times on Booking it will be stated that it has parking, sometimes even without information about the cost, but when digging deeper can find out that the only parking available is the parking lot of the city. This was the case as well and the parking was very expensive (EUR 15). The hotel accepted pets, which was great, but for the cost what we did not know until arrived there (EUR10).
Then as always we have a bicycle with us and we never leave it in public parking but we take it with us to the hotel. Smaller hotels always find space and have a special garage or room for extra baggage/ stuff. Hotel staff answered that they do not have anywhere to place it. I tried to explain that this is a sports bicycle and we cannot leave it just like that on the street! In the end, I asked if we can take it with us to the room (which before I did not ask because a hotel like that I did not imagine would let us keep the bicycle in the room), but we received a positive answer. I just thought it is very weird that they do not have any extra space for some baggage like that.
While searching for hotels before and traveling a lot we have understood that bigger and “nicer” hotels, less they are going to do for you and more extra expenses there will be. I forgot to mention that the breakfast was super expensive as well!
DAY 1
We arrived a bit late and were tired on the first evening. Therefore, we only had a nice walk around the city, Tiergarten and around the zone of ZOO. By the way, the gates of the Berlin Zoo is probably one of the best and beautiful photo spots in the whole city, and the most beautiful Zoo entrance I have seen in my whole life!
I have visited Berlin Zoo before and my boyfriend was not so interested, but for the first day I would suggest having a walk around the Zoo- it is very spacious, beautiful and with rare and different animals. The Zoo is more than enough for one day!
Tiergarten is another place that deserves recognition. It is the biggest park in Berlin- it is huge! The park has its beauty, and well-cared side and also the jungle side. Local people love to come here to drink some beer and play cards or other games! Be careful because at nights it is full of mosquitos- we were escaping the park after few minutes chilling.
DAY 2
The next day started by searching for a great cafe to have our breakfast at. I cannot start my day without a cup of coffee and croissant. It was not easy to find because cafes were mostly closed so early in the morning and because it is a little bit of a business center but in the end, we found one hiding between different business centers. After having a delicious breakfast, we got on to the bus and then metro to go to the East Side gallery (that was the place further away from our hotel).
Next to the East side gallery is located the Oberbaumbrucke bridge. I read it has a beautiful view from it during the sunset, but as we were there during the day, we did not experience the breathtaking views.
East side gallery
East Side Gallery is probably one of the most iconic historic moment of Berlin. It is very famous for locals and tourists to come here and have a walk, taking photos of the art that impacted them the most! Some art pieces have no people waiting in line and you can easily get the access and make your photos but some spots, like the famous “kiss” have people waiting in line to take the famous photo (even though I did take the photo, I still think that as for photoshoots and beautiful pictures to remember, there were much more beautiful and colorful pieces than this one but for the history moment- it is the most important one!
Did you know? East Side Gallery is an open-air gallery. It consists of a series of art pieces that are painted on the remain of the Berlin Wall. It consists of 105 paintings from artists from all over the world. The most famous piece of art is “kiss” between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker painted by Dmitri Vrubel!
Alexander platz +TV tower
Then we went to the Alexanderplatz (we took a bus, a few stops and it threw us right off nearby). We got very lucky because there was a small street market in the Alexanderplatz and I am a huge nerd of those (they also add a bit of a vibe to the place). Like all markets, it had spots to eat and to drink beer. As it was a hot day, we decided on a beer! Interesting was that we had to pay a deposit in case we want to “steal” the beer glasses. Some people do it for souvenirs, and it is nothing wrong if the deposit was paid.
Did you know? The Alexander Platz is named after the Russian tsar Alexander. According to recent studies, Alexander Platz is the most visited place in Berlin. It has beautiful tourist attraction spots as a TV tower, the Nikolai Quarter and Red city hall. The are is very commercial and has many business centers and shopping malls.
Berlin Cathedral
While going to the Berlin Cathedral, you will pass by the DDR museum that we wanted to visit but did not because it has crowds and the line was very large. We did not have so much time to wait in line for an hour. If you are war fanatic and interested in this topic, you need to visit Berlin for at least a weak because the whole city is one big museum. You will always end up in some museum, art exhibition or free entrance photo exhibition (as we did).
DDR museum is located right beside the river. I was not so interested in the museum as much as in a beautiful view of the Berlin Cathedral from the opposite side of the river. I will be honest- this is my favorite photo if not in my life, then from Berlin for sure. We will not step inside as religion and cathedrals are not such a thing of ours, but if you are, then I recommend.
Museum Island (Unesco)
Berlin Cathedral is located on Museum Island. The island that has many and different museums (logically) and we did not visit any (if you are in any city for only 2-3 days I advise to not visit museums because they take a lot of the time and also money in most cases). We did walk around and passed by the beautiful buildings and gardens that museums were at. The whole island is very clean and well guarded because of its purpose.
Did you know? Museum Island is a part of Unesco. It consists of five different museums and has an incredible view of the Alexander Platz and TV tower.
Reichstag
I think everyone knows about Reichstag and the magnitude of this building. It was also one of the most important places that we knew we wanted to visit. It has a metal fence around it, but it takes visitants and tourists if you want to see the inside as well. We were really this time only about to feel the vibe of the city, and see beautiful views and tried to escape the crowds and also money spending (I think many attractions steal a lot of money, even thought the inside is not even so important or so beautiful).
Did you know? It was opened in 1894. Unfortunately, the building got demolished during World War 2 and got fully restored only in 1990. In 1999, it once again became the meeting spot for German parliament. The large glass dome at the very top of the Reichstag has a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. The dome is opened for visitors per prior booking.
Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate is the place that always stays in my memory and I want to visit it every time I come to Berlin. Just like Eiffel tower is in Paris, for me, the gate is for Berlin- very iconic and majestic for beautiful photos. I suggest if you can do visit the gate in sunrise to take breathtaking photos without crowds and people in the background because during the day it is impossible!
Did you know? 18th-century neoclassical monument. It marked the start of the road from Berlin to Brandenburg (that is where the name comes from). The gate is the entrance to the beautiful boulevard ( Unter den Linden) which led directly to the royal city palace. Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of unity and peace.
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz was very breathtaking and felt like I am not in Berlin but New York or some metropolitan like that. Big business centers, banks, skyscrapers, and shopping malls. Looks very surreal. And as surreal as it is, you can also take beautiful and surreal photos with the building and metro station in the background.
Did you know? Named after the city of Potsdam. Potsdamer Playz marks the spot where the old road from the Potsdam passed through the city wall of Berlin. It was destroyed during World War 2.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the spot that I did not know about and never visited before in my life. My boyfriend wanted to see and visit it and it is another spot known for the importance in war times. Now it is a spot which is made like it was before, with even a “real” American soldier waiting for you to take photos with him!
The whole district is made in this vibe and has restaurants, souvenir stores named the same name and obviously how now- a museum.
Did you know? Checkpoint Charlie or checkpoint “C” is the best known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. Soviet and American tanks briefly faced each other at the location during the Berlin Crisis in 1961.
Useful information
TRANSPORT. Buy a bus ticket for the day! It is only EUR 7 for the whole day/1 person and you can use it in the metro as well!
Food. You must try the Schnitzel or Sauerkraut with some sausage. Beer is a must! For the sweet tooth try some Berliner (filled doughnut).
Accommodations. Not easy to find a well-priced hotel near the center. But be sure to not pay for 4-star hotels that are not worth the price and better choose someone further away close by the metro station!
I hope you enjoyed my tips and suggestions about the Berlin and that it helped for you trip as well. Anything you want to add? Comment down below!
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