Berlin is a city that I had wanted to visit for the longest time possible and is on my bucketlist. Everyone knows about the atrocities of Adolf Hitler and many still have a bitter taste about Berlin. Berliners and Germans as a whole do still have that bitter taste about their country’s history but work everyday to change that. The only thing the current generation can do is learn from the past and not repeat it. Whilst there is this murky side to the city there is also a lot to be celebrated and also lots to learn.
Highlights of Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
During my daily screening of flight deals I came across a lovely deal for Berlin for £20 return. Well technically it was £9.99 each way but whose counting the pence? I quickly checked the dates and it was during the week and since I really wanted to go I took a day off. Best decision ever because Berlin is everything I thought it would be if not more. Today, I will be sharing the highlights of Berlin that I managed to see in a day.
Charlottenburg to Zoologischer
Happy go lucky hotel is located 3 minutes from Charlottenburg train station, an all day ticket costs €7. Having gotten directions from the hotel I got off at Zoologischer where the fun began. I had no real plan of what I wanted to see in Berlin nor did I want to plan it. A found a meeting place for a walking tour with insidertours.com outside the Zoologischer station. I purchased my ticket for the Famous Walk, €11.40 and would take 4 hours to complete.
Zoologischer Garten {West} to Hackescher Markt {East}
Traveling from the former west Berlin to east Berlin was a 10+ minute train ride. Our guide Taylor {Australian dude residing in Berlin for the last 8 years} was very knowledgeable of German history. He explained the biggest historical events in Berlin happened in the east of the city. The day ticket I had purchased from Charlottenburg was valid all day so it was worth the purchase. As you have to take a train from west to east Berlin before the tour can begin.
Highlights of Berlin: Famous Walk Tour
The Famous Walk tour covers all the main sites of Berlin plus includes some hidden ones too. Starting with Teutonic Knights through to its key role in the major events of the 20th century. We learnt about how Berlin became the capital of the Nazi Third Reich, a city divided by the Cold War. A city that then become a modern capital of unified Germany in the new Europe.
The famous tour starts off at Museum Island and Berliner Dom before heading off in the direction of Humboldt University. In between the two locations are many hidden gems and in the opposite direction you can see the Fernsehturm.
Across from the Humboldt university you could walk to Bebelplatz where Nazi book-burning took place. Marx studied at the university and Albert Einstein taught there. From here we walked to a cafe for a much-needed rest break and refuel our bodies with something warm. From here it’s a walk to check point Charlie where a standoff occurred that could have brought about WWIII. Close to check point Charlie are exhibits of the life of Berliners inside the Berlin Wall. A few clicks from that you find yourself outside the remnants of the Berlin Wall and it totally broke my heart.
From there we proceeded to Reichstag, a site of Hitler’s bunker now a car park.
Reichstag is not far from the Jewish Memorial, a sight that breaks your heart. Whilst the location of the Jewish memorial has nothing to do with the Jews per se it’s located there for a reason, lest we forget the past. Leaving the Jewish memorial and passing the American embassy you find yourself at Pariser Platz or The Gate Berlin.
The Famous Walk tour ends at the Berlin Gate but it’s by far the end of your personal tour. I feel the Berlin Gate is a great place to start your tour of Berlin and I will share more in 24-hours in Berlin.
I hope you enjoyed the highlights of Berlin and excited to see a more detailed depiction of the popular sights. Berlin has so much to offer and not only in its incredible history but it’s transformation into modern-day German capital.
Have you ever been to Berlin? If so what where your highlights of {visiting} Berlin?
Becca Talbot says
I haven’t been to Germany yet, but as my 30 before 30 approaches the end, maybe I should book a weekend in Berlin! It looks fab x
Angela Milnes says
I haven’t been there and I would love to go there if I have a chance it looks an amazing photos too
diana says
Berlin is on my bucket list too! Hopefully I’ll be able to visit later on this year when I plan to visit my friend in Paris.
Jaime Nicole says
I have always wanted to visit Germany and Berlin is definitely at the top of the list. Your pics make me want to go more!
Emily Moon says
Wow these photos are gorgeous! I would love to get to travel to Berlin someday.
Khushboo Motihar says
Berlin has a special place in history and it is one of my must visit cities by 2018. Loved the beautiful photographs that you have clicked 🙂
Deimarys Colon says
Wow, it sounds like a total adventure. So much history and so many place to see. Looks like you had a lot of fun!
Garf - Morningsidefit.com says
I have been wanting to visit Germany. I have a sister that lives there. Hopefully, I will be able to do that in the not too distant future.
Chrishelle Ebner says
I need a trip to Germany. We went many years ago, but it was still divided into East and West. So, we did not get to visit Berlin. Oh the architecture and the history is amazing.
Marielle Altenor says
Yet another beautiful place that I must add to my travel bucket list! I’d love to see Berlin in person one day.
Melissa Zia says
I haven’t been to Berlin before but these all sound like interesting places to go
Melanie Williams says
Berlin looks Brilliant…never been but your review has deffo got this destination at the top of my list 🙂 x
Stephanie Merry says
I’ve never been to Berlin but I’d love to go, looks like there’s loads to see and do there x
Rebecca Swenor says
Berlin sounds like it would be an awesome place to visit. The hidden gems would be interesting to see for sure. There is so much history in Berlin. Thanks for sharing the tour.
Dorothy H says
Oh what a wonderful place to visit. Hopefully one day i will see it for myself.
Makeup Discourse says
I’d love to visit, such beautiful architecture. Amazing pictures and highlights!
rika agustini says
I would love to visit Berlin! Looks wonderful and so many fun places to see!
OurMiniFamily says
Berlin looks like such an incredible city! It’s definitely on my travel bucket list–great pics and highlights!
Debra Hawkins says
I have always wanted to go to Berlin. My niece is actually named after this beautiful city!
David Elliott says
I have never been to Berlin. But it is definitely on my list of places that I would love to travel to someday. I am sure it must have been amazing.
James Ogbeide says
Looks like a beautiful place. How hard was the language barrier there?
LC @ A Life of Authenticity says
Thank you for this post! My mom has visited Germany and really enjoyed Berlin on her visit. I guess I need to add it to my bucketlist. LOL
Devina Vadera says
It’s a comprehensive list of Berlin- thanks for sharing with us! Will come in handy if I plan a trip there 😊
Eileen @ YesMissy says
I’ve always wanted to visit Berlin, there’s so much history and beautiful architecture. Love your photos!
Alison Rost says
Wow! Berlin is such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing your pics as it gives me a glimpse of the city.
Leigh Anne Borders says
As a social studies teacher, I teach about this place to my students. I would love to visit it in person one day.
Leslie Guzmán Anderson says
I’ve never been to Berlin but if I do go, I want to see things like this. While it may be sad it’s still part of history.
Katie Kinsley says
I have been to Berlin once before. It was a great vacation. Have you ever tried mexican-german food? It is quite interesting!
Carol Thompson says
I used to live in Germany and travelled all over, including Berlin. Amazing place and from pictures I’ve seen it has changed dramatically in the last 20 years!
Brandy says
Berlin looks and sounds like a lovely place to visit. I haven’t left the east coast of the US as of yet though 😉
Andrea Soranidis says
I’ve been to Berin for the first time ever last week and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere, the people, the architecture are so enjoyable. Personally the museums island and the east side gallery were two of my favorite spots!
Deborah Nicholas says
Germany is one place I’ve never really been bothered about visiting but you made it sound very interesting.
Maro Akamatra says
We have friends there and we really want to visit them soon! Your photos and post just cemented that!
The London Mum says
I’ve never been to Berlin but would love to go because the history does interest me.
Pam Dollesin says
Indeed, it’s on my bucket list to go places. It really looks like a great place to explore!
Joanna says
I’ve never been to Berlin it looks and sounds like an interesting place though
Hannah Latoya Bond says
I’ve never been to Berlin. Looks like there is loads of interesting things to do
Nayna Kanabar says
Berlin looks great and you got a bargain at £20 return, its one place I have not visited in Europe.
Candy Kage says
I have been to many places in Germany but not to Berlin. On my list and love that the train is available and good to know about purchasing the all day pass.
Anosa says
I was happy to finally go to Berlin, like you I had been to many other parts of Germany just never Berlin.