How to Win in Berlin: 10 Must See City Sites
Figuring out your transportation preference for each trip is intertwined directly with how much you can accomplish and is at the peril of weather. Since it was a brisk 15 degrees Celsius (59° Fahrenheit) for most of the day, we opted for biking in the morning and afternoon. Since Berlin is consistently ranked as a top tier bike friendly city in Europe, this made perfect sense.
We began our first full day traveling from Checkpoint Charlie to the west side of Tiergarten Park until around 11 a.m. Tiergarten is similar to Central Park as it is a major feature for the city. Differences include the numerous areas in Tiergarten dedicated toward famous composers, Generals, battles, humanitarian efforts, and so on. This would be a good time for having a phone gimbal stabilizer since filming while riding a bike is a challenge to say the least. Capturing everything in the park isn’t necessary, but honestly you could find something eye catching in almost every corner. Behind every monument and grove, there is something peaceful and relaxing about the place.
Stumbling on the May Day festivities was a bonus, sandwiched between the Tiergarten and Brandenburg Gate. Labor Day (Erster Mai) is on another level in Berlin, as there have been infamous events in this exact location decades ago. Today however, many Berliners were either celebrating current Germany affairs, and protesting just as well. Bratwursts and beer were flowing, including pretzels.
10 other sights on our digital itinerary worth experiencing
1. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church: Protestant church affiliated with the Evangelical Church in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia, a regional body of the Evangelical Church in Germany.
— This was wonderful to see in person and the rich history engulfs you as you experience the church and neighboring Stalingrad Madonna on display inside the Coventry Cathedral with 360 views of massive organs and blue interior glass.
2. Reichstag Building: Historic edifice in Berlin, Germany, constructed to house the Imperial Diet of the German Empire. It was opened in 1894 and housed the Diet until 1933, when it was severely damaged after being set on fire.
— I recommend going inside for the views from inside the glass dome on top. The meaning behind the dome is special for the people of Germany as it allows them to keep an eye on the government.
3. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, is a memorial in Berlin to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold.
— Although there are no bodies buried here, the everlasting presence is strongly felt throughout the memorial and the nearby museum.
4. Postdamer Platz: Important public square and traffic intersection in the centre of Berlin, Germany, lying about 1 km south of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, and close to the southeast corner of the Tiergarten park.
— Very popular spot for travelers and locals with cars whistling by as well. There is a few sections of the wall on display, but if you are planning on visiting the East Side Gallery, then you can wait.
5. Topography of Terror: Outdoor and indoor history museum in Berlin, Germany. It is located on Niederkirchnerstrasse, formerly Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse, on the site of buildings which during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945 was the SS Reich Main Security Office, the headquarters of the Sicherheitspolizei, SD, Einsatzgruppen and Gestapo.
— Located between Postdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie, this museum has several unique stories of individuals during the Nazi reign, ranging from the beginning to the very end.
6. DDR Museum: Located in the former governmental district of East Germany, right on the river Spree, opposite the Berlin Cathedral. The museum is the 11th most visited museum in Berlin.
— We actually walked right past it, I would have enjoyed to go in if I made time to squeeze it in the day.
7. Berlin Cathedral Church: Short name for the Evangelical Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church in Berlin, Germany. It is located on Museum Island in the Mitte borough.
— Very affordable to go inside and get more views. There are audio guides for free on the first floor, as well as spectacular views from the top.
8. Berliner Fernsehturm: Television tower in central Berlin, Germany. Close to Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte, the tower was constructed between 1965–69 by the government of the German Democratic Republic.
— The cherry on top of all views which Berlin has to offer reside in the Berliner Fernsehtrum. Depending on season, the “skip the line” pass may have its worth, but in May, the wait was no longer than 15 minutes to go to the top. Oh, and there is a restaurant/bar on top as well if you fancy either to enjoy the sunset or night views.
9. East Side Gallery: Open-air gallery in Berlin. It consists of a series of murals painted directly on a 1316 m long remnant of the Berlin Wall, located near the centre of Berlin, on Mühlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
— No pics to show, but you get the gist. The standing wall was much longer than I expected, so I was pleasantly surprised. You won’t find any Banksys here, but nevertheless, the variety of murals from different artists have their magic.
10. Molecule Man: Series of aluminium sculptures, designed by American artist Jonathan Borofsky, installed at various locations in the world, including Berlin, Germany, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States.
— These are as large as their message they stand for. They may be a little farther from the main sites, but worth seeing up close if time permits. It en-captures a simple, yet powerful message of previous struggle between two powerful nations on display here.
Saving the best for last, this was the best dessert I had in Berlin, despite my undeniable nepotism for everything chocolate.
