Visiting Berlin

If I go through the list of what each "tourist" must see in Berlin, it will be a long one. Berlin Wall, Brandenburg gate, Monument to the Victims of the Holocaust, World Clock and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, Church Memorial of the Emperor Wilhelm, Reichstag, Potsdam Square, Olympic Stadium, Oberbaum Bridge... This is followed by a warm recommendation to visit the city for at least 3 days! When you visit the place for the first time, you miss a couple of hours with transport, orientation, searching for the desired tourist spots, accommodation, cool bars and the restaurant that you have read about, and it's already time to go home. I recommend that you take your map out before you arrive (I prefer to tag my favourite points in the Maps.me application), mark your desired destinations, and so carelessly wander around the city with a great deal of freedom, since you will most likely find something special on the way.

The city is full of history, but it is also a city full of art. Especially street art. Graffiti stretches across almost through all high-rise buildings, and they carry stories of artists and residents of the city behind them. Walk through the East Side Gallery, continue over the Oberbaum bridge to the Kreuzberg area, where the attractions are spread all over. In the area between U-Schlesisches Tor and U-Kottbusser Tor try to find graffiti ... Pink Man (Falckensteinstraße) The Yellow Man and Figuren (Oppelner p.), Tote Tiere (Oraninestraße), Astronaut Cosmonaut (Mariannenstraße). 

A little outside of the city, on the west side, half an hour walk from S-Heerstraße station is Teufelsberg. This is a paradise for artists and a wonder for visitors. It is known as the largest Street Art Gallery in Europe. The hill, artificially created from the ruins of World War II, tops the abandoned buildings of the US NSA security agency. The area is fenced, but for a fee of 8€ and 6€ for students, you can get in through the main doors. A walk through the labyrinth of buildings is an insight into the interweaving of the past with the present.

Berlin nightlife is something special. There are many different events every day, so it's not unusual to go out on Monday evening or spend the whole weekend at the club, as some are open from Friday evening to Monday morning. It is the capital of electronic music, alternative centres and techno clubs. However, entrance fees to certain clubs can be high as 15 to 25€ and you can expect long lines and selective entry by bouncer at the entrance. On the Resident Advisor's website, you can see what's happening in the city, as well as ratings and tips.

Food in restaurants is not expensive, what is more expensive is alcohol. But it's very easy to avoid this. The shops are stocked with a wide variety of beers, which is of course standard in Germany. What's different than in other cities is that you can walk around the streets with a bottle of beer in the park at any time you like. On Sunday sunshine, people get into the parks, they bring a blanket, a cold beer, socialize and enjoy the music of street artists.

The blend of cultures also contributes to the diverse food possibilities. The city is full of small and cosy cafes, and restaurants. It is worth mentioning that you can often expect people to smoke inside the bars, which is more annoying in the winter months. Where to go for lunch? Every day except Sunday, a large internal food market – Markthalleneun is opened in Kreuzberg. The Simon-Dach Straße in the Friedrichshain area is full of bars and restaurants. Shops are mostly closed on Sundays, except for some at international railway stations.

Transport in the city is reliable and very frequent. The network is interconnected with trains (S-Bahn), trams, buses and subway (U-Bahn). Buying a daily ticket (Tageskarte) is most likely the best and the most favourable choice. It costs 7€ and applies to all types of transport. The rest is a ticket for a single trip up to 3 stations and a one-time ride with an unlimited distance of 2 hours. But here you need to be careful, because the ticket should not be used for circular or return routes. For the exact schedule and traffic links, download the BVG FahrInfo app. If you find yourself in Berlin while the sun is shining, the best choice is to rent a bicycle. Driving around the city is easy, as it is mostly flat, and the cycling trails are well planned and safe.

I have one advice on how and when to look for accommodation - as soon as possible. This does not mean that it is necessary for you to book a bed months in advance, but in many cases it can be crucial to secure low costs. In the high summer season, there is always a lack of accommodation in the city, as well as at major trade shows and events, as there are not just few!