Shadowed by a dark past and constantly in the process of rebuilding, Berlin is a sprawling, edgy, and vibrant city with something for everyone’s tastes. Looking for a relaxed scene? The city’s countless parks, walkways, and lakes offer beautiful spaces to repose, especially in warmer weather. Wanting an alternative kind of party? Berlin is a boiling pot of underground, experimental music and art scenes, always on the creative cusp with its openness and progressiveness. If you’re a history buff, you’ve hit the jackpot. The entire city is a museum and testament to its recent past; everywhere you turn, famous landmarks offer a sobering history lesson.
Best of all, Berlin offers all of this for next to nothing. In comparison with other major world cities, Berlin is a surprisingly economical one, not only in terms of food and housing but also for tourists. For great, low-budget accommodation, check out the latest deals for hotels in Berlin at Berlinhotels.net. Another great way to save money and get around fast is by renting a car. Check out cheapcarrental.net for affordable car rentals in Berlin. Or just put on some comfortable shoes and prepare to explore a city full of cultural and historical sites.
Explore remnants of the old Berlin Wall
The wall which once used to divide the city into East and West was toppled in a monumental world event in 1989. The longest remaining stretch is known as the Eastside Gallery in the neighborhood of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, running just under a mile, and covered in symbolic graffiti and paintings. Take a slow walk along this historic wall and take in its quiet, grim surroundings, a reminder of how Berlin’s past as a fractured city is still very evident today.
Take a walk down a grand boulevard
In the central district of the city, the boulevard of Unter den Linden (“under the linden trees”) stretches from Museums Island to the Brandenburg Gate, both of which are must-see sights in Berlin. Named for the lindens that line either side of its pedestrian walkway, the boulevard also runs past many important historical sites, such as the State Opera, the State Library, the Museum of History, and Humboldt University.
Visit a moving memorial to the Holocaust
The Museum to the Murdered Jews of Europe is one of the most impressive monuments built in memory of the 6 million Jews that were killed during the Holocaust. Stretching five acres, the site contains 2,700 concrete slabs of varying heights running across sloped ground. A walk between these gridded slabs creates a highly disorienting and haunting sensation as you move through the memorial. Its grim colors and endless, nightmarish current of concrete is a fitting reminder of the horrors of World War II, and an underground center provides visitors with more information about the history of the monument.
Do some more walking!
Take a free 3.5-hour free guided walking tour of the city, starting at the Brandenburg Gate and finishing off at the old royal garden at Lustgarten. New Europe Berlin offers free tours every day, hitting the most important historical spots, including Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt square, and Museums Island.
Relax and have a picnic at the Tiergarten
Ready to rest your feet? The Tiergarten, the city’s largest park, is the perfect place for some peaceful downtime. Originally a hunting ground in the 18th and 19th centuries, this sprawling landscape includes lakes, attractive gardens, and spots to have a refreshing beer or two.
Climb the dome of the Reichstag
If you’re looking for more history, the Reichstag, the traditional seat of the German Parliament, is a fascinating building with a modern glass dome which offers an incredible view of the city’s skyline. Since its opening in 1894, the building housed the parliament of the German empire until the fire of 1933, went into disuse after the Second World war, and was finally fully restored after the reunification of Germany. Entrance is free to the public, though advance online registration is required to visit the dome.
