Berlin

bollieboy

bollieboy

Well-known member
Never been before but having a short break there next week.

What are the top recommendations for places to see, eat, drink from the AVFTT community ?
 
Only recommendation I can offer is if driving don’t block crossings as members of the public don’t take kindly to crossings being blocked , waving a Blackpool fc scarf might not work as well in Berlin as it did in Macclesfield last week…,!
 
We went a couple of months ago ,didn’t really rate it to be fair ,pretty quiet for a capital city,not many cars around either when we were there . Had a meal at the top of the big tower that was good .went on the boat trip which was good .Maybe the zoo if that’s your interest ?
 
It's a strange city, I had a great time there with a group of friends but certain areas are a little seedy. Plenty to see, I guess it is all about what you like doing. The beer kellers are fun.
 
Berlin is great. Plenty areas of interest especially the old East German ones. Checkpoint Charlie and the other main attractions are all worth a visit.

If you can, do a beer bike...basically a bar serving beer that you pedal around Berlin. Fantastic fun.
 
bollieboy said:
Never been before but having a short break there next week.

What are the top recommendations for places to see, eat, drink from the AVFTT community ?
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Great city I am sure you will really enjoy just being there. We spent most of our time wandering the streets and going into bars.
Some good art galleries and museums as well (the natural history one was interesting if you like that sort of thing).
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Berlin is great. Plenty areas of interest especially the old East German ones. Checkpoint Charlie and the other main attractions are all worth a visit.

If you can, do a beer bike...basically a bar serving beer that you pedal around Berlin. Fantastic fun.
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Can't really see Mrs B on a beer bike !
 
Shootz said:
Only recommendation I can offer is if driving don’t block crossings as members of the public don’t take kindly to crossings being blocked , waving a Blackpool fc scarf might not work as well in Berlin as it did in Macclesfield last week…,!
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We stopped in Macclesfield last week. Decent night out tbf
 
We went a couple of years back staying in Alexanderplatz in the old East Berlin. It's a great walking city we walked most places, up Unterdenlinden to the Brandenburg Gate (try not to sing any Nazi marching songs) and back down following the river. If you are into museums the museum quarter is on the way, near the Cathedral - the Pergoman is interesting.

Up near the Brandenburg Gate is the Holocaust Memorial and the Reichtstag, where you can go up into the dome - you need to book a timed entry and take you passport when booking as it is a government building. The booking office is nearby, across the road - they have a cafeteria there that do a wonderful curryworst and beer

We headed to West Berlin (it's very different) via a cheesy open top bus tour - the bombed out and rebuilt Kaiser Wilhelm Church is worth a look.

Back in the East, we hopped off the bus near the remains of the wall, Checkpoint Charlie, then took a trip up the Soviet era TV tower that dominates the city (as it was designed to do - great views). That part of Berlin - around Rosa Luxembourg Platz is like going back in time. One of our group headed down Karl Marx Alle, past the 'workers palaces' (huge block of soviet era flats) for the Stasi museum - OK if you like that sort of thing. If you like you can do a Trabant tour, either escorted or driving, yourself, in convoy (we didn't)

Finally I took a side trip on the train to historic Potsdam - about 45 minutes away. If you're using public transport the zonal tickets are/ were dirt cheap, including to the airport.

Food? It's not memorable in my experience.
 
Yes the walking tour is one of the better ones I've been on. Very interesting.

Can't remember the road it's on but the Bendlerblock is worth seeing. Where the home army revolution following the failed assassination attempt on Hitler was finished and the officers executed. As in the film Valkeyrie.
 
PS another vote for the walking tour. We were with a middle aged East German who was brilliant. A fascinating couple of hours. As posted by others the big tower, the zoo and the Jewish museum ( if you have the stomach for it) are recommended.
It’s not a pretty city, but in my experience the atmosphere and prices (certainly compared to London) were decent.
 
Recommend the Trabant tour. You get to drive one in a convey trough part of the city
We had a great time.
Reference to the wall etc and associated history everywhere. Nice city break.
 
Did it a couple of years ago, not my favourite European destination by a long shot but nevertheless some interesting historical places to visit.

I really enjoyed doing the bike hire for one day (12 Euros), there are lots of cycle lanes around the city centre and i found it a good way of seeing the city and usual tourist sites like the Brandenburg Gates, Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag Building etc.
 
** love Berlin. Loads of places to eat and drink. Kreuzberg has loads of bars. Mitte near Berlin Hauptbahnoff similar. As for seeing things. Depends what you like. If it's Berlin's history including anything 2nd world war...topography of terror; Wannsee villa; Sachenhausen; concentration camp etc. Museum Island: take a boat trip on the Spree. We did the hour one. Wished we'd done the longer one. The cold war museum; Berlin Cathedral: The Berlin Wall: Brandenburg gate:: the Jewish memorial and museum: Alexanderplatz: Charlottenburg Palace.
Transport is a breeze; the city is clean and not overcrowded. I have a lot of time for London but imo Berlin pisses all over it.
 
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bollieboy said:
My dear Grandmother will be turning in her grave at the thought of me going to Berlin.
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One thing that struck me was the approach to Berlin, it just looked like wasteland. The city itself is grey, uniform and a little depressing. The effects of WWII are clear, it was pretty much levelled, with so few historic buildings remaining. I found Berliners to be friendly and there is a quirkiness I didn't really expect from Germany. Their beers are exceptional, the food less so. As with most major cities, the best bits are when you go a little off piste. If you are there when football is on, I'd urge you to take a game in. The atmosphere is excellent, no teams defend well, you can actually watch a game with a pint in your hand and stand up! 🤣
 
It's an amazing city . . loads of great bars and fantastic buzz.

My most recent visit was in May and the highlights were the extension to the Jewish museum (stunning building and really moving), the Berlin story bunker & a trip up the tower in Alexanderplatz.
 
Markthalle Neun is a must visit if you're a foodie, amazing street food market.

Kreuzberg has some brilliant bars and nightlife. Very grungy in places but authentic.

So many great bars generally, too many to name.

Charlottenburg also a good area and worthy of a visit.

Tiergarten is basically their Hyde or Central Park and is worth a walk around if the weather's nice. You'll find the odd outdoor beer garden there also.

If you're a WWII buff like myself then you'll be in your element. All the obvious stuff is there. Sachsenhausen concentration camp a short train ride away also.

Berlin is a great walking city and by walking it, you'll see so much along the way. That said, the U-Bahn / subway system is brilliant and cheap.
 
My missus was based in the Army in Berlin prior to the wall coming down and so I was considering doing it for my 70th birthday next year. So i was really interested in this thread and peoples opinions. It's left me feeling a bit mixed about it.
 
Spend almost all your time in East Berlin. I’d also recommend taking in a Union Berlin game. Great experience, and don’t expect to leave the ground after the final whistle.
 
Not much I can add to this, but I've been loads of times and always found it a great city. Loads of variety in terms of culture and leisure activity. It doesn't have a focal point or centre like some cities so you can find some really good places in seemingly random and otherwise non-descript areas. But it's definitely worth walking and looking because you'll find gems everywhere.

Depends on what you like but the bar at the 25hour Bikini hotel is great. Ignore the hotel name, it has nothing to do with bikinis. Next door to the zoo and the bar is on the top floor/roof. You can have a slash whilst looking down onto the monkey enclosure...

One of my favourite restaurants is called Marjellchen in Charlottenburg. Old school Prussian food. Never taken anyone there who hasn't walked out saying how good it was.

Hope you enjoy it.
 
20togo said:
My missus was based in the Army in Berlin prior to the wall coming down and so I was considering doing it for my 70th birthday next year. So i was really interested in this thread and peoples opinions. It's left me feeling a bit mixed about it.
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Each to their own 20's but personally I'd say definitely do it.
 
Raging_Bull said:
Did it a couple of years ago, not my favourite European destination by a long shot but nevertheless some interesting historical places to visit.

I really enjoyed doing the bike hire for one day (12 Euros), there are lots of cycle lanes around the city centre and i found it a good way of seeing the city and usual tourist sites like the Brandenburg Gates, Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag Building etc.
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Out of interest, what would you say is your favourite pal?
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Google it...it's nothing like a bike...and if there are a few on it you can get away with not pedalling. Im in my sixties, had a triple bypass and dodgy knee and loved it.
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I guess it is like the ones you see on the prom with about a dozen people( 6 each side) peddling like mad and going all of 4mph if that😂…and usually playing some naff sing a long music…..while drinking out of a bottle of Budweiser or something similar.
Always see one pre match whilst I wander down to take in the sea air….definitely the one thing I miss by being an exile.
 
Some great suggestions - thanks to everyone.

My son has been a number of times and loves it. He suggested visiting Teufelsberg listening station which has been taken over by squatters and is 'informally' open to wander around. Sounds interesting but a bit dodgy - anybody done it. He also says the disused Templehof airport is interesting - again a bit off-beat.
 
20togo said:
My missus was based in the Army in Berlin prior to the wall coming down and so I was considering doing it for my 70th birthday next year. So i was really interested in this thread and peoples opinions. It's left me feeling a bit mixed about it.
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Berlin is what you make it, there's something for everyone genuinely. I'm early 30s and love aspects of Berlin that, were my parents to visit, they wouldn't even see. They'd have an altogether different experience but in the same very clean and easy to navigate city. Also english is very widely understood there, more so than most euro cities I've been to
 
bollieboy said:
Some great suggestions - thanks to everyone.

My son has been a number of times and loves it. He suggested visiting Teufelsberg listening station which has been taken over by squatters and is 'informally' open to wander around. Sounds interesting but a bit dodgy - anybody done it. He also says the disused Templehof airport is interesting - again a bit off-beat.
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Just my experience, but despite looking edgy/dodgy/seedy I've never really felt threatened in Berlin. Never been to Templehof but on my to do list.
 
bollieboy said:
bollieboy said:
Never been before but having a short break there next week.

What are the top recommendations for places to see, eat, drink from the AVFTT community ?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Not for everyone but I particularly like the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum. Some great post war to present German art as well as Warhol and Francis Bacon. The building is the old terminus railway station to Hamburg.
 
Love Berlin.

It's not the place for quiet kerbside cafes and poncy drinking establishments that's for sure but if you're into your modern history especially and like things to be quirky the It's a great city to be in.

A walking tour is a must and I'd recommend the DDR Museum too and the Topography of Terror Museum also.

It's a sprawling city so use public transport as much as possible.
 
My daughter lives there, and has marched ( and scootered ) me to all of the above. Loads to see and do. Public Transport is very cheap. As many above have said it is like 2 cities in one. Hope you like sausages, beer and graffiti.
 
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