Things to do in Berlin
A stroll down the Unter den Linden
If you visit Berlin, chances are you will end up doing this at one stage (or more). This is where you will find some of Berlin’s most iconic sites and it is where you want to be to soak up the whole vibe of the place. If you start at the Brandenburg Gates, take your time wandering along the Boulevard. As you take in the sights, it will truly sink in that you are in Berlin.
Sunday morning at the Mauer Park Markets
The Mauerpark Market, located in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin, are a vibrant and popular Sunday market known for its lively atmosphere. The markets attract locals and tourists alike and features a wide array of stalls and activities. Mauerpark is known for its vibrant atmosphere with live music, street performances, and impromptu karaoke sessions at the amphitheatre, attracting crowds and singers alike.
A night out at the Berliner Republik
I would have to say, this was one of the more interesting places in the world to drink beer. At the Berliner Republik, service does not need any descriptive terms other than which beer will I have next. The price will fluctuate due to the popularity (or lack there of) of a particular beer over a set period. The night my wife and I visited, this was set at 6 minutes. The kicker was when you had a “market crash” and all the beers were reduced to their base cost. This is what you call speculating with a difference.
A night out at the movies
One of the most unique experiences that I have had in all my travels was being in the audience to watch Metropolis with an orchestra playing the original score. Add to that, the fact you are sitting in a cinema that dates back to 1929 and then you will understand my initial statement. The Babylon cinema (with Ernst Lubitsch seated in the middle of row 4) can be found near Rosa Luxembourg Platz U-Bahn. Step back in time and visit Babylon, maybe Metropolis or Nosferatu might be showing.
Visiting the former checkpoints
The following images cover a range of things that you can do while you are in Berlin. I have covered most of the following in my most recent trip (2022-23), blog or in previous trips but placing them here may trigger a possible activity during your visit. It may range from a favourite feed, an interesting site or a memory that was shared with me originally.
WW2 Air Raid Shelter Tour
On a slightly different tack, a unique tour is to a WW2 Air Raid Shelter above the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station. Run by the Berlin Underworlds Association, the tour takes you through a maze of rooms so as to provide you with an idea of what it was like during the bombing of Berlin. The association offer other underground tours but if you struggle with mobility issues, I would suggest you check before you purchase your ticket.
I find it a bit sad that there is no photo of me hanging on the walls in the Berlin Museum at Checkpoint Charlie.”
David Hasselhoff