Berlin
Germany
Backpacking Berlin
Information on Berlin, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Berlin, the German capital, is renowned for its exceptional variety of attractions, its flourishing cultural scene and a way of life that's both fast-paced and relaxed. It is an eclectic city but traces remain of its dark history, including the Berlin Wall and memorial for the Jews, but is now very lively. Berlin has developed a real underground culture and is ideal for partying with pints of beer and Jagermeister in its many unique bars and electronic clubs. Contrasts between historical buildings and modern architecture, between the traditional and the modern are what set the city apart from the rest. The sights of Berlin – from the Brandenburg Gate to the Federal Chancellery – tell the story of an entire nation. Germany's capital is home to all the major government buildings, most notably the historic Reichstag, seat of the German parliament. Nowadays, people look to Berlin for the latest trends in lifestyle, music and art. Inspired by this outpouring of creativity, growing numbers of artists are arriving in the city from around the world, making it one of Europe's most exciting destinations. But Berlin also has a relaxed vibe and lots of open spaces for a breath of fresh air. No city in Germany is greener than Berlin with its forests, lakes and sprawling parks. This laid-back way of life can be found throughout the city. When the weather gets warmer, life in Berlin moves outdoors to the beach bars, pavement cafés and open-air cinemas and theaters – perfect for enjoying the sunshine and the balmy summer nights. There is so much more to Berlin that isn’t covered here but will be included with our recommendations especially if you like WW2 history or partying.
Must See
Brandenburg Gate - Built in 1791, Brandenburg Gate is the city’s best known landmark. It was the border of East and West Berlin and set in no mans land until the wall fell. Standing at the heart of the Berlin, today it represents unification of Germany and is a symbol of demarcated Cold War city and flourishing metropolis.
Reichstag - Completed in 1894 the iconic Reichstag building is the center of German democracy but also a building that became symbolic with the destruction of the war and the end of the Third Reich. The building was built to house the parliament of the German Empire but in 1933 as the Nazis rose to power it burnt down. In 1999 the building was remodeled and today the German parliament, the Bundestag, sits in the Reichstag. Take a tour of the magnificent dome where you get a view of the city.
Berlin Cathedral - Built in 1905 originally as a royal court church. The cathedral itself is beautiful but the Lustgarten garden in front of it where you can picnic and enjoy the view while being surrounded by historical buildings such as the cathedral and the museum.
Alexanderplatz - Germany’s famous city square contains the Fernsehturm TV tower. You can visit the tower’s observation deck for amazing views of the city. Otherwise, Alexanderplatz is an exciting hub of activity as people come to shop, eat, and chill.
Must Do
Walk the Berlin Wall - A section of it called the East Side Gallery is an open-air art gallery features 105 paintings by artists from all over the world. Most of the paintings are political in nature. It’s very cool to see and an interesting use of the what’s left of the wall.
Take a Bike Tour - The city has so many amazing sites to see and is extremely bikable. We can provide you with a tour that will take you by all the famous sites so you don’t have to pay for a guided one. There are so many parks that you can bike through that we recommend this as the best way to see the city.
Nightlife
Nightlife: Berlin is one of the best cities, and in my opinion the best city, for nightlife, especially clubbing, in Europe. The city’s large number of abandoned warehouses made it the perfect venue for massive clubs. Now the best DJs in the world call Berlin their home. There are plenty of mega-clubs and smaller underground parties that pop up for a few months and then move somewhere else. In Berlin you never have to go home unless you want to as there is always somewhere to go and the parties last all day and night. Berlin also has plenty of bars, cafes, beer gardens, jazz clubs, and just about anything else you can imagine.
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