What to do in Berlin. Berlin: where to go and what to see
The heart of Germany is, of course, Berlin. This culturally rich city cherishes its history and delights with contemporary art. Berlin is rightfully considered one of the most favorite cities among tourists, because there are many attractions, most of which are associated with the history of Germany. Tourists can visit numerous museums, exhibitions, galleries, monuments and buildings where important events took place. historical events. The most important thing is to feel the atmosphere and spirit of the city.
The Brandenburg Gate is the main attraction of Berlin. They are located on the oldest street in the city of Unter den Linden. This is the only work of Berlin classicism that has survived from the 13th century, reminiscent of the times when it was possible to enter Berlin through them. The gate is located in the very center of the city next to Alexanderplatz, where the TV tower, symbol of the former GDR. There is a huge clock on the square showing the time of all time zones. The German parliament building, the Reichstag, was built in the New Renaissance style with Baroque elements. Climbing to the top of the building under the large glass-mirror dome, visitors can enjoy a wonderful 360-degree panorama. A visit to the Reichstag is absolutely free, but there is one catch - you must first make a request on the website and receive an invitation. Then, with this invitation and passport, you can freely visit parliament. Tourists who appreciate art will be interested in visiting the island of famous Berlin museums. The island is included in the UNESCO list; its museums display archaeological finds and art of the 20th century. There are 5 museums on the island: Old Museum, New Museum, Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum and Old National Gallery. You can buy tickets to each museum separately or purchase admission ticket all at once. On the museum island there is Cathedral, built in Baroque style. In the cathedral you can see beautiful stained glass windows, a large organ and a tomb. There are many specialized museums in Berlin: the Communication Museum, the GDR Motorcycle Museum, the Letter Museum, and the Berlin Electric Train Museum. A large model can be seen at the Miniature World Museum in Berlin railway, as well as get acquainted with miniature sights on a scale of 1:87. Every 20 minutes, day gives way to night, and small figures of men live their measured lives in little Berlin. It will also be interesting to see the Sugar Museum, the Computer Games Museum, and the Berlin Wall Museum.
You can take a break from the bustle of the city and wander around non-tourist Berlin in an abandoned amusement park, once a favorite vacation spot for citizens and the pride of the GDR. The Marzahn district or “Russian district” is very reminiscent of some areas of Moscow. You can look at the abandoned locomotive bureau; this building is more than 100 years old. Fans of antiques should definitely check out one of the flea markets (flohmarkts), where you can buy something interesting.
Answer from TheQuestion partner
Berlin - beautiful capital Europe, and at the same time one of the most expensive places in the region. However, even on a limited budget, you can find entertainment to suit your taste and have a great time here.
To begin with, I advise you to save on flights and accommodation by traveling in low tourist season. It begins in Berlin at the end of winter. For example, round-trip tickets for February departing from Moscow will cost you only . The cost of a night in a hostel starts from . I advise you to stay closer to the center so as not to spend a lot of money on transport.
The best place to start exploring the city is from the Reichstag building. Not long ago, a glass dome was erected over it, which now offers stunning views of the entire city. Moreover, the Reichstag, where parliament meetings are held, can be visited completely free of charge. You'll even have the opportunity to watch the meeting if you register in advance.
You can also visit the famous gallery under open air- East Side Gallery. This is where the graffiti with the kiss of Brezhnev and Honecker is located. You don't have to pay to look at street art and take photos. Here you can also see part of the famous Berlin Wall, which recently divided the city into two parts.
Be sure to take a look at the monument to the victims of the Holocaust. This place in the very center of the city is one of the most visited in Berlin. The memorial is a huge field on which there are rows of gloomy obelisks of different heights.
Admission to many museums in the capital is free on certain days and hours. For example, you can visit Hamburg Station for free on Thursday from 14:00 to 18:00. Also on Thursdays you can enter the Egyptian Museum without a ticket. You can freely enter the Red Town Hall - the place where the Senate meets - all day long.
In Berlin, even fans of nightlife can find budget place. For example, one of the most popular clubs in the city, Sage, has free entry every day until 22:00, and happy hours until 21:00.
I’ll share a few ideas for free and at the same time interesting pastime in Berlin :)
Especially if you are not so familiar with the city, you can take part in. Participation is free, but everything is structured in such a way that at the end of the walk, each excursionist contributes the amount that he considers appropriate as a thank you to the guide. In Spain, for example, I left 5 euros for a free walking tour. Here's more on the guys organizing free walking tours in Berlin. They promise that you will see the city through the eyes of locals.
You can go to the open (they take place on Thursdays) - the contribution here is also voluntary - depending on your financial capabilities, or visit the swing on Monday.
In addition, many museums in Berlin can be visited for free. For example, on Thursdays from 18:00 to 22:00 admission to the following museums is free: Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum, Old National Gallery, Old Museum and New Museum.
You can enter the dome of the Reichstag building for free and admire the panorama of Berlin. There you can watch the government meeting. Pre-registration is required.
Also on Thursdays from 18.00 to 21.00, visit the Egyptian Museum, where the most extensive collection of exhibits is presented ancient culture. And the Red Town Hall, where the Berlin Senate and Mayor meets, is available for free visits every day.
And, of course, visit the Berlin Wall - an object of truly global scale.
In Berlin you can even eat for free: every Sunday from 16.00 in the Vetomat café (Samariterstraße metro station, Scharnweberstraße 35) free lunches are served. Food left over from hotel buffets is brought here. Another favorite place among locals is Alte Kantine, which is located in cultural center Kulturbrauerei (metro station “Eberswalderstraße”, Knaackstraße, 97) every Monday at 22:00 for 3 €, visitors can order a three-course dinner.
And finally, about the most budget-friendly way to get around Berlin. The cheapest option is to use bicycles, which are rented for a very modest amount. Bicycle racks are located near metro and train stations.
Berlin, it turns out, is very comfortable city when it comes to budget travel. Here you can not only have a free meal or find a place to stay for the night, but also have some good entertainment. So, what should a public sector employee do in the German capital?
Go to a concert
The Berlin Philharmonic gives free concerts on Tuesdays for all music lovers. Both young and famous musicians perform. The concerts start at 13:00, but it is better to arrive in advance - 30-40 minutes before the start, otherwise all the seats will be taken.
Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Berlin-Tiergarten
Look down on the city
It's about observation platforms Berlin: Panoramapunkt, at the very top of the Kollhoff tower on Potsdamer Platz, and the monument at the top of the Kreuzberg hill in Victoria Park. From the first you can clearly see the old and new town, and there is also a cafe on the site and various exhibitions. From the second they open beautiful views, especially at sunset.
For Russian tourists, this point of the program can be called a cult.In May 1945 Reichstag Soviet troops took it by storm, hoisted a red banner on it and left memorial inscriptions in Russian.
The palace was built at the end of the 19th century, but in 1933 there was a fire in the building, which was blamed on the Communist Party. This gave political opponents grounds for accusations, repressions and arrests.
After the collapse of the Third Reich Reichstag remained in ruins for a long time, then it was restored, the last reconstruction took place in 1991 according to the design of the architect Norman Foster. Foster preserved the historical facade, but completely redid the interiors, incorporating original fragments into them, for example, inscriptions in Russian.
Reichstag. Berlin.
Reichstag. Berlin.
Above Reichstag They erected a glass dome into which you can climb up along an internal spiral, admiring the views and reflections in a broken mirror cone.
Reichstag. Berlin.
Reichstag. Berlin.
Reichstag. Berlin.
Now in Reichstag The Bundestag, the German parliament, meets.
And Reichstag is a tourist attraction that can be visit for free by registering in advance on the website.
Registration allows you to log in Reichstag skip the line, climb the dome, listen to a tour of Reichstag with visits to various places (we recommend choosing this option, there are excursions in Russian) or attend a parliamentary meeting.
https://visite.bundestag.de/BAPWeb/pages/createBookingRequest.jsf?lang=en
2. Climb the TV Tower and go to the Red Town Hall.
TV tower was erected on Alexanderplatz in 1969. This tallest building in Germany. An elevator takes visitors to a height of 203 meters, from here a panoramic view opens up. If you climb a little further up the stairs, you find yourself in a revolving restaurant.
TV tower. Berlin.
TV tower. Berlin.
The ticket costs 10.5 euros. There is usually a long queue. A VIP ticket worth 17.5 euros gives you the right to an extraordinary ascent to the tower.
Five steps from the TV Tower is Red Town Hall, located in geographical center of Berlin.
Red Town Hall. Berlin.
Red Town Hall made of red brick, but not only this circumstance gave it its name; during socialism, the city council, the “red power”, was located here.
Today the town hall houses the office of the ruling burgomaster of Berlin and the Berlin Senate. Entrance to the Town Hall is free during working hours.
Red Town Hall. Berlin.
3. Admire pieces of Ancient Rome in the Pergamon Museum and take a walk along the island of museums.
Museum Island is part of an island on the Spree River, listed by UNESCO world heritage. The largest museum complex in Europe was created in 1830 according to the design of the architect Schinkel. There are five museums here - Pergamon, Old National Gallery, Bode Museum, New and Old Museum, which house about 1.5 million works of art.Pergamon Museum- one of the most important archaeological museums in Germany and the world, built in 1910-30. designed by the architect Wessel and Hoffmann. The most famous and important exhibit of the museum is the Pergamon Altar (180 BC), which is considered one of the wonders of the world. It was discovered by the German engineer K. Human in ancient city Pergamon in Turkey, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamum.
The huge altar is surrounded by a frieze depicting the battle of gods and titans.
Open: Tue-Sun from 10 to 18, Thu from 10 to 22.
Pergamon Museum. Berlin.
4. See modern architecture at Potsdamerplatz.
In the XIX-XX centuries. Potsdamerplatz was one of the busiest squares, with heavy traffic, shopping centers and office buildings, during World War II, the square turned into ruins, as Hitler's underground bunker was located nearby. After the war the movement Potsdamerplatz was blocked, and later the Berlin Wall appeared, running along the square, which, having become a no-man's land, was overgrown with weeds and turned into a wasteland.But after the reunification of Germany, it was decided to return the square to its former glory. A huge construction project took place and Potsdamerplatz postmodern high-rise buildings made of glass and concrete have grown, the most famous of which is the Sony-Center, which covered 7 ultra-modern buildings with a tent roof.
Potsdamerplatz. Berlin.
5. Walk along Unter den Linden street to the Brandenburg Gate.
Unter den Linden street stretches 1,400 m from the Palace Bridge to the Brandenburg Gate. In the 17th century thousands of linden trees were planted, which grew to form green alley, hence the name of the street - “under the linden trees”. Along Unter den Linden there are outstanding architectural monuments of the 18th-19th centuries.The medieval one was surrounded by 14 gates. Brandenburg Gate initially there were ordinary gates in the city wall, but in 1788-91. a gate was erected in the classicist style with 12 Doric columns 26 m high. Two extensions in the form of Greek temples adjoin the gate on both sides. Thus, the Brandenburg Gate looks like Arc de Triomphe and symbolize the victory of the German nation. The top of the gate is decorated with a quadriga with a winged goddess.
Brandenburg Gate. Berlin.
6. See the remains of the Berlin Wall.
For 28 years the wall divided into two parts - Eastern and Western. The wall appeared on August 13, 1961 and stretched for 155 km. In 1989, the wall was dismantled, only small parts of it were preserved as a memory.
Wall. Berlin.
Wall. Berlin.
7. Visit the Bauhaus Museum.
Bauhaus is a world-famous school of design and art, operating from 1919 to 1933 in Germany. The school was opened in Weimar, in 1925 the school moved to Dessau, and in 1932 to Berlin.Over the years in Bauhaus his own recognizable style was created, which had a huge influence on modern industrial design, architecture and art.
Among the teachers Bauhaus there were brilliant creators and art theorists, innovators who were at the forefront of European art, including Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Johannes Itten, Otto Linding, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Oskar Schlemmer and others.
IN Bauhaus Archives in Berlin you can see artwork, photographs, ceramics of some of the school’s teachers, building models, and interior items. There are also exhibitions dedicated to the work of various teachers. Bauchoise.
Museum address: Klingelhoferstrae 14
Open: Wednesday - Monday from 10 to 17, closed - Tuesday.
Ticket 7 euros - on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, ticket 6 euros - on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
8. Wander through the streets of the Nikolaivirtel quarter.
Nikolaivirtel quarter– this is a piece of old Berlin, several narrow picturesque streets running along the Spree River.Back in the 12th century. a trading settlement arose in this place around the Church of St. Nicholas. During the war the area was heavily damaged by bombing, but was restored in 1987. Modern layout Nikolaivirtel very accurately reproduces the historical street layout; in the center of the block, on a tiny square, stands the Church of St. Nicholas, which houses a museum of medieval art.
Many buildings in the quarter are stylized as German Baroque; the streets are full of cozy cafes, restaurants and pubs, souvenir shops and antique shops.
Nikolaivirtel quarter. Berlin.
Nikolaivirtel quarter. Berlin.
9. Taste German cuisine and drink beer.
It so happened historically that German cuisine is hearty and high-quality with a wide variety of meat dishes - pork knee, schnitzels, beefsteaks, schnellklops and cutlets, they also love potatoes - boiled in their jackets, baked, fried and with herring, mashed potatoes, potato salads, vegetables often served as a side dish - stewed cabbage, bean pods.Sausages and frankfurters occupy a special place. And the most popular fast food in Germany is sausage with ketchup and curry (currywurst).
Currywurst. Berlin.
Beer is a truly German drink, but do not forget that excellent Riesling wines are also produced in Germany.
"Meter of beer." Berlin.
There are a great variety of cafes, restaurants, snack bars and pubs, including those with very low prices.
- a huge and multinational metropolis, this has left its mark on the gastronomic life: in Berlin there are many restaurants with cuisines from, perhaps, all the nations of the world. Don't ignore them either!
10. Go shopping in Berlin.
Shopping in is designed for different tastes and wallet thicknesses.So Kurfuerstendamm is the main shopping street in West Berlin, and Friedrichstrasse– the shopping artery of the eastern part of the city offers luxury shopping. Here you can find Chanel, Gucci, Sonia Rykiel, Jil Sander, Max Mara, Prada, Louis Vuitton and other top brands.
On Kurfuerstendamm next to the metro station Wittenberplatz the largest shopping mall KaDaWe, which is 100 years old, and is located on Friedrichstrasse Gallery Lafayette.
Cheaper shops can be found around Alexander Platz, where the TV tower rises.
Alexanderplatz- center of Eastern. The history of the square began in the 14th century, at that time livestock and wool were traded here. On October 22, 1805, Russian Emperor Alexander I arrived to conclude an alliance with Emperor Frederick III against Napoleon, after this visit the square was named Alexanderplatz.
In the 19th century the area became an important transport and commercial center. But during the war, Alexanderplatz was heavily damaged by bombing. Later, the square was completely rebuilt, a TV tower and a tall hotel appeared here in the 1970s. a unique architectural ensemble has emerged.
Now Alexanderplatz is one of the most lively and party places, in high-rise buildings there are shops, shopping galleries and restaurants, young people and a varied crowd gather in the square, here you can meet singers, musicians, freaks, representatives of all youth movements, whose meeting place is the fountain in the center Alexanderplatz with the eloquent name “Friendship of Peoples”.
The affordable Kaufhof department store offers a wide selection of clothing, tableware, food, and a self-service restaurant on the top floor.
You should also remember about the tax-free system - a refund of value added tax on goods exported from Europe by persons who are not residents of Europe.
In Germany, tax-free returns on purchases over 25 euros.
The capital of Germany is the most populous city in the country. At the same time, Berlin is different and incredible story. The official founding date of the city is 1237. It was the capital of the German Empire, and even the destruction of World War II did not deprive it of its charm - it is a cultural, political and economic center. If you travel to this city, be sure to check out the following attractions.
Brandenburg Gate
The city's most famous architectural landmark is the first thing to see in Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate was built in the eighteenth century as a symbol of peace and Prussian values. The purpose of the gate was not so much security as beauty and the implementation of customs activities - they were not part of the system of city fortifications. The Brandenburg Gate remains the most important element of history, it is a symbol of Berlin divided between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany. The surrounding area is closed to traffic, so it is very easy to look at the gate.
Reichstag
This is a symbol of the German government, its construction began in 1884. Since then, this building has played a huge role in the life of the city. During the First World War, it was here that the creation of the Weimar Republic was announced. Two decades later, the Reichstag was destroyed by fire. It was the central point during the Battle of Berlin. Now the Bundestag, the German parliament, operates here. 
Victory Column
One of the most expressive elements in the landscape of Berlin is the bronze statue of Victory. The column was created in 1873 after the war between Prussia and Denmark. Initially, the column was in front of the Reichstag, but then it was moved to another square. The statue is open to the public from nine thirty in the morning to six thirty in the evening. This most beautiful place with an exquisite marble pedestal, so the column is definitely worth admiring. 
Alexanderplatz
It is one of the largest city squares and an important transport hub. Initially there was a market where livestock was traded. In the twenties of the last century, the square became the center nightlife. Nowadays there is a television tower here - the tallest building in Germany and the fourth tallest in Europe. It is interesting to visit the square only because of the presence of this building here. 
Olympic Stadium
This attraction is associated with the darkest period in German history. This is the largest Olympic Stadium in the world, created for the 1936 Games. Adolf Hitler wanted to use this event for propaganda purposes. The stadium was the center of a monumental sports complex, created specifically to demonstrate the prosperity of the Nazi regime. In addition, the first television broadcast of the competition was carried out from Berlin. The fall of Nazi rule did not lead to the stadium's destruction. He was hardly even injured during the hostilities. 
Charlottenburg Palace
This is the largest palace not only in the city, but also in the country. This is the only surviving residence of the Hohenzollern dynasty. Besides the huge historical significance, this is simply a wonderful example of the Baroque and Rococo styles. During World War II the building was damaged, but was later restored. The gardens around the palace are open to the public for free, so you can admire Charlottenburg without any difficulty. 
Spandau Citadel
Military service has always been an important part of German culture. Germany was and remains a leading military power. The Spandau Citadel reflects the country's military past, being one of the best-preserved fortresses from the Renaissance. Now it's a museum military history, dedicated to the past of this place. 
Memorial complex "Berlin Wall"
If you are interested in history, you should definitely visit this attraction. This memorial is dedicated to the preservation of a fragment of the wall that divided the country into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. Construction of the wall began in 1961 - the wall was supposed to stop emigration to the West. After completion of construction, parts of the country were finally separated. Now the memorial is a large segment of the wall, preserved in almost perfect condition. 
Checkpoint Charlie
Of course, the isolation of parts of the country was not complete - there were checkpoints. The most famous is Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse. It became a symbol of the division of Germany and was in effect for almost forty years. It was here that the Berlin Crisis took place in 1961, when American and Soviet tanks almost opened fire in each other's direction. Now it is an open-air museum, allowing you to get acquainted with the history of Germany and, in more detail, of Berlin. Some may consider the use of such a place as a tourist attraction blasphemous, but its importance to the city cannot be underestimated. 
Stasi Museum
One of the most important elements of the communist regime in East Germany was the operation of the Stasi, the state security service. The service was formed in 1950. This was the political police, ensuring the security of the regime. Among other security agencies, the Stasi stands out for its highest level of control over all East German citizens. When the country was unified in 1990, the Stasi was the first to be abolished. Despite attempts to destroy the organization's secret documents, part of the archives was preserved, on the basis of which processes were carried out to punish Stasi employees for their crimes. Now the building has been turned into a museum, allowing you to get acquainted with the life of East Germany. This is a place that makes you understand how frightening state control can be. 
Museum Island
If you want to take a broader look at history, go to Museum Island, where there are five stunning museums, the collections of which include ancient exhibits, artifacts from Greece, Rome, Egypt, and unique things - for example, a bust of Nefertiti. Here you can also admire the extensive collections of paintings. 
Berlin Cathedral
This is one of the most interesting buildings in the city. The beautiful structure was opened in 1905 by the Prussian Emperor Wilhelm II. Germany was a Protestant country, so Wilhelm also headed the church. Appearance the cathedral was thought out to the smallest detail - it was conceived as a rival Catholic Cathedral St. Peter's in Rome. This building was heavily damaged during World War II. 
Cultural forum
The cultural center of the country is located near the Reichstag. The Cultural Forum is a place where many galleries, libraries and other similar buildings are located, in addition, concerts and festivals are constantly held here. 
Potsdamer Platz
This is a place with which many historical events are associated. It is also a large public square that was once a center of commerce and culture. After the unification of the country in 1990, this place came to life again. Now trade is thriving here again. Be sure to visit this financial center of the capital. 
Berlin Zoo
This is the most popular zoo in Europe. It was opened in 1844 and occupies thirty-four hectares of land. After the Second World Zoo, it was rebuilt from scratch. The most natural conditions are created here for animals. In addition, the zoo cooperates with educational institutions and research institutes, working to protect endangered animals. Take a whole day to visit - there is a lot to see!
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