Berlin. Advice.sought.

[fatboy47]

Im going to find myself in Berlin for a few days next week.

Any tips received with thanks..(I wont mention the war ..not more than once anyway)

[bobinho]

Have a great time….

Bratwurst, Gyros teller mit doppel tzatziki und pommes majo.

Brandenburg gate, checkpoint Charlie, and the holocaust memorial.

[colne-claret]

Olympic stadium is worth a visit. Very impressive. Even better if there’s a game on.

[Father Jack]

I did a two hour bike cycling tour which was a great way to get around the city, see some of the sites (the main ones and some off the beaten track), hear the history. It was brilliant.

If you’re going out in the former eastern side then be prepared that the bars are largely cash only. Which felt odd given we’re so used to contactless payments.

[Father Jack]

Mount Mitte climbing is interesting if you’ve got a head for heights

[JohnMac]

Try to get up the tower at Alexander Platz for coffee and cake, the views are excellent. Also a night bus trip on the 200 to/from Alex to am Zoogarten. It takes in quite a few sights as does Bus 100. There is so much to do and see depending on your interests but take advantage of the excellent transport system with a day card.

[Buxtonclaret]

Don't mention the war, Fats.

[Swizzlestick]

The Jewish Museum is outstanding - the building itself is an absolute work of art.

Try and get into Berghain. Sunday morning your best bit, dress in black.

[Burnley1989]

I went for the 30th with the mrs, wasn’t what I expected tbh.

Enjoyed the Zoo though

[groove]

Sachsenhausen, the Nazi concentration camp is a short journey by train in a town called Orianberg (sp). Also the TV tower, go to the top for a panoramic view of the city. Fantastic city is Berlin. Enjoy.

[ChrisG]

Superb city, I'm there on Thursday and Friday next week, quick trip for work though this time unfortunately.

As said above, take in Alexanderplatz, down to Checkpoint Charlie, and across to the East Side Gallery for a long unbroken section of the wall.

The post about cash only above is true, that's not just an east thing (it's been reunited for 34 years) it's a German thing in general.

[TsarBomba]

Best city I have ever been to, and I echo the suggestions already offered.

Have a great time, I’m jealous.

[Bosscat]

Have a great time….

Bratwurst, Gyros teller mit doppel tzatziki und pommes majo.

Brandenburg gate, checkpoint Charlie, and the holocaust memorial.

This 100%

[ClaretLoup]

Circular boat trip on the canals and River Spree is really good.

Read up on the wall and the Stasi before you go and try and imagine a city literally split in two.

[claret2018]

One of the best cities in the world. Its massive so probably best to plan beforehand what you want to see

[boyyanno]

Really great City, if you've never been before I'd get a map when you're there just to make sure you tick all the boxes.

Bobinho lists some great things. I'd generally just add that the food there is fantastic, I made use of as many fresh sandwich shops/delis etc as I could. If you use the train make sure you get a ticket before you get on!

[what_no_pies]

Get a Donner Kebab. They slap. Nothing like the rubbish served here. Just trust me.

Quite enjoyed a visit to the Bundestag. Seem to recall it was free but had to pre book a time slot. Right by the Brandenburg gate and Holocoast memorial so worth doing if you're in that area anyway.

We didn't get in Berghain but went into the venue attached and saw Bill Ryder Jones play (different vibes). Found some great bars. SO36 was a rock bar that Bowie and Iggy frequented. We drank several massive beers and played locals at pool then went for prime curry wurst nearby which made me wish I got another kebab instead.

Enjoyed getting around on bikes apart from falling off one. Be careful.

Museum Quarter and Mitte are in close proximity and both worth some of your time. Cathedral and museum buildings are battered with bullet holes.

Loved the fact there's Street art and graffiti everywhere.

The best city break I've had. Absolutely amazing place.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

As others have mentioned, the kebabs are great. The bread is fantastic and the salad/pickle selection unbelievable.

[Ightenhill_Claret]

Echo all of the above - an amazing city, been serveral times.

Mitte as mentioned has some amazing bars, we also like going to Kreuzberg which was where the likes of Bowie and Iggy Pop used to hang out (was once one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Berlin). Now it’s quite artsy and studenty but there’s loads of great bars there (and it’s no longer the poorest part!).

[Swizzlestick]

As mentioned above, do try and book a tour of the Reichstag. It’s free and well worth your time. Burgermeister is good for…burgers but a bit hyped up so can get busy. Kreuzberg has gentrified somewhat but it’s still easy to end up in some sketchy areas so just have wits about you if you end up there late at night.

It’s a great city which has a lot of character.

[claret2018]

Another vote for the kebabs! So much better than the currywurst, which I found revolting

[fatboy47]

Many thanks folks.

Hope I enjoy reading todays match thread equally.

[the_magic_rat]

You might want to check out "Haus am Checkpoint Charlie" - its a fascinating museum, close to the former crossing point into the East, detailing the construction and history of the Berlin Wall and East Berliners{ attempts, successful or otherwise, to escape to the West.

[DesmondHaynes]

A few further suggestions
The Stasi museum in the old Stasi HQ. Plus the nearby Stasi prison.
The Topographie of Terror on the old Nazi Gestapo building.
The museum Palace of Tears, which is based in one of the old East-West crossing points.
The Resistance Museum where the famous plot to kill Hitler was planned and Von Stauffenberg eventually put to death.
The Hackersher Macht area for coffee, food etc.

[DesmondHaynes]

Plus The Kilkenny Pub at Hackerscher Macht if you need football!
Or go to watch Herta at the Olympic Stadium. I think Union Berlin tickets may be harder to get hold of.

[ecc]

Superb city. Very underrated.

First thing I'd do is buy this truly excellent guide book. It's a work of art in itself. It helped me a lot before and during our trip and is a good memento.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eyewitness-Ber ... C84&sr=8-1


I went with my 15-year-old son and so had to build the stay around him.

We went to the Spy Museum. My lad loved it and I found it very interesting.

Did the Olympic Stadium tour. A weird experience to be honest.

One of the most amazing buildings is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church which blends the old (the remains of the bombed church) and the new.

Berlin Zoo: I'm not into zoos at all for several reasons but my lads love them. We spent six hours there much to my own surprise.

There is some truly amazing architecture there.

I love art but my son doesn't so didn't go any of the numerous galleries.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Has anyone been in berghain on here ? everyone I know apart from one person hasn’t been able to get in. Sounds like a terrible door policy. Sounds like they actively discriminate against certain people on purpose.

[ecc]

You can't get tickets but I fancied going to see the Union Berlin ground. Capacity's roughly akin to TM. A fair way out to the east.

Very nice area with woods and a river nearby. Must be awful to police though.

They have a large club shop in the nearby shopping centre. This was back last summer. Spoke to the lads manning the checkout. Very pleasant chaps.

They said everybody wanted tickets after the club's very successful 2022/23 season. The club had decided to play the CL matches at the Olympic Stadium (right across the other side of the city) which apparently didn't best please the faithful.

"Where were they when we in the Second Division?", he said.

Indeed.

[ClaretTony]

Enjoyed getting around on bikes apart from falling off one. Be careful.

I’ve only been in Berlin once and that was for just a few hours on the way to Athens for the Olympiacos game. But the mention of bikes reminded me of a journey we made on the underground. Loads of people were getting on and off with bikes and when we were getting off one young man moved his bike to give us more room. I thought it would be polite to thank him in German so said: “Dankeschön”. His reply was: “I’m English mate, I just work here”.

[what_no_pies]

I’ve only been in Berlin once and that was for just a few hours on the way to Athens for the Olympiacos game. But the mention of bikes reminded me of a journey we made on the underground. Loads of people were getting on and off with bikes and when we were getting off one young man moved his bike to give us more room. I thought it would be polite to thank him in German so said: “Dankeschön”. His reply was: “I’m English mate, I just work here”.

How did he know you weren't German?

[ClaretTony]

How did he know you weren't German?

There were five of us so had heard us talking during the journey

[brexit]

His best album IMHO

[fatboy47]

Many thanks for the input.

A city that went against all my preconceptions.. such an enlightening few days...mind-boggling to be shown just how far the uk has fallen behind in recent years and to realise what a sordid grubby mess many of our own major cities have become in comparison.

Berlin has work still to do..that's clear...but as a happy relaxed inexpensive accessible destination its a must-visit. An afternoon exploring "museum island" and later the Reichstag, was my personal highlight.

[helmclaret]

Europe is a fascinating place. I was lucky enough to qualify for an Irish passport so got one a couple of years ago. It’s ridiculous Brits are restricted to 90 days a year to travel to other European countries, but cutting ourselves off was what the majority wanted. I could easily spend 90 days travelling around Germany alone.