GERMANY: BERLIN
Berlin is an incredible city where history leaps from the pages and appears right before your eyes. A city once divided has now become the center of arts and culture in Europe. Everyone should visit Berlin to understand its historical significance, experience the culture, and remember the innocent people who lost their lives on this hollowed ground.
After living in Berlin for three years and showing the city to many of our friends and family, here are some of our favorite Berlin highlights that are not to be missed.
SEE
Berlin Wall Memorial: If possible, visit this memorial first to better understand the Berlin Wall and how the city was divided. A large section of the wall still remains, as well as a portion of with the inner wall, no mans land, and guard tower. If you visit sometime between Tuesday and Sunday, you can watch a short film inside the Visitor's Center, which provides a great introduction to the history of the Berlin Wall.
East Side Gallery: This gallery consists of several murals painted onto a mile-long strip of the Berlin Wall. Two especially noteworthy pieces are Fraternal Kiss and cartoon heads by Thierry Noir. You can usually get lucky and find street parking right in front of this gallery but if not, try the new underground parking garage across the street at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Checkpoint Charlie: No visit to Berlin is complete without a visit to Checkpoint Charlie. Here you will find the famous "You Are Leaving The American Sector" sign , a fantastic museum that gives excellent information about the Berlin Wall, what life was like for those living in East Germany, and personal stories of those who were smuggled across the border to reach freedom. Worth a couple euros to take a photo with the men dressed as soldiers, standing in front of the Checkpoint shack (important to note that this is actually a replica. The original can be found at the Allied Museum located in an old US Army theater, 30 minutes away from the center of Berlin).
Museum Island: Several beautiful museums located in the heart of Berlin, the island itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Click the link to read more about the various museums located here. My personal favorite is the Neues Museum which houses incredible Egyptian artifacts, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. (Fun fact: When I was in Cairo, I asked my friends where we could see Nefertiti. Imagine my surprise when they said Berlin, the city where we've all lived for years! Ha!)
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: Beautiful, somber memorial located behind the US Embassy and near the Brandenburg Gate. When political leaders visit Berlin (like Kate Middleton and Ivanka Trump), they often pay their respects at this memorial.
Brandenburg Gate: Arguably the most famous Berlin icon, the gate is located right at the border of where the Berlin Wall used to stand. President Ronald Regan stood outside this gate when he made his famous speech urging Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear down this wall!". If you look carefully in the streets behind the Gate, you will see bricks in the road marking where the Wall once stood. This is one of those moments in Berlin when history stops being just words in a book and become real life.
SHOP
Checkpoint Charlie Museum Gift Shop: Best place to find Berlin-specific souvenirs including reproductions of the "You Are Leaving The American Sector" sign, "Ich bin ein Berliner" mugs with John F. Kennedy's image, chips of rock from the original Berlin Wall (jury is still out on whether these rocks are actually authentic, but they do look super cool), and many more.
Kathe Wolfhart: Beautiful Christmas shop full of german-made handicrafts like nutcrackers, ornaments, nativities, and smokers. If you'll be in Germany for more than a few days, consider taking a day trip to Seiffen, where you will find many of the same products sold for about 30-40% cheaper. However, here is my hot shopping tip for Kathe Wolfhart: this store ships all around the world at very decent rates. For example, they charge 60 Euro to send a large, flat rate box to the United States *BUT* this also includes insurance for any damages that may occur in transit. ALSO! If you choose to have your good shipped, Kathe will refund your VAT tax ON THE SPOT. This is a huge savings, around 20% of your purchase. Remember that the box can hold many different items for the flat rate price of 60 Euro. Such a great deal and one that I don't find many people know about!
Mall of Berlin: A popular attraction for tourists, this mall has several common stores like H&M and Zara, as well as grocery stores and a pharmacy. Check out the Nike Store for Berlin-branded Nike gear and the Playmobil store for unique Playmobil toys at discounted prices. For one Euro, you can also create your own Playmobil figure!
KaDeWe: Home to many luxury brand stores, this bougie department store is a one stop shop if you're interested in taking advantage of the lower Euro prices and VAT tax refunds. Check out my travel souvenirs guide for more information on how you can save 30-40% by purchasing luxury goods in Europe instead of in the States.
Ritter Sport: Fantastic chocolate shop where you can make your own chocolate bar, try new flavors unique to this location (Lemon Waffle White Chocolate bar, say my name!), and buy Ritter Sport memorabilia like totes bags notebooks. If you want to give your tired feet a rest from walking, head upstairs to the Ritter Sport cafe for chocolate fondue and Marzipan-flavored hot chocolate.
STAY
Lots of great lodging options in the heart of Berlin. Check out the Berlin Marriott at Potsdamer Platz or if you're feeling particularly bougie, book a room at the Hotel Adlon for spectacular views of the Brandenburg Gate.
SAVOR
Lunch at the Reichtag: book a table at the restaurant Käfer for the best, 360 degree views of Berlin. Reservations must be made in advance as the restaurant is located on top of the Berlin Parliament and passport information is needed in order to enter the building.
Sixteen Bites: My favorite restaurant in Berlin! Delicious Mexican food similar to Chipotle (but better!) and owned by incredible people. The fresh lemonades are a favorite!
Augustiner: If you're in the mood for a traditional German meal, try the schnitzel at Augustiner. Super authentic and year round Oktoberfest-vibe.
Standard Pizza: Per of Berlin Food Stories names Standard as the "Best Restaurant in Berlin" and after eatting their incredible pizza many times, I'd have to agree.
Taverna Ousies: Delicious Greek restaurant! My favorite dishes are:
#20: grilled halloumi
#86: zucchini cheese balls
#101: roasted eggplant with potato puree
#34: grilled meatballs
#66: calamari
#150: loukoumades with honey and cinnamon
Döner kebab is a Berlin staple and the best can be found at Rüyam.
Mall of Berlin Foodcourt: It sounds silly, but the food court at the Mall of Berlin is incredible and has many different international food options. Even the pickiest eaters in the group will find something they like, even if that something is McDonalds. Ha!
Street Food Thursday at Markthalle Neun: Every Thursday from 5:00-10:00pm, you will find all of Berlin's best street food vendors cooking up their signature dishes at the historic Markthalle Neun. Be aware that these events can be crazy packed full of people, but try to be patient and usually tables open up. If you're visiting with kids, look for a table near the small indoor playground. While Thursday nights are a party, the Market is quite slow during the weekdays. Make sure to check the calendar on their website for upcoming events.