Destination Guide: Berlin!

[JohnM]

Matt - this is really great. Thanks for the efforts putting together. I am heading to Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf in early-mid October. Had most of these sites on my list but now have more. (Too much for the few days, I suspect!)

I've already advised mattg that I'm going to be there 8-11 October. Does that also coincide with you? Could be an AFF gathering in the making .

 

[Mattg]

Street art

You will see street art EVERYWHERE in Berlin. In my opinion it's one of the things which contributes to the city's image of "arm aber sexy" - poor but sexy.

My favourite series of street art is by an artist called El Bocho who does the Little Lucy pieces. All over the city, Little Lucy can be found killing her cat in unique and creative ways. I have nothing against cats by the way, I just think it's funny.





Some more street art:




And just when I thought nothing could surprise me any more:

 

[Mattg]

Other things to look out for
Here are some of the common things you can expect to see in Berlin:

Ampelmann
Meaning "traffic light man", Ampelmann could be found donning his distinctive hat on traffic lights in East Berlin while under the rule of the DDR. Around 10 years ago they starting removing Ampelmann from East Berlin and replacing him with regular western figures, but Berliners protested and they stopped. Now, whenever traffic lights in both East & West Berlin need replacing, they put in Ampelmänner. In the past you would have been able to tell whether you were in the east or west by looking at the figures on the traffic lights but today, for the reasons stated above, it only works around 80% of the time.

There are Ampelmänner just outside my flat, which make me smile every morning when I cross the road to get to the tram stop.



Stolpersteine
Translating to "stumbling blocks", these are small gold plaques which are placed outside places where Jewish people used to live. These little memorials can be found all over Germany (except Munich) and generally contain information such as name, date of birth, where the naz_s sent them and what their fate was. Tragically, this is generally "ermordet" or murdered.



Bears
Being the city's mascot, bears are decorated and can be found in random places everywhere, such as this one near Potsdamer Platz (the financial district):



Pipes
Colourful pipes can be found around any construction site (so most of the city). Because Berlin was built on a swamp, they're there to drain the water out from underneath building sites.



Cobblestone wall markings
There is a continuous double cobblestone line marking where the wall used to be, generally marked with plaques. If you are reading the plaque and it is the correct way up, then you are on the west side.

Markings on every tree
For some reason the government keeps a log of every tree in the city. Take a quick look when you walk past one, it'll be numbered.

Scammers & pickpockets
Sadly, scammers & pickpockets seem to be found wherever there are tourists. One of the most common scams are the people (often children) who walk around with clipboards claiming to be from a deaf/handicapped charity. They try to get you to sign their fake petition, then ask for money. The charity is fake and these people don't even get to keep a cent of what you give to them. Please don't give anything to these people.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks everyone for the messages.

That's just about it from me for the moment. Of course, I could write about Berlin all day but I think that's the most of the main stuff covered. But I'll continue updating this thread over the next few months if/when I discover new things which I think are worth seeing.

 

[marki]

Thanks for explaining about the pipes
Have asked so many people and nobody knew .....


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for explaining about the pipes
Have asked so many people and nobody knew .....


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

I've heard several different theories - someone once told me they were a modern art installation. But no, just there for drainage.

 

[JohnM]

Mattg, this has been a great thread; thanks for the good work . Hope we can catch up for a bier in October.

 

[kermatu]

I've already advised mattg that I'm going to be there 8-11 October. Does that also coincide with you? Could be an AFF gathering in the making .

Exact dates still to be determined but pretty sure there will be a day or 2 crossover in Berlin. Have never made an AFF gathering or get together - pretty good idea to make the 1st one in Berlin! Will be in touch with you both once plans settled.

 

[Mattg]

Exact dates still to be determined but pretty sure there will be a day or 2 crossover in Berlin. Have never made an AFF gathering or get together - pretty good idea to make the 1st one in Berlin! Will be in touch with you both once plans settled.

Excellent! This sounds like it might actually work it. Who knows, perhaps there might even be a few more AFFers around?

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I think Matt, you should apply to work at Lonely Planet.... You would be in your element writing travel guides!

 

[Mattg]

I think Matt, you should apply to work at Lonely Planet.... You would be in your element writing travel guides!

Not a bad idea actually

 

[JohnM]

Seems like Cool Cat Phil wins the 'Guess my occupation' competition .

 

[Mattg]

Seems like Cool Cat Phil wins the 'Guess my occupation' competition .

Haha no, as much as I'd like to work for them that's not my occupation. I just had a look and unfortunately they're not looking for more people at the moment either.

 

[robd]

Hi Mattg,

Excellent destination guide. I read your trip report Canberra to Berlin last night and will be staying up to date with your current report.

I am interested to know if you have stayed in any hostels in Berlin? Jnr#2 is heading over to Europe in March and in between tours, wants to go to either Berlin or Munich (5 days). She is 21 and on her own (this is her first solo overseas trip). She is looking at Wombats City Hostel Berlin, which has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks, robd.

 

[Katie]

On/just off the museum island:
Pergamon Museum- probably the most famous and most highly regarded museum on Museum Island, this has a large collection of ancient artefacts from the Middle East, including the Pergamon Altar and Ishtar Gate.

For any visitors to Berlin, the Pergamon Museum is undergoing extensive renovations until 2018 or 2020. We visited in December 2014. The Pergamon Altar will *not* be able to be seen until the renovations are complete, acccording to the signage around the museum. The Ishtar Gate was still able to be seen.

 

[mel-world]

Mattg; Came across your fantastic report today as planning 3-5 days around Berlin in May. We have not been there for 20+ years so went through the 'real' Checkpoint Charlie and visited the Pergamon Museum when it was in East Berlin. The contrast between West to East was most interesting part of the visit then. I am sure it will be different now.

Can you recommend any day walks/bike rides out of Berlin? I have been told about the 5 lakes - is it near Wannsee/Postdam?

Again, thanks for all the info - I will refer back to the report before I leave.

 

[Mattg]

Hi Mattg,

Excellent destination guide. I read your trip report Canberra to Berlin last night and will be staying up to date with your current report.

I am interested to know if you have stayed in any hostels in Berlin? Jnr#2 is heading over to Europe in March and in between tours, wants to go to either Berlin or Munich (5 days). She is 21 and on her own (this is her first solo overseas trip). She is looking at Wombats City Hostel Berlin, which has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks, robd.

Hi robd,

I have also lived in Munich for a short time and I think you will find that Munich and Berlin are polar opposites. Visiting Munich is a great way to see a more "traditional" German city and Berlin is, as many people say, "not really Germany"... both are in my top 5 favourite cities in the world, but for 5 days I would pick Berlin as there is a lot more to see and do and it is just such an intriguing and unique place. A fair bit cheaper, too. It's also very safe for young solo travellers (not that Munich isn't), and no doubt she will meet other travellers anyway.

I have stayed in a number of hostels in both Munich and Berlin. In Berlin I would recommend any of the following: Wombats, Meininger (either at Hauptnahnhof or Humboldthain), St Christophers, Plus Hostel. I haven't personally stayed at the Wombats in Berlin but the Wombats' in other cities were great and I have been to the bar at the Berlin Wombats - seemed like a nice place overall.

 

[JohnM]

Hi robd,

I have also lived in Munich for a short time and I think you will find that Munich and Berlin are polar opposites. Visiting Munich is a great way to see a more "traditional" German city and Berlin is, as many people say, "not really Germany"... both are in my top 5 favourite cities in the world, but for 5 days I would pick Berlin as there is a lot more to see and do and it is just such an intriguing and unique place. A fair bit cheaper, too. It's also very safe for young solo travellers (not that Munich isn't), and no doubt she will meet other travellers anyway.

I have stayed in a number of hostels in both Munich and Berlin. In Berlin I would recommend any of the following: Wombats, Meininger (either at Hauptnahnhof or Humboldthain), St Christophers, Plus Hostel. I haven't personally stayed at the Wombats in Berlin but the Wombats' in other cities were great and I have been to the bar at the Berlin Wombats - seemed like a nice place overall.

Don't forget to mention where to get excellent pork knuckle and grosse biers .

 

[Mattg]

Mattg; Came across your fantastic report today as planning 3-5 days around Berlin in May. We have not been there for 20+ years so went through the 'real' Checkpoint Charlie and visited the Pergamon Museum when it was in East Berlin. The contrast between West to East was most interesting part of the visit then. I am sure it will be different now.

Can you recommend any day walks/bike rides out of Berlin? I have been told about the 5 lakes - is it near Wannsee/Postdam?

Again, thanks for all the info - I will refer back to the report before I leave.

I wasn't born before the wall came down, but even so I still find the contrast between east and west fascinating. You can jump on the U-Bahn in the west and got off in the east in what feels like a totally different city. I still find that travelling out to the eastern suburbs on the U5, S5, S7 or S3 can make for some interesting sightseeing.

May will be a nice time to walk/ride around the city. I could recommend a few things. Firstly, visit Tempelhof Airport/now an oversize public park! Riding a bike down the runways is great fun, and if you want you can also tour the airport buildings. I did this a few months ago and it was fascinating, although I don't think the English tours run everyday. Wannsee and Potsdam is another obvious one. You could ride there and back in a day if you wanted, or take the train to Wannsee and ride to Potsdam from there. From Wannsee there is also a ferry you can take across the lake for the price of a regular train ticket. If you have a day ticket it will even be included. Nice trip.

There are plenty of nice lakes around the place though, such as Schlachtensee or Krumme Lanke. Or further out there's Strausberg in the east. Most of these places are accessible by train, so if I were you I would ride there, spend half a day by the lake (watch out for the nudists) and take the train back (make sure you buy a bike supplement ticket).

 

[Mattg]

Don't forget to mention where to get excellent pork knuckle and grosse biers .

Ah yes... anyone who wants a great German meal in the centre of Berlin should check out Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt. Recommneded by me and JohnM.