Berlin is one of those places that I thought I knew a lot about, but until we actually got on the plane and opened the guide book, I had no idea of the variety we'd find when we got there.
If you're looking for a winter break, Berlin is renowned as having the best markets in Europe, and it didn't disappoint. The best we found was Gendarmenmarkt, which was, conveniently enough just outside of the Hilton Hotel we were staying in. The tents were set up in the square in front of the Berlin Konzerthaus and in between two cathedrals, so the setting was as beautiful as they come. Although we ventured further afield each day and night, you wouldn't have to if you chose to stay near here; we found this was the best market, and the nearby beer houses, restaurants, bars and shops are the best in Berlin.
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It's freezing cold this time of year, so you can really enjoy cosying up with the a bratwurst and a locally-brewed beer or mulled wine. I hate a lot of the watery lagers we get over here, and I promise, the proper beers you find in Germany will make you turn away from your vodka lemonades forever! If you're not convinced, then you need to be prepared to shell out the euros; you're looking at under 4 euros for a half litre of beer, whereas you can be charged up to 15 euros for a small glass of wine.
I'm a big fan of a city bus tour and took advantage of it again in Berlin. We took one put on by a local company, but you may be better off with the international touring company, 'city sightseeing'. Also, if the weather is nice enough, look up the walking tours, which I've heard great things about. I've also known people in the summer to do the bicycle tours who have raved about these too. The trains (S-Bahn) and underground (U-Bahn) are fairly straightforward to navigate, but we did come unstuck a couple of times, so make sure you leave yourself enough time, especially for getting to and from the airport. It's quite a compact city so you can get by by walking from place to place for the most part.
Here are my top stops for sightseeing, history and fun in Berlin:
Museum Island
This is the cultural district of Berlin, where you can find all the galleries and museums if that's what you're interested in. Although we didn't go into any of these, the area is definitely worth wandering around. The architecture is amazing, and you can happily spend the day caught up in the hustle and bustle.
Reichstag Building
This is the official Government building of Germany. Be careful to check when you arrive which days this is open, as we managed to miss out on going on a tour. The dome at the top of the building is for the public to look out over the Government, as a reminder that the people rule the Government, not the other way around.
Brandenburg Gate
This is the most iconic landmark in Berlin and is within walking distance of the Reichstag Building. It was at this gate that Ronald Reagan made his famous speech demanding that they 'tear down this wall' in 1987.
Gendarmenmarkt
As I said, I think the area around Gendarmenmarkt is the best in Berlin. If you're here, try out the Augustiner Beer Hall for food and beer, and Newton Bar for drinks later on if you're feeling trendy. The shops here are fab, Gallerie La Fayette is a must, it's a smaller version of the famous Paris department store.
Alexander Platz and TV Tower
Alexander Platz is a district in Berlin where you can happily spend a whole day and night. There is another good market here, with fairground rides, and there are also plenty of bars, shops and restaurants to keep you going. One of the best things in Berlin is the TV Tower in Alexander Platz. It's now the 16th highest building in the world and the views from the top are incredible.
Potsdamer Platz
Another good spot for a day and night out in Berlin is Potsdamer Platz, which is known as the most modern and cosmopolitan area of the city.
Hitler's Bunker
As much as this site is underwhelming, it's also the most overwhelming place you'll visit in Berlin. The site of Hitler's bunker, where he and Eva Braun committed suicide at the end of the war, is now marked only by a small plaque, surrounded by a deserted car park and a few blocks of flats. It's creepy and quiet, but worth a visit if you really want to immerse yourself in Berlin's dark history.
Checkpoint Charlie
Another grim example of Berlin's dark history is a Checkpoint Charlie. This site was the most well-known crossing point between East and West Berlin.
Holocaust Memorial
This memorial looks like a series of coffins from the road, but as you walk through, the ground beneath you dips and rises, supposedly giving the feeling of being lost. This is just around the corner from Hitler's bunker and the Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin Wall
Although most of the wall has been torn down, the longest stretch left is on the East side of Berlin and is probably just short of a mile long. The area around the wall is grimy and miserable, but it's an absolute must for a visit to fully appreciate what went on here.
Fassbender- Rausch
For the chocoholics among you, Fassbender and Rauch should be top of your list. It's also in the Gendarmenmarkt district, and as well as a luxury chocolate shop, there is a restaurant above that served the most incredible hot chocolate and desserts I've ever eaten.
Hilton Hotel
Although it's maybe a little pricier than other hotels, I would definitely stay here again. We paid 130 euros per night, which included a champagne breakfast each day. There's also a pool and spa, and it's got to be a good thing if you see people walking past your hotel, and stopping to take pictures! The rooms were new, clean and big, and the busy lobby bar stayed opened late, with live music most nights
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Make sure you wrap up warm if you head to Berlin this winter, and make sure you take lots of breaks for sausages and beer to keep warm!
Next up, a little more love for London xx
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