Of course, you can’t talk about visiting the city without taking about the Berlin Wall, which for three decades divided the city and since it came down became a representation of reunification. Now visitors can visit the East Side Gallery, which is part of the wall that was kept up as a memorial and is now adorned with endless artwork, with murals created by artists that hope to keep the memory of the painful division and eventual ability to bring the wall down.
Another site to visit is the Brandenburg Gate, which symbolizes unity and stands erected in the center of the city. Nearby is another vital site to visit, the Holocaust Memorial, which is a haunting memorial created from 2711 concrete steles that allow visitors to walk through. Under the memorial you can see the information center that details the horrors committed during the Holocaust.
If you’re interested in museums, this is the city for you. You can visit Museumsinsel, Museum Island, which consists of five different museums including the Pergamon Museum full of ancient artifacts, the Bode Museum that showcases incredible sculptures and artwork, The Neues Museum with Egyptian artifacts, the Alte Nationalgalerie with paintings and sculptures from eras like the classical, romantic, impressionistic, and early modern age, and lastly the Altes Museum, with an extensive collection as well.
The most incredible aspect of Berlin is the fact that it truly comes alive at night. Its nightlife is truly legendary, with countless clubs, bars, and venues that cater to any niche possible. Berlin is particularly known for its techno, with clubs like Berghain always being called one of the best in the world. Of course, if partying is not you MO, you can still enjoy Berlin at night with outdoor dining along the river and breathtaking views of the sunset.
Each neighborhood is quite unique, so make sure to visit different areas to truly get a feel for all of what the city has to offer. Prenzlauer Berg is very hip and trendy, Neukolln is incredibly multicultural, Friedrichshain captures an alternative youthful vibe, and Charlottenburg maintains the elegance of the past, just to name a few.
When it comes to the food, it shines in the fact that the city is a hub of multiculturalism, giving us favorites like currywurst, a combination of bratwurst sausage with a tangy curry sauce slathered on top. You will also find doner kebabs all over the place thanks to its huge Turkish population. Of course, if you’re looking for traditional German dining, make sure to grab a schnitzel with potato salad. You can enjoy plenty of other global cuisines at the food trucks that can be found all around the city. Lastly, make sure you wash it all down with local beer that is world renowned.