Ich bin kein Berliner, what should I do for 4-5 days in Berlin?

Question

I'm going to Berlin in late May. I made a list of things I want to see and do. Any other suggestions are appreciated. I'm in my early 30s, traveling alone on this leg of the journey, and don't care all that much for the swinging night scene. Artsy, cultural, historical stuff for me, danke.

Some things I want to see:

Berlin Zoo (Knut!) and Aquarium

Reichstag

Berlin Wall (Potsdamer Platz)

Museuminsel

Kulturforum

Schloss Charlottenburg

Brandeburg Tor

Fernsehturm

I also am looking into a day trip to either Dresden or Hamburg.

Any thoughts?

Tchuss.

Answer 1

A nice day trip to Potsdam is a standard day trip out of Berlin...You can go by boat or train---boat would be really cool..Good List....go to the Fernsehturm first--- great 360 degree views of Berlin and it will help you get your bearings for the other things...

You will not want to be walking to Potsdamer Platz, it would wear you out...

Oh yeh, One of the most fun things is a boat tour of Berlin itself, check it out they are all over the place...Have fun..

Answer 2

If you're really interested into Zoos, plan to visit it (plus Aquarium) for nearly a whole day, as it's really featuring loads of animals. After this you may wanna visit an architectural and historical (as a memorial of the second world war) highlight of city west, the Gedächtniskirche - ugly for many, beautiful for some (as it's for me), but anyway: It's unique and famous. Nearby Tauentzienstrasse is the main shopping street of Berlin, Kurfürstendamm in the other direction is featuring more the luxury shops. In one of the side roads you may stop for a nice dinner.

The day after you may visit the Schloss Charlottenburg, it may take half a day and it's better to visit it when the sun is shining, as the gardens are really beautiful.

Before or after you could visit the museum for Photography (directly at zoo station, if you're finished with the zoo faster you may visit it at this day) and/or Museum Berggruen with it's Picasso/Klee Collection ( http://www.smb.spk-berlin.de/smb/sammlun... ).

Together with the Reichstag you have to visit the nearby new main train station and the whole government area around Reichstag. Then you may walk over to the Brandenburg Gate around the corner. Then you may decide: Walking to Potsdamer Platz (and then maybe Kulturforum) and take a closer look into the memorial for the murdered jews in WWII (next to Brandenburg Gate) or take a stroll down Unter Den Linden, the famous Boulevard - at the end is Museums Island, the Berlin Cathedral and then, the TV Tower and the old Marienkirche located. Further to the right is btw the Town Hall and the oldest church in Berlin (with the twin towers), the Nikolaikirche with the surrounding (nearly) fake, but nice "old town".

For Museums Island you have to plan at least one day (there is a three day museums card for 15 Euros). All four museums are a must-see: Alte Nationalgalerie with romantic paintings, Bodemuseum with sculptures and paintings, Pergamonmuseum with ancient architecture and Altes Museum with Nofretete and egyptian/antique art.

At Kulturforum you have to visit the Neue Nationalgalerie (by mies van der Rohe) and espacially Gemäldegalerie (great!). Also the church (modern interieur, old facade) and the Philarmonie are worth a look. You may eat somewhere at Potsdamer Platz.

Best to visit Berlin Wall are these places: At Bernauer Straße (with documentary center), at Checkpoint Charlie (with a Wall museum) and at East side gallery (longest still existing part of the Wall). The one at postdamer Platz is rather small and not that interesting to look at.

Oranienburger Straße and Hackescher Markt and the surrounding streets (especially Sophienstrasse) are also worth a look because of some buildings (some of the oldest streets are located there).

If you still have time (don't think so) you may wanna visit the Berlinische Galerie (featuring berlin related modern arts) and the jewish Museum (both are great) in Kreuzberg; the German Historical Museum at Unter den Linden (very good, but don't know how it is for foreigners), the Citadel in Spandau (only existing medieval castle in Berlin), Schloss Köpenick (next famous to Schloss Charlottenburg) and the old town of Köpenick or Hamburger Bahnhof (contemporary art) and museum of natural science near main train station.

For a day trip, Potsdam is much better than Dresden and Hamburg, because it's just about half an hour by train. And the many castles there are really great miracles of architecture, especially by sunlight.

Answer 3

You are ready!!! You like Berlin it's a great city. I was there already 4 times and I can't get enough. Dresden is not far from Berlin and the train connection is good. Hamburg take I guess 2-3 hours from Berlin, but such a nice city also.

I wish you nice trip.....

Answer 4

You've got a good list going there.  If you are interested in history, go also to Checkpoint Charlie.  It is the best museum about the Wall.   There is also the German History Museum I think (can't remember the name), but it is newly opened.  Oh, and then you HAVE to go to the Pergamon Museum.  The ruins when you come in the entrancy will blow your mind!!!!

And you may want to try "The Story of Berlin" on the Ku'Damm.  It is actually in a shopping mall, but really worth it!

May could be beautiful, or rainy and cool.  But if the weather is nice, you also need to just hang out at cafes and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the greatest cities in the world!

Answer 5

Well, it looks like you've done some research into what you want to do and see.  I also want to make a trip up to Berlin just to see Knut !

You may want to look into a day trip to Poland since you will be pretty close.

As I'm not in the Berlin area (and haven't spent much time there either), I can't give more input than that.  If you ever decide to make a trip down to the Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Ansbach, Nuernburg area then I can give some better answers :-)

Answer 6

Bring me with you!  I've always wanted to visit Germany.  You've listed almost every one I could think of, though.  I'd love to visit the  Zoo and Aquariums, they would be one of my first suggestions.  The Botanischer Garten in Berlin looks amazing, as well.

Answer 7

Just watch for all those girls coming from Canada "toronto" they may have AIDS, SARS or bedbugs:) LOL