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Berlin is a culture clash between old and new and honors its past but propels itself forward, looking toward a bright future. I admire the vision and the acknowledgment of past events. If you have a week to explore, why not do it in Berlin. There is enough to see and do here to keep any art or history lover engaged and wanting more, and the people… amazingly interesting, friendly, and tolerant.
When I lived in Germany in 1988, the wall was still standing, and I was able to secure a 24-hour visa to visit East Berlin. It was a true experience seeing the difference between the West and East, so I wanted Linnie to experience a little of that history and more. Here is what we recommend in Berlin.
The Berlin Wall Remnants
You may remember President Reagan’s famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech and watching television, dumbfounded, as Berliners chopped at the wall with axes and hammers. Berlin has done an amazing job highlighting this for tourists to see. There is a museum and actual wall remnants. Fascinating!
Museum Island
One island, five museums– they are right next to each other and one is more beautiful than the next. Take a picnic and eat on the grounds near the river after you visit the ones you want. They are all incredible, and you can pay one price to visit all five. Check out the website for more information.
Guided Tour of the Reichstag
Having a guide is key to learning about this building and its significance. Make sure to get tickets on this website. You will need to fill out the registration in advance. Look for the bullet holes from WWII and the Russian graffiti left by the conquering soldiers.
Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
This memorial is an architectural masterpiece and is open to all who wish to reflect on the Holocaust. Many times, there are special exhibits set up nearby that are so worth your time. Read here about upcoming exhibits.
Tour the Wannsee Conference House
The infamous villa on Lake Wannsee, where 15 Nazi officials met to create what is known as the Final Solution, is now a museum designed to educate visitors about that fateful meeting. It is free to enter, and you can either do a self-guided tour as we did or arrange a guided tour. We spent a couple of hours here. Plan your visit.
Take a Third Reich Walking or Bike Tour
See significant locations for the Nazis including where Hitler’s bunker was located. See these tours here.
More tours
More tours…Cold War tour including Checkpoint Charlie, Sachsenhausen tour, a day trip to Dresden, Potsdam tour, and more. Check out Viator for all day trips.
Stay at The Hotel Adlon Kempinski
It was a priority for me to secure a reservation at this historic hotel that has hosted world leaders, crowned heads of Europe, celebrities, politicians, presidents, industrialists, and even Albert Einstein. What an absolute gem of a hotel right in the heart of it all. Everything is to love here: the restaurants, the breakfast, the afternoon tea, the champagne bar, the rooms, and the location. I cannot say enough good about the service we received. Plus, it sits next to the Brandenburg Gate and is within walking distance of all the sights. Check the link here.
