The world’s 35th most visited city is a combination of old and new, shaped by history and a perfect destination for an extended weekend.
Language: German
Visitors: 4.6 million yearly
Fun fact: There are more bridges in Berlin than in Venezia
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When to go
Berlin can of course be visited year around, but with it’s numerous parks the best time of the year to visit is in the summer, from May. This time of year the city is greener, and the temperature is better as well. At the same time it’s peak season for tourists, so lot’s of time could be saved from standing in lines by going a bit earlier.
Transportation
Berlin has two airports, Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF). Tegel is closest to the city center and Schönefeld was supposted to be decommissioned multiple years ago; however, it is still open and among others Ryanair and Norwegian operates here. Numerous airlines operates at Tegel; Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways and SAS to name a few.
From Tegel getting to city center can be done by bus. Airport Express Bus costs 2.70 euros and departs every 10th minute.
From Schönefeld getting to city center can be done by train, RE 7 and RB 14 departs roughly every 30 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach the city center. As of this writing the ticket machines at the airport accepts cash only, and there is a fairly long line to buy tickets, even outside the tourist season. Walk past the first ticket machine to the next one with a little shorter line. The price is 3.30 euros for a ticket.
Remember to validate the ticket at either airports before embarking the bus or train.
Be aware that Schönefeld has a separte enterance at terminal C (the only terminal used) for those already checked in travelling with carry-on only. The line is usually short here and time can be saved.
Accommodation
We have previously stayed in Propeller Island City Lodge, a must for everyone visiting Berlin looking for something way outside the ordinary. In short, the hotel is a combination of unique rooms designed to it’s own theme. We had a “crypt” room where one could sleep in coffins, and there is also a room with a levitating bed, one with mirrors everywhere and one where everything is upside-down. The hotel is roughly 700 meters from the metro station and therefore easily accessible.
For those looking for a more ordinary hotel, Berlin offers many choices. As always we recommend finding a hotel that is close to public transport, as it’s usually easier and cheaper than finding a hotel in the middle of the city center. We have also stayed in Hotel Lützow, a hotel near Tiergarten, the big park in Berlin, but around 15 minutes walk from the metro station. The price is OK and the hotel can absolutely be recommended, but if you want to save money then there are hotels a bit further from the city center located closer to metro stations.
Touristy stuff
If you are in Berlin for the first time, some things have to be seen:
- Tiergarten
- Brandenburger Tor
- Berlin Wall
- Siegessäule
- Checkpoint charlie
- Museumsinsel
- Reichstag
All of these are typical tourist stuff and we won’t go into details. But when you are in Berlin these attractions cannot be ignored.
In addition to this, there are some interesting places to visit:
I tillegg er det noen interessante steder å besøke:
- Berliner Unterwelten offers guided tours to Berlin’s “underworld”. They offer multiple tours such as bunkers and decommissioned metro stations. Tickets cannot be booked in advanced, but the ticket sale opens 15 minutes before the tour begins. Make sure you arrive early to get tickets before they are sold out. The price is 11 euros per person.
- GDR Watch Tower is a … ehh … watch tower nearby Potsdamer Platz. It’s free to take pictures and view the tower, but it costs 3.50 euros to enter.
- Schloss Charlottenburg is a castle with a huge garden/park. Entrance to the park is free and the castle can be viewed and is a great opportunity for some photos.
Practical
Money: Euro brukes i Berlin og kredittkort aksepteres mange steder. Det er allikevel en del mindre attraksjoner, kiosker og butikker som kun tar kontanter, så pass på å noen euro tilgjengelig.
Entry: Germany is within the Schengen area and is therefore easily accessible from most countries.
Safety: It is generally safe in Berlin. Follow regular precautions and be aware of pickpocketing, especially on trains, buses and in bars. The emergency number in German is 112.
Tipping: It is common to give 5-10% tips in restaurants, or round up to the nearest euro.
