Why go to Berlin and how much does it cost? What to do in Berlin in winter? When to go to Berlin

disgusting. Cold, gray and wet. Snow is extremely rare here, but when it suddenly happens, all ground transportation stops as if on purpose, to give the locals waiting at the stop an opportunity to be alone with their thoughts that it is time to drop everything and finally get to Mallorca or to Maspalomas.

So do not believe the alluring names of bus tours like "Winter's Tale in Germany", but go to the mountains or to where warmer. If suddenly you are already in Berlin, then don’t worry, we won’t leave you in trouble or in the cold. Here we have gathered the best indoor events of this winter so that people can enjoy their trip and not get the flu!

Behrenstraße 55-57

If your style is so extraordinary that even, not to mention all sorts of H&M, you find it overly philistine, you need to attend this outstanding event. The comic opera theater decided to carry out a general cleaning and in this regard it is selling its costumes! The organizers promise to sell about 2,000 costumes and accessories used in 60 productions from 1979 to 2015! The doors of the theater for lovers of exclusive shopping will be open from 10.00 to 15.00. It doesn’t matter who you are - a homeless city lunatic, a goth librarian or a top manager spending time in the Victorian style BDSM - thanks to the wide range and price range (from € 1 to € 800), no one will go home with empty handed! Free admission.

Night flea market in Spreewerkstatten

Spreewerkstätten, Am Krögel 2

It doesn’t matter whether you are a hipster or simply live in pleasure, without denying yourself anything - everyone should visit this market. Even if you don’t care about worn-out junk, designer ecological soap, felt ornaments and Bowie’s first vinyl record, you can grind a juicy vegan burger here and enjoy live music and DJs.

February 11, world premiere of the film "Long Live Caesar!" Coen brothers kick off the 66th Berlin Film Festival, which doesn’t need a special introduction. We only note that you should not be afraid of rumors that tickets are being bought up like hot cakes. Yes, there are always people sleeping in front of the box office to be the first to buy tickets for a movie with some George Clooney, but we do differently: an hour before the start of each film at the box office of the cinema, where it will be shown, the sale of the remaining tickets begins. They are always there. Therefore, it is usually quite enough to come to the cashier one and a half hours before the start to get inside without any problems. Another small secret - for students, tickets cost half the price, although this is not particularly advertised. And on the last day of the festival, tickets for all shows are two times cheaper (for students - 4!). See the program on the festival website.

Urban Spree, Revaler Str. 99

Berlin Graphic Days is the largest annual festival of fine art and design, taking place for the 7th time. About a hundred designers, artists, illustrators and other creative personalities will gather here to show you their talent and make you doubt your own. The event takes place rather in a party or market format than in a traditional exhibition. All works - and these are drawings, clothes, accessories, posters, books and more - are for sale. The main feature of the festival is Live Painting, when you witness the creation of a painting that you can immediately buy with a hammer. In the past years, for example, for just € 3, we took home a huge portrait of a black girl with a gun in her hands. And here you can not only feel like an art buyer, but also just have a drink with a cocktail or beer in your hand under the ubiquitous electro.

Hardenbergstraße 22, entrance € 5-10

To make sure you’re worthless even more, go to the exhibition of Stephen Shore, one of the most important modern photographers, a man who, as a 17-year-old pimply teenager, hung out with Andy Warhol and moved to his “Factory”. There, Stephen diligently documented the everyday life of its inhabitants and guests, and already at the age of 23 he had a personal exhibition at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. At C / O Berlin you will see the best works of the American photographer, made by him over the forty years of his career. At the same time, C / O hosts an exhibition by Ulrich Wüst, the leading photographer of the 1980s GDR. And before January 31, you can still have time to get on the retrospective of Anton Corbane, about which we wrote.

me Collectors Room Berlin / Stiftung Olbricht, Auguststraße 68

Until April 10, in me Collectors Room Berlin you can see 65 works by Cindy Sherman, the most successful photo artist of our time. The exhibition is held in retrospective format, which means that you will be able to get acquainted with all the creative periods of the queen of masquerade and staged photography at a time.

A joint exhibition of the greatest Western Renaissance master Albrecht Durer and contemporary South African artist William Kentridge, organized by Kupferstichkabinett Berlin in conjunction with the Free University. The purpose of the exhibition, despite the temporary abyss of five centuries, is to establish a dialogue between two visions of print and graphic art. Here you can hang in front of the legendary "Melancholy" of Dürer and try to unravel its secret.

Many who live in Berlin will say that Berlin is a capital, but not a capital. And I would add - this is the history of Germany.

First of all, when you get to this city, you see the "border". Just 27 years ago, it was divided into West Berlin (Germany) and East (GDR). But for me, the symbol of the city here is not the Wall between them, but those walls, buildings, in which one can still feel the undisguised spirit of the events ...

You find freedom-loving and uncouth, protesting and truthful West Berlin in strange, half-abandoned courtyards. And the east - with its architectural rigor, Soviet functionality, monumentality.

Berlin, where fateful decisions were made hourly. Berlin, which is dotted with monuments and memorials to the victims and heroes of the great tragedy.

Such concentration, tension results in a great many modern movements - in art, politics and social life.

But besides this, German classics always remain alive here, assembled within the walls of Berlin galleries, sounding at the Philharmonic, opera and theaters - in the works of the greatest German masters.

Behind this, for everything, you definitely need to go and discover “your” Berlin.

How to get there

By plane

If Berlin is your first destination or the only one, feel free to book a plane ticket. This is one of the most accessible destinations in Europe. Daily five flights from Sheremetyevo, two from Domodedovo. One of Pulkovo ().

Most often I have to fly Aeroflot, as this is probably the most optimal price / comfort / docking option for residents from the regions.

A standard direct flight - Berlin (round-trip) will cost 180-200 euros.

But if you are faced with the task of saving, try:

subscribe to the Aeroflot newsletter, German Wings, S7 and follow their promotions;
combine “the cheapest flight to the nearest European city at the moment” with a local low-cost or bus.

So, for example, my last flight Pobeda + Ryanair cost 40 euros one way.

Experienced travelers monitor promotions and special offers for air travel on different search sites, for example.

There are two operating airports in Berlin: these are Schönefeld and Tegel. You can easily reach them anywhere in the city by public transport. Since there are many options, it is better to check the address in advance and choose the most convenient route.

From Schönefeld:

Following the signs, exit the airport building in the direction of bus or city train stops. Such train lines in Berlin will have the designation S (S-bahn), while the metro - U (U-bahn).

S-bahn S9 and S45 depart every 10 minutes. A good option if the branch suitable for you passes through the large railway junctions Ostkreuz (S9) or Südkreuz (S45), which they cross.
Regional lines (Airport Express) RE 7 / RB 14. Walk twice an hour, and the road to the main station is only 30 minutes. The route also passes through important points of the city, and most likely, this option will be the most optimal.
Bus Several buses connect the airport with the nearest area. Buses with the prefix X will be fast, and N will be night.

Schönefeld is located in transport zone C, so a ticket valid for the ABC or BC zone is required for the trip.

From Tegel:

Tegel is not so far away, and here, in the first place, a bus service system operates. Finding a stop, guided by signs and signs at the exit from the terminal, is not difficult.

The TXL express bus runs along the route Tegel - S Beusselstraße - S + U Hauptbahnhof - S + U Brandenburger Tor - S + U Alexanderplatz.
X9 - Goes to S + U Zoologischer Garten with one stop: S + U Jungfernheide.
128 and 109 - on the routes.

By train

Train - comfortable transport. For a standard adult ticket Moscow-Berlin you will have to pay 150 euros. On your birthday, but +/- 7 days you can get a 35% discount!

From Moscow, the journey will take 24 hours. From St. Petersburg you can’t get to Berlin without a transfer. As an option, Russian Railways offers to get to Prague in 36 hours and the same 150 euros.

Berlin Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) is a huge traffic intersection and is located almost in the city center.

Every minute, both long-distance trains and public transport (including buses) leave its platforms in any direction.

By bus

If for some reason you want to spend more than 35 hours on the road with free coffee and access to an outlet, you can use the services. Such a pleasure from Moscow will cost 70-80 euros, with two transfers in Latvia and Lithuania. What’s a plus, it’s the opportunity to carry three pieces of luggage up to 30 kg with a size limit of 20 * 55 * 60 cm.

For me, a day and a half sitting is still a very extreme activity. Therefore, I would choose a bus only as an addition.

Starting by bus from St. Petersburg is Luxexpres, which will take you to the nearest Tallinn, Riga or Vilnius with all amenities for 15, 30 or 50 euros, respectively.

The most popular carrier in Europe is Flixbus Or EuroLines. FlixBus is convenient because almost every city has the opportunity to choose both the central bus station and the airport as the departure / arrival point.

In Berlin, the main bus station is considered the main one, from it you can get to the place you need at U2 (Kaiserdamm station), S41 / 42/46 (S Messe Nord / ICC) or by bus on the routes M49, 139, 218.

By car

The road will be approximately 1,818 km. The best way is through Belarus and Poland. You can build a route in advance in applications that will lay it without a network, for example, Navitel or Map.smi.

By ferry

Ferry is a very Scandinavian transport in my opinion. Is it advisable to get to Berlin? Maybe. If you are already traveling in your car and intend to continue your trip to Germany.

What are the options here? Take as an example two adults and a car.

Gedser - Rostock - the perfect connection between Denmark and Germany, 2 hours and 41 euros for two with a car. From Rostock to Berlin - 233 km
Trelleborg - Rostock is 6 hours between Sweden and Germany at an average price of 60 euros.
Oslo - Kiel - 20 hour ferry trip. The minimum cost is 300 euros, it includes two berths in the cabin and a ticket for your car. And then 355 km along the highway to Berlin.
Helsinki - Travemunde - 29 hours and 240 euros for seats, a ticket to the cabin will cost about 490 euros. Plus 316 km to Berlin.

Hint:

Berlin - time is now

The difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Definitely: summer. Also, maybe early autumn.

In all other seasons there is a feeling that you are constantly freezing. For example, spring. Everything already tells you that she has come: flowers have blossomed, trees with huge green crowns, the sun is bright. But on the street, for example, +7. And at night 0. And a dank wind. In winter, wet snow, hail, and gloomy mood are added to this. Although, in this you can also find your charm.

In the summer, everything is transformed: from courtyards, roofs to beaches - it is filled with locals and tourists, happy and loud, smiling companies. The city itself seems to be welcoming.

Berlin - monthly weather

Hint:

Berlin - monthly weather

Areas. Where is better to live

The areas here are taste and color!

You need to settle in where you want to spend most of the time, and especially walk.

Neuköln (Neukölln). This is the concentration of everything that happens in the world of modern, organic, craft and authentic. Numerous galleries, bars, clubs and local designer shops flock here. Plus, being a little further south of the center, it offers more than affordable housing prices. But despite the fact that the cultural life of the region is developing rapidly, in general terms it cannot be called prosperous. And the multi-culture here goes far to the Turkish side.

Kreuzberg (Kreuzberg). Being the center of alternative movements and squatting in the 1970-1980s, it is still considered to be a concentration of protest moods and socio-cultural entertainment. Here you can endlessly walk around the neighborhood, looking into the courtyards and back streets with a break for Vietnamese food or Turkish street food, lie down on the shore, in the park or on the first lawn that has turned up. There is also a visiting bridge on a piece of the Wall and mast visiting clubs in Berlin.

Mitte(Mittе).Berlin's iconic points such as the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial and checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz, as well as the museum island, Berlin Cathedral and much more are located here. In this area there are a large number of hotels, and therefore tourists. But finding a pleasant placement here is really not difficult, especially if the budget allows. I would still recommend choosing a hotel a little further, closer to Rosenthaler Platz.

Prenzlauer Behrg (Prenzlauer Berg). Located east of Mitte and north of Kreuzberg. In my opinion, the most pleasant central corner of Berlin. This area was practically not damaged during the war and retained the uniform appearance of the old city building. He goes into the category of more prestigious, although not without the same informal institutions, second-hand rooms, showrooms and design studios.

Marzan (Marzahn).It’s rather difficult to wander here by chance. This is such a residential area with panel development, it will seem very familiar to you. However, the inhabitants of Berlin themselves would call it a place with a very dubious reputation. Perhaps because before the war a Nazi concentration camp was built here to contain the arrested Roma. Now it will be interesting to come here to visit the Stasi prison museum, as well as the Gardens of the Worlds.

Since it has recently been considered illegal to receive guests via AirB "n" B in Berlin, the options for staying now, unfortunately, are limited by the availability of suitable housing in the area for you. I usually look for hotels on, and you can compare prices from different sites.

What are the prices for vacation

Berlin is becoming more and more expensive every year. However, prices are still the lowest in Germany. At the same time, Berlin offers a wide variety of budget classes - from street galleries, parks, festivals and to flea markets.

Imagine a day in Berlin under the program maximum in the ratio of price / quality:

Housing - 40 euros;
Daytime transport - 8 euros;
Lunch - 15 euros;
Day excursion - 20 euros;
Dinner - 25 euros;
Club (entrance) - 12 euros;
Taxi to the hotel - 20 euros.

Total, 140 euros.

The main attractions. What to see

To look in Berlin is what the soul lies to. The first two times my friends brought me exclusively to Kreuzberg and Neukölln. And we walked there, walked, walked. The whole city was a living open museum. When they had to pass by Alexanderplatz (read more about the central Berlin square), they showed with their hand in that direction and said: "Well, where all these sights are, you will walk sometime later."

And yet, what are these places without which Berlin is not Berlin, and what you need to know about them.

Top 5

Brandenburger Gate

Typically, such arches in Europe were a fragment of the walls surrounding the city, and, accordingly, the main entrance. The Brandenburg Gate was built as the Gate of Peace between 1778 and 1791 to replace the old. According to them, one could trace the history of Germany and the events that changed the direction of the country's development: the victorious marches of the victorious soldiers — the formation of the German Empire, and the 1918 revolution; and processions of National Socialists, and Soviet shells.

Perhaps it was 1961 that became a turning point for the modern significance of the gate. The construction of the Berlin Wall began from them, and the gates were isolated. They belonged formally to the Soviet zone, but were cut off from the city by two walls. The speech of Ronald Reagan in 1987 with an appeal to Gorbachev and a call to "open the gate", that is, to demolish this wall, also becomes symbolic here. And two years later - a celebration of unity and freedom!

Today, however, carefully restored gates do not show. One can only imagine all those ups and downs to which they were subjected.

Memorial to the Victims of X olk osta(Holocaust-Mahnmal)

During World War II, more than 6 million Jews were killed.

Two thousand seven hundred concrete steles - this is a giant gray mass in the middle of the city - a project by Peter Eisenman about a crime that cannot be realized.

There is an information center at the Memorial. You can visit it for free.

Galleryi East Side (East Side Gallery)

This is the name of the longest fragment of the wall, at the moment - an open-air gallery.

In 1990, 118 artists from 21 countries gathered here to create their sayings about the mechanisms of absurdity and submission, imprisonment and sacrifice, freedom and hope, peace and morality.

Those turret (Fernsehturm)

Now it seems as if the tower was not slapped into the city center in 1965, but the city was built around the tower. As planned by the GDR government, it was supposed to be visible from anywhere in West Berlin, serve as evidence of technological progress and show the prestige of the new socialist East Germany. Of course, with an additional installation to designers that they should not feel limited by the presence of buildings of ancient architecture at the construction site.

In fact, now the tower is one of the central attractions, a landmark at any time of the day (for Alksandrplatz) and a viewing platform with a restaurant.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

It is considered to be the center of world art. Located on a completely small island of the Spree River, five museums have collected amazing works by recognized masters, collections of ancient art and ancient artifacts.

In addition, in the neighborhood, work is underway to restore the City Palace - Stadtschloss, which was partially destroyed during the war, and then finally demolished by order of the leader of the GDR. The space of the new building will be occupied by exhibits from the Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of Asian Art. The opening is scheduled for 2019.

Beaches. Which are better

Beaches, beach bars, outdoor pools are perfectly combined with the Berlin city environment. You can not say that they do not come here for a bronze tan. But already the first warm May days give Berliners the freedom to pour sand along the banks of the canals, arrange sun loungers and again create romance from nothing.

Let's see where you can go for sunbathing.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)

Walking around the museum island, you can not ignore it. A stately baroque giant 98 meters high and a neat green lawn. In close proximity is Lustgarten Park in its original vision of Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

Anyone who decides to go inside (entrance 7 euros), among other things, will have the opportunity to climb the dome and look calmly at the city, as well as listen to the organ of the great master Wilhelm Bauer.

Church of St. Mary (St. Marienkirche Berlin)

Dating from the beginning of the 14th century, one of the oldest functioning churches preserved in Berlin.

The fresco "Dance of Death" is noteworthy, its width is 22 meters.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Gedechtniskirche (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, Gedächtniskirche)

Also considered iconic in Berlin. Its dome was destroyed during the Second World War and was rebuilt in 1961 in the style of "boxes of glass, metal and concrete" according to the design by the designer and architect Egon Ayerman.

It is most convenient to get from the Kurfürstendamm metro station (U1, U9), or Berlin Zoologischer Garten, where there are metro lines, trains and buses.

German and French Cathedrals (Deutscher Dom, Französischer Dom)

Located on Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt Square.

Both churches with a long history, restored after the war, now serve as museums.

Church of St. Jadwiga (Sankt-Hedwigs-Kathedrale)

You can also visit this cathedral, built in the 18th century for Catholic immigrants. Here are the remains of Bernard Lichtenberg, the canon of the cathedral, which, since 1931 (and has not yet been arrested by the Nazis), has held public evening prayers in memory of the dead Jews.

In addition to the Kaiser Wilhelm church, everyone else is within walking distance of each other in the Mitte area from Alexanderplatz to Stadmitte.

On the map I marked all of the above Berlin churches. As you can see, everything is nearby.

Museums Which are worth a visit

Berlin museums are a huge separate topic for studying. Indeed, literally everything is worth a visit. Although for this, you probably have to move here for a while.

Roughly speaking, the museum life of the city can be divided into the following categories:

state museums with art galleries of old masters, the history of antiquity and culture of different countries;
museums dedicated to war, terror, the Berlin Wall, East Germany;
modern galleries, small and non-profit foundations;
specialized: technical, musical, design, cinema;
event - Biennale and other festivals.

I add that if you intend to visit traditional historical or art galleries, the best option to save money here is to buy a 72-hour pass + Museumsinsel (Museum Island), where you should first go to the Old National Gallery. Read about this place.

Parks

The huge green forest zone in the center of Berlin is the Tiergarten with winding paths and various monuments.

Only Berlin-Tempelhof is larger on its territory. This is a former airport with a weighty past, which the townspeople after closing did not allow the authorities to build up, but showed by their own example how to dispose of empty lawns.

Local parks can be found in each area. Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg, Görlitzer Park and Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg, Volkspark, which means People's Park, in Friedrichshain. More information about which one is better to go on a warm day and how to spend time there can be found in berlin Parks Overview.

What to see in the surroundings

Very close to Berlin is the city. It is even transported in the same department and is related to the tariff zone of urban traffic - zone C.

When you hear Potsdam, the first association is the Potsdam Conference. It really took place here from July 17 to August 2, 1945 in the Cecilienhof Palace.

However, why you should go here is to look at the magnificent palaces and parks - more than 150 heritage monuments. They appeared here after 1660 because the city became first the hunting residence of Friedrich Wilhelm I, the crown prince of Brandenburg, and subsequently the residence of the Prussian royal family.

The optimal route and a brief excursion to the capital of the federal state of Brandenburg read here.

Food. What to try

The multinationality of Brelin sets the appropriate tone in food. In addition to the famous German fast food currywurst, that is, numerous variations of serving sausages, the most delicious cuisine here will be any other cuisine: Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian.

Prices vary a lot. You can find a hearty and fairly high-quality street food from 3 euros, dine in a democratic cafe for 20 and spend an evening in a restaurant from 50 euros.

Out of interest in national cuisine, you can order schnitzel or pork knuckle (Eisbein), which will be served with sauerkraut in German. Be careful with the Königsberger Klopse if you don't want to be disappointed. They will bring you something very reminiscent of Russian tender meatballs with mashed potatoes. On the street, boldly take the aforementioned currywurst.

Budgetary

Curry 36 on Mehringdamm 36;
Konnopke's Imbiss at Schönhauser Allee 44b;
Imren at Boppstr. 10;
Miss Saigon on Skalitzer Strasse 38.

Mid level

Chicha on Friedelstr. 34;
Industry Standard at Sonnenallee 83;
Standard Pizza on Templiner Straße 7.

Expensive

Zenkichi at Johannisstraße 20;
The Store Kitchen on Torstr. 1;
Nobelhart & Schmutzig at Friedrichstr. 218;
Einsunternull on Hannoversche Straße 1;
Dóttir at Mittelstraße 40;
Crackers on Friedrichstr. 158.

Holidays

Probably, in Berlin it is worth listing not so much holidays as festivals and events. Dates are mostly floating, so I’ll indicate approximately.

Berlinale Film Festival in mid-February. Designed for a wide audience: here in the program and Hollywood premieres, and films of European directors held, and new independents, and a children's program, and a documentary, a retrospective of classics, modern visual art. Cinema is shown in the original language with German and English subtitles. Ticket sales open 3 days before the film is shown.
May Day Demonstration (Myfest, 1. Mai) in Kreuzberg, which on the one hand is known for a rather aggressive protest procession, and on the other, flows into mass festivals, concerts and barbecue.
Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen) with a four-day program of national dishes, dances and musical performances from around the world in mid-May.
Love Parade (Zug der Liebe) at the end of July. This is a techno-declaration of tolerance and humanism, a dance procession, a statement about boundless love, independent of differences and opposites.

Beer festival(Internationales Berliner Bierfestival)at the beginning of August. Like Oktoberfest, representatives of beer factories come from all regions and offer about 2,000 different types of beer for bottling.
Long night muse ev (Lange Nacht der Museen) also held in August.
Berlin marathon(BMW Berlin-Marathon) in September, one of the most prestigious in the world.
Festival of lights in October. On it, Berlin is transformed into one bright installation. Added to this are concerts and laser shows.
Christmas markets with the smell of mulled wine begin in November a month before Christmas and pass simultaneously in several places. The most famous is Weihnachtszauber at Gendarmenmarkt.
New Year can be found at the Brandenburg Gate: live music, food stalls and lots, lots of fun.

Security. What to watch out for

Despite the fact that the city does not seem prosperous in appearance, absolutely everyone says that in Berlin it is more than safe. Well, except that the bikes steal, yes. And so, in all situations, you just need to adhere to common sense.

Recently, a lot has been asked about refugees. Berlin has always been a special space where people of different cultures and views coexisted, where it is customary to openly express their position and accept someone else's. Due to this, aggression is minimized.

Things to do

First thing

Recognize that in Berlin you cannot do everything. But it is precisely because of the mass of what is happening that, perhaps, the most relaxed feeling arises: if you miss one, then there is sure to be something else. And then, to find out for sure and then not bite your elbows, open Zitty (this is the most famous Berlin guide, there is a print and online version), which contains reviews of all upcoming events in the field of music, cinema, art and entertainment,

In advance

The Reichstag (Reichstag) as a symbol of democratic Germany must be visited. But in order for this to happen not “for show,” you need to get to know him from the inside: sign up for a lecture (in a gallery overlooking the conference room) on how the Parliament functions. It takes place in English.

Or, the second option - visit the dome with a view of Berlin and a short excursion into the history of the Bundestag (audio guide). All this is free, you only need to plan your visit in advance: the available visit time may turn out to be another two weeks later.

On Thursday

Markthalle neun or indoor market number 9. At the end of the 19th century, there were 14 such markets in Berlin, and, understandably, some of them were destroyed, and the other was rebuilt as commercial supermarkets.

The Markthalle 9 project envisioned a revival of a culture of quality and healthy food from local producers, which now sounds more than modern. On Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. there is a kind of Street Food Thursday Food Festival. On it you will find “home” cuisines of completely different parts of the country, and, as expected, a lot of organic, bio and simple human fun is promised.

On a rainy day

If you are in bad weather, the best way to hide from the cold piercing wind with rain and sullen mood is the Berlin Botanic Garden (Botanische Garten).

Greenhouses and greenhouses with a microclimate corresponding to plants with a total area of \u200b\u200b6,000 m² will not only warm, but also awaken the research potential in each.

What I have listed above is rather a starting point, like a plan to wake up and, without thinking twice, start your day. All you need is to catch your fortune and build your plan around it (what is nearby and what you want).

So, Markthalle 9 lies on the path of exploring Kreuzberg from Bethaniendamm to Oberbaumbrücke in the direction of the East Side Gallery and numerous bars on any day of the week until morning.

Near the Botanical Garden, you can find the Berlin-Dahl Museum Center with collections of the Ethnological Museum, Asian art and European cultures.

Where the Reichstag is, there is Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate, there is the Holocaust Memorial, and the Church of St. Mary, then Museum Island. On the other side - Potsdamer Platz - a modern center of attraction for tourists, rebuilt from a clean field in the late 90's. The Sony Center and the Berlinale Palace are also the venue for the Berlin Film Festival and other international film premieres. Behind it - the Philharmonic and the complex of galleries "Kulturforum".

Bars Where to go

High ceilings, shabby walls, huge windows that open to the outside, vintage armchairs - this, probably, now looks like the most typical institution of Brelin, which attracts youth as if forever resting, regardless of whether it is a weekday or a day off.

A good example is Nathanja und heinrich - roomy and noisy, but very unobtrusive bar.

Address: Weichselstrasse 44. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 13:00 to 03:00. Cocktails aboutt 7 euro.

The next point is a claim to cocktail craftsmanship. Schwarze traube. Its owner is a kind of legend in the world of mixology. It is not customary to choose from the menu, create cocktails according to the individual wishes of the guests.

Address: Wrangelstraße 24. It is open daily from 19: 00–02: 00, Friday and Saturday until 04:00. The average price for a cocktail is 10 euros.

Bar zentral- minimalistic interior, promising atmosphere. Awesome cocktail list.

Address: Lotte-Lenya-Bogen 551. Waiting for guests daily from 17:00 - 02:00, on Friday and Saturday until 03:00. The price for a cocktail is 10 euros.

But if you still prefer traditional German beer, then this Prater - "beer garden" serving visitors since 1852. In the courtyard there are massive wooden tables, plates filled with local bratwurst and bretzeln snacks (sausages and pretzels) and, of course, beer. Inside there is a traditional German restaurant where brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.

Address: Kastanienallee 7-9. From April to September, the beer garden is open daily from noon, and the restaurant is open only from Sunday from 12:00. The rest of the days are from 18:00. Closes at 24:00.The average bill is 20 euros. Be careful, cards are not accepted for payment, only cash.

Bierhaus Urban - This is an old Berlin pub, which, as stated, is open around the clock. Here on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can listen to Jazz and Blues live sessions.

Address: Urbanstr. 126. Prices are average. Pwillow - 3-5 euros, cocktails - 8-13 euros.

In fact, there are countless bars in Berlin. New places are constantly opening up with vibrant and vibrant energy:

Ora. Oranienplatz 14, Mon - Sat 10: 00-01: 00, Sun until 00:00, €€;
Luzia Oranienstraße 34, 10: 00–3: 00 daily, €€;
Twinpigs. Boddinstrasse 57, from Tuesday to Saturday, 14: 00–03: 00, €€;
Victoria bar. Potsdamer Strasse 102, daily 18: 30–03: 00, Fri - Sat until 04:00, €€€;
Prince charles. Aufbau Haus, Prinzenstrasse 85, from Wednesday to Saturday, from 20:00 until the morning, €€€;
Stagger Lee. Nollendorfstrasse 27, open from 18:00, in the summer from 20:00; Mon-Sat until 02:00, Sun until 00:00, €€€.

Clubs and nightlife

The club life in Berlin is so developed that if you turn the clock over, you could lead a full night life.

The strongest techno-scene combined with dozens of industrial spaces and other industrial premises, once used for their intended purpose, but now rebuilt to dance floors, create a unique look in the world capital of electronic music.

To find out which clubs are worth visiting, how to get there and what to expect, let's try in my following material.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

On the shelves of souvenir shops you will immediately notice the most popular products here: Berlin bears, little men from the traffic lights (Ampelmann), I love Berlin bags. Nobody canceled other objects with the symbolism of the city.

But I would single out one quite souvenir thing: this is mint liquor in the form of the Brandenburg Gate. Berliners themselves drink with pleasure, but it costs only 12 euros in the store.

Handmade souvenirs can be found at Karl-Marx-Straße 83, where Ajoy souvenir products are presented. They interact with local artists and communities to create things that reflect the mood of the time.

How to get around the city

The transport system in Berlin functions as a single organism: S-bahn, U-bahn, buses, trams, ferries. The combinations of how to get from point A to point B can be countless. Therefore, the first thing to do is download a special application. You can official Bvg , I use the same with a convenient interface - VBB.

All. Now you can safely set routes and not be afraid to get confused. You can not understand how the S-bahn differs from U-bahn. And what are the subway lines. Just realize that trains are very rarely late. And that at night the intervals of movement increase, not all routes go.

Although, perhaps, it is still worth deciding on the zones. The entire network is divided into three zones: A, B and C. Most often you will move in zone AB. And zone C, for example, may be needed if you go to Schonefeld airport or went for a walk to Potsdam.

The second thing to do is buy a ticket. It is already worth a little more detail here.

What I would like to know in advance, even before the trip, is that travel should be an integral part of the budget. And better than cash.

So, in order to choose the most suitable type of ticket, you need to answer a few questions for yourself:

How often will you use public transport?
How long are you going to stay in Berlin?
How far will you drive?

Single and daily ticket

A one-time can be useful to you, for example, if you just arrived and have not yet had time to decide on the above issues. Or you decided that you would walk or, say, a bicycle.

Cost one way ticketswhich is valid for 2 hours:

zone AB - 2.80 euros;
aBC zone - 3.30 euros.

There is also short one-time ticket, up to three u-bahn / s-bahn stations (transfers are allowed), up to 6 tram / bus stops (transfers are not allowed) In this case, in the case of an express route, stops that the bus passes - must also be counted. The cost of such a ticket is 1.70 euros.

Day ticket costs EUR 7 for zone AB and 7.60 for ABC. The current day is valid until 3 in the morning.

Tickets are most conveniently purchased at terminals located in the same place. In the bus, a one-time ticket can be purchased from the driver.

You need to know that the purchased ticket is not will be valid until you "validate" it in a special machine for this, where the current date and time are printed. Such machines are located at metro stations (on the platform) and in buses / trams (inside, in cars).

Tariffs for tourists

For tourists planning to actively visit local attractions, Berlin transport offers special tickets Berlin CityTourCard and Berlin WelcomeCard, on which you can not only move freely in selected areas, but also receive discounts from 15% to 50% on visits to museums, excursions, restaurants and others entertainment. Cards differ in the set of discounts included, therefore it is most convenient to buy such a ticket by studying the catalog in the Infocenter. It seemed to me that the Welcome Card provides more opportunities to get a discount on visiting traditional attractions, when CityTourCard is more likely focused on entertainment.

If it is not possible to immediately go to the tourist information center (Berlin Tourist Info), then a tourist ticket can be purchased automatically, then you can find a BVG sales office and get a discount card on the ticket (without it, you won’t be able to take advantage of offers).

So you can choose:

Cards with travel for 48 hours, 72 hours, 72 + Museumsinsel (free entry to museums located on Museum Island). The clock starts from the moment of composting.
Cards with travel for 4, 5 and 6 days. Valid from the day of acquisition and ends at midnight on the fourth, fifth and sixth day, respectively.

If you prefer to travel on a rented car, you can see offers and prices.

Taxi. What features exist

One taxi ride in Berlin is comparable in price to a bus ticket to Prague and back. Even Uber, which is not banned as an application, carries at the usual Berlin rates, that is, something like this: from 3.90 euros and then 2 euros per km on the meter.

Rent a Car - also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Got something to add?

All the beauty of Berlin in the spring - for a tourist note. Useful articles on the "Subtleties of Tourism".

Germany is a combination of different nationalities and religions, ancient buildings and new buildings, a country of rigor and exoticism. You can feel the atmosphere of German monumentality in Berlin. Young people in the capital attend night clubs, more mature people choose shopping. Art lovers enjoy enjoying exclusive architectural structures. In general, everyone will find something to do here. If you are going to Berlin, it is important to learn a language, for example, on the website www.deutsch-sprechen.ru.

The cultural heritage of the city

The hallmark is the Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate. Attractions are located in front of Tiergarden Park. If you like memorabilia, pay attention to the gate. They are the emblem of the integrity of the city, since more than three centuries ago they represented the entrance to Berlin. At night, the Brandenburg Gate glows with colorful lights, creating a fabulous and romantic atmosphere.

Everyone who prefers spiritual food should pay attention to the main Berlin Cathedral. Several historical episodes took place within the walls of this building. The symbol of Protestantism is not only this cathedral, but also the church of St. Jadwiga, the church of St. Mary. Going into the walls of holy places, you will feel the spirit that reigned in the city many years ago.

Berlin will be appreciated by those who study culture, dreaming to get acquainted with the worldview and habits of the population. A special island called “Museum” has been created here for museums. There are 175 museums in total, we will list the most thematic and authentic: Madame Tussauds Museum, Jewish Museum, Pergamon Museum, German Technological Museum, Cannabis Museum. So diverse and interesting, these places will amaze you with their originality. Remember that in the spring time the lines to museums increase.

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Parks: where to go?

Arriving in the capital, do not forget to visit the Berlin Zoo. It will be interesting not only for kids, but also for their parents. The inhabitants of the zoo - more than 13 thousand representatives of the fauna brought from the most exotic places on Earth. Bright fish, huge pandas, strong gorillas and friendly lamas are waiting for their visitors. If you want to buy souvenirs, go to the popular Ku-Damm boulevard. On its square there are coffee shops, souvenir shops and colorful shops.

Treptow Park will allow you to walk in the shade of trees, relax in a cafe among the exotic vegetation. Another place attracts residents - Tiergarten. This park will allow you to enjoy an easy walk or walk barefoot on perfectly trimmed grass. In the spring - this is just what you need!

Where to eat in Berlin?

To visit the capital and not to try delicious dishes? This is simply impossible to imagine! A huge chocolate house awaits you in the city, in the building you can try the Titanic, the famous gate or Reichstag made of sweets. Snack bars and cafes are created for gourmets, here you will find dishes of European, German, Mexican cuisine. Beer courtyards deserve special attention. Restaurant Nabucco, restaurant Graf at Martin-Luther-Straße 8, Ach Niko Ach, Maximilians, Nante Eck - a list of the best restaurants in the city!

Be sure to try the famous Berlin sausages with stewed cabbage. A popular and delicious potato salad. It is a dish of potatoes mixed with onions and mayonnaise, it is served cold to the table. And do not forget about beer - delicious varieties of dark and light foam will amaze even the most demanding connoisseur.

In addition to true German dishes, do not forget to eat Turkish fast food. Pizza, shawarma, dener in establishments like hot cakes. By the way, such restaurants as Am Nussbaum, Cafe-Restaurant Miro, Cafe Morgenland are considered the most affordable. Here you can order a hearty lunch for 12 EUR.

In early March, the city begins spring. A new life breaks into gray and calm Berlin. There will be no frost at night, and strong winds during the day.

spring weather

In early March, the city begins spring. A new life breaks into gray and calm Berlin. There will be no frost at night, and strong winds during the day. It is best for a tourist to hit the road in April. It is a time of fine days with a cloudless sky. However, since April, the number of rains has also increased. In April, temperatures range from 15 to 18 degrees, although there are cold days. Therefore, think over your wardrobe in advance to feel comfortable.

May weather is notable for the fact that the parks are buried in lush greenery. But during this period, the high season begins. Berliners celebrate holidays, children and students go on bus tours, so it will be difficult to "push" into the Tropical Islands water park or Zoologischer Garten Berlin zoo. A spring visit to the capital will cost more, however, beauty, greenery and pleasant weather are worth it!

The capital of Germany is famous for its informal atmosphere, cultural events and monuments of history and architecture. We have collected the most useful information about Berlin - transport, accommodation, attractions, food and prices. Print this material or save it on your smartphone so that your trip is as easy and budget-friendly as possible.

From the airport to the city center

So, you flew to Berlin, how to get to the center? The main airport of Berlin is Tegel. To get from it to the city, bus routes help:

TXL Jet Express Bus to Alexandrplatz or the Brandenburg Gate in 40 minutes and 2,7 Euro;
№109 or express X9 to the center of West Berlin - in 20 minutes and 2,7 Euro;
№128 - Follows to the Kurt-Schumacher Platz Underground Station.

The interval of movement until 22.00 does not exceed ten minutes. Buses also run at night, but at longer intervals.

Berlin's second airport is Schönefeld. From it, get to Berlin in the following ways:

Urban by train (S-Bahn) No. S9 to the Pankow stop or No. S45 to the southern intersection of Südkreuz. Ticket price 3,2 EuroTravel time is about 40 minutes.
Voyage by busesthat follow in different parts of the city or to the nearest metro station. Depart from the airport more than ten routes. Routes work at night N7 and N60.

The cost of a trip to the center of Berlin at taxi will be from 35 before 40 Euro.

Moving around the city

There are several types of public transport in Berlin - the buses, trams, train (S-bahn) and metro (U-bahn) Moreover, for all these modes of transport single ticket. But there are many types of tickets: a full-day ticket, a two-hour ticket, a full-day ticket for a group of up to five people, and so on. In addition, the city is divided into three tariff zones: A - center, B - the rest of the city, C - suburb. A ticket is enough for exploring city attractions AB Tageskarte (zone A and B all day) for 6.9 Euro. Tickets are sold at bus stops in special vending machines.

Move on buses in Berlin it is possible at night. Many buses run until four in the morning. They are designated by the letter N.

Tour Bus System Hop-on / hop-off”In Berlin ply along two routes, each of which is equipped with a Russian-language audio guide. Tickets cost from 15 Euro for a day.

Rates for taxifixed in Berlin: landing - 3.9 Euro, every kilometer - 2 euro.

The choice of affordable housing

The highest concentration of hostels is observed in areas Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, but not everyone will like the atmosphere prevailing in this part of the city - in the evenings, noisy groups of informal people of all stripes gather here in the many bars. This is not the outskirts of the city, but you need to get to the main attractions by public transport. For the same money ( 11-20 Euro) You can check into one of the hostels in the area Mitte. Mitte is the central district where many famous places in Berlin are located.

Food: tasty and inexpensive

Very popular in Berlin street fast food. The most common snacks are German sausages and doner kebab. Kiosks, where they are cooked, are found everywhere. Sausage prices range from 2 to 3,5 Euro, and doner, as a rule, costs 3-3.5 Euro.
Diverse asian fast food sold at Friedrichstraße station (average price 3-4 Euro), and the area of \u200b\u200bthe Zoologischer Garten station was chosen by the Chinese, selling national dishes at a price of 4 Euro. In general, in Berlin, the largest number of street food tents is concentrated around the subway junction stations.
Many inexpensive establishments found in the areas of Hackescher markt and Kastanienallee.
Thai and Indonesian Restaurants Transitwhere the cost of any first course is 3 Euro.
The tents on Alexanderplatz sell fried sausages during the day 1.35 Euro.
In Berlin, there are hostels with a shared kitchen, where you can cook yourself. Products are better to buy in large chains ALDI, LIDL, PENNYwhere prices are lower than in other supermarkets. They also have products with a 50% discount, marked with the inscription “Reduziert” - these are products with expiring shelf life.

What to see

The most visited places in Berlin are monuments of culture, history and architecture. Most of them are located in the city center, and many are not far from each other so that you can move between them on foot. For instance, Museum Island, within walking distance of Berlin TV Tower and alexanderplatzBetween them are the two oldest temples of the city: st. Mary's Church and church of St. Nicholas. Opposite the last - Red Town Hall, historical landmark of the mid-19th century.

On the other side of the city, in the Potsdamer Platz area, several museums are also located close to each other: Cinema museum, Museum of Decorative Arts, Museum of Musical Instruments. Berlin Wall Museum (Checkpoint Charlie) is also located in the same area, and a 25-minute walk from it - Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Monument to Soviet soldiers and Madame Tussauds museum.

Free attractions

Brandenburg Gate - This is perhaps the most recognizable landmark not only of the city, but of the whole of Germany.
Reichstag. The observation deck under the Reichstag dome is free to visit. Pre-registration required.
Tiergarten Park - The most popular place for walks among Berliners. Here they ride a bicycle, wallow on the grass, swim on the lake in a boat and so on.
Monument "Liberator Warrior" in Treptower Park with the figure of a Soviet soldier - a picture familiar to every person from the CIS.
East Side Gallery. A section of the Berlin Wall, covered in graffiti. The famous image of the kiss of Brezhnev and Honecker is drawn here.
Dilapidated Old Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and, nearby, a modern temple of an unusual octagonal shape is another visiting card of the city.
Berlin beaches. In summer, the beach at Lake Wannsee becomes a popular vacation spot for citizens. There are other beaches: Captains Beach near the East Side Gallery, the beach on Lake Müggelsee or opposite the Bode-Museum, etc.

Paid Attractions

Berlin TV Tower allows you to see the city from a height of 200 m. Entrance 13 euros.
Berlin Cathedral, built in the Baroque style - this is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also an excellent observation deck. Admission 7 euros
On the Museum Island The five most famous museums in Berlin are located. Admission is 10-12 Euros (for each of the museums) or by the Berlin Welcome Card.
Charlottenburg Palace. Baroque architectural masterpiece with a luxurious park. Admission is 15 euros.
Berlin Wall Museum (Checkpoint Charlie). A surviving fragment of the wall and exhibits from the time of the confrontation between the two political systems. Entrance 12.5 Euro.
Berlin Zoo - This is the most visited menagerie in Europe. Record holder among the zoos of the world for the diversity of animal species. Entrance 13 Euro.
Madame Tussauds museum - The world famous collection of wax figures. Entrance 14 Euro.

Things to do

In addition to targeted visits to attractions, you should definitely just walk around unter den Linden Boulevard, potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz. It is crowded, beautiful and always interesting.

Whenever you visit the capital of Germany, you will almost certainly be able to attend an event. In the calendar of the cultural life of the city there are practically no free dates: Berlin International Film Festival in February, Festival of contemporary music in March, Carnival of Cultures in May, Berlin Music Festival in September, Festival of light in October, Berlin Jazz Festival in November, etc. Something always happens in Berlin. Keep up to date with the poster.

Berlin Party Center Kreuzberg and Friedrichshainwho attract representatives of various subcultures with their informal atmosphere. To navigate in a variety of places to stay in Berlin helps the site.

Budget

Transport:

Airport - city - 2.7 Euro
Public transport - 6.9 Euro (day)
Hop-on / Hop-off - from 15 Euro

Hostel - 11-20 Euro
Couchsurfing - Free
Hotel (2 stars) - from 40 Euro

Sausage - 2-3.5 Euro
Doner kebab - 3-3.5 Euro
Street food - 3-4 Euro

sights

Museums - 10-14 Euro
Zoo - 13 Euro
TV tower - 13 Euro

“I will never buy tickets with such an early departure,” I thought at 3 in the morning, standing in the hot shower, “I don’t seem to forget anything: cosmetics, passport, money, credit card ... I wouldn’t forget my head.” With such thoughts, I was going to go to Domodedovo Airport to go with friends to Berlin.

In April, when the sale of AirBerlin tickets began, we grabbed cheap tickets from December 8 to 11 with the goal of shopping and strolling through European Christmas markets.

Why did we decide to fly to Berlin? Nevertheless, they know that for shopping you need to go to Milan, Paris, New York. I will not further list all prevailing stereotypes. I don’t know where all these people are hiding, filling the Internet with such rumors, and who dress only in fashion capitals. Personally, I am surrounded by people, mostly dressed in gray-black-brown gamma of the same items. Apparently, the “Milanese” are now racing along the Rublevka in white Cayenne.

So why Berlin? Why should you go to Berlin in winter? What to see, what to do?

Firstly, the cost of a round-trip flight does not exceed 5,000 rubles if you buy a ticket in advance.

Secondly, the hotels in Berlin are simply amazing with their quality (in the literal, good sense) and cheapness (List of hotels in Berlin with prices).

Thirdly, in Berlin, many shops for every taste with prices much lower than Moscow. We did not plan to buy designer clothes and accessories, we did not pursue brands and show-offs, therefore Berlin approached 100%.

By the way, we chose the tickets here.

I personally planned to buy everyday knitted sweaters, bright, high-quality and not for 100 euros apiece, but for 30-35. And also skirts, dresses, jeans all with the same criteria. Given the budget of the trip per person about 8,000 rubles, which does not differ in cost from the weekend in any Suzdal, it is still more profitable than buying in Moscow.

In the meantime, I was sitting in the back seat of the car, which was crawling along the snowy Moscow Ring Road, and decided: fall asleep or endure to the plane. Our flight to Berlin departed at 7-40 in the morning, so at 5-00 I was already passing through Domodedovo.

Flight airline AirBerlin really liked. Neat and new planes, polite flight attendants, soft takeoff and landing. In flight, it didn’t shake, stewardesses, unlike ours, did not wake sleeping passengers. So, the German low-fire is just super, even when compared with Lufthansa.

Weather in Berlin in winter

Winter in Berlin is quite severe, so evaluate your strength. Even some miserable minus 2 in Berlin feel like minus 15 in Moscow. The thing is in high humidity, at which the cold makes its way to the strings.
The taxi driver turned out to be Ukrainian, and told us a lot of interesting stories. Including how the Germans survive the cold. They learned how to dress properly in order to survive in such a climate. The Germans are pulling on a cotton shirt, a synthetic sweater and sweater on top. On feet synthetic socks on cotton and winter boots "a la govnodavi". We looked at ourselves and realized that nifiga do not know how to dress. Stupid penguins.

But who knew that we would be so cold! We came not from Barcelona, \u200b\u200bnot from Tai, but from harsh Russia!

So, the first rule for a trip to Berlin in winter is to dress warmly and layered.

We found dry frosty weather, heavy snow, and the subsequent thaw. Lucky, so lucky.

In Berlin, the system is a system of underground public transport thought out, created "for people": there is an underground metro U-Bahn, and an overground metro (or electric train) S-bahn. Moreover, Mero branches connect many radial lines, there is no such centric ring system as in Moscow. Yes, the metro is not as luxurious in interests as ours, but it is functional. In addition, a widespread network of land transport: buses and trams. All this variety of transport follows with maximum breaks of 5 minutes. In addition, absolutely everywhere there is an electronic board where you can clearly find out after what time a particular route will be suitable. In land transport it is quite warm, so in the cold it is quite possible to ride on buses.

Shopping in Berlin

It is worth telling separately about shopping in Berlin, because there are many shopping streets, department stores and shopping centers even more. Sales in Berlin begin after Catholic Christmas, but even without them the prices are much lower than in Moscow.

For example, you can easily buy a good leather bag for 70 euros, sweaters for 15, and woolen skirts for 25.

There are various brands in Berlin: from democratic H&M, C&A to elite Dior, Valentino, etc.

I had 1,000 Euro with me on shopping, which I successfully spent on a whole bunch of skirts, knitted sweaters, dresses, T-shirts and boots with a bag.

We were shopping so that at night I dreamed of suitcases, hangers, shelves .. and I shouted: “Enough!”.

Christmas markets in Berlin

From mid-November, Berlin is immersed in an atmosphere of expectation of Christmas. The city is beautifully decorated: there are garlands around, luminous figures, elegant shop windows. And complements this whole Christmas outfit fairs scattered throughout the city.
Read a detailed note about Christmas markets in Berlin (addresses, passwords, appearances)
Christmas markets in Berlin are quite small but cozy. And since there are a lot of them, people from all over the city do not go to the same platform, they do not suit the crowd.

Fairs are rows of wooden houses that sell various Christmas treats and gifts. Here, mulled wine flows and the river is hotter, sausages grate, the fire burns and music sounds. Some ride on the merry-go-round, others skate. And on Alexanderplatz, even in the evening, a decorated Ferris wheel works.

Fairs can definitely be found at: Alexanderplatz, Postdamskaya Square, Gendarmplatz, near the Zoo and the Charlottenburg Palace.

And so, the Berlin authorities take care of the Christmas mood of the townspeople. Compare with Moscow and understand where people love more. It’s not that we didn’t hang the garlands, we even got such bulbs screwed into ordinary lights that we can’t see anything. Straight envy take.

Berlin Feast or local restaurants

For lovers of food and beer, Berlin seems like a paradise. In restaurants they bring such portions that I immediately remembered about starving children. They call appetizers such dishes that can be eaten together. Of traditional food, sausages with sauerkraut and pork shank should be especially noted. At the same time, the products from which the food is prepared, whether it is breakfast at the hotel or dinner at the restaurant, are really tasty, that is, they have a taste that is not Chinese-plastic, but a normal human taste, from which we have almost lost touch in Moscow.

And the prices are also pleasantly surprising: for 17 euros for two you can just burst in one of the tourist restaurants (Here they feed like that).

Top 11 Berlin Attractions to Visit in Winter

In winter, you can’t take a walk through Berlin’s chic parks, you won’t go to the suburbs (Potsdam and Sanssouci) either, but you can’t get past the main attractions of the city.

Branderburg Gate (BranderburgerTor) - a symbol of the unification of Berlin and the Victory Column (Siegessaule)
   Berlin Cathedral (BerlinerDom), including the ascent to the dome
   Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)
   Reichstag building
   Unter den Linden (Unter-den-Linden)
   Gendarmenmarkt
   Museum Island (Museumsincel)
   Viewing tower (FERNSEHTURM) on Alexander Platz
   Checkpoint Charlie
   Sony-center, Sony Center on Potsdamerplatz (Potsdamer Platz)
   Remains of the Berlin Wall

We will talk more about the sights of Berlin in a separate article.

Museums in Berlin

Winter is the best time to visit the many museums in Berlin. The weather is unlikely to take you to long walks, but you can get rich culturally. You must admit that it’s a pity to spend time in museums in the summer!

1. Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg), where you will see the luxurious life of German monarchs, reflecting the fashion of the 18-19 centuries.

2. Museums of the “Museum Island” (5 museums):

Pergamon Museum (Pergamonmuseum) (review and impressions of Eka)

Old Museum (Altes Museum)

New Museum (Neues Museum)

Bode Museum (Bodemuseum)

Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie).

3. The underground bunker of the Second World War (Berliner Unterwelten)

4. New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie), containing an exhibition of famous works of cubism, expressionism and surrealism

5. The topography of terror (Torographie des Terrors), the name of the museum speaks for itself. The museum contains exhibits and materials from the time of the SS and fascism.

6. Jewish Museum (Judisches Museum)

7. Museum complex in Dahlem (Dahlem)

There are more than 1000 museums and exhibitions in Berlin, I think everyone will find something interesting for themselves.

Sights of Berlin by bus

If you are not lucky with the weather, like us, then you can use secret public transport routes.

In Berlin, there are magical buses number 100 and 200, which carry out the route through the main attractions of the city.

We were kidding that these buses literally compete with city sightseeing buses (such as City Tour).

I advise you to take a map of the excursion city bus, a map of the city (download the map or see the route on the Google map) and find ten differences.

So, feel free to buy a pass, book a hotel located next to one of the stops and go! Then neither snow, nor rain, nor frost will be afraid of you.

In custody

I would describe Berlin as a city of moods. He is not Paris, which almost everyone likes, he is not Khimki, which the majority scolds. This is a city where you need to catch a wave, to feel its free and modern spirit.

I noted that completely different Germans live here: funny, open and very positive. There is no pretense of stiffness; one gets the feeling that you are sincerely welcome everywhere.

Personally, Berlin did not make a strong impression on me, although it was impossible to say that I did not like it and left it indifferent. I did not give him a piece of heart, but I took away pleasant emotions and memories with me.

Here is a list of hotels in Berlin