One of the most exciting things about moving to a new country is finding your way around and learning all about the local community. There is some merit in spending time as a tourist and exploring the most popular sites. Some of our suggestions are very popular tourist destinations, whereas others are hidden gems only locals know about.
It is also worth noting that we will be able to help you move to Berlin or other European destinations, so feel free to contact us. Now, read below for the best things to do when living in Berlin.
History Comes Alive
Berlin is a fascinating city with plenty of museums and historical attractions that help you learn about everything they have been through. There are beautiful parks, galleries, as well as abandoned theme parks. You can also enjoy spending time in the market, exploring the underground city, walking along the wall, and having dinner at a supper club in an underground or hidden location. So, let’s look at some of the best things to do when living in Berlin.
1. Visit the Berlin Wall
Perhaps one of the first things most people think about when Berlin is mentioned is the Berlin Wall. It was constructed in August 1961 and is a powerful reminder of the Cold War. The war came down in November 1989.
The Berlin Wall Memorial is a 1.4 km stretch along Bernauer Strasse, the former border strip. This is an incredibly popular tourist destination, and millions visit each year. The largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall is known as the East Side Gallery and has some incredible artwork and minerals that have been created by a whole range of international artists.
2. Explore by Bicycle
Berlin is a very bike-friendly city, so exploring by bike is something many people choose to do. It also means that it doesn’t matter if you don’t own your own two wheels because there are a lot of bike rental shops in the area. Keeping cyclists safe is high on the priority list for the local area, and you will find delightful cycle lanes and unique cycle road traffic signals all over the place. Once you’ve rented your bike, there are plenty of places to explore.
An excellent place to start Is the Reichstag, which is the base of the Federal German parliament. It’s open to the public, and heading to the roof terrace is highly recommended. There is a glass dome that allows you to look out over Berlin and see some of the most amazing views. It’s a hugely popular tourist attraction, so book in advance; otherwise, you could be hanging around for a long time.
Cycling around the city lets you take in famous landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Tier Garten Park. The German spy museum is a fascinating place to spend a half day; you can also visit Checkpoint Charlie, which was the most famous crossing point between the West and East, as well as the Topography of Terror, which is one of the most famous museums is located on the Gestapo and SS Headquarters site.
3. The Markets of Berlin
Bargain hunters of the world unite! Berliners love bargains and haggling. Plenty of markets are available, and they are not just for newbies. The longer you live in Berlin, the more obsessed you will get with the needs.
Mauerpark is known to host the best flea market, tastefully referred to as the king of flea markets, so if digging through boxes of knickknacks and looking for bargains is your thing, you should head here on a Sunday.
The Neukollner Flowmarkt is an excellent location for handmade crafts and second-hand vinyl and art. You will also find food trucks at every market selling delicious local snacks and treats.
4. The Abandoned Amusement Park
Spreepark is an abandoned amusement park, and even though it is now derelict, it still attracts plenty of visitors. It’s been abandoned and is now a monument to its former glory. It was initially opened in 1969 and was one of the most popular theme parks in the world, attracting well over 1.5 million visitors each year. Even though it is now pretty rundown, you can still see some of the biggest attractions, like the empty Ferris wheel, abandoned go-karts with weeds growing out of them and fallen dinosaur statues.
The park has a somewhat chequered history; It was owned by Norbert Witte, who first reopened it to the public in 1991 after reunification. However, he soon got into debt, and the company racked up debts totalling millions. His bright idea to get out of that was to attempt to smuggle $14m worth of cocaine from Peru into Germany. He hid the cocaine in the flying carpet ride masts. He was caught and arrested, which sealed the park's fate. Even today, there is often talk about renovating and reopening the park, but until such time the public can go in for free and have a look around.
5. Go Underground
Most of the Underground tours, called dark worlds, use underground train stations. Bunker complexes and civilian shelters were used to provide safe spaces during the bombing campaigns, and these have been largely untouched since about 1961, when the Berlin Wall was built. They offer a cold, stark and somewhat harrowing glimpse of what life was like back then.
Once you finish your underworld tour, head to one of the underground or hidden restaurants often found behind unmarked doors in private gardens or construction sites. Booking is essential as these venues are massively popular, and finding the way in is often part of the fun. The food is out of this world, and depending on where you go, you could find yourself in the presence of a world-famous chef.
The takeaway
Living in Berlin offers many enriching experiences that cater to diverse interests and lifestyles. If you are looking for an international removal company to ensure you get to your new European destination stress-free and safely. Why not consider the expert international removal services we offer here at Pinnacle Removals?