Berlin in 48 Hours
Quick city break? How to see Berlin in 48 hours
One city that seems to be getting talked about a lot these days by the community is Berlin. With so many affordable and frequent budget airline flights, tripsologists are taking advantage and visiting cities that might never have been within reach a few years ago.
What we’re hearing about Berlin is all good. It’s a really cool place for a short city break, especially if you want to see historic landmarks and enjoy German hospitality in the superb choice of bars and eateries. Berlin has seen a surge in popularity this year and it’s easy to see why.
History and culture in abundance, a vibrant food and drink scene and great nightlife aside, you can bag reasonably priced flights from regional airports in the UK that will whisk you off to the German capital in a couple of hours. tripsologists have told us that you can fly direct from Edinburgh or Glasgow and Manchester with Easyjet, or from Aberdeen with British Airways (Indirect via London). BA also have direct flights from London Heathrow. It seems Berlin has the lot!
Renowned the world over for its tumultuous history and dark part, Berlin has since evolved to become a booming playground of cosmopolitan delights. Ironically, the dark heart of Berlin’s troublesome past is a big part of the city’s appeal for tourists. Visitors are keen to see the remnants from this era and stark reminders of those days are all over the city. Now home to quirky cafes, hip joints and magnificent monuments; the city has fast become one of Europe’s ‘must-see’ destinations.
Only here for a couple of days?
If you’re short of time and maybe only spending a couple of days here, tripsologists have made some really good suggestions on how you can get a feel for the city and cram in as much sight-seeing as you can without eating into your downtime too much. They have said you can see some of the key attractions even if you’re only here fore 48 hours! City breaks are like that – you want a rest but you also don’t want to miss the highlights by sitting in the pub all day.
Here’s how to get the most from your trip according to the tripsology community recommendations:
Walking Tours of Berlin (approx. 2 hours)
tripsologists have said that by joining in an organised walking tour, you feel like you’ve explored the city and ticked off some obvious boxes. The Berlin Wall and Cold War History Tour is ideal for this – they’ve said you’ll see the famous landmarks along the way such as the Palace of Tears, Brandenburg Gate and the section of the Berlin Wall which still stands today. The tour also takes you to the new Government district – all with the help of a local guide.
City Bus Tours of Berlin
They have also suggested that a great way to get your bearings in the city is to buy a ticket for the Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tours. This way, you can see as many of Berlin’s highlights and top attractions from the comfort of an open-top bus. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the commentary which is available in several languages. Tours run daily and the ticket is valid for 24 hours.
Only got time for one attraction?
tripsologists also say that if time is tight and you can only fit in one thing, consider Checkpoint Charlie as your Berlin must-see attraction. This is one of the most important historical Cold War sites and the museum is an emotional tribute to those who risked everything to escape from East Germany. According to tripsologists, once you’ve seen this, you appreciate the wonder of present day Berlin and how far it has come since those darker days.
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in Berlin for a bit longer, obviously, there’s a whole lot more to see and do – and at a more leisurely pace.
No matter what you want from your city break, Berlin has something for everyone. Whether it’s the ever-pulsing, electric dance floors of Berghain nightclub to the iconic grandeur of the Brandenburg Gate, an unrivalled variety and diversity of spectacles are crying out to be explored. Special attention must be drawn to the East Side Gallery – one of the last remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall – where sprawls of graffiti tell stories of political and social struggles long forgotten. Elsewhere, the Reichstag – Germany’s parliamentary headquarters – boasts a magnificent glass dome from where onlookers can peer into debate chambers below; symbolising the contemporary transparency of 21st century German politics. The city’s murky past is highlight through the centrally located Holocaust Memorial where a field of concrete slabs serves as a constant reminder to the thousands of faceless victims who suffered at the hands of the Nazis.
Then there’s the beer. On nearly every street corner, in every park, at every attraction there will be a ‘Biergarten’ waiting to embrace you with open arms. It’s by no easy feat that Germans have gained the reputation as the world’s most avid beer consumers and this is exemplified nowhere better than through Oktoberfest. Throughout the month, beer is served like water – where Berlin dwellers pay tribute to the gods of alcohol themselves.
Nevertheless, the multi-cultural interconnectedness of this thriving metropolis will always keep tourists thirsty for more. In a city that’s home to people from all types of backgrounds, ethnicities, tastes and upbringings there seems to be no end to the list of things to see and do in Berlin. There will always be that hidden bar, undiscovered gallery or secret shop which keeps the city so enticing and that’s what makes Berlin such an exhilarating place to visit.
Have you been to Berlin? The tripsology community would love to hear about your experiences to help them plan their visit on tripsology.com