Berlin: Germany’s capital city
Berlin, the capital of Germany is not only the biggest city in Germany But in the entire EU based on the population, it holds, being the biggest city in the EU it is also one of the most influential centres in Europe.
Berlin with an area of 892 square kilometres has a diverse urban landscape. Lots of parks, gardens, lakes and forests are situated within the city and Berlin’s outer areas are like the suburbs of various North American and European cities. On the other hand, outside the city, there is mostly just sandy and flat countryside.
Population
Berlin has about 3,770 million inhabitants now and foreigners make up about 21% of it. Many of these citizens from other countries are those who arrived as overseas workers or labourers who came to the country to land a job. Most of these come from Turkey, Poland and Syria who make up about half of the foreigner population. Some who reside in Berlin are Russians, Greeks, Italians, Americans, Yugoslavians, Africans and Asians.
When World War II ended, the population of Berlin grew rapidly from a drop to 2.3 Million. There was a growth in population probably because of the return of residents who left the city during the war as well as the entry of East Germans into East Berlin. The population increased also because of the large number of expatriates that poured into the city.
The majority of the residents of Berlin are Protestants, who are mostly Lutherans, and only about 9.1 per cent of the population are Roman Catholics.
Climate and Temperature
Germany has a moderate climate and normally has no long periods of either heat or cold. The annual mean temperature for Germany is about 9 degrees Celsius and other than variations caused by different factors such as elevation and shelter, the yearly average temperature is usually constant within the entire country.
Economy
Before World War II erupted, Berlin was Germany’s most significant trading and industrial centre. In the late forties, after Berlin was divided, West Berlin became a free enterprise economy while East Berlin’s economy was controlled by the government. West Berlin recovered mainly because of the help of the US and West Germany. Continued help from West Germany enabled West Berlin to become prosperous even though this area was geographically isolated. Compared to West Berlin’s economy, East Berlin’s was far behind.
The industrial areas in Berlin are spread out within Berlin but most huge manufacturing plants are situated in Berlin’s outlying districts.
There is more to Berlin, Germany than just its unique scenic views. Just think of it this way – this city is probably one of the most historically controversial places you will ever visit. If you explore Berlin and immerse yourself in its culture and history, you’ll have a very unique experience indeed.
History of Berlin, Germany
Early days of Berlin
Different Slavic people lived in the area that is now Berlin about 1,500 years earlier. Around the time 900 A.D., the emperors of Germany in Western Europe expanded their territory to the Oder River, which is just on the east side of Berlin. In the 1100s, Germans began to settle in the new German area.
By the 1400s, Berlin became significant to Brandenburg, to the point that the Hohenzollern family, the ruling family of Brandenburg, made the city their official home.
From the year 1618 to 1648 however, Berlin was brought to great misery when the Thirty Years’ War erupted. Aside from paying for troops and housing them, the town was also stricken by diseases and epidemics. Furthermore, its suburbs were burned that when the war was already ending, the population of Berlin dropped to 6,000, which was about half of the original population size of the town.
Prussian Capital
Under the leadership of one Hohenzollern family, Frederick William, who was also known as the Great Elector, Berlin was able to prosper. The town flourished because the Great Elector encouraged various industries and also supported building projects. During his leadership, the first canal was made between the Oder Rivers and the Spree. Frederick I, the son of Frederick William, reigned as the first King of Prussia in the 1700s and he eventually made Berlin his capital.
During this period, Berlin developed from being a small town to a booming manufacturing and trading centre. The arts and sciences fields also prospered during this time as the industries showed rapid growth.
The World War II
World War II almost wiped out the city of Berlin. In fact, almost half the city was destroyed and some 150 thousand civilians died.
Berlin eventually took over in 1945 by allies – France, the Soviet Union, the US and the UK – who occupied one sector each. These victorious allies also divided Germany into 4 zones.
The Soviet Blockade
Even though Berlin is within the Soviet zone, the Western powers anticipated that they will be permitted by the Soviet Union free access to the city. However, in June 1948, all water, rail and road routes through the Soviet zone were blocked by the Soviet Union.
The Divided Berlin
After WWII ended with Germany ending up defeated, the country was divided into 2 districts – the non-Communist West Germany and Communist East Germany. Eventually, Berlin was also divided into West and East Berlin. West Berlin was the democratic part of the city while East Berlin was the communist capital of East Germany.
The fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall is a very popular account of the history of Germany. It was built in the year 1961 to serve as the dividing wall between East and West Berlin. The Berlin Wall was basically built by East Germany, which was supported by the Soviet Union, to prevent the East Germans from crossing to the West. Some East Germans were able to escape to the West after the wall was built but more than a hundred and seventy people died escaping while the Berlin Wall was erected.
In the year 1989, the demand for freedom in East Germany prompted an end to East German restriction on emigration to the West by East citizens. As a result, the Berlin Wall was torn down. East and West Germany were eventually united in October 1990, and Berlin became one single non-communist City.
Berlin, Germany has such a rich and controversial history. In fact, many buildings and structures in the city are erected to symbolize and remind its citizens as well as the tourists of the various distinctive periods in their history. So if you desire to tour around Berlin, not only will you be thrilled by its scenic views, you will also be enchanted by its story.
Sightseeing in Berlin
Berlin has many tourist attractions and historic monuments that spark interest to foreigners all over the world. If you just stay in Berlin for a couple of days, it may be quite hard to decide and prioritize what attractions to see.
One of the main things, why this city is such a colourful place, is its culture and Berlin presents a vast diversity of museums, opera houses, orchestras and theatres that will offer travellers a rich experience. Most of the notable monuments were wiped out in World War II, which is why most of what is seen in Berlin today is a restoration.
When Germany was reunified, many construction developments were completed and Berlin looks very different now from how it did a decade ago. Today, the city of Berlin has become one of the most dynamic cities with a distinctive culture and tradition at the same time imbibing the present-day attributes of Germany.
What Berlin brings to your table is what makes it unique – its history and culture. However, this experience doesn’t necessarily bring you back in time. In fact, the city offers much of what the country has become today, owing everything to what has happened in the past.
The top Berlin tourist attractions
The city of Berlin offers so much to see and making a list of your priorities can be a challenging task. Here are just some of the top attractions in Berlin that tourists must experience.
Fat Tire Bike Tour – When you go on this tour, you can see a number of sights such as the Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. Basically, you will be on a bike tour for hours when you are on the fat tire bike tour, but this depends on the tour you are on. Luckily, the bikes are very comfortable and the area you will be travelling on is flat and you will just definitely enjoy the sights you ought to see.
The Brandenburg Gate is a famous Berlin landmark. This gate is actually a very historical sight because before they built the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate served as the primary crossing point for the east-west traffic.
Unsicht Bar – Unsicht Bar is a very unique place. The guests who dine here spend the evening in complete darkness. What’s even more interesting is that the waiters in this restaurant are all blind.
Berlin Wall Museum and the Berlin Wall – The Berlin Wall is a very historical place and your trip to Germany is truly worth it when you visit the landmark. Just as the Berlin Wall is famous for the events that took place on it, the Berlin Wall Museum is controversial because it states that it is a monument erected for the victims of the “communist reign of violence”.
The Soviet War Memorial found in the Tiergarten highlights a statue of a Soviet soldier. The monument was devoted to millions of soldiers who died during WWII. Near the memorial landmark stood tanks and artillery items symbolizing the war that lost many lives.
Food & drink in Berlin
There is a wide variety of choices when it comes to eating and drinking in Berlin. From a fast snack to an elegant gourmet meal, you may choose however you want to indulge in Berlin’s cuisine.
Berlin’s traditional cuisine is naturally hearty and rustic like the currywurst, which is Germany’s sausage with curry sauce. Eisbein (pork knuckles) as well as “Berliner Wesse” (speciality beer) are also examples of the cuisine specialities in Berlin.
There is a saying that Berlin is unique in all of Germany. That goes as well with the food scene in the city. This is why tourists from all over the world are encouraged to try at least one speciality of Berlin so as to experience a unique part of the city.
Breakfast and Brunch
In this city, you can eat breakfast at any time of the day. Crowds gather around at cafés to drink coffee and enjoy international breakfast specialities while reflecting on the events of the previous night.
Breakfast is still eaten by most Germans at home although there are a few good restaurants that are open for breakfast. Brunch is becoming an “in” thing in Berlin nowadays, which are actually an elaborate classic German breakfast with some fruits and long coffee or orange juice.
Coffee & Dessert
Cafes are also popular in Berlin. In fact, the city has a coffee-house culture just like any other European city. Most cafes (Kaffee) have a fine variety of fresh cakes (Kuchen).
Coffee enthusiasts in Berlin love to have their coffee more bitter and thinner than those that are served in Italy. This may be attributed to the lower percentage of Arabica beans in the typical coffee blend of the Germans.
Once you order a Kaffee or coffee, you will be given a black coffee with a packet of creamer on the side. If you have an American or English palate, you will most probably prefer your coffee to be much creamier. If you like your coffee to be white, you should then order a “Milchkaffee” although this speciality is not always available in all cafes.
Eating Out
There are many stylish places in Berlin where you can eat out. You can also enjoy eating in Kneipe (corner bars) and have a dessert afterwards in the tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cakes).
Other popular places for eating are beer halls and old breweries (Biergarten, Bierkeller and Brauhaus). Nowadays, more and more restaurants are beginning to include vegetable dishes to cater to vegetarians around the world.
What to keep in mind when dining out in Berlin
After your meal, place your knife and fork together on your plate’s side. If you haven’t finished with the meal yet, keep them spread out. This will prevent the waiters from bringing your plate to the dishwasher.
If the person who waits on you sits with you at your table to discuss your bill with you, don’t be surprised because this is normal in Berlin.
When “posting” or toasting, it is important to look into the other person’s eyes, otherwise it would be disrespectful. You might even get your neighbour into a nasty and sour mood if you show a sign of lack of respect.
Arts and Culture in Berlin
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is very rich with beauty, culture, and a tragic and victorious historical past. There are many museums and galleries in the city that showcase the country’s struggles and prosperity throughout the years.
The Dahlem District has a lot of institutes, archives and museums that serve as the storehouse of fine arts as well as the centre of sports. The areas in this district are notable in their own ways. The Gemaldegalerie for instance has a vast collection of Rembrandt’s while the past summer residence of the Prussian kings – the Charlottenburg Palace – contains German paintings and archaeology museums. On the other hand, visitors can also drop by Berlin’s National Gallery and other museums at the Cultural Center near Tiergarten.
Opera and Theater
Berlin has a very rich opera and theatre tradition, which is what makes most tourists choose the city as a cultural destination. In addition to this, there are also many open-air concerts during the summer season since the city has a famous symphony.
There are many museums, galleries and theatres in Berlin that allows people to learn about the wealth of the German culture. Some of these are the Film Museum, Egyptian Museum, Collection of Classical Antiquities, Bode Museum (Sculpture Collection), Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Technology Museum.
The following are also some of the most important cultural attractions that make travellers from all over the world more interested in Berlin.
Friedrichstadt Palast
This is probably the city’s largest tourist attraction. It is also considered to be the only Revue theatre in the country and the biggest theatre in Europe. Every night, the expansive stage shows a perfect feast for one’s senses. When the curtain is opened, a breathtaking fireworks display is released with great choreography and unique stage sets.
Komische Oper Berlin
Komische Oper Berlin is found at the centre of the capital. This music centre has been a distinctive core of Berlin’s culture ever since it was built in 1947. The profile of this cultural establishment was shaped by its effort to nurture a repertoire from pre-classical works to inspiring contemporary opera pieces.
Hebbel-Theater
The Hebbel-Theater is a contemporary forum that allows people to explore the limitations among various disciplines such as dance, theatre, music, performance and fine arts. It was established as an alternative to theatres in Berlin. Today, the Hebbel Theater is also considered an internationally-acclaimed site for the first-class theatre, dance and musical theatre.
Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the finest in the entire world. It was established by 50 musicians in the year 1882 and from then on, it played a very important role in music, both in Berlin and in other cities.
Allied Museum
Allied Museum showcases the account of Berlin and the Western powers between 1945 and 1994.
Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin
Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin is an exhibition space that hosts about 3-4 exhibits annually. Many of these exhibitions are a showcase of the works of commissioned artists.
German Mediathek
The German Mediathek aims to bond the public to the archives through a museum that showcases the history of German media. It will serve as a gallery that educates people about the history of programming in the country for German-language television and radio.
Truly, a vacation for only a few days is not enough to explore all the cultural destinations in Berlin, Germany. With all the art, traditions and cultural riches of the city, any traveller will find visiting Berlin worth the trip.
Berlin Events and Festivals
In the city of Berlin, you can enjoy not only its sights but also the festivals and events that celebrate almost everything. Berlin is popular when it comes to events such as the largest festival in the world, the Berlin International Film Festival, which even precedes the famous Cannes festival. There are many music festivals as well held in Berlin like the Love Parade, Berlin Jazzfest and the Fete de la Music.
There are plenty of festivals and fairs in Germany and these are what also make the country popular among travellers from all over the world. Here are just some of the events that are worth experiencing:
The Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale)
The Berlin Film Fest is probably one of the most sensational events in the world that see many guests from different places coming to visit. This Internationale Filmfestspiele is a very significant festival in the country, which happens annually during the month of February. It has been held since the year 1951 and different representatives from all over the world make up the jury that judges the participating films, whose premieres are held in the Berlin ale Palast.
St. Christopher Street Day
This day parade is a celebration of the culture of transgenders, bisexuals, lesbians and gays. With a flamboyant display of costumes and loud techno music, the event is actually very refreshing to an international guest. Visitors who have an open mind can actually enjoy this parade that happens every June.
Karneval der Kulturen
The Karneval der Kulturen is a festival that showcases the cultures of the world. If you want to see wacky and interesting costumes in Germany, this Cultural Carnival held in Berlin is a must-see. Expect to hear more music and see elaborate floats and costumes at the Karneval der Kulturen.
Festtage in der Staatsoper
Festtage in der Staatsoper is the leading festival of classical music. This festival showcases the best orchestras, instrumentalists and conductors who flew in from around the world for a series of concerts for 3 weeks in the month of April.
Berlin Marathon
Berlin Marathon is basically a street race of the people, which has now become a part of the international calendar for marathon-running. This event in Berlin has a true community feel since the race passes by local residences unlike in other cities where the marathon route goes through commercial areas. This happens every September in Berlin where the best marathon runners of the world gather.
Christmas Market
The Yuletide shopping spirit is alive in Berlin with the Christmas Market. The festive atmosphere is undeniable during this event where people shop for presents for their loved ones and themselves.
One of the reasons why Berlin is such a great choice for a European destination is because of its events and festivals, which are distributed throughout the entire year. It would be much exciting for a tourist to explore these events and experience the festivals that make the city unique. Experiencing this will make people see Berlin in a different light – that Berlin is actually very friendly and exciting to the international crowd.
Planning To Berlin
Germany’s capital has reinvented itself since the West and East reunited and has become one of Europe’s most important cities. It has a rich cultural heritage and history as showcased in the city’s museums, galleries, theatres, art, music and nightlife. Moreover, coming from a very colorful historical background, Berlin has become one of the most diverse and liveliest places in the world. This is why more and more tourists are taking interest in the city, making it one of the most famous destinations in the world. There are actually many ways you can travel to the city of Berlin – from trains to planes, and land vehicles such as cars and buses.
By Air
When Berlin was divided during the Cold Car, many infrastructures of the city including airports and train stations were built on both West and East Berlin. When these 2 parts were reunited, there has been a challenge to reunite these infrastructures to serve all of the people in the metropolitan area of Berlin.
Earlier Berlin has two entry points for air transportation – the Tegel International Airport located in the West and the Schönefeld in the East.
Now the New Airport Berlin Brandenburg International is being built at the Schönefeld and after transferring the traffic of both earlier airports, it has been open for commercial flights on 31 October 2020.
There are many direct flights between the city and major city destinations in Europe. Because of historical concerns, direct flights to the city of Berlin are limited. Thus, Lufthansa, the German flag carrier flies mostly to Munich and Frankfurt and then offers connecting flights to Berlin hourly.
By Bus
You can go to Berlin by bus from over 350 destinations all around Europe. Only one German bus corporation connects these cities to Berlin. The central bus terminal in Charlottenburg, Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof, welcomes the buses that arrive from various European destinations.
By Train
The EuroCity and the InterCity trains by the Deutsche Bahn, the national German train corporation, connects Berlin to different German and European destinations. Several night trains coming from Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam and Vienna travel to Berlin every single day. On the other hand, there are several train companies that offer a link to smaller cities in East Germany.
By Car
You can access the inner city of Berlin from the A10 or the Berliner Ring to which all main roads are connected.
Getting around in Berlin
It’s fairly easy to get around Berlin since the city has a good public transportation system of metro lines, airports and buses.
Berlin’s transport system covers lots of ground area in a very spread-out city. A visitor need not pay the full price since there are many discounts available for tourists and locals alike.
Availing of Discounts in Berlin’s Transportation System
If you are visiting from another country, you can get the WelcomeCard, which offers unlimited travel in the city as well as a number of discount coupons to various attractions such as museums, tours and bike rentals. You can also avail of the City tour Card Premium, which gives you free entrance to famous museums and tourist attractions and a free trip to the TV tower in Berlin. The City Tour Card also offers visitors a great deal, offering up to 50 per cent discounts for various attractions in the city.
If you are travelling with a group, you can also take advantage of small group tickets. This discount opportunity allows for up to 5 guests to travel with the same ticket until a certain time.
The WelcomeCard, Card Premium and City Tour Card are valid for 48 or 72 hours depending on the price you pay. There are many choices on how you can save your money on your trip to Berlin so plan ahead by getting a copy of the list of discount partners from the public transport system of Berlin.
Modes of Transportation in Berlin
The city of Berlin is actually a very easy place to get around. You can travel around the city through bicycles, ferries, taxi cabs, buses and trams. If you want to be driven around, there is a sufficient supply of taxi cabs throughout the city. This transportation mode is very convenient for most tourists. However, Berlin started getting congested traffic in the past few years and for tourists who lack time, this is not an ideal mode of transportation. In addition, taking a taxi cab to get around Berlin may be quite expensive.
Renting a Car
If you are to rent a car during your stay in Berlin, there are many major car rental agencies including Hertz, Avis and Europcar from which you can avail of car rental services. Cars can either be rented per week or per day and third-party insurance is always included in what is charged to you.
Walking
Walking is another great way to go around the area. Besides, most of the sights in the city are within walking distance. Some of Berlin’s historic centres are very compact, and thus can easily be travelled around on foot. Also what’s good about this city is that it is pedestrian-friendly. However, Berlin also offers various networks of transportation including bus and local railway networks.
Bus and trams
Berlin has a dependable bus network within the city and a connection to other European cities through the long-distance bus. A convenient transport system of 28 trams is also available in East Berlin. The tickets used in buses and trams can be purchased from drivers or from automated machines situated at stations and shops.
