48 hours in Berlin – Weekend Edition
Berlin In Less Than 48 Words
Berlin is the capital of Germany, and its heart as well. The city overflows with chic, amazing, and sexy, and is one of the greatest and most vibrant cities in Europe. It is known for its natural assets– forests, lakes, and parks make up a third of it.
At 368 meters high, the Berlin Television Tower is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe and is a landmark in the city skyline. (Photo by spreephoto.de)
First 24 Hours
Touch down on the vibrant city of Berlin via its busiest airport, the Berlin-Schönefeld Airport, located just southeast of the city center. From there, you can take the S-Bahn train service that will take you to the Friedrichstrasse station at the heart of East and West Berlin. The journey often takes around 45 minutes, with trains arriving once every 20 minutes. You can opt to hire a private taxi or ride a bus down to the city center, although the former will likely cost a lot more, and both being longer journeys.
You can easily travel around the city via the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, whose routes wind through and around Berlin, especially its eastern side. One-way fares will set you back a mere €2.10, for a trip of around one to two hours. You can also find more information about the city at its main tourist offices such as Hauptbahnhof (Europaplatz entrance), which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Brandenburg Gate, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The U-Bahn (shown here at Eberswalder Strasse) is one of the easiest ways to access the city. (Photo by anadelman)
MELIA: Check in at the Berlin hotels
Once in the heart of the city, you can rest your tired body and mind at Berlin’s excellent hotel and accommodations. One of the best is The Ritz-Carlton (Potsdamer Platz 3, 10785), is known for its clean and spacious rooms, easy check in, and amenities like a bar, health club and restaurant. A nice alternative is The Circus Hotel (Rosenthaler Strasse 1, 10119), with its attentive staff, excellent location, chic accommodations and ambience.
If you prefer a hotel located close to the city’s touristic attractions, you can’t go wrong checking in at Melia (Friedrichstrasse 103, 10117), and has comfortable facilities to boot. Hotel Concorde (Augsburger Strasse 41, 10789) is also a nice choice, with spacious rooms and a location near public transportation.
THE POPE’S REVENGE: Take a view of Berlin
Kick off your 48 hour visit to Berlin by heading to the Fernsehturm Berlin (Alexanderplatz), otherwise known as the Berlin Television Tower. At 368 meters high, it is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe and is a landmark in the city skyline. Upon arriving, focus your gaze at the tower’s stainless steel dome. When the sun shines on it, the reflection usually appears in the form of a cross, sarcastically called as the “Pope’s Revenge” during the city’s Communist era.
After that, you can take one of the two lifts that will squirrel you up to the tower’s sphere in a mere 40 seconds. Once there, go directly to the visitor platform and admire sweeping views of the city. On a clear day, you can see a far as 26 miles away. You can also grab a quick bite to eat at the restaurant located a few meters above the platform. It rotates once every half an hour, giving you a 360-degree view while eating.
BRANDENBURG GATE: Let’s take a hike in Berlin
Your next stop is the Brandenburg Gate (Pariser Platz 10117), the former city gate and is one of Berlin’s most recognizable landmarks. Even today, it serves as the grand entrance to the city, and you are bound to find many of your fellow tourists there. After admiring its architecture and likely snapping a few photos, start your hike down the Unter den Linden Boulevard. It is Old Berlin’s most beautiful and historical street, and is surrounded by monuments and the Humboldt University where Einstein once studied. The street is also lined by linden trees, where you can relax and feel the breeze by the wooden benches.
A block from the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag building (1 Platz der Republik 10111), which once housed the parliament of the German Empire. It is definitely a must-see, especially for the architecture-lovers. Its highlight rests on the building’s glass dome top, which offers a 360-dgree view of the Berlin cityscape.
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the highlights in the city which used to be enclosed within the Berlin Wall. (Photo by Werner Kunz)
MARJELLCHEN: Have a hearty dinner in Berlin
Finish off your first day by gorging on the delicious menus of Berlin’s world-class restaurants. If you love burger and fries, you can’t go wrong visiting The Bird (Am Falkplatz 5, 10437). Most of its customers swear that it serves the best burger and steaks they’ve ever tasted. Have a taste of France in Berlin by dining at La Cocotte (Vorbergstrasse 10, 10823), or indulge in fresh sushi and sashimi at Sasaya (Lychenerstrasse 50, 10437), which specializes in Japanese cuisine. However, one of the best in the city remains to be Marjellchen (Mommsenstr. 9, 10629), serving up traditional East Prussian food. You can also try out Thai Inside (Dircksenstrasse 37, 10178), with well presented dishes at affordable rates.
Next 24 Hours
The second day can be devoted to learning more about Berlin’s unique cultural heritage. This can be done by visiting the numerous museums found all over the city. The best place in Berlin to find history is the so-called Museum Island, which is the name attached to the northern half of Spreesinsel Island in the Spree River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to sites such as the Old and New Museums.
The Great Altar of Pergamon, a massive stone podium about 100 feet long and 35 feet high, can be seen at the Berlin Museum. (Photo by mbell1975)
You can also find there the Old National Gallery, which has a collection of 19th century art, as well as the Bode Museum, with its late Antique and Byzantine art. The highlight of the place is the Pergamon Museum which houses ancient artifacts such as the Altar of Zeus and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon.
TIERGARTEN: A walk in the park
Tiergarten, Berlin draws warm, golden colors during autumn. (Photo by ReallyLucky)
Relax at one of the largest urban parks in Berlin, Tiergarten (Mitte borough). It has often been called as the lungs of the city, with over 210 hectares of gardens, trees, and lakes. You can take a lovely stroll there, as well as have a picnic, especially if you visit with children or friends.
The park is also a site for numerous monuments and memorials. Perhaps the most easily noticeable is the Soviet Memorial, which was erected by the Soviet Union as a memorial to its soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Berlin in 1945. It has landscaped gardens and is flanked by two tanks. However, the most emotional monument is reserved for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. Walking past its 2,711 uneven concrete slabs is definitely heartbreaking experience.
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE: Remembering the Berlin Wall
Checkpoint Charlie is the name used to call the Berlin Wall crossing point connecting West and East Germany during the Cold War. American and Soviet tanks were even engaged in a standoff at the location. You can reach this site by going to the city’s Dahlem neighborhood. A museum housing parts of a building that once stood at the site, as well as some artifacts, is nearby. You can also see a fake US military hut that is very popular among tourists. After taking a few photos, you can read the history of the Berlin Wall at the panels beside the road. Relive the experience of going through the border during the Cold War at Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, where you can get a card with the words “you are leaving the American sector” and sign a few fake departure papers.
KU’DAMM: Shop till you drop
Berlin is a city with a vibrant shopping scene. If you’re a shopping enthusiast, there is no place in the city that is better for shopping until you drop than Kurfürstendamm, or Ku’damm for short. It is a boulevard lined with shopping malls, fashion boutiques, and chic shops. You can buy accessories and clothes at big name stores like Yves St. Laurent, Chanel and Jil Sander. The Kaufhaus des Westens (Tauentzienstrasse 21-24) stands tall among the rest, being the largest department store in Europe.
BERGHAIN: Enjoy the nightlife
Wind down your second day in Berlin by indulging in the city’s happening nightlife. Perhaps the most popular establishment for hedonistic pleasures is Berghain (Am Wriezener Bahnhof), a place where Germany’s most glamorous come to see and be seen, and you can dance along to hard techno and electro music. If you are in the mood for all-night parties, it is best to head to Knaach Club (Greifswalder Strasse 224). It is a venue for musical performances by jazz to hard rock’s biggest names as well.
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