Berlin, the vibrant capital city of Germany, offers a rich history, eclectic culture, and a thriving arts scene. As a first-time visitor, it’s important to be aware of some common pitfalls that can dampen your experience. In this blog post, we will explore a few things you should avoid doing in Berlin to make the most of your trip.
1. Don’t Ignore Public Transportation
One of the biggest mistakes that most tourists have is underestimating the efficiency of Berlin’s transport systems. Do not depend on taxis or rental cars since they are costly, and driving through the city may be hard especially to first-time visitors. However, make use of the trams, buses, and rail transport options available pretty much all over Cork city. The BVG app is very useful to plan routes and to see the current schedules in use.
- One common mistake that people make is to walk right past history.
Berlin itself has a rich and enthralling history hence carrying features such famous architecture as the Brandenburg gate, Berlin wall and the Checkpoint charlie. For this reason, it would be remiss not to visit such important places that can enlighten a visitor on their history of the city. Spend enough time in Berlin in order to get to know more information about its history.
Some important historical sites to visit:
- The Brandenburg Gate: As a representing an epitome of unification and of peace, the Brandenburg Gate represents the epitome of neoclassical architecture.
- Checkpoint Charlie: This checkpoint is one of the 16 points that formerly divided East and West Berlin; today, it has turned into a museum of segregation history.
- The Berlin Wall Memorial: This is a must visit which provides a thumbnail history of the cold war and the division of Berlin.
- Do not Be Left Behind on the Numerous Cultural Offerings
Berlin possesses one of the most vibrant contemporary culture scenes as for arts, music, theaters with active night inns. Whether you are at the galleries of the Pergamon Museum or watching a play at the Berliner Philharmonie , there is nothing better to do than submerge yourself in the rich cultural life portrayed in this energetic city of Berlin, whether in Neukölln, Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain.
Some popular cultural attractions to explore:
- Museum Island: This is a World Heritage Site and has five of the world’s best museums, namely the Pergamon Museum, the Neue Museum, and others.
- East Side Gallery: This area is an open air museum devoted to stunning murals painted by artists from all over the world, and established at the preserved segment of the Berlin Wall.
- Nightlife in Berghain: As many would say, Berlin is an expensive city, but attending parties on the rooftop at clubs like Berghain can be one of the most exciting adventures for fans of clubs and music.
- Do Not Insult
At any travel destination, people are expected to embrace, respect and embrace the culture of the people of the area. The Germans have a greater respect for individual space and thus if you find yourself in a queue do not be close to the other person. However, do not forget to use simple gestures of politeness when greeting people and go around using ‘Guten Tag’ meaning good day or ‘Hallo’.
- How about suggesting some famous and delicious roads which are enthusiastically tasted by visitors?
The guide to Berlin’s restaurants states that the city offers both comfort food as well as meals from other parts of the world. Even though fast food restaurants take the comfort and cozy atmosphere that everyone is craving for, don’t deprive yourself of trying something that the place is famous for. Since tradition is a big thing in Germany, it is advised to try Currywurst (curry sausage), Döner kebab, and Berliner Pfannkuchen or simply German doughnut. Make sure that you take time to try the Germany street foods, visit the food markets as well as Germany’s traditional restaurants.
Some must-try local food and drink options:
- Bretzel: A pretzel or Brettzel, a kind of bread that originated in Germany; served with mustard.
- Beer Gardens: Head to one of the beer gardens for example Prater or Café am Neuen See where you can have your beer with a beautiful view of the city or park.
- Weißwurst: A butchery product of Bavarian tradition that is mostly eaten with sweet mustard and pretzels.
Final Thoughts
Germany’s capital is a fascinating city saturated with history, filled with the spirit of modern vibrant culture and equipped with an almost endless list of sights to visit. There are some common mistakes that groups should avoid when they are touring; they include; failure to consider public transport, failure to visit historical sites, failure to get engaged in cultural activities, being polite, and trying out local foods so as to make your trip to Berlin a memorable one.
