Whether you are just a history lover and planning a trip to Berlin, If so, you’re in for a treat! While it is true that no trip to Berlin can be complete without touching the history of the city, there is no better way of doing so than on feet. Familiarizing itself with the main attractions of Berlin on foot means that you immediately get into contact with the historical present and realize how different people experienced history directly. Here in this article, this author will take you to some of the best historical sites in Berlin, and discuss why walking tour would be the best to enjoy the sites fully.
Advantages of Running a Tour in Berlin’s Historic Sites
Walking through the city not only allows you to save on transportation costs but also provides several additional benefits:
Immerse Yourself in History: It is especially recommended to visit Berlin in order to feel the history of this city first-hand. Even one can read a lot of historical information, nothing can replace the feeling when you are walking and feeling the spirit of the time and seeing the “flesh of the flesh”.
Discover Hidden Gems: Touring Berlin through the streets in a car prevents one from enjoying some of the best views that are otherwise not easily visible on a train or bus. This way, pedestrians may luckily come across some interesting places, picturesque districts, or great coffee shops – something you’d hardly notice while driving.
Flexibility and Freedom: Like other forms of exercising, walking allows you to move around at your own pace. You can spend a lot of time in certain sites, can go off track can modify the route according to personal choices.
Exercise and Health: That way, you are not only getting a good taste of the sites you are visiting but you are also getting your workout in. It permits you to feel more engaged in the city as you walk around, thus will help you in cutting down calories thus improving your health.
The History of Berlin: 12 Sites That Are Absolutely Unmissable
1. Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate has now become the symbol of Berlin city and German reunification. This neoclassical building is situated in Pariser Platz and is an open-air monument therefore better explored on foot. Walk straight through the gate, the previous sign of a divided culture but is now the emblem of connectedness.
2. Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial is a historic site therefore anyone who wants to learn about modern history should visit the place. This is an open-air show that exposes a piece of the existing original wall and offers people an insight into Berlins past. Observing the preserved section with your feet allows to assess to what degree it has influenced the city and its inhabitants.
3. Checkpoint Charlie
Located in the central Berlin it used to be the border crossing between East Berlin and West Berlin in the time of the cold war. During this tour, visitors are taken past the replica of the actual checkpoint and exposed to several tales about transformation attempts by East Germans.
4. Holocaust Memorial
Visiting the site of the so called holocaust remembrance or the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a gripping experience one has to go through. Walk through the concrete slab maze and think of concentration camps and other horrors of holocaust.
5. Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building, where the German parliament sits, is a sensation and has great views of Berlin. Climbing the glass dome, which represents the concept of ‘open government,’ there is an opportunity to watch the breathtaking view of the city and read the history of the political development of the country simultaneously.
Guidelines for History Tours
Here are some tips to make the most of your walking tour through Berlin’s historical sites:
Plan Your Route: To prioritise the locations you are most interested in, take time and find out the areas and plan the trip that will help to cover the most interesting places.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: There’ll be a lot of walking involved so you will need to wear comfortable shoes to avoid anything that would make you uncomfortable all day.
Utilize Guided Tours: It may be useful to opt for an organized walking tour in order to learn more specifics of the places’ historical background and importance.
Take Breaks: Take it easy and use short intervals to sit down or just look around the area. There is enough benches, green zones, parks & cafes on the way so that you can take a pause whenever you need.
Carry Essentials: Bring a bottle of water, some sunscreen lotion and a map of the city to complete all the requirements for comfortable walking.
Discovering Berlin by foot gives tourist a more personalized experience of the historic attractions of the city and history that led to it. Public walking also enables you to listen to, learn about history, find, and feel the city in your own way. So for those who would like to take a step further – literally – put on your shoes, and let the historical journey begin!
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