The Best and the Wurst of Berlin

Berlin is the capital and the largest city in Germany. After all, Berlin has plenty to visit in offer in terms of history, culture, delicious food, and relaxing beer gardens. We were only here for 4 fun-filled days, which was not enough time to dive into all there is to see. We were smart and did our research to brace for our short visit. With our preparedness and flexibility, we had a great time exploring the city. We decided the best use of our time was to group our days into neighborhoods. Through our exploration, we found these are the 6 neighborhoods you have to visit in Berlin.

Fun to Know: 

• Ampelmannchen
  • The fun Ampelmannchen guide you when you cross the busy streets of Berlin. These fun symbols are the lights shown on pedestrian signals in Berlin. These pedestrian signals have become beloved symbols of the city. Ampelmannchen makes fun souvenir items, which you can find at the Ampelmannchen Store. We bought a green and a red felt symbol for our Christmas Tree ornament. So cute!! 
• My original hard drive broke and destroyed most of my pictures with it. It was pretty devastating. The biggest bummer is that I’m missing most of my old travel photos. So- apologies for the lack of pictures on this post! 

6 Neighborhoods You Have to Visit in Berlin

Tiergarten

Tiergarten is Berlin’s beloved and beautiful city park. The park is home to the Victory Column, zoo, and aquarium. Tiergarten is a preferred neighborhood by tourists due to its central location and proximity to many sites. The park is one of the largest urban parks in Germany. Tiergarten is a busy area, but the park made the neighborhood very welcoming.

• Reichstag
  • This gorgeous parliament building is impossible to miss. The Banner of Unity is a popular picture spot for the views of the Reichstag.
  • You must register in advance to tour the inside. I regret not planning ahead to see this. You can find the registration form and info on the website:
    • Reichstag Registration
• Victory Column 
  • The column stood in front of the Reichstag from 1873-1938. At the top of the column is the Goddess of Victory. The column is now a roundabout and lookout point with panoramic views. The beautiful column is too tempting to miss.
  • There is a small fee and 285 steps to get to the viewing platform. I thought it was worth it. We went on a sunny day, which rewarded us with great views. I had fun watching the traffic circle below. 
• Brandenburg Gate 
  • Probably the most recognized landmark monument in Berlin. It was built in 1792 and is the last remaining of the 14 city gates that were once posted around the city. The Gate gets awfully busy during the summer season. 
• Holocaust Denkmal/ Holocaust Memorial 
  • A memorial for the many lives lost during the Holocaust. This memorial is made of 2,700 concrete slabs in a grid pattern. This spot is a humbling place in the heart of the city. 

Mitte

Mitte is Berlin’s busy city district. This neighborhood has many upscale hotels and landmarks. There has been a rise in the number of local restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.

• Alexanderplatz
  • This post-war market is also home to modern buildings, the TV Tower, and a vibrant square. The square is named after Alexander I, the Russian Tsar. Most refer to the square as “Alex”. 
• Neptunbrunnen
  • An ornate fountain depicting the Roman god Neptune. It’s astounding and hard to believe the sculpture dates back to 1895. The 4 women surrounding Neptune represent Prussia’s 4 main rivers. 
• St. Mary’s Church/ St. Marienkirche
  • This graceful red brick church is presumed to date before the 13th century. Take a look at the Dance of Death painting from the 14th century.
• Berliner Rathaus
  • You can’t miss this red brick town hall. The Rathaus was built in 1869. It now hosts exhibits and a variety of events. It’s free to walk in and enjoy.
  • Exhibits are open weekdays from 9am to 6pm. The town hall building may close for events. Check their website for up-to-date information. 
• Berlin Cathedral 
  • This cathedral is the largest church in Berlin. It was first built in 1465 and completed in 1905. Many flock to admire the majestic dome. My favorite feature was the organ with 7,000 pipes.
  • The site includes royal tombs, which you can explore. If you’re willing to pay an extra fee, you can climb the dome for breathtaking views. 
  • You can purchase admission tickets on their website:
    • Berliner Dom Tickets
• Gendarmenmarket 
  • One of the most breathtaking locations in Berlin is this historic square from the 18th century. Admirers enjoy the architectural trio of German and French cathedrals and Schinkel’s Konzerthaus. Gendarmenmarket is very peaceful and quiet in the morning. 

Where to Eat & Drink in Mitte

• Clarchens Ballhaus
  • This vintage venue opened in 1913 as a dance hall. Come by for a meal and/or drinks. They serve Italian and German food. You can sit inside and admire the preserved history or relax in the lovely beer garden. We were here during an odd time of day, so we sat in the beer garden and had a few drinks. 
  • The Clarchens Ballhaus is one of the last ball houses from the 20th century. If you can go inside, try to see the beautiful mirror hall. I happened to catch it while making my way to the bathroom. 
• Hofbrau Berlin
  • Hofbrau Berlin is one of Germany’s largest beer halls. The Hofbrau provides an excellent spot to enjoy Bavarian-style food and beer. Even the ambiance is very Bavarian! As soon as you enter, you will be welcomed by the classic wooden benches and long family-style tables. There is also a possibility of enjoying live music performed by a band.
  • Schwarzwaldstuben
    • This restaurant serves fantastic German food. I enjoyed the yummy blood sausage pizza. 

What We Didn’t Get To in Mitte

• Pergamon Museum
  • This history museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site was closed when we were there. I would definitely add this to my list for my next visit. I would have loved to see the Pergamon Altar. The altar depicts the Giants and the Olympian gods in battle. 
  • Reserve tickets online. According to reviews, reserving tickets is recommended to avoid long lines. 
    • Pergamon Museum Tickets

Nikolaiviertel / Nikolai Quarter

I love this charming section of old Berlin. Wander the narrow streets and admire the cute and cozy houses. You’ll forget that you are currently in present-day Berlin! Nikolaiviertel is the oldest residential neighborhood in Berlin. Fun fact- most of this area had to be rebuilt after the war. Nikolaiviertel is not a particularly big neighborhood. You can see it all in an hour or two.

• St. Nicholas Church
  • St. Nicholas is the oldest building in Berlin. It originated around 1250 and was rebuilt in 1987. St. Nicholas is unique for having a double spire. If you go inside, read the exhibit on the history and the rebuilding of the church. 
  • The church is open from 10am-6pm. There is a small admission fee. Purchase tickets on their website: 
    • St. Nicholas Tickets
• Where to Eat & Drink
  • Zum Nußbaum
    • A bar and restaurant serving yummy local dishes. This restaurant and bar has a long history and was rebuilt after WWII. You should try sitting outside- it’s really lovely!

Kreuzberg

This casual and artistic neighborhood is home to many thrift shops, cafes, parks, food stalls, and bars. The pathways along the canal are popular with runners, walkers, and cyclists.

• Checkpoint Charlie 
  • Checkpoint Charlie is the best-known border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. It is now a landmark and a museum. 
  • Read the free open-air exhibit next to the former location. Don’t miss the plaque on the ground indicating where the wall once stood. The outdoor exhibit leads you to the museum, which requires an entrance fee. 

• Mauermuseum – Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie
  • The sign – “YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR”- is inside the Mauer Museum. This museum focuses on various human rights movements with a big focus on the Berlin Wall. 
  • The museum was compelling. We were here for about 2 hours. Buy your tickets online or in person. 
    • Mauermuseum Tickets

• Topographie des Terrors 
  • This was the former Gestapo headquarters and is now a free museum, documentation center, and site for remembrance. Besides the indoor museum, there is an outdoor exhibit and remnants of the Berlin Wall. The Topographie des Terrors is definitely worth a stop. Be prepared for the heavy information ahead. 
  • The library is open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm, and the exhibits are open 10am-8pm. 
    • Topographie des Terrors Website

Where to Eat & Drink in Kreuzberg

• Curry 36 
  • This snack stand has been in business for over 30 years! Famous for some of the best currywurst and bockwurst in Berlin. This snack stall is also well-known for celebrity sightings, like Tom Hanks. I wish I ran into Tom Hanks. That would have been the highlight of a lifetime. The wursts were delicious, which was good enough to make my day! 
• Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap
  • This kebab stand will be a lengthy, but worthwhile wait. We waited about an hour. The reward was some of the best doner kebabs. The prices were reasonable, and the food was delicious. Mustafa’s is close to Curry 36. 

Charlottenburg

This western district of Berlin has an upscale vibe with high-end shops, hotels, and pretty parks. Did you know? Charlottenburg was an established town in 1705 and an independent city until 1920. 

• Charlottenburg Palace and Park
  • Visit to see the beautiful architecture and lovely gardens. The palace is the largest royal palace in Berlin. Tickets are required to visit the interior of the building. 
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
  • The beautiful ruins of the church are reminders of war. Visit the free exhibit inside. There are before and after pictures of the church. The original church was built in the 1890s. 
• Kurfürstendamm
  • The primary shopping street, Kurfürstendamm, features most of the prominent stores and hotels.
• Savignyplatz
  • This snug square is in the heart of the neighborhood, providing green space, and surrounded by street cafes and shops. A perfect spot to stop for a café. 

Prenzlauer Berg 

This kid-friendly and popular neighborhood has many cafes, restaurants, music clubs, and boutiques. You’ll find lots of playgrounds and kid stores when you walk around. Visit the flea market in Mauerpark on Sundays.

• Schönhauser Allee and Kastanienallee
  • This shopping area starts at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz in the south and ends at Schonensche Straße in the north. The main strip is about 2 miles long. There are lots of high-end stores and a good mixture of local shops. 
• Where to Eat & Drink 
  • Prater Garten
    • Berlin’s oldest beer garden with picnic tables and relaxing greenery. Prater Garten started around 1837. I loved sitting under the shade of the chestnut trees and the delicate glow of the string lights. It was very welcoming during an early evening in the summer. 
  • Alain Snack
    • This well-known stand serves a variety of foods, but you have to try their Ketwurst- a hotdog roll covered in ketchup. The word “ketwurst” is a combination of the words ketchup and wurst! 
  • Konnopke’s Imbiss
    • This snack stand serves a variety of wursts, but their classic currywurst is the most popular. There’s usually a line, but it moves quickly. 

Danke and Enjoy Berlin!

Berlin is an incredible city. There is a lot to see, eat, and do. To plan your trip, reference these 6 neighborhoods you must visit in Berlin. The list will help you see all the best highlights of the city.