Berlin travel guide - tips from locals

Berlin is controversial. Some consider it gloomy and gray, others admire the greenery of the parks, the diversity of architecture and the dynamics of life. You can love or hate the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, but you cannot be indifferent to it. Breathe in the air, walk the streets and visit world famous landmarks to get your opinion on the city. A guide to Berlin - the main metropolis of Germany and one of the sixteen federal states of the country - will help with this.

History

Berlin's history dates back to the 13th century. The emergence of the name of the area, where in the 1st millennium BC. e. lived tribes of the Polabian Slavs, has two versions. According to one of them, the city is named after a bear (German: Bär). Another theory says that the name of the future capital was given by the Slavic word "berl", which means "dam".

In 1432, the settlement of Berlin, located on the eastern bank of the Spree, and located on the territory of today's Museum Island of Cologne became one. In 1701, Berlin was elected the capital of Prussia, and in 1871 - of the German Empire. The Second World War led to numerous destruction and the division of the city into four zones of occupation. In 1961, the infamous Berlin Wall was built. Berlin regained the status of the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1991.

How to get from the airport to the city center

The airport theme is an open wound for most residents. The main airport Berlin Brandenburg, which is due to start operating in 2012, still does not accept aircraft. The guests of the capital land at two small airports - Tegel and Schönefeld. Direct flights from Russian cities are operated by Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Utair and MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

Tegel

Otto Lilienthal Airport is located in the north of the metropolis. Tegel does not have a railway connection, so those arriving in the city get to its center either by car or by bus. A taxi ride to Zoologischer Garten Station in western Berlin takes 15 minutes and costs between € 20 and € 23. If you want to travel east (Alexanderplatz) you will need approximately 25 minutes and 25 euros.

It is cheaper to get to the center by buses, the parking of which can be found right in front of the terminal. Line TXL runs to Hauptbahnhof Central Station (16 minutes) and Alexanderplatz (31 minutes). Taking routes 109 and X9, you will be at the Zoologischer Garten station in 20 minutes.

Schoenefeld

The southern airport Schönefeld is located 22 km from the center of the capital in the state of Brandenburg. The train station is a five minute walk from the arrivals hall. From here you can take the S9 city train to Alexanderplatz. Travel time is 37 minutes. Regional trains RB14 and RE7 follow to the center: to Alexanderplatz - 25 minutes, to Hauptbahnhof - 30 minutes, to Zoologischer Garten - 40 minutes. To travel, you need a ticket in tariff zones BC or ABC.

Of course, it is easier to get to the city by taxi - the transfer time will be 30-45 minutes, the price - from 40 to 45 euros. We do not advise you to travel by bus - in this case, you will have to make several changes.

Berlin WelcomeCard: travel, discounts and travel guide
Berlin: 24- or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Fast Track Ticket for TV Tower
Priority Entrance: Berlin TV Tower Window Seating
Skip-the-line tickets to the Pergamon Museum
Coffee at the Käfer restaurant on the roof of the Reichstag
Panoramapunkt Observation Deck Ticket
Berlin Museum Pass: 3-Day Pass to 30+ Museums

Rent a car in Berlin

If you are an active tourist with a valid driver's license and do not want to depend on public transport, then the best choice for getting around not only in the German capital, but throughout Europe would be to rent a car. Its advantages include self-guided route planning and the ability to return the car in another city.

The offices of the largest European car rental companies are located at both airports. The cost of the car starts from 25 euros per day. You can rent a car both upon arrival in Berlin, and remotely, on the website of well-known companies or local aggregators, indicating in the application the desired brand, color and type of gearbox.

In order to rent a car, you will need:

• driving experience from one year
• driver's license
• bank card with the required amount for the deposit and insurance premium
• knowledge of the route of promotion and features of the tracks

Important! Many car rental companies require an international driver's license.

In which district of Berlin to book a hotel

Berlin's area is 891.8 km2. About 800 hotels are concentrated on it. Choosing a hotel is not an easy task, given that not all districts of the German capital are suitable for a comfortable and safe stay for tourists. It's no secret that the number of migrants in the metropolis is growing every day. The good news: the bulk of the "new Berliners" live in several districts, the most dangerous of which are Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Wedding and Marzahn.

Hotels in the center

It just so happened historically that the capital of Germany has three centers. The first is located at the intersection of two districts: Mitte and Tiergarten. You can easily recognize this place from the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. The most luxurious hotels are also located here: Adlon, Grand Hayat, Ritz Carlton. We advise you to take a closer look at the modern heart of Berlin - Potsdamer Platz, which houses restaurants, shops, entertainment centers and hotels suitable for any budget.

The second center - east - is Alexanderplatz, the third - west - Wilmersdorf-Charlottenburg. Hotels in these areas are chosen by both those who came to see the sights and those who arrived in the capital on business. Shopaholics love to stay in Charlottenburg - here is the shopping Mecca - Kurfürstendamm street.

Zehlendorf and Grunewald

Small hotels with excellent service can be found in the south-west of Berlin, where mainly wealthy citizens of the city live. Local hotels will be loved by connoisseurs of silence, measured life and leisurely walks along the shores of the lakes. An additional plus of these areas is the proximity of Potsdam.

Transport in Berlin

Berlin has 3.5 million inhabitants, 12 districts, 96 districts and endless possibilities to get from point A to point B. At first glance, the intricate network of city trains, subways, buses and trams looks rather chaotic. We will bring some light into the darkness and introduce you to the city's public transport:

• S-Bahn. Typical red and yellow electric trains are one of the main means of transport. There are 15 lines in total.
• U-Bahn. Metro trains are yellow and move underground. The network consists of 10 lines and 173 stations.
• Two- and one-decker yellow buses run on 198 routes.
• The Straßenbahn (tram) is common in East Berlin and has 22 routes.

The means of transporting passengers are punctual, like the Germans themselves: if the board indicates that the train will arrive in five minutes, be sure that in five minutes you will enter the carriage. The transport network is divided into three tariff zones:

• A: inside the city ring
• B: from the ring to the city limits
• From: 15 km from Berlin border, including Potsdam

A ticket purchased for a trip is valid for 120 minutes and is suitable for any type of transport: you can change from the metro to the bus and back any number of times, but you are not allowed to return to the starting point of the trip.The fare depends on the selected zone.

1. Standard pass (Einzelfahrschein):

• Rate AB: 2.80 €, reduced 1.70 €
• Aircraft fare: 3.10 €, concessional 2.20 €
• Rate ABC: 3.40 €, concessional 2.50 €
• Children under 6 years old - free

2. Short Distance Ticket (Kurzstrecke) Valid for 3 S-Bahn and U-Bahn stops or 6 bus and tram stops. Cost - 1.70 € regular and 1.30 € reduced.
3. Daily pass (Tageskarte). During the day, you have the right to make any number of trips and carry three children under the age of 14:

• AB: 7 €, concessional 4.70 €
• Sun: 7.40 €, concessions 5.10 €
• ABC: 7.70 €, concessions 5.30 €

4. 7-day card for 1 person (7-Tage-Karte). Valid seven calendar days from the date of confirmation:

• AB: 30 €
• Sun: 31.40 €
• ABC: 37.50 €

5. One day group card for 5 people (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte):

• AB: 19.90 €
• Sun: 20.60 €
• ABC: 20.80 €

The nuances of Berlin transport:

• The interval of movement is 7-20 minutes. Between 1:00 and 4:30 you can only get around the city by night buses.
• The passes are sold at the yellow or red vending machines located at each station, or at the BVG (Berlin Transport Company) ticket offices. Do not forget to validate the purchased ticket in the validator! Otherwise, you will pay a fine of 60 € (as well as for a stowaway trip).
• Train doors are opened with a lever or a green button.

If you want to use a taxi, call (030) 202020. Getting into the car costs 3.40 €, the price per kilometer is 1.79 € (up to 7 km) and 1.28 € (from 7 km).

Where to go and what to see in Berlin

There are so many interesting places in the metropolis that two weeks will not be enough to get around them. To help you get to know the city better, we have prepared a description of tourist and cultural sites that deserve special attention.

Sights

The Reichstag, located on the banks of the Spree, has a difficult history. The powerful structure, erected in 1884, was badly damaged during the storming of Berlin and was restored in 1972. The Reichstag is now the seat of the German Federal Assembly. To the attention of tourists! In order to visit the building, you must first register on the official website of the Bundestag www.bundestag.de/besucher. Address: Platz der Republik 1.

The Brandenburg Gate is a triumphal arch decorated with a quadriga. The landmark, built in 1791, is located at the intersection of the Tiergarten and Mitte districts and is a symbol of Berlin. Address: Pariser Platz, 10117.

Charlottenburg Palace is the historical gem of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf area. The magnificent Baroque castle is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a museum introducing the life of the kings of Prussia. The building, crowned with a 48-meter domed tower, is framed by a picturesque park. Address: Spandauer Damm 10-22.

Museums

The Museum Island, spread over a stretch of land formed by the Spree River, is a unique architectural ensemble that took 100 years to build. It is closed by the Berlin Cathedral - the main evangelical church of the Federal Republic of Germany and the resting place of members of the royal dynasty of the Hohenzollerns. The historic quarter consists of five treasuries.

• The old museum, built in 1825-1830 and exhibiting artifacts from Antique times: jewelry, sculptures and weapons. The prelude to the priceless collection is a rotunda modeled on the Roman Pantheon.
• The new museum contains the Egyptian collection of papyri and the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti.
• In Pergamon, you can admire archaeological finds discovered in the territory of Asia Minor, the Ishtar Gate, elements of the Babylonian road and the impressive Pergamon Altar.
• Bode focuses visitors' attention on the sacred art of Byzantium and European sculpture from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
• The Old National Gallery displays works of sculpture and painting from the 19th century.

The Natural History Museum has a rich collection of about 30 million items. There are skeletons of ancient lizards, models of insects, stuffed animals from all over the world, galleries introducing the development of the Universe and man, and a large collection of minerals and precious stones. Address: Invalidenstraße 43.

The Berlin Wall Museum is located at 43-45 Friedrichstrasse, next to the former Checkpoint Charlie. The halls display archival documents telling about the construction of a concrete structure, and devices with the help of which the inhabitants of the GDR moved to the western side.

Squares

Alexanderplatz is one of the main transport hubs and a square named after the Emperor of Russia Alexander I. This place is unique in that it includes both historical sites and architecture from the GDR era. Significant sights are concentrated here: the World Clock, the Red City Hall, the oldest temple in the city, the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Neptune fountain and the TV tower, which rises to the sky at 358 meters. At an altitude of 203 meters there is an observation deck and a panoramic restaurant.

Potsdamer Platz was erected in 1838, destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt at the end of the last century. Modern architecture, numerous cultural events and many attractions in the surrounding area make the newest quarter especially attractive for tourists. Here you will find fragments of the remains of the Berlin Wall, cinemas, casinos, the Sony Center complex, theater and skyscraper towers.

Gendarmenmarkt is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. It houses the Concert Hall and two twin cathedrals: the French and the German. During the four weeks of Advent, the Gendarmenmarkt becomes the main Christmas market in the metropolis.

Parks

Tiergarten is like a green island between Potsdamer Platz, Government Quarter and the Brandenburg Gate. At the end of the 17th century, Elector Frederick III ordered the transformation of the former hunting grounds into a walking area for the townspeople. Between 1833 and 1838, the Tiergarten acquired the features of an English landscape park. The main attraction for Russian tourists is the memorial to Soviet soldiers who fell during the storming of Berlin.

Botaniescher Garten in the Dahlem region in the southwest of the capital will seem like a blooming paradise with a history of 325 years. Covering an area of ​​43 hectares, it is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. The collection, which includes about 22 thousand species of plants, grows on landscapes decorated with sculptures and in greenhouses, the largest of which is tropical - with a volume of 40 thousand m3. In addition to the garden, there is a museum that introduces visitors to the basics of botany in an accessible form.

Gärten der Welt is an unusual park complex located in the Marzahn district. On 43 hectares, visitors will find landscapes that combine gardening art from five continents. Here you will find flower beds planted with rare plants, a glade of fairy tales, an exotic Chinese garden with a carp pond, and a Spicy garden with fragrant herbs. You can get to the Gardens of the World by cable car that connects the green area with the Kienberg metro station (U5).

Things to do in Berlin

While in the capital of Germany, you will never wonder about spending your leisure time. Megapolis offers round-the-clock entertainment. During the day, there are music concerts, art festivals, shows, musicals and street exhibitions, and in the evening - bars and nightclubs. In December, the Christmas market opens its doors with shining lights. In February, connoisseurs of progressive cinema flock to the International Festival Berlinale.

The show at the Friedrichstadtpalace is a fantastic performance, delighting with modern decorations, incendiary variety shows, dance and circus acts, colorful costumes and spectacular effects. The hall is unique - the extravaganza of sounds and colors can be clearly seen and heard from any place. Performances take place at the Friedrichstadtpalast theater-revue at Friedrichstraße 107.

The Blue Man Group in Potsdamer Platz is like Berlin itself: creative, impulsive and a little crazy. Throughout the production, blue people do something unimaginable: they play trumpets and drums, perform magic tricks, act out impromptu scenes, communicate with the audience. Attention! Avoid front row seats, otherwise you risk staining your clothes with blue paint.

Berlin's nightclubs are known to the whole world, it is not for nothing that the metropolis bears the title of the club capital of the planet. There are both closed and public parties, establishments for lovers of disco, techno and other styles.The best place to experience the nightlife is Berghain, Watergate, 90 Grad, Adagio, Matrix.

Berlin for kids

The city is not an ideal place to relax with kids, but children from 7 years old have something to see here. Berlin has prepared a lot of educational and entertainment programs for its young guests.

The zoo at Hardenbergplatz 8 next to the Zoologischer Garten train station. The compact territory contains a three-story aquarium and spacious open-air cages, where about 17 thousand representatives of the fauna live. Kids will love the pet paddock to pet and feed, the huge play area and the fur seal show. By the way, Berlin also has a second zoo located in the eastern part of the metropolis at Am Tierpark 125.

Legoland. The museum on Potsdamer Platz presents a varied program: your child will create his own sculpture from Lego, get acquainted with the model of the German capital made of a million elements, watch an animated film, wander through the labyrinths of a fairytale castle and meet heroes made from construction set parts to life.

The technical museum will interest the whole family. Adults will love the models of marine, aviation and land transport, spacecraft, machine tools, photo and video equipment. Children will be happy to take part in research experiments, play ball with the wind and create tin soldiers. Address: Trebbiner Strasse 9.

Prices in shops and restaurants

Berlin is a democratic city. Along with luxury deli and high-end restaurants, there are many inexpensive shops and cafes. The capital has a well-developed network of discounters and catering establishments, which are unlikely to empty the wallet. We have prepared an overview of prices for basic services and goods for you.

Food cost

The most acceptable supermarkets are ALDI, REWE, LIDL, EDEKA. Average prices (euros):

• liter bottle of water - 0.69
• bread (500 g) - 1.3
• milk (1 l) - 1.1
• oil (250 g) - 2.3
• cheese (150 g) - 1.80
• sausage and ham (100 g) - 1.75
• eggs (10 pcs.) - 2.35

Restaurants and cafes

Inexpensive and tasty food in Berlin can be found in the chains of bistro restaurants, Asian eateries and Biergarten - traditional open-air pubs. GuruTurizma recommends beef steaks at Block House, fish snacks at Nordsee, and Vietnamese chicken noodles at SaiGon-Today on Wilmersdorfer Str. 69. The amount of the invoice is from 5 to 10 euros. And do not forget that the Germans masterfully prepare fried sausages and curry sausages. This snack is sold at special kiosks scattered around the city. The price of one portion is 2.5-3 euros.

It is a crime to visit Germany and not try national cuisine. You can drink live beer and enjoy the taste of shank, sauerkraut and potato salad at Lindenbrau at Sony Center on Potsdamer Platz or at Brauhaus GEORGBRAEU at Nikolaiviertel. Lunch here will cost 12-20 euros.

Berlin will not disappoint well-to-do guests either. Fine gourmet cuisine is offered by Bocca di Bacco at Friedrichstrasse 167, Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer at Hotel Adlon or Heising at Rankestraße 32. Your bill will pay at least 60 euros.

City Tours

If you find the knowledge from the guidebooks insufficient, then the best way to get to know Berlin is to book a group tour. They are:

• Sightseeing (multi-theme): cover several areas and attractions at once and allow you to get a general idea of ​​the objects of interest.
• Thematic from A to Z will fully cover one topic. Subdivided into historical, architectural and cultural.
• Outgoing. They are carried out by bus and introduce you to the surroundings of Berlin. You can visit Potsdam or take a boat ride on the rivers of German Venice - the Spreewald.

If you are not a supporter of noisy companies and want all the attention of the guide to be devoted only to you, choose private tourism with your own guide who knows the metropolis perfectly. On tripster.ru you will find many interesting itineraries: from standard sightseeing routes to gastronomic and shopping tours.

Tips from a local

Who knows the city better than the people living in it? The real experts of Berlin - local residents - will help you to give useful tips and information about the peculiarities of the metropolis and ways to save money.

The Berlin CityTourCard is a great opportunity to reduce travel expenses. It is sold in vending machines at metro and train stations, at airport information kiosks and at www.citytourcard.com. The cost for 4 days is 31.90 euros. The card provides free travel in ABC zones and up to 30% discount on entrance tickets to 10 museums.

When walking the streets, be careful not to enter the bike paths on the sidewalks. By the way, renting a bike (about 10 euros per day) is a good way to see the sights and still tighten your muscles.

Rain is a frequent visitor to Berlin. On a cloudy day, pay € 22 and ride the Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus. Expensive? Then take bus number 100, which runs past the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and Bellevue Palace - the residence of the President of Germany.

You don't have to go to a cafe to grab a snack during the day. You can have a tasty and budgetary lunch in the foot courts of large malls: Alexa, Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, Mall of Berlin. The quality of the food on offer is excellent and the price is low.

Advice for shopaholics. Before taking the famous shopping malls (KaDeWe, Galeria Kaufhof, Mall of Berlin, Karstadt, Peek & Cloppenburg) by storm, check out the TK-Maxx Outlet. It offers a huge selection of clothing, footwear, accessories and home furnishings at very attractive prices. And remember that all shops are open Monday through Saturday.

To see the capital of Germany from a bird's eye view, you need to visit the television tower and ... stand in a queue for many hours. Do you want to waste time languishing in anticipation? Then pay € 19.90 and reserve a table at the restaurant located at an altitude of 203 m.

If you want to get from Berlin to Dresden or wander along the Baltic Sea, buy tickets for a comfortable FlixBus. The price of the trip is from 6 euros. The necessary information on the website www.flixbus.ru.

Berlin sightseeing on the map