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Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Berlin Germany!

Although Berlin is the capital of Germany, many people do not know the things to do and attractions in this wonderful city! Here is a quick low down of all the things you can do here (click on the links to see our coverage of each of them)

1. Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate is an iconic landmark in the whole of Berlin. A popular tourist site that is also home to many embassies, Brandenburg Gate sees many events taking place in and around its premise.

2. Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie : American soldier as you enter the Allies American Sector

One of the main crossings between East and West Germany, Checkpoint Charlie has seen a fair share of action during the Cold War, including the stand-off between 10 tanks from Soviet and American forces in 1961.

3. Berlin Wall & East Side Gallery

Cute Watch Tower @ Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

Besides the Berlin Wall Documentation Centre, the Berlin wall is also home to some fine street art. At the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery, you can see some iconic art work such as the cute watch tower above.

4. Berlin Zoo

The Alkapa at the entrance of the Berlin Zoo!

The Berlin Zoo is an excellent place to spend the day with the kids. There are some interesting animals such as the Alkapa which cannot be seen in our Zoo.

5. Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz and its iconic King Neptune Sculpture

Alexanderplatz was featured in the Bourne Supremacy where Jason Bourne met a contact in the movie. It is also close to iconic structures such as the Berlin TV tower, Red City Hall as well this sculpture of King Neptune seen above.

6. Berlin Central Station

Futuristic Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)

If you’re arriving by train, you would not miss this iconic train station. The Berlin Central Station is covered completely with glass on the exterior that gives it its futuristic feel. Great photo opportunities!

7. Berliner Currywurst

Is the Berliner Currywurst all that its hyped out to be? Find out in our post!

8. Hotel Stays

Berlin Hotel Huge room with beds and living area!

We stayed at the Hotel Amelie Berlin as well as the Berliner Hof Hotel. Do check out our posts about the hotels!

Related Posts

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Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Berlin Germany
Berliner Hof Hotel – A great base to explore Berlin
Berlin Hauptbahnhof : Futuristic Berlin Central Station
Alexanderplatz Berlin : A relaxed evening and a sumptuous steak dinner at Block House
Hotel Amelie Berlin : No frills budget stay
Berliner Currywurst : Is it really all that its hyped up to be?
Berlin Wall East Side Gallery : Iconic Artwork Awaits
Checkpoint Charlie Berlin : At Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin
Holocaust Memorial Berlin : Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe
Brandenburg Gate Berlin Germany aka Brandenburger Tor : A Must Visit Attraction
Berlin Zoo aka Hauptstadt Zoologischer Garten : Back to Nature…
Berlin Wall Documentation Centre : History Before Your Very Eyes
Der Reichstag Berlin : Home of the German Parliament (Bundestag)

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We hope you have enjoyed our top 8 things to do and attractions in Berlin Germany!

Updated on December 29, 2020August 7, 2013Berlin Berlin Wall East Side Gallery Germany

Berlin Wall East Side Gallery : Iconic Artwork Awaits!

Besides the Berlin Wall Documentation Centre, there’s another interesting side to the Berlin Wall – The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery.

Paintings at the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

Actually, Kate and I sort of stumbled upon the East Side Gallery. We were kind of searching for it in a general direction but did not know exactly where we were going. So we walked 2 long streets and were thinking to ourselves “Are we in the right direction?”. Just then, we saw a long stretch of wall and we knew we had arrived at the East Side Gallery!

Berlin Wall East Side Gallery Information

The East Side Gallery is actually a collection of art work from artists all over the world. It was started in 1990 and now consists of 105 pieces of art at this open air gallery.

The above 2 pictures are the most iconic drawings at the East Side Gallery. We often see it on the postcards in Berlin. There are also many other cute, interesting and though-provoking artworks at the East Side Gallery…

East Side Gallery as we walked from Warschauer Street

Chill by the river at the East Side Gallery

As we continued to stroll along the East Side Gallery, we noticed a boat that resembled a floating hostel…

Eastern Comfort Hostel - East Side Gallery — Eastern Comfort Hostel – East Side Gallery

Turns out that the Eastern Comfort Hostel was a vessel that has been refurbished to become a floating hostel. So Kate and I decided to have a drink at the Floating Lounge…

Floating Lounge of Eastern Comfort Hostel

The prices at the floating lounge was quite reasonable. We had a cider and one of the beers on tap. The cool thing about drinks in Germany is that the drinks are usually served in the glasses of the same name! (Yes, we drank Bulmers cider and Rothaus beer)

Bulmers Cider and Rothaus Beer at Eastern Comfort Hostel Floating Lounge

The atmosphere was relaxed, unpretentious and chill. There were others seated around us, catching up with one another and enjoying jokes among themselves. Coupled with the view of the river, that was really a simple, lazy yet unforgettable afternoon…

View of the river from the floating lounge @ East Side Gallery

Map of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

Map of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

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For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Berlin right here!

Enjoy the paintings and remember to chillax at the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery!

Updated on December 29, 2020July 17, 2013Berlin Checkpoint Charlie Europe Germany

Checkpoint Charlie Berlin : At Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin was the only point for foreigners to do border crossing into East Berlin during the Cold War. The most infamous incident that took place at Checkpoint Charlie was in October 1961 where there was a stand-off between 10 tanks from both American and Soviet troops. Today, Checkpoint Charlie is a major tourist attraction when visitors come to Berlin.

The name “Charlie” came from the letter “C” used in the military where “A” stands for “Alpha”, “B” for “Bravo” & “C” for “Charlie” etc.

You would recognise Checkpoint Charlie easily because of the checkpoint itself, sandbags, guards as well as a large poster of a soldier (American or Soviet depending on which side you are at)

If you are on the Soviet side entering into the Allies (American) sector, you would see a picture of the American soldier at Checkpoint Charlie…

Conversely, if you are on the American sector, entering into the Soviet side, you would see a picture of the Soviet soldier as well as the famous words “YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR“…

Checkpoint Charlie : Soviet Soldier as you enter the Soviet Sector

Aerial view of Checkpoint Charle : West Berlin at the top and East Berlin at the bottom

This picture shows the aerial view of Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War era. Notice the many lanes after crossing Checkpoint Charlie and even an area set aside for checking of cars entering into East Berlin.

Today, Checkpoint Charlie is a huge tourist attraction where you can learn more about the Berlin Wall through the museums, have a bite at the nearby cafes or even take a photo with uniform guards and have your passport chopped by the Soviet and American border controls!

Exhibition about the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie

Thurmann Bakery @ Checkpoint Charlie : Coffee, Sandwich and Cake

Uniformed Soldier guarding the Checkpoint

Getting your passport stamped for a small price of $5Euros

Ticket Prices & Opening Hours of Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie is always accessible but the uniformed guards will be there during normal working hours. If you would like to take a picture with the guards or have your passport stamped, a nominal fee of $5euros would apply.

How to get to Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin

Map of Checkpoint Charlie Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie is located at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse (Friedrich Street) and Niederkirchnerstrasse (Niederkirchner Street) and is just a short walk from the nearest U-Bahn – Koch Strasse Station.

Related Posts

You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!

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For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Berlin right here!

Take your time to enjoy the sights and sounds at Checkpoint Charlie and learn more about the history of Berlin Wall!