Throughout the last century Berlin has gone through a radical transformation, a city which was war-torn for many years and devastated as a result, which has bounced back from its issues and set itself up as one of Europe’s coolest cities. There is a charm about Berlin which we didn’t feel when traveling around the rest of Germany and it was a city which we instantly fell in love with.

During the late 80s and the early 90s Berlin was the city to be in if you were an artist, a musician or a writer, and this art scene has continued to this day. This, amongst other things was something about the city which we adored and it is a current theme which runs throughout Berlin. If you are looking for a European weekend break or you are visiting Europe for the first time then Berlin should certainly be on your list of places to visit, and here is what to do when you get there.

Flying In

You can get cheap flights from all over Europe to Berlin as many airlines, both budget and standard, offer an abundance of flights. If you are flying in to Europe from outside the continent then you may find that Berlin is a pricey destination, but you can get better prices on flights to the likes of Madrid, London and Amsterdam, and then hop on a cheap flight to the German capital. For the best flight prices around be sure to check out justfly.com who scour the web for you to bring you the best flight prices.

Things to Do

There is so much to do in this city that you could easily fill up a 2 week vacation, if you have less time than this then you’ll have to be selective in terms of what you do, and here are some of the choices which you have to choose from.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is a monument which has stood since the 18th Century, built in the neoclassical style and easily the most famous structure in the city. This monument has become a symbol of the split, and the later reunion of East and West Germany and it is a landmark which is highly significant in terms of the history of both the city and the country.

TV Tower

Another structure which is worth a visit is the TV tower, the highest building in the city. At the top of the tower you can visit a restaurant with 360 degree views of the city for a cost of just €24.50 which includes a ticket to skip the line for the observation deck. If you don’t fancy sitting down and eating then you can of course simply head up to the observation deck, which will cost €21.50. If you get your times right then you can watch the sunset from the tower, a truly amazing experience.

Holocaust Memorial

The Holocaust was a stain on the history of Germany and it is something which the city of Berlin is not prepared to hide. The Holocaust museum is a heavy trip but one which is necessary to understand the scope of what went on and how this event shaped the history of the country. The memorial is an open-air memorial which is free to visit. Somewhat scarily this memorial is built just a few meters from were Hitler hid during the end of WWII, making this spot in the city one which is absolutely packed with history.

See The Berlin Wall

The most famous landmark in this city is of course the wall which separated East and West Germany, which came down after growing pressure in 1991. Much of this wall still remains and the quirky Germans have turned much of it into amazing art display with murals which depict both struggle and freedom. There are several places which you can go to in order to see this and the best of them is the East Side Gallery, which has an enormous collection of murals set over its 1.4km stretch which you can gaze upon. This is also a free trip and one which will leave you both humbled and amazed. If you want to know more about the artists and the artwork then you can book a tour and have a guide take you along the wall and explain the key pieces, as well as a little history about the wall itself.

Berlin is a great city and you have to head there at least once, a cool place with a rich history and a very optimistic attitude towards the future, all told, a great trip.