Berlin is a city we have visited on numerous occasions, but only once in connection with Justtravellers.com. Therefore, aside from a general overview, we will for now confine ourselves to this visit.
Berlin is a fantastic city that is always worth visiting.
It balances wild history with constant renewal — it insists on remembering, while at the same time refusing to stand still.
The city is made up of a wide range of fascinating neighbourhoods spread across a relatively large geographical area, which is why we always recommend not trying to see and experience everything at once — it is impossible and far too complex.
Berlin bears clear traces of the dramatic events of the 20th century — from the imperial era and the Weimar Republic to Nazism, communism, division and reunification — yet it also presents itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic metropolitan cities.
It is a city with room for the unfinished and a tolerance for the unconventional. This applies to architecture, cultural life and nightlife alike — there is something for every taste, often mixed in unexpected ways. For this reason, Berlin is not beautiful in a classical sense, like Paris, for example.
But combined with parks, canals, wide boulevards and intriguing side streets, Berlin is entirely its own. The pace is moderate, and there is a blend of seriousness, creativity and ease that gives the city a distinctive identity and appeal.
And then there are its polite and welcoming residents.
How we travelled
We travel by train and public transport whenever it is possible and practical.
Using an Interrail Global Pass the journey began in Aarhus, Denmark, through Central and Eastern Europe, and ended in Kars, Turkey before moving on in a different way.
Interrail is not only for young people, but for all ages, and it can clearly be recommended. It gives you the freedom of changing your plans if needed and not having to plan every little detail in advance.
Setting it up is a bit cumbersome, but once everything is in place, it is very easy to use.
You pay based on how many travel days you expect to need. We purchased an Interrail pass with four travel days to be used within a maximum period of one month.
One travel day equals as many train journeys as you like—but be aware that if a journey passes midnight, it counts as an extra day.
After setting it up, you download the Rail Planner app, log in, and from there you can search for routes and departure times and add them to your trip. It is also your ticket to show.
After setting it up, you download the Rail Planner app, log in, and from there you can search for routes and departure times and add them to your trip. It is also your ticket to show.
German cuisine, with its emphasis on substance rather than finesse, is not exactly internationally acclaimed.
That does not mean it is impossible to find good German food — and it certainly does not mean you should lower your expectations when it comes to Berlin. Quite the opposite.
The range of dining options is among the broadest in Europe and reflects the city’s international and fragmented character. Traditional German kitchens exist side by side with a vast selection of international restaurants, street food, cafés and experimental concepts. Turkish, Vietnamese, Arab and Italian cuisine are just as common as classic German fare.
Berlin also offers one of the largest selections of vegetarian and vegan food and features eateries across the entire spectrum — including at the high end.
To avoid harming or calling out anyone, we only speak in general terms about our bad experiences. However, we do name and grade the better places—but only those we’ve personally visited.
🚂 Definitely worth a visit
🚂 🚂 Really good
🚂 🚂 🚂 One of our favorites
🚂 🚂 🚂 🚂 Above and beyond
🚂 🚂 🚂 🚂 🚂 Truly exceptional
This section covers things, experiences, lessons, and moments that were either useful, funny, awkward – or just a bit random.
It also includes thoughts, impressions, or casual observations that may not necessarily be fact-checked but felt true to us in the moment.
* Berlin has more bridges than Venice.
* Graffiti is everywhere, especially where it does not belong. It can result in a fine — but it can also be protected as cultural heritage.
* The city feels different every time you visit — unlike, for example, Paris, which always feels the same. That says something about Berlin’s development and its soul. It is as if the city has never quite been finished.
* People often say Berliners are rude — we have experienced the opposite.
* Berlin has more Turkish residents than any other city outside Turkey. Exploring these neighbourhoods is an experience.
* Berlin’s official animal symbol is a bear… which makes very little sense.
It’s all about sharing our attempt to understand the world by experiencing it with our own eyes. Here and on multiple platforms, we talk about our experiences—the good and the bad—and we have an opinion on most things, which we are more than happy to share.
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