We as students are always keen to travel. Deciding where to go can however be tricky. With so many options these days we can be swamped with numerous exciting destinations with a limited timeframe to work with. Narrowing our options to find the best one to suit us can seem impossible. Berlin for me however is an exception. There is no way that you will be leaving this magnificent city with nothing but positive memories that you will keep for life. The best part about Berlin is that it's not a one and done job. There is so much to explore that repeat visits are needed and that's a good thing. Something about the charm of the city keeps dragging me back and I hope after reading this you will understand why. Below I break down the key aspects of Berlin from the tourist sites to visit to the food to the transport system. So without further ado let me show you why Berlin is such a great city.
1. Tourist Sites
Berlin is a must for all people who wish to have a cultural experience and make everlasting memories. The city itself is steeped in history. You can go visit the Brandenburg Gate which is covered with ornate carvings. The Reichstag where the German Parliment sit and the final battle of the Second World War took place ending a global conflict which killed millions of people. The Holocaust memorial which is a humbling experience to walk through a tribute to the millions of massacred Jewish and Romainian people during the Second World War. All of these are within a 10 minute walk. Further out there's the iconic Berlin Wall itself which played a critical role in German history post Second World War and was the catalyst for the Cold War between the U.S. and The Soviet Union. Checkpoint Charlie also falls into this category and is not too far away from the centre of Berlin either. The Berlin Cathedral is a wonder to behold where there is an internal crypt which holds the builder of the Brandenburg Gate itself. All of these sites are a must when you go to Berlin. And the best part is is that you do not have to pay entry for any of them which is always a welcomed fact for people.
2. Transport
Public transport is always an important factor when it comes to planning any trip to a city. Berlin's public transport system is exceptional. They have buses, trains and an underground train which can get you to anywhere you want in the city in reasonable time. There's no need to hastle about which ticket to get as there are numerous websites with information on the types of tickets and how much they cost that you can look up prior to your trip to Berlin. The day ticket is the one that I would recommend getting. This ticket gives you unlimited use of the train, the bus and the underground train for 24 hours for only 9 euro. Furthermore, it allows you to use the airport bus to get to Teigel airport which is a big advantage as most cities do not include this in their day tickets.
3. Food and Drink
Berlin is known for being a cheap city for the most part when it comes to their food and drink but do not let this fool you. Berlin has some of the best kebab shops in Germany. If kebabs are not your cup of tea there are also numerous other types of restaurants that cater to all tastes from Italian to Chinese to Indian to French all for reasonable prices. A personal favourite of mine is also their waffle shops. Berlin have some of the best waffles that you can get in Europe. Drink is always an important part of a student's trip to a city. The prices in Berlin are relatively cheap in comparison to Ireland. You would be looking at paying similar prices for the premium lagers such as Heinekin and Carlsberg but you can expect to get a significant discount when you go for the German lagers such as Pils or Kolsch.
4. Events
Every year in Berlin for the past few years Lollapalooza Berlin has taken place at the Olympic Stadium and on its grounds. It draws many thousands of people to witness many big international and local musical acts. Past lineups have included Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd and Kings of Leon amongst others. This is how I was drawn to Berlin in the first place. The mixture of different genres of music along with a crowd from multiple cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds leads to an unforgettable time one which I will remember for the rest of my life. The general nightlife in Berlin is amazing too. The nightclub scene is perfect for having a dance with reasonably priced cocktails and shots to get the party going. If that's not your vibe there are also plenty of bars to keep you entertained all night long (and there may also be a few Irish bars dotted around the city if you start to feel homesick). No matter where you go to at night in Berlin you are guaranteed to have a good time.
Ultimately, Berlin is a magnificent city as I have said. The possibilities are endless when it comes to exploring it. Whether it's for a weekend trip or for a festival trip Berlin will have you covered. You will never get bored with all the historical sites to visit, all the delicious food to eat and all the amazing clubs and pubs you can go to to end the night on a high. As I said at the start it can be very tricky to pick out that one city that trumps the rest, the one which stands out from the crowd. Hopefully, after reading this you will see that Berlin has to be the place to go and I have no doubt that you will have an unforgettable experience as I have had every time I have gone there (and I've been there 4 times).
