The Traveller's Magazine
Busting over to the German capital for a city break? This city is still a bargain considering it’s a capital and there are plenty of free things to see and do around the city. Here’s our picks for the best of the cheap and free attractions.
Sightseeing without spending a penny
Reichstag: This is a must but if you arrive mid-day you can expect to stand in a very long queue. Take the lift up to the top of Germany’s seat of parliament. It’s as astonishingly modern addition but fits well with Berlin’s eclectic mix of old and new. From the top, enjoy a fun panoramic view of the city. Avoid the lines by arrive first-thing in the morning or arrive late in the day.
East Side Gallery: Take a tour of what’s left of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery. There is just under a mile of the wall still standing in its original place on Mühlenstraße. The wall is covered in political murals and meaningful messages have been painted onto the concrete slabs to create around 100 paintings in total.
Holocaust Memorial: This interactive memorial is extremely sobering. The five-acre site is just a skip away from the Reichstag and was designed by Peter Eisenman. The memorial consists of 2,700 cement blocks of varying heights across a grid that slopes. It’s totally disorienting as you walk between the blocks, some reaching high above your head.
Tiergarten: Berlin’s largest park is a treat on a sunny summer afternoon. It’s a great place to have a barbecue, enjoy a picnic or just get some fresh air after a day of sightseeing. Once 18th century hunting grounds, Tiergarten is a lush escape, just watch for the odd frisbee in the air as you’re walking across the greens.
City museums: If you’re hoping to save on museum admissions, make sure you visit on a Thursday. Berlin’s state museums are free on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 10pm. Opening times however change by the season so best to check beforehand.
Berlin like a localFree walking tours
Get your bearings of the German capital by joining a free guided walking tour. New Berlin offers a free tour daily from Brandenburg Gate to Lustgarden via Checkpoint Charlie and the Gendarmenmarkt. The tour takes off at 11am and against at 1pm and usually lasts for 3.5 hours and is free but it’s always nice to offer a coin or two for the guide. Want an extended tour? Meet by the Deutsche Bank near the Zoologischer Garten at 10:30am and 12:30pm to be guided through West Berlin to the tour’s start point.
For more info: New Berlin
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