It’s time to discover Berlin, the capital city of Germany. Whether you want to study there or only visit, you won’t be disappointed as the city has loads to offer. The amazing thing about Berlin is that you can reach everything on foot or by bike. So, what to do in Berlin? Let’s take a look at some of the best spots of this city that might make you want to stay longer than just a few days!
Unter den Linden to the Brandenburger Tor
Unter den Linden is the long street that goes from the Spree River to the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Berlin, and of Germany. This is the most famous street in town and for good reason, it connects all the best places of the city to each other. You can start the walk near the Museumsinsel, where you will find important buildings such as many embassies and palaces, all the while walking under shady trees. You eventually end up at the Brandenburg Gate, which was built in the 18th century and has survived all of the tumultuous political changes of the city and kept its symbolic meaning throughout the years. Just behind it, you can see a line that shows where the Berlin Wall once stood during the Cold War, which is a powerful and moving symbol of recent history.
Museumsinsel and Spree cruise
On the other side of the Unter den Linden Street, you must go to the Museumsinsel or Museum Island. There are 5 museums located there that are worth seeing, both inside and out, and was even classified as a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1999. On the island, you can also see the Berliner Dom which is the principal cathedral of Berlin and absolutely gorgeous. Surrounded by the Spree river, one can also take a river cruise and visit the best spots and buildings of the city by boat.
The Reichstag and the the Kuppel
Not far away from the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag, the Parliament of Germany. Even if you are not a fan of politics, you still need to see the building that was burnt down in 1933 and that precipitated the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party in the country. Even if history is not your cup of tea: the rooftop architecture of the Reichstag is quite a sight to behold. Indeed, even if you don’t want to see the chambers of Parliament, one of the top things to do in Berlin is to go on the rooftop to have an amazing view of the city and of the Tiergarten, the gigantic zoo. You can even go higher by going inside the modern glass dome.
Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe
In Germany, the history of the Second World War, and the concurrent plight of the Jews, is a bitterly sad point in all memories. In the city, you will find many memorials and museums for the victims of the war, including the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The principal Holocaust memorial, located immediately adjacent to Brandenburger Tor, is composed of 2,711 slabs that vary in height and width. Located above the Berlin Holocaust Museum, this is a moving monument that helps us understand this dark period of history that we must never forget. If you are interested in the French film, Shoah, a dreary concentration camp near Berlin can be visited as a day-trip. Named Sachsenhausen, the the camp is located a mere 45 minutes by car from Berlin.
More about Berlin: Student Life
If you want to visit Berlin, take a week to appreciate all of these places. Of course there are many, many more to enjoy as well. And if you want to stay longer and study there, this is also very much possible as the Freie Universtät Berlin is one of the best in the country, in Europe, and even the world. Berlin is now one of the best cities in the world for students, recently coming in 6th place for best cities for students in 2017.
All of this makes Berlin one of the best cities in Europe and an absolute must for all who are visiting, living, and/or studying in Europe. You can walk or ride a bike practically anywhere and will feel just like a Berliner as the city is known as a “green city” with beautiful, shady trees lining almost every street. Bike lanes are also plentiful. The city is an amazing mix of modernity and history, as old buildings and part of the Berlin Wall can still be seen but the young population, the vibrant culture, and the dynamic mood contrast and coexist perfectly with it.
Don’t hesitate any longer and if you have the opportunity to go to Europe, remember that Berlin must be on your to-do list. If you want to stay longer and study there, you can be sure that you won’t regret it!
photo credit: Berlin – the place to be by Paul Joseph