Hi friends! In today’s guest post, Stuart Cooke of My Baggage is sharing with you the best things to see and do in one of Germany’s most well-known cities, Berlin! If you haven’t heard of the company Uni Baggage, they are experts at shipping luggage around the world. They make worldwide luggage delivery convenient for students, businesses, holidaymakers, the forces and seasonaires. I’ve gotten a quote from them for shipping luggage from the US to Europe and found them to be quite reasonable so definitely check out their website to learn more.
Berlin, the capital and largest city in Germany, is categorically drenched in history, thus attracting thousands of visitors each year for this reason, and so many more. If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, we’re detailing some of the most popular things to see and do.
The Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial, situated in central Berlin, is a memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Towards the end of the 1990s, after a lengthy debate, a decision was made by the German government to build a memorial commemorating the up to six million Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The Memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs, covering 19,000 square meters and was designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold. Although it makes for a deeply emotional and sensitive visit, it is there for visitors from all around the world to gain an understanding of what happened in the past, in the hope that history will never again repeat itself. It is also a place for people to pay their respects to victims.
Brandenburg Gate
Amongst all of the hustle and bustle in the vibrant city of Berlin stands the only historical gate left, otherwise known as the Brandenburg Gate. The gate survived World War II, though left badly damaged. It was extensively refurbished and reopened on October 3rd, 2002 and today is seen as an iconic landmark, not only for Berlin but for Germany as a whole. It is a key entry point to the city of Berlin and today stands as a reminder of the division between the east and west of the city, which was a result of the Cold War. That being said, the gate isn’t just a symbol of a troublesome past, but a symbol of progress and the peace that Germany now has.
Topography of Terror
Understanding Germany’s complex past is undoubtedly an integral part of any visit to Berlin. Topography of Terror was once a Nazi control room that was feared by many and today, stands as a museum. More than 1.3 million people visited the Topography of Terror in 2017 alone, making it one of the most frequently visited places of remembrance in Berlin.
Fernsehturm
Fernsehturm (German for TV Tower) is an iconic landmark that can be seen from almost any place in the city of Berlin. Although it functions as the location of several radio and television broadcasts, it also serves as a viewing tower with an observation deck, including a bar at a height of 203 meters, as well as a rotating restaurant. It can also be booked as a unique venue for events!
Friedrichstraße
Whilst there is admittedly a lot of deep, emotional history to delve into during your time in Berlin, there is also a rich culture to be enjoyed. The Friedrichstraße is a major culture and shopping street in central Berlin, running through Mitte and Kreuzberg. It is packed full of elegant boutiques, designer shops, stylish department stores, as well as bistros and restaurants. It is the ideal location in Berlin to unwind, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Author Bio
Stuart Cooke is the Blog Editor at MyBaggage.com a luggage delivery service that allows you to send your baggage ahead to your destination saving both time and money. Click here to get a quote for your luggage delivery.
Emily again! I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about Berlin through this post. If you’re planning a trip to Europe or just thinking about going, be sure to check out my reviews of my Balkan Adventure with Intrepid Travel and my Western European Tour with Contiki.
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The Planking Traveler 