Travel
Berlin: Your Pre-Trip Checklist
Conquer Germany’s Capital Before You Go
When planning a trip, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available online. While countless blog posts offer recommendations for various destinations, I’ve found a lack of resources that specifically focus on what to do in the weeks leading up to your trip. This series of articles will address exactly that, starting with our latest trip to Berlin.
You can read the full article here.
In the next article, I’ll explore alternative destinations to the usual tourist hotspots. If you have the time, stop by and remember me!
Contents
· Reservations
∘ Reichstag Building
∘ Walking Tour
∘ Jewish Museum
∘ For the Kids: Anoha
∘ Pergamon Museum
· Public Transportation
· Movies to Watch Before Your Trip
Reservations
As in any major city, making reservations in advance for the places you want to visit in Berlin is crucial. What’s more, some of the most popular attractions offer free admission with advance reservations.
Reichstag Building
One such attraction is the Reichstag Building, the German Parliament Building, particularly its iconic glass dome (Dom), considered an engineering marvel. You can make free online reservations . It’s best to reserve at least 3 weeks in advance to secure your spot. We tried to book a week before our visit but could only get a slot for about a month later.
Walking Tour
If you want to explore the city’s major landmarks with a guide, you can join a free walking tour with Sandeman’s. These tours operate on a tip system, so you give the guide an amount you think is appropriate at the end of the tour.
Jewish Museum
Berlin is home to many museums that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust. In addition to the Holocaust Memorial and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the Jewish Museum is a must-see, although it is quite somber but worth experiencing.
The museum offers a unique architectural experience, so I especially recommend it to those who work in or are interested in architecture.
When we visited in May, we checked the next day and found tickets available for almost every hour, but you can still make a free online to guarantee your day and time.
For the Kids: Anoha
Just across from the Jewish Museum lies Anoha, a wonderland of toys and activities designed for children aged 3–14. Admission is free, but reservations are required for children, and they need to be accompanied by adults. You can book your spot at the same link as the Jewish Museum (provided above), but it’s advisable to reserve your spot 2–3 weeks in advance.
Don’t forget to bring your non-slip socks (you can also buy them there).
If you don’t have children but are curious to explore Anoha, you can join a 1-hour guided tour for adults on Sundays for €6. For more information, search for “ANOHA for adults”.
Pergamon Museum
Unfortunately, for those planning to visit the world-renowned Pergamon Museum in Berlin, there’s some disappointing news: the museum will be closed for an extensive renovation process until 2027. The entire museum is scheduled to reopen 14 years later, in 2037. If you’re planning a trip in the near future, consider adding another museum to your itinerary.
Alternative Museum Option:
For those interested in engineering or technical subjects, consider adding the Deutsches Technikmuseum (German Technology Museum) to your plans, as recommended by two locals. It will take 5–6 hours to explore thoroughly, and tickets cost €12.
Public Transportation
Berlin, unlike many other European cities, doesn’t have a central hub where you can easily walk to most tourist attractions. Therefore, you’ll likely rely more on public transportation.
To purchase tickets in advance, download the BVG Tickets app. As you might guess, buying a multi-day pass is more economical than single tickets. Since we were staying for 6 days, we bought the ABC 7-day unlimited ticket for €49, which includes airport transfers to the city center. This ticket also covers transportation to Potsdam, a city near Berlin.
Remember to activate your unlimited ticket before the first use, as having the ticket alone is not sufficient during inspections.
Note: Unlike other European cities, we didn’t encounter any ticket inspections during our 6-day stay in Berlin. However, the fine is €60 and will be recorded on your passport, so it’s up to you to take the risk. For detailed information on payment methods, check out this blog.
Bonus Tip: Berlin has beautiful parks, so if you’re visiting during pleasant weather, don’t forget to bring a small blanket.
Movies to Watch Before Your Trip
If you want to learn a bit about Berlin and German history without doing extensive research, here are some movies you can watch:
- Schindler’s List (1993)
- The Pianist (2002)
- Goodbye Lenin! (2003)
- Downfall (2004)
- The Lives of Others (2006)
- Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Wishing you a sun-filled Berlin trip! I’ll leave you with other travel articles that might interest you ☀️ For more content, you can find me on Instagram at @evaluna.primavera.
