Arriving in Berlin at around 3:30pm, we reserved our seats for the next train and got the S- and U-Bahn to our hostel. If you are planning on Interrailing, DEFINITELY reserve seats for the following train if travelling in the height of summer. As I write this on the train to Prague, there is chaos in the carriage as people without reserved seats get kicked out of seats that were reserved. Hours of travelling with nowhere to sit is certainly not ideal after miles of walking in every city.
For the remainder of our first day, we wanted to get a feel for the city, so we hopped back on the train once depositing our bags at the hostel and went into the centre. Groups of five or below should buy the Klein group ticket- it works out at €3,46 if dividing the cost between five people for unlimited travel on the U- and S-Bahns for 24-hours.
We visited the Holocaust Memorial, with 2,711 columns that increase in size as you go further through the site, reflecting the overbearing scale of murder during World War II. Close by is the Brandenburg Gate, which we also paused to marvel at.
Dinner was a BBQ back at the hostel with, of course, many a Bratwurst sausage. So good.
As many know, Berlin is infamous for its clubbing, with nightclub Berghain often being ranked as the top club in the world (and is also possibly the hardest one to get in too). As it was a Monday, we were unsure of how lively the nightlife would be but it was incredible. We ended up at Tresor, which is known for its house music and the smoke that fills the room at regular intervals. Described very accurately as similar to the queue for SAW- The Ride at Thorpe Park, the ambience was electric. Little is given away from the outside, as it is set in a warehouse, adding to the excitement of getting in. The U-Bahn is closed between 1ish and 4am, so be prepared for a late one...!
We had a veeerrry late start the next morning so grabbed a quick Lidl brunch (bargain) and got the U-Bahn to the East Side Gallery, where a large proportion of the Berlin Wall remains. Covered with wall art, the range of work decorating the wall is magnificent, with many iconic pieces to be seen.
Another train led us to Topography of Terror, which is a museum situated on the former grounds of the SS Headquarters and the Gestapo. A very harrowing museum, it details the rise of Hitler and how he kept power, with models and pictures showing how Berlin was during Nazi Germany.
One thing I have got used to from Interrail is the persistent feeling of hunger. No matter how much bread you eat, nothing seems to satisfy. Therefore, our first proper dinner at an Italian restaurant was greatly appreciated. It was the first night that we swapped bread for pasta and it was just amazing.
In the evening, we decided to do arguably the most touristy thing possible in Germany and visited a beer hall for the classic Stein glass. Accompanied by a true Bavarian band- who, admittedly, also played 'Sweet Caroline' and Elvis- I felt that the beer hall encapsulated the classic Interrail experience.
Our final day in Berlin began with a visit to the Tiergarten, which is Berlin's major park. Although it rained, it turned out to be very enjoyable, with parts of the local zoo also being visible. We walked through the length of the park, seeing the Olympic Bell Tower bell tower and Berlin Victory Column on the way, and then ended back at the Brandenburg Gate. We then went to GDR Museum, which conveys what life in East Germany was like during the existence of the Berlin Wall. It was extremely interactive, which made a nice change from the other, more reading-intensive museums.
The highlight of our trip to Berlin for me was however our visit to the Reichstag. Having booked it over a month in advance, I had been looking forward to it for a while and when we finally got there it was just unbelievable. The architecture was astounding and we were given a brilliant audio tour that pointed out sites that were on view from the high building. Definitely worth doing but it is compulsory to book in advance.
Now, on to Prague!
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