This Easter break we headed to the German capital to soak up some culture, didn’t expect to get soaked doing so. It rained most of the time. We had some sunshine, and the times that it rained, we managed to visit some museums and shops.
Here are a few things we did over the 4 days we were there.
It was bad planning on our part, to go during a public holiday. Unlike the UK, most European countries – France, Germany, and Belgium included – all shops and some tourist places are closed on public holidays. Easter is a tricky time of year, because of Easter Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – all in one weekend!
East Side Gallery
At one time, this area was overtaken by war, it was the Berlin wall and now it’s the longest open-air gallery in the world. Luckily for us, we had a little bit of sunshine while we walked the 1.3km of art.
It’s the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall still in existence, with more than a hundred painting on what was the East side of the Berlin wall.
Reichstag building
The Reichstag has witnessed the turbulent history of Berlin and is of the city’s most historical buildings. You can visit the Reichstag – which is the current home of the German parliament. If you register in advance, you can tour the roof glass done and see the fantastic views of the city. The audioguide is very useful and points out key buildings that you can see across the Berlin skyline.
The glass dome is situated directly above the debating chamber. A mirrored cone, it directs light into the Reichstag, increasing the building’s energy efficiency and allowing visitors a view of the parliamentary proceedings below.
Brandenburg Gate 
The Brandenburg Gate, an important landmark in Berlin’s history. Formerly divided by the Wall, a stage for Ronald Reagan’s speech, and now a symbol of unity. The Brandenburg Gate seems to have stood the test of time and become one of the iconic sights of Berlin.
You can visit at any time. It is busy during the day, so watch out for pickpockets. At night, the Gate is lit up and there are fewer tourists.
Tempelhof Field
A 1920s airport, that was used by the American’s in the Cold War. When flights stopped operating in 2008, the city turned this disused area in a 386-hectare open space for the public. You can stroll, cycle, fly a kite, roller-blade and dogs can run to their heart’s content. It was also used in the film Bridge of Spies.
Other Things to see
Some other sights we saw in Berlin:
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Spy Musem 
Berlin Cathedral
We saw the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church – partially destroyed in World War II, and never rebuild, as a reminder and memorial of the war.
The spy museum. An insight into the world of espionage, where you can experience a journey through the history of espionage. See elaborate spy techniques, legendary cases, and spectacular secret operations.
Alexanderplatz, World Clock, and TV Tower
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was right around the corner from our hotel. So we didn’t miss this iconic sight of Berlin. It was always busy with tourists trying to take photos in the middle of the road, and weird “American soldiers” trying to charge you for a photo with them. The hut that is in the middle of the road isn’t even the original from the Cold War.
Alexanderplatz is one of the best-known squares in the city. It’s a main transport junction – for the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trains, trams, and buses. It also has the World Clock in the middle and a view of the TV Tower. Around the corner is Hofbräu, a traditional German restaurant, with wooden benched and Bavarian-style food. The staff even wear a traditional dress – Lederhosens.
Man-hole covers 
Photoautomat 
S-Bahn Windows
The random things in Berlin that I loved were the cool man-hole covers that had showed the cities sights. The old-fashioned Photoautomat’s, that are hidden around the city, – so you can still get a goofy photobooth holiday snap. The S-Bahn windows, showing the Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin Wall markers, set into the road – allowing visitors to see where the wall once stood.
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