🇩🇪 The Magnificence of Berlin
Berlin is a city-state, meaning it is one of Germany’s 16 federal states, yet it has no other cities besides Berlin itself. This unique status already gives the city a very special character.
✈️ Arrival in Berlin
I arrived via Schönefeld Airport, located in the southern suburbs of Berlin. It was formerly the city’s second-largest airport, before the opening of the new Willy Brandt Airport, which replaced Tegel Airport, previously Berlin’s main airport.
Welcome to great Germany 🇩🇪.
🚆 Transportation and Language
Getting from the airport was easy and efficient. I took a DB train to Alexanderplatz, right in the heart of Berlin, close to my accommodation.
German is, of course, the dominant language everywhere, and Germans value it highly. However, most people speak excellent English, as both languages belong to the Germanic family. English is more than sufficient—you won’t need French here.
Public transportation is available 24/7. I bought a 72-hour ticket, though I barely used it.
🎟️ A Culture of Trust in Public Transport
One of the most surprising things was the almost complete absence of ticket inspectors. There were no electronic gates, no barriers—nothing.
I only saw a sign stating that you must buy a ticket and not travel without one. During my 72 hours in Berlin, I did not encounter a single inspector or control point. You simply walk down to the platform and board the train.
🥙 Halal Food and Local Cuisine
Halal food is widely available, especially due to the large Turkish community in Germany.
When traveling, you should always try the traditional dishes of the country rather than international food you can find anywhere—while choosing halal restaurants when possible.
Germans are well known for their potatoes and wurst (sausages). Potatoes come in all shapes and forms, and the same applies to sausages.
In Berlin, you must try Spätzle, a vegetarian pasta dish also popular in eastern France, particularly in the Alsace region. The döner kebab has also become extremely popular, once again due to the strong Turkish presence.
🏛️ Day One: History and Landmarks
On my first day, I visited one of Germany’s most famous landmarks: the Brandenburg Gate, built around 1790. It closely resembles the Acropolis of Athens and has become a symbol of German unity, as it once stood at the heart of the division between East and West Germany.
Before reaching the gate, you walk along Unter den Linden, one of Germany’s most famous streets, comparable to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, La Rambla in Barcelona, Gran Vía in Madrid, Via del Corso in Rome, and Istiklal Street in Istanbul.
The street is lined with shops, brands, and cultural institutions. I also visited Madame Tussauds Berlin, where you can see wax figures of world-famous politicians, athletes, scientists, and artists.
The only figure kept behind glass is Adolf Hitler. Unlike the others, he cannot be touched or photographed up close. The exact reason is unclear, but it is likely to prevent damage or misuse.
🏛️ Government and Memory
After passing through the Brandenburg Gate, turn right to find the Bundestag building, Germany’s current parliament. Formerly known as the Reichstag, it was the seat of government during the Nazi era, where Hitler delivered several of his speeches.
Visiting the Bundestag is free, but you must book an appointment in advance through the official website.
Nearby lies the Holocaust Memorial, commemorating the Jewish victims of the Nazi genocide.
While walking through the memorial, I unintentionally climbed onto one of the grave-like structures and was confronted by a plainclothes security officer. He explained that this behavior was considered disrespectful and strictly forbidden.
He also told me that due to past attempts by neo-Nazis to desecrate the site, even making the Nazi salute—even as a joke—is a criminal offense punishable by law.
📺 Day Two: Modern Berlin and the Wall
On the second day, I visited the Berlin TV Tower, another iconic landmark offering panoramic views of the city.
Nearby, I explored the World Time Clock, which displays the time in multiple cities around the world.
In the evening, I visited one of Germany’s most famous historical sites: the Berlin Wall.
Built in 1961, the wall separated East and West Berlin until it fell in 1990. West Berlin prospered, while East Berlin suffered under economic hardship and Soviet-style governance.
Today, the wall has become a major tourist attraction, covered in graffiti and preserved as a reminder of division and reunification.
At the Berlin Wall Museum, I purchased a small piece of the wall as a souvenir. Various exhibitions and events continue to raise awareness of its history.
🚧 Checkpoint Charlie
Another iconic site is Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.
Here, Allied forces—American, British, and French—faced off against Soviet-backed East German troops. Today, it remains a popular tourist site, complete with replicas of sandbags and uniformed guards flying the American flag.
🏙️ Day Three: Churches, Rivers, and Squares
On the third day, I visited several more attractions, including Cold War bunkers, escape tunnels, the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), a walk along the Spree River, and Gendarmenmarkt Square.
✈️ An Unexpected Ending
On the evening of the third day, I arrived at the airport to leave Berlin, only to discover that my flight had been canceled due to a strike by French air traffic controllers.
After several unexpected events, I was accommodated in a five-star hotel with dinner and breakfast included. My flight was rescheduled for the following day.
I finally left Berlin on the fourth day, one day later than planned.
✨ Final Thoughts
Berlin—and Germany in general—truly deserve the description I give them: “Luxury.”
Enregistrer un commentaire