I just got back from a weekend in Berlin. one of the best trips away I've had. The city has so many interesting things to see.
If you're into modern history there are about 10 war memorials/cemeteries. We saw the Soviet memorial (just follow the big road away from Brandenburg Gate and it's on the left), and also the Commonwealth cemetery (a bit harder to find, train to Heerstrasse, out of station and go left along Heerstrasse) It's actually closer to another station that I can't remember the name of, one stop after the Olympic Staduim.
The Olympic Staduim is worth seeing, easy to get to on the train and 4 euros to get in and have a wander around. I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly suprised.
We found a Jewish cemetery whilst getting lost, but didn't go in as we didnt have anything to cover our heads with. There were also small plaques set into the pavement listing Jews that had been deported to concentration camps, on the same road.
There are loads of reminders of the war dotted around. Buildings still bearing bullet holes, memorials etc.
We also did the standard tourist stuff (Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie), most of it is worth seeing but as with any tourist area, there is a lot of crap souvenir shops etc. to steer clear of.
I wasn't with "bike people" so didn't cycle around at all but there are loads of people who do. The roads are all nice and wide, many with cycle lanes on pavements and road. Also saw plenty of places to hire bikes, and a couple of bike tours. Only saw about 5 fixed gear bikes though. Most people seemed to have old single speed/hub gear shopper bikes.
One thing that I thought was really odd. People just stick a lock through the frame and a wheel and lean the bike against a tree/wall/whatever. I saw loads locked like this, bike theft is obviously not a big problem in Berlin.
We were turned away from Berghain which is probably a good thing having now read some descriptions of it. Not slating it, but the people I was with wouldn't have felt comfortable in that sort of place. Ended up in Watergate, and had a really good night.
I just got back from a weekend in Berlin. one of the best trips away I've had. The city has so many interesting things to see.
If you're into modern history there are about 10 war memorials/cemeteries. We saw the Soviet memorial (just follow the big road away from Brandenburg Gate and it's on the left), and also the Commonwealth cemetery (a bit harder to find, train to Heerstrasse, out of station and go left along Heerstrasse) It's actually closer to another station that I can't remember the name of, one stop after the Olympic Staduim.
The Olympic Staduim is worth seeing, easy to get to on the train and 4 euros to get in and have a wander around. I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly suprised.
We found a Jewish cemetery whilst getting lost, but didn't go in as we didnt have anything to cover our heads with. There were also small plaques set into the pavement listing Jews that had been deported to concentration camps, on the same road.
There are loads of reminders of the war dotted around. Buildings still bearing bullet holes, memorials etc.
We also did the standard tourist stuff (Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie), most of it is worth seeing but as with any tourist area, there is a lot of crap souvenir shops etc. to steer clear of.
I wasn't with "bike people" so didn't cycle around at all but there are loads of people who do. The roads are all nice and wide, many with cycle lanes on pavements and road. Also saw plenty of places to hire bikes, and a couple of bike tours. Only saw about 5 fixed gear bikes though. Most people seemed to have old single speed/hub gear shopper bikes.
One thing that I thought was really odd. People just stick a lock through the frame and a wheel and lean the bike against a tree/wall/whatever. I saw loads locked like this, bike theft is obviously not a big problem in Berlin.
We were turned away from Berghain which is probably a good thing having now read some descriptions of it. Not slating it, but the people I was with wouldn't have felt comfortable in that sort of place. Ended up in Watergate, and had a really good night.