Berlin, you are so beautiful! Simone, author of the travel blog at www.commeamus.de, can simply not get enough of the German capital, even after several visits. And so this summer she set off on another trip to the city by the Spree. And who did she bring? Her mum! The last time she had been there was shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and she couldn’t believe how much things have changed. Here, Simone tells you which 5 outings you must not miss when you take your next (two-generational) girls trip to Berlin. Let’s go!
1. Get on board and take a cruise along the Spree
A city tour without stress and sore feet? Yes, please! The one-hour Spree tour operated by “Stern und Kreisschifffahrt” gave my mum and me the opportunity to explore Berlin by water! We started off at the chancellor’s office and continued to the Museum Island and then to Berliner Cathedral; we discovered cool bars and enjoyed the sunshine on our skin. Relaxing at its best!
2. Go and get your trainers and let’s take on the Ku’ Damm
Yeah! For me, Berlin is the shopping paradise, and a lengthy shopping trip is simply part of any successful city break! This time I discovered the BIKINI Berlin, a concept mall that has everything – except anything that’s off-the-peg. What makes the BIKINI Berlin great is not just the individual stores in it, but also its location: it’s right opposite the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which is right on the Ku’ Damm, Berlin’s famous shopping boulevard. Thumbs up!
3. Feel the cool breeze on the roof terrace of the Reichstag building
Yes, we did queue outside the Berlin Fernsehturm, yes, we did pay through the nose for our two tickets and, yes, we thought the view from the top was acceptable, BUT: A view is a great view when you’re in the open air – that’s what I think. And that’s why I was delighted that we booked our visit to the roof terrace and dome of the Reichstag building online two months before our trip to Berlin. The view across the city in the fresh open air is much nicer, isn’t it?
Tip: The dome tickets are very popular. Book them early. Admission is free!
4. Let’s go on a celebrity hunt in the wax museum Madame Tussauds in Berlin
The famous museum Madame Tussauds in Berlin is only a few yards away from the Brandenburg Gate. My mum and I had lots of fun with the lifelike celebrities. We posed with superwoman Barbara Schöneberger, held hands with George Clooney and cycled to the moon with E.T.
Tip: If you book your tickets in advance online you save up to 40% of the entrance fee 😉
5. Pack your shades and off you go to cocktail hour at Gendarmenmarkt
When the hot summer’s day is coming to an end it’s time for a refreshing drink. My favourite spot? The Gendarmenmarkt! Surrounded by the charming and beautiful architectural backdrop of the German Cathedral, the concert hall and the French Cathedral, by creative soap bubble artists and children playing nearby, my mum and I enjoyed a cool Aperol Spritz while soaking up the last of the sun. The perfect moment!
