Berlin was one of the first European cities I visited. I remember, as soon as I got off the Berlin Hbf (main train station), I was so excited with all the spaces, urban planning, architectures and colours of this vibrant city!

Getting around

Berlin (and Germany in general) has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe, albeit a bit pricey. Getting around Berlin, you can take bus, tram or trains.

CAUTION: Be extremely cautious when crossing tram tracks! You don’t want to get ran over by a tram!

The most efficient mode of transport is by train/ metro. There are two very different train systems, i.e. S-bahn and U-bahn. You can easily identify them from afar.

The U-bahn is the underground metro (the like of London’s tube), while the S-bahn runs mostly above ground, and can reach suburbs.

What to do

Join a free walking tour! I learned so much insights of the city.

The Berlin Cathedral (German: Berliner dom) stands majestically on the Museum island.

Neue Wache (New Guardhouse), is now the Memorial for the Victims of War and Tyranny. Inside, there’s one sculpture of a mother holding her dead son. Our tour guide explained to us that the oculus (circular skylight) on top, exposes her to all weathers (rain or shine), symbolising the suffering of civilians during World War II. 

Holocaust memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) is a 19,000 m2 site with 2,711 concrete slab, on a sloping field. This was quite an emotional experience for me. Our tour guide explained to us the different interpretations of this installation. Some said it symbolises tombstones in a graveyard. Some explained that the varying dimensions of the concrete slabs symbolises the different profiles of those persecuted. My personal experience, as I walked through the installation, in between the concrete slabs, up and down the slopes, I felt helpless, and lost. And that, for me, is the worst feeling ever! I hope this Holocaust memorial will forever remind us of this very tragic and inhumane incident, and to NOT repeat history ever!

The Brandenburg gate is one of my favourite monuments in all of Europe. It is especially grand and beautiful at night!

Hotel Aldon (to the left of Brandenburg gate) is the famous hotel where Michael Jackson held out his baby from the top balcony, Lion King style.

Bebelplatz, the plaza where one of my the many Nazi books burning ceremonies were held.

If you like visiting museums, you should do the Museumsinsel (Museum island), which consists of 5 museums on an island.

• Altesmuseum (Old museum), which houses antiquities collection
• Neues museum (New museum), which exhibits Egyptian artefacts, mummies, and the infamous Nefertiti bust
• Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), which houses a good collection of fine arts from Monet, Degas, and German architect and painter, Schinkel
• Bode museum, which exhibits sculptures and Byzantine arts
• Pergamon museum, which has several reconstructed significant buildings, e.g. Pergamon altar, and the Ishtar gate of Babylon

Our tour guide told us that this big basin (made of one single piece of granite) was originally intended inside the museum, as a big fountain. However, they finished the pillars in front of the Altes Museum before they can even move it inside. Talk about bad project management.

The fine arts collection in Alte Nationalgalerie is amazing! With lots of Degas, and Schinkel.

Of course, you shouldn’t miss the Berlin wall.

Emmanuel Pahud and Jerm

And at last, if you are a classical music fan like me, you want to check out the Berlin Philharmoniker. And if you are lucky like me, you may just get to take a photo with your favourite musician!