We going to the 8th largest city by population in Europe this week. There are over 3.5 million people there. It’s a state on its own although completely surrounded by the state of Brandenburg.

Berlin is a vibrant city with iconic festivals (especially if you’re into beer), unique art, and great nightlife. There is so much to do for the modern traveler, but this history of the city goes back about 800 years and the area is believed to have been settled as far back as 9,000 BCE.

There is much to study if you want to learn about the different eras dating back as far as the original settlements. Perhaps the most interesting time though was in the first half of the 17th Century. The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) was devastating to much of Europe but especially Berlin.

The 18th Century, which included The Enlightenment, was much more favorable to Berlin and its people. The more recent history of German Expressionism and the World Wars are easily recognizable in the modern city. We’ll touch on our favorite sites below.

The most inspiring thing about Berlin to us is the innovation. Despite a great focus on culture and history there is also a feel for creating new forms of art, music, and technology. The energy is special.

Berlin is a city where history feels impossible to ignore. Bullet marks still scar old buildings. Pieces of the Berlin Wall stand covered in murals and messages. Grand museums sit beside abandoned factories turned into art spaces and cafés.

Few cities in the world reinvented themselves as many times as Berlin, and that constant transformation is part of what makes it unforgettable.

As the capital of Germany, Berlin has witnessed empires, war, division, protest, and reunification. During the Cold War, the city was split into East and West Berlin by the Berlin Wall, which stood from 1961 until 1989.

Families were separated, neighborhoods divided, and watchtowers lined the streets. Today, visitors can walk along surviving sections of the wall at places like East Side Gallery, where artists from around the world transformed the concrete into one of the largest open air galleries on Earth.

Berlin’s history stretches far beyond the Cold War. The city became the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire. It was heavily damaged during World War II, and reminders of that era remain throughout the city.

Sites like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the former checkpoint crossing at Checkpoint Charlie offer powerful reflections on both the Holocaust and the tensions that once divided Europe.

But Berlin is not only a city of remembrance. It is also one of Europe’s most creative and energetic destinations.

Street art covers alleyways, live music pours from underground clubs, and entire neighborhoods feel like giant outdoor galleries. Districts like Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Prenzlauer Berg are filled with independent bookstores, coffee shops, markets, and parks where locals gather late into the evening.

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Brandenburg Gate, which has stood through wars, celebrations, and reunification.

Nearby, visitors can climb the glass dome of the Reichstag Building for panoramic views over the city.

Museum lovers could spend days exploring Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with world famous collections and ancient artifacts.

Berlin also has an unexpectedly green side. Huge parks like Tiergarten stretch through the city center, while locals spend sunny days biking along canals, relaxing beside lakes, or gathering in beer gardens. During summer, there are outdoor festivals, river cruises, and open air cinemas scattered throughout the neighborhoods.

It is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which occurs every year in September. Around 55,000 participants take place in the race and the Brandenburg Gate is the last landmark before the finish line.

Berlin is also filled with spaces that have been reinvented in creative ways. One of the most fascinating is Tempelhofer Feld, a massive former airport that was used by the Nazis, and then later used by the Allies in the Cold War to deliver supplies. Now the runways are a park and the building is used for events.

The spirit of Berlin is difficult to define because the city embraces contrast.

Elegant palaces sit beside graffiti covered buildings. Quiet memorials exist just blocks from crowded clubs. It’s a city that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

Getting to Berlin is easy from most major international cities.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport connects the city to destinations across Europe and beyond.

High speed trains also make Berlin a popular stop on larger European trips, especially for travelers arriving from Prague, Amsterdam, Munich, or Paris.

Once in the city, Berlin’s public transportation system makes getting around simple.

U Bahn trains, S Bahn trains, trams, buses, and regional rail lines connect nearly every neighborhood efficiently.

Many visitors also rent bicycles because Berlin’s streets are remarkably bike friendly compared to many other major capitals.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski - historic hotel facing Brandenburg Gate

Garner Hotel Berlin - near Checkpoint Charlie, breakfast included

Das Stue - overlooking Tiergarten Park, breakfast included

Mittendrin - boutique hotel, breakfast included

Food in Berlin reflects both German tradition and the city’s international influences.

Try the following:

Berlin’s Turkish food scene is especially famous, with many people claiming the modern döner kebab became popularized here.

Coffee culture is also strong, and bakeries filled with fresh pastries appear on nearly every corner.

Packing for Berlin depends heavily on the season.

Summers are generally comfortable and great for walking, while winters can be cold, gray, and snowy.

Comfortable shoes are essential because Berlin is best explored on foot.

A light jacket works well for spring and autumn, while winter travelers should pack warm layers, scarves, gloves, and waterproof shoes.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Berlin. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob