How to weekend in Berlin

48 hours ain’t long…  but I always think I’d rather have even a short time somewhere new than no time at all.  So I’m darn well gonna be making the most of it and cramming in as much as possible.  So here are my tips for a weekend in Berlin wearing that Zalando capsule wardrobe carry on we talked about earlier…

Berlin has an incredible amount to see and do from the history point of view alone and if you want to come home having seen it then I recommend you…

DO : The free walking tour
Three hours walking your little socks off and discovering all things Berlin, these tours are run for free, ours by an amazing history student, just give a tip at the end.  We covered so much but the highlights for me included a first glimpse and stories of The Wall, the Neue Wach sculpture, the beautiful Museum Island and the Holocaust Memorial.
(Tip : Get a box of strawberries from a street vendor to fuel your walking legs)

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Glamorous ruffle cami   |  Levi’s 501 shorts
DKNY bag   |   Marc O’Polo espadrilles
All from Zalando 

  

  

If you visit Berlin even for an hour, the one thing you simply must do is see the wall.  The really famous stretch covered in art…

DO : The East Side Gallery
Take a train to Ostbahnhof and walk the length of this amazing stretch of the wall, still standing and covered in all the iconic art.  Keeping the wall on your right walk (about twenty minutes) all the way to Oberbaum bridge before taking a left up the hill.  If you happen to find yourself crossing the next bridge at sunset you’ll be treated to a very impressive view into Berlin and the TV tower, before finding yourself in…

EAT & DRINK ; Friedrichshain
Literally choc full of cool eateries and bars.  Virtually impossible for me to sum up the atmosphere of this place so just trust me and go.  We heard loads of great things about a lot of restaurants but we took local advice and wound up in Chum & Friends which was awesome.  After food it’s well worth walking the open air bars alongside the river for true Berlin cool…

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New Look cutout denim jumpsuit
DKNY bag   |   Marc O’Polo espadrilles
All from Zalando 

  

On a very short break I always think it’s worth staying somewhere pretty great.  The last thing you want to be doing is spending most of your time trying to get to and from when you really want to be…

STAY : Amano Grand Central
We struck gold with this one – right next the the Hauptbahnhof main train station, so great access to just about everything, and with a very cool open air roof terrace bar – after a delayed flight it was so perfect to spend the night right here in our hotel.  Head five minutes south to the river for a selection of great bars or hire a bike (just not from the hotel – impossible) and cycle through the park to Monkey Bar for views over the city.

I genuinely loved the location and feel of our hotel but maybe for a different vibe, if I were to go back again, I would consider staying in Friedrichshain.  Has anyone stayed there?  Recommendations please!

Sunday for us was all about the people watching and atmosphere soaking…

DO : A river cruise
Complete with sun deck bar, you really see the city from another angle and if the weather’s on your side, this is such a beautiful way to see see the sights without moving your butt.  You can also take notes on your hitlist for riverside bars to while away the afternoon.  My top pick is…

EAT & DRINK : Badeschiff
For urban beach cool with a pool submerged in the river (seriously) and a barbecue… but we finished up whiling away the last hour on deckchairs just moments from our hotel, maxxing out the last of the Berlin atmosphere before the flight home.  Perfect end to 48 hours in Berlin…

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Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Ariel dress
DKNY bag   |   Marc O’Polo espadrilles
All from Zalando 

  

With thanks to Zalando for supporting this post.