New to Berlin, huh? Me too. I’ve visited Germany so many times that I find it kind of incredible that I never made it to the capitol prior to this trip. With just a handful of days and a rather long to do list, it was impossible to accomplish everything I had planned. But, if you are eager to explore, you can get a real sense of the city pretty quickly (click here for more on that). Here are 5 must do activities in Berlin that run the gamut of deeply introspective (the Topography of Terror Museum) to something ridiculous that you will only find in Germany (the David Hasselhoff Museum). I hope these suggestions help you plan your next German escapade.
5. Activities in Berlin: The David Hasselhoff Museum
Easily, the cheekiest thing I saw in Berlin was the David Hasselhoff Museum. It’s located in the basement of the Circus Hostel. The folks running it are incredibly friendly and proud of their memorabilia. There is a craft microbrewery next door, and the staff is nice about letting you sample their beer. The museum is small, but, hey, it’s free.
Complete with a small Knight Rider car as well as a shirtless mural and a giant painting entitled The Hoff, I couldn’t help but smile. They have autographed keepsakes from the Baywatch days as well as the piano key scarf David wore when he hammered away at the Berlin Wall.
Overall, it’s worth stopping in, just so you can tell your friends that you hung out at the David Hasselhoff Museum in Berlin! Seriously, this is the world’s best ice breaker. And, nobody ever believes this place actually exists until I break out my phone and prove it to them.
4. Check Point Charlie
Yes, it’s touristy, and I understand that the actors are dressed up in fake uniforms. But, it’s only €3 for a few pictures, and it might be the only time in your life you visit this historic spot. Plus, the guys in uniform are pretty funny and enjoy joking around with the tourists.
If you don’t want to pay a fee, go late at night or early (and I mean super early) in the morning. Then, you can photograph the area for free.
3. Activities in Berlin: The Trabi Museum
On a much lighter note, if you want to feel like a spy, visit the Trabi Museum. There are several cute exhibits set up, and the cars are gorgeous. Additionally, there is a movie that loops in the backroom with subtitles.
Sit in the powder blue Trabi in the corner and embrace the Cold War era, James Bond style (well, sort of). The entrance fee is only €5, and it’s a nice way to break up the heaviness of the Terror Museum. The buildings are only a 5 minute walk from each other.
Pro Tip: If it’s raining, this is a great place to explore for a bit. This actually happened to me, and I was grateful to get out of the bad weather while checking out these stunning cars.
2. The Wall
Initially, I wondered why on earth I would spend money on an immersive experience that doesn’t have any remnants of the actual Berlin Wall. Curiosity got the better of me, and I’m glad that it did. I actually suspended reality for a bit and climbed the guard tower. Listening to the music and sounds, I really felt like I was transported to Communist East Germany, if only for a second. If you let it, this exhibition really stays with you and gives you small glimpses into the city’s painful past.
1. Activities in Berlin: The Terror museum
Honestly, when you are traveling for months on end, it’s nice to finally run across something that is free and truly worth your time. Before you enter the Topography of Terror Museum, spend a while running your hands across the actual Berlin Wall. There is a section of it that sits outside of the museum. Holes from where the wall was torn down serve as a constant reminder of Communist oppression. It’s amazing to see just how intimidating and thick the concrete walls were.
Inside the museum, read about how Germany exchanged roles as aggressors with the Nazis running the country to being brutalized by the Communists. The tragedy and pain that still haunts the country is practically in the air.
This is a serious place with a somber tone. From 1933 through 1945, this building housed the top secret service (the SS) for the Third Reich during World War II. Complete with its own brand of fear, this location had a “house prison” for special projects. Vivid imagery of the Nazi party still echo the sentiment that we should never forget the horrors of the past. And, I think this is an important place to visit in Berlin. You might lighten the mood of the day by stopping by the Trabi Museum (mentioned in the former paragraph).The cars might be adorable and a lot of fun to see, but they also provide a bit of a civics lesson about the communist party.
