Berlin tips for and from a beginer

If you've never seen the 'wall', you should see it just for the sake of doing so. Topography of Terror is interesting and Haus am Checkpoint Charlie Museum even more so. Both are quite interesting and moving experiences. If it's your first visit, take the bus 100 route and see all the important historical sites (as suggested by Rick Steves). At night, the bar Klo (means 'toilet') is a secret gem. A crazy little pub adorned with pisspots and other little suprises.

Quick Tips:

Zoo Station is hectic and crowded, but don't be intimidated by it. Get your bearings and move on to where you are going. Ku'damm is interesting only if you like shopping. For more interesting people watching and what not, head to the plaza near Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (the building with it's top blown off, right outside Zoo Station). Old Soviet/East German military junk is available for cheap from vendors near Checkpoint Charlie and Pergamon Museum. Barter, Barter, Barter my friends!

Best Way To Get Around:

Subways, trains, and buses can get you anywhere. Frequent stops, clean, fast, and efficient. Buy a 24 hour ticket and have fun!

My host in Berlin told me that I had to go to the Klo. So I says to her, I says "Hey, what's the Klo?" I find out that 'Klo' means 'toilet' in German, and in this case is also the name a neat little pub. The name suits this place perfectly, which is a good thing, mind you. Upon entering, you may be bombarded with many odd suprises and be 'roasted' by the MC. It helps if you understand German fluently (I don't) but that doesn't take anything away from the fun. It is dark inside and adorned with scads of pisspots, bedpans, and other assorted oddities that deal with bodily functions. The atmosphere is a blast with the MC playing tunes and spewing forth jokes and such between songs, keeping everyone in a lively mood. What makes it so different from your standard DJ type bar is that the place doesn't take itself too serious. And sorry all you dancing fools, it doesn't have a dancefloor. But that is a big plus in my book, kids. This place is something you have to experience and write home about. PS. Ask for a 'gross beir' and see what they serve it in....heh heh heh heh.

This is one of the most unusual 'museums' that I've been to. It's acutally an outdoor history lesson built on the location of a former nazi bunker/HQ and gives the history of the rise and fall of the nazi party through text, photos, and maps. It's written in German, so if Sie sprech kein Deutsch, you should buy the guidebook in your language from the information trailor (they're available in English. As for other languages, you will have to ask yourself). It is a somber experience, especially when you consider you are standing in the area of Berlin that was the center of the nazi command. As for content of the information, the guidebook wasn't as comprehensive as what is written on the displays.

If you in Berlin only to party and have a good time, this site might not be for you. I give it a 'high recommendation', not as a site to seek out like you would the Eiffel Tower or a famous dance club, but because if you are in Berlin and visiting the other historic sites, it will add to your travel experiences.

Also note - the Berlin Wall is directly behind the Topography of Terror.