Germany’s capital, Berlin, is the world’s largest city and is often regarded as the “Land of Poets and Thinkers”. The city boasts a beautiful blend of industrial architecture and artistic feel. From its history to its nightlife, Berlin has captured the fascination of many people worldwide. It is the dream destination of many people and one of the most visited cities in Europe. However, artists, writers, and students are amongst the ones who are most fascinated by this city thanks to its richness of art. As mentioned above, it is the largest city and therefore, exploring it in a few days isn’t possible but thankfully, it’s not very expensive and you can easily plan a budget-friendly trip.
Best 10 Budget-Friendly Ways To Enjoy Berlin
A sprawling metropolis, there are many historic sites and vibrant neighborhoods you can explore in Berlin in a budget-friendly manner. You can also indulge in a wide variety of local and global cuisines. Here are some tips to enjoy Berlin cost-effectively.
Visit The German Historical Museum
Regardless of whether you love studying history or not, you’re sure to enjoy exploring the German Historical Museum as it accommodates the entire history of Germany from the past to the present. There are many exhibits in the museum which are in-depth and detailed. Here, you can come across the hat Napoleon wore in the 1815 Waterloo battle. You can also get a glimpse of East Germany’s personal computer and a 1486 coat of arms column measuring 3.5 meters tall. The entry fee is just 8 EUR for which you get a lot to explore.
Check Out Reichstag
If you want to get a bit of Berlin’s political taste, head to the Reichstag which is the German Parliament’s seat. It is one of the most historic landmarks in Berlin and attracts many visitors all year long. The clear dome represents the government’s transparency and through this dome, you can enjoy one of the most picturesque views of Berlin. You can also gain some insight into the Parliament’s history through the exhibits.
Explore the Grunewald Forest
While Berlin is known for its industrial outlook, you can certainly indulge in a little escape to nature in the Grunewald Forest. It is the largest forest in Berlin and is perfect for picnics, hiking, and biking. You can also visit the Kuhhorn Badestrand where there’s a cove and a beach for a relaxing swim. You can enjoy beautiful views in this forest and also take guided tours.
Berliner Unterwelten-Museum
Unlike the conventional museums, this museum is unique because it is located underground. You can explore the bunkers, tunnel systems, air-raid shelters, and the like which are located under the city. You can also find escape tunnels, archaeological treasures, and ammunition findings. If you want to go for some beer tasting, you can head to the basement brewery.
Explore the Mauerpark’s market
Without some shopping, your visit to Berlin is incomplete. For some budget-friendly shopping, check out the Mauerpark’s flea market which takes place every Sunday. You can find local artists selling beautiful paintings and handicrafts. Vendors sell many varieties of vintage furniture, artwork, books, antique items, and more. You can also engage in some outdoor karaoke and also indulge in a wide variety of street food.
Visit The Zoologischer Garten and Aquarium
Zoologischer Garten and Aquarium was established in 1841 and is the oldest zoo in Germany. It is also the most popular zoo across Europe where you can find elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and giant pandas that are exclusive to Germany. The aquarium hosts a wide variety of aquatic species too including the likes of jellyfish, fish, coral, sharks, and more.
Fernsehturm TV Tower on Alexanderplatz
If you want to experience the most panoramic view of Berlin, you must head to Fernsehturm TV Tower which is located in the main city square. Standing at a height of 368 meters, the tower gives you the most mesmerizing view of Berlin at a ticket price of 20.50 EUR.
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz used to be the busiest place in Europe but it was destroyed during the Second World War. Now, it is Europe’s largest building site boasting numerous sky rises, shopping malls, restaurants, and the like that feature modern architecture which signifies “new Berlin”.
Jewish History Museum
As the name suggests, the Jewish History Museum exhibits the Jews’ arrival in Germany and displays their contributions as well as their hardships. Most of all, the entry is free so you can devote a good amount of time to exploring this museum.
Deutsche Kinemathek
If you love festivals, you need to visit Deutsche Kinemathek which is commonly known as the Film Museum. It will give you a lot of insight into German movie history. You can explore historical filmmaking instruments and do a lot more.
Final Thoughts
From exploring the canny culture to chilling in the park, enjoying complimentary concerts, dining on street food, taking a tour of the city’s rich culture and history to hitting the tropics, there are a lot of things you can do with a limited budget in Berlin.