Trip Report: Seven days in Berlin - Jul/Aug 2024

We were in Berlin a couple of years ago. We found the museums (on the island) to be somewhat disappointing especially when we're used to visiting museums in Munich, Amsterdam, Paris and Italy. We also found the food scene lacking with many deli's and Vietnamese restaurants everywhere. We stayed in the Ibis across the street from the main train station--very good access to all forms of travel.

We did take the two hour train ride down to Dresden, and that's the real Germany. We absolutely loved the place. The museums there are absolutely top notch. And all the famous German breweries have restaurants on the big plaza. The town is very walkable, and really fine hotels were budget priced.

Thanks so much for the recommendation of The Circus Apartments and the Prater beer garden! They both look great. Also, good to know about the ongoing construction. Sounds like you had a great trip - yay!!

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experiences, it's so very helpful as I am planning my upcoming trip. Glad you had a fun family trip together!

A German friend took us on a day trip from Berlin to Potsdam, very worthwhile.

To add to the OP's discussion, we found three museums/tours to be, somewhat surprisingly, absolutely first-rate: the DDR Museum, Spionage (Spy) Museum and Berlin Unterwelten (Underground) Tour M. The latter two of these are especially good. The Spionage looks very commercial and slick but actually contains an immense amount of information regarding espionage through the ages. Both entertaining and informative.

The biggest problem with the DDR Museum is how crowded it is, even on weekdays. There are many interactive displays, making it especially good for the kiddos. But patience is required.

I had excellent schnitzel at the Einstein located on Unter den Linden. Surprising, since reviews weren't particularly strong. Don't miss touring the public areas of the Hotel Adlon, now a Kempinsky hotel. It's a reconstruction, but nonetheless impressive.

With this spring's visit, I'm up to 58 nights spent in Berlin since 2016. I love the city. It is a wonderfully German take on the concept of multicultural city. Anyone looking for a preconceived-notion of "the real Germany" in Berlin -- especially if they stay in the city center -- is going to be sorely disappointed.

We also found the food scene lacking with many deli's and Vietnamese
restaurants everywhere.

Why so many Vietnamese places? (1) Vietnamese is a very popular food right now. (2) The DDR (East Germany) had a guest worker program for the Vietnamese, and many of those guest workers stayed... so... it's part of the history of the city! Over 1 percent of the city's population is Vietnamese; in some areas, that percentage shoots above 10 percent.

Food? My last visit... I had spectacular hot and cold mezze at a Greek restaurant in Charlottenburg. I had wonderful traditional German Bullete and an Apfelschorle at a traditional butcher shop in Alt-Marzahn (Old Marzahn village that dates back to the Middle Ages). I ate DDR favorites including a Kalt Hund ("cold dog" dessert) at Volkskammer. I had one of the best meals of my life a few years ago at a Sardinian restaurant found on Trip Advisor. I also found a great Lebanese place with two locations on TA. Then there is Momo's, the organic veggie dumpling place, also found on TA. There are Turkish bakeries. Then there are Döner stands... yum... so good.

I agree with Dave. In Berlin, some of the best food and experiences I've had since first visiting in 2002 have been outside of the city centre, from Grünau to Grunewald, from Wannsee to Wittenau.

If you want to find more Vietnamese restaurants in Berlin, along with other ethnic cuisines, Chinese, Turkish, Persian, etc go to Berlin-Wilmersdorf.

Thank you so much, OP Matt. I'm off to Berlin for 7 days starting this Friday so your post was really helpful. It's great to have an idea of where the pockets of construction/disruption are. I know Berlin is always changing, so my goal is to stay flexible and not stress too much.

I was scared away by the Circus properties not having AC so I chose to stay in Prenzlauer Berg at Myer's Hotel. I've heard lots of great things about them though, so maybe next time I'm in Berlin.

Smart to choose a place with A/C as it was VERY humid during our stay. Thankfully The Circus provided fans for all the bedrooms so that helped. Enjoy your stay in Berlin!

Thanks for your brief report Matt-taking notes for our one week stay!

My pleasure! Have a great time in Berlin!

Thanks for posting Matt. It looks like we will be traveling to Germany in 2025 to visit relatives. I would very much like to spend a few days in Berlin. Hopefully, you will be responding to my future posts with questions about Berlin.

Matt, very nice trip report of a wonderful city! Thanks! I really loved Berlin and loved the food there! I had some great Vietnamese meals, Italian, German and one Turkish restaurant that was wonderful. I will have to check out the Praeter beer garden next time I'm there.