What’s the best way to explore Berlin on a budget?
Having spent some time looking for rather cheap means of exploring the city, I have found that the most suitable idea is a free walking tour. Berlin is one of the best cities to visit with an astounding heritage, architecture, and tradition. When the level of free walking tour, not only will you be able to see the iconic landmarks of the city, but also get the lore history of its places with tour guides.
The purpose of the Free Walking Tour The idea of enjoying a free walk could elicit a number of questions; below are some reasons why it is advisable to go for a Free Walking Tour.
Free walking tours are relevant for the budget tourists since they are one of the cheapest means of travelling around a city. Most of the walks are led by informed people willing to show around their home towns. Even though the tours are described as free, there are some expectations of tipping the guide to this tour depending on your level of satisfaction and your pocket.
An ideal Berlin itinerary with a free walking tour
Day 1: Morning Tour – Historical Berlin
Set out for a free walking tour with the emphasis on the places that saw the history of Berlin unfold. The major sightseeing normally starts at the Brandenburg Gate that symbolizes unification and history of Berlin. Your guide will thereafter lead you through the Holocaust memorial, Hitler’s bunker, Check point Charlie and various other attractions which were quite popular though with a different purpose in the past. You will be able to develop a richer understanding of the city’s role in the Second World War and the Cold War.
Day 1: Afternoon – Museum Island
After such a historic tour in the morning, it is time to visit Museum Island, a monument of cultural heritage of the UNESCO list, and one of the key attractions of Berlin. To avoid missing, there is the Pergamon Museum which includes the actual or reconstructed monumental buildings. Other attractions include Neues Museum through which one can see bust of Queen Nefertiti. Some of the museums may charge certain amount of money to allow one to enter but one can still have a look at the building and the compound without necessarily paying.
Day 2: Morning Tour – Alternative Berlin
Visit the Berlin that always wanted to see by going on a free walking tour which aims at street art, offbeat districts and counterculture. These include visiting Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain that gives an opportunity to have fun with the tags, street art, boutiques, and cafes. This tour is a Revolution in Outlook and presents the visitors a little known facet of Berlin’s character – the spirit of creativity.
Day 2: Afternoon – East Side Gallery and Berlin Wall Memorial
Next time visit the large strip of the Western side of Berlin divided by barbed wires which is known as East Side Gallery, a largest open air gallery that has paintings by artists in the entire world painted on the remains of the Berlin Wall. Be sure to walk around the wall and appreciate the murals painting freedom and unity on the wall. Near to the East Side Gallery, there is an informative Berlin Wall Memorial that can help more to understand the history of the wall and its effects on the city and it is people.
Day 3: Morning – Tiergarten and Reichstag
For first, it would be best to start with the Tiergarten, which is the largest and one of the best parks in Berlin. This walk takes you around the park environment which is very enjoyable, besides being endowed with quality landscape designs. However, the visitors also must not neglect the opportunity of visiting the Victory Column in Tiergarten which will let you see panoramic views of the city.
Subsequently, visit the Reichstag, German Parliament Building. Despite the fact that the access to the dome of the building depicted on the image is limited and can only be arranged in advance, you can see the building from outside. The building is also best viewed at night when it has been well illuminated.
Day 3: Afternoon – Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens
The last destination that you should not miss in Berlin is Charlottenburg Palace and the garden that accompanies it. Visit the inside of one of the many palaces and trace its rich baroque garden, walk through to the pond in front of the palace. However, there is a fee to be charged when visiting the palace while the gardens are open for the public for free.
Final thoughts
While visiting the charming Berlin does not necessarily imply that one should be ready to spend a lot in order to get a good sight-seeing, though. Apart from historical sites, a free walking tour is one of the perfect ways to explore Berlin on the go at an affordable price. That’s why by following this ideal Berlin itinerary that focuses on historical sites, districts that are not very touristic, and beautiful parks, you will spend a great time and won’t loose your money.
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