Why is Berlin the Perfect City for Walking?
If you love walking when you travel around a new city, then Berlin will be your first choice. As a city with a lot of history, colorful culture and working public transport, Berlin has deserved its name as a walkable city. In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why Berlin is a walking city and how one can make the most of walking in the German capital.
1. Compact and Largely Flat
Compact size of the city is one of the primary reasons why Berlin is so suitable for walking. Compared to some other large cities, Berlin is not as mountainous which helps to explore it on foot. The plan of the city is arranged in grid system, wide roads and wide sidewalks.
In the city-center, most of the major attractions like Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, and Museum Island are within a walk from each other. You can also take a walk along the famous Unter den Linden boulevard which connects various landmarks of history.
2. Well-Connected Public Transportation System
Even though, Berlin is a wonderful city to walk, it has a very good public transportation. The wide system of buses, trams, S-Bahn, and U-Bahn can come in handy to get anywhere around the city in a short time especially if you decide to go out of the central part.
In case you are every once tired or you wish to visit more places, this will never be a problem since you have the option to simply hop on a tram or subway and continue your sightseeing tour. The public transport system is regularly and effectively connected, which will guarantee that you can smoothly move around Berlin.
3. Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure
Berlin prioritizes pedestrians. The city has made efforts in ensuring that the city has a pedestrian friendly infrastructure by installing wide sidewalks, pedestrian zones and wide green zones for relaxation. There are often special pedestrian crossings meaning that it is easier to cross busy streets.
Berlin also has an enormous number of parks and gardens, where you can have a break, sit down and have a picnic or just enjoy the landscape. Berlin’s largest park, the Tiergarten, is a good place for locals and tourists to relax and forget about a very busy day in this city.
4. Historical and Cultural Significance
By being in Berlin and taking a walk there, you can delve into its wonderful history and culture. The remains of the former city are all around you, starting from the famous Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie museum and many others. Berlin streets are an open-air museum, giving an account of its transformation.
When walking, you get a chance to see the neighborhoods, architecture, and even interact with the residents, affording you a more true and enriching experience of the city. Do not forget to check out the bustling street art in areas such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
5. Discover Hidden Gems
Some of the pleasures of strolling about in Berlin are the frequent discovery of tourist highlights that may not be on the regular traveler’s itinerary. While strolling around the streets, you can locate cozy cafés, boutique shops, and markets where they provide not-so-common experiences and products.
Be prepared to get lost in the not-so-known neighborhoods like Prenzlauer Berg or Neukölln and you will have a glance at the everyday Berliner life. These neighborhoods are abounded with cute streets, trendy bars as well as independent galleries.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Berlin is a walking city. Its miniature size, extensive flat ground, effective, affordable transport system, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, history, and even some hidden gems make it a treat for walkers. Thus, put on your comfy shoes and walk to see all the remains of the Berlin on foot. You would be amazed to learn of the wonders you are going to find when you spare your time to walk through its streets.
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