Since the fall of the wall in ’89, Berlin has been rediscovering itself; finding it’s place in reunified Germany in addition to being the country’s capital. In just under thirty years, Berlin has transformed from a confused and troubled city into one of Europe’s coolest hubs. It is somewhere both young and old go to discover history, culture and art, to name just a few things on offer.
Whether you’re into museums, shopping, street art, coffee culture, brunching or partying the night away, Berlin has something to offer you and you’ll find a photo opportunity around every corner. After my recent visits in December and again in June, I’ve put together my rundown of the most Instagrammable spots in Berlin.
East Side Gallery
Whether or not you are an art admirer or not, the East Side Gallery offers a glance back into the history of Berlin as well as a great place for taking some insta-worthy shots. Some of my favourite paintings include Birgit Kinder’s ‘Test the Rest’ with the iconic Trabi bursting through the wall of iron and concrete, Thierry Noir’s colourful ‘Some Heads’ or as below, ‘The Dancers’ by Sabine Kunz.
Read more about the East Side Gallery in my blog post here
Alexanderplatz
At the heart of the city is Alexanderplatz, colloquially referred to by locals as just ‘Alex’. With hustle and bustle, along with streams of tourists and locals alike, it could be described as the hectic beating heart of Berlin. Whilst the square is packed with shopping opportunities, it is the iconic Fernsehturm (TV tower) that earns Alex a place on this list.
Oberbaumbrücke
Probably one of the prettiest bridges in Berlin, if not Germany, the Oberbaumbrücke straddles the River Spree connecting the trendy neighbourhoods of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Whilst the bridge is gorgeous from a distance, I must warn you that it could do with a bit of TLC at a closer glance. Nevertheless it is a prime spot for catching the sunrise, or alternatively snapping the hipster locals cycling through the arches.
Brandenburg Gate
You can’t go to Berlin without visiting the Brandenburg Gate. It is without doubt one of the most iconic and recognisable tourist sights in Germany and certainly one of the most instragrammable spots in Berlin.
House of Small Wonder
As a sucker for cute and quirky cafes, House of Small Wonder had to be included on my list. Whilst there are plenty of cool cafes in the city, there is something pretty special about this place. Not only is it’s stylish entrance pretty darn-photogenic but the food is delicious too!
Berliner Dom
Another classic sight, the Berliner Dom, is not only a must-see with it’s beautiful pale-green dome but it is definitely worth a photo.. or lots! If you are feeling brave, you can also climb the steps to the top where you are met with fantastic views of the city!
Schloss Charlottenburg
If you fancy escaping the confines of urban Berlin, head north of Tiergarten to the affluent quarter of Charlottenburg. Here you will find historic museums and Berlin’s largest surviving royal palace. Well worth a visit!
Babelsberg Park
Another great place to escape the buildings and chaos of central Berlin is to head out of the city to the peaceful Babelsberg Castle and Park. The castle’s former gardens, which extend over several hills, provide many a spot to enjoy some peace and quiet, and also give a beautiful view from the park of Glienicke Castle Park and Glienicke Bridge, renowned as the ‘bridge of spies’ for the exchange of western and eastern secret agents.
Reichstags Dom
The Reichstag building with the famous glass dome is one of the city’s most frequently visited sights. Today a visit to the Reichstag is a must with highlights including a large viewing terrace at the top of the building with breathtaking views of Tiergarten, the dome and the mirror cylinder at the centre.
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My Travel Tips and Recommendations
Flights
My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.
Accommodation
Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.
Things I can’t travel without
As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my
- Canon EOS M3
- GoPro Hero5 Black
- I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro
Travel Insurance
It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.
You can also find me on social media: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Other posts that may help you:
- Ten Things You Must See in Berlin
- Interrail 17: Onwards to Berlin
- Best of Berlin: The East Side Gallery
- A Festive Break in Berlin | Part One
- A Festive Break in Berlin | Part Two
Did you know that I also vlog my travel adventures? I would love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode… SUBSCRIBE HERE
What did you think of my collection of the most instagrammable spots in Berlin? Are you planning an upcoming trip to the city or have you found some of these spots for yourself? If you enjoyed this post, or think that I’ve missed anything out, please let me know in the comments below!
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Love Victoria x
