Guten Tag!
I’m writing to you from my boutique hotel in Berlin, Germany. Although when you receive this newsletter, it’ll be a week later and another hot, hot day in London.
I’ve spent three+ days in Berlin and was delightfully giddy about this city, mostly because I heard great reviews from travellers on how cool and unique of a city it was. Compared with other cities that I’ve explored, though, this is one that doesn’t rank highly for me and I’ve done my fair share of globetrotting through Asia and Europe.
When it comes to its history then of course it’s a 10/10. It was the centre of such travesties for years and any historical buff is spoilt for choice. Even if German history is not your pick, the Pergamon and Neus Museum on Museum Island offer a deep-dive into Egyptian artefacts, Prehistoric eras, Islamic Art, and Greek and Roman antiquities. In itself, the city requires at least a full day dedicated to museums. Not only that, but key monuments like the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Cathedral are must-adds to your tourist list.
The majority of the city, however, is populated by modern, unmemorable multi-storey office and apartment blocks, which is what I spent most of my time walking past. More often than not, I opted to take the train over walking as the city itself simply wasn’t that interesting to look at it. In comparison, I only walked when I went to Copenhagen - soaking up all the city side streets and alleyways.
Berlin has an eclectic architectural makeup, most likely due to the destruction it suffered during the Second World War. Since then, the city has been refurbished, rebuilt and reimagined into the 21st century. If you combine brutalism with bauhaus and glass skyscraper-esk buildings, you get Berlin.
Maybe this is for you. Unfortunately, it's not for me.
I realised only afterwards that Berlin lacks something I love in every new city I go to - the small streets to explore. I love discovering quiet lanes, boutique cafes and shops and non-tourist littered locations. Getting lost in smaller neighbourhoods, exploring locations across the river - off the map type of things. Berlin doesn't really have that, between being an urban city with modern buildings, any “off the beaten path” alleyways are more dodgy than anything else. Exploring certainly didn't feel like a tourist-friendly activity.
That was felt even more when trying to manoeuvre around the city; there being no train conductors (neither on the trains or on the platforms), no airport assistance, and no clear signage in english - leaving me lost and rather frustrated.
I won’t spend any longer shitting on Berlin because that would be a dick think to do. To each their own, really. Some will fall in love with this city. Me? It’s not my cup of tea, and that’s alright. Plus, it wasn't all bad. I've highlighted my top things in the city that I got to experience below, which I highly recommend to anyone who goes.
✨ Natalie’s Berlin Highlight Reel ✨
Holocaust Memorial
Enjoy one a laugenecke - looks like a pretzel, shaped like a scone, bites like a croissant.
Brandenburg Gate
Museum Island
Berlin Cathedral
East Side Gallery
Mauerpark flea market in Prenzlauer Berg
Bonanza Coffee (Prenzlaur Berg area)
Thai Park street-food market (Preußenpark)
Three things I read this week: