Berlin-Riding on the Metro
The Berlin Wall
👀 First Impressions
I found Berlin to be a strangely dichotomous city.
On one hand, it’s got this amazing artist district full of creative young people, great little foodie spots, and bars pouring the kind of beer Germany’s famous for. It’s vibrant. It breathes. It’s alive.
Then there’s the other Berlin — the one you read about, the living monument to WWII. You can’t escape it. It’s in the architecture, the energy, even the air. Gray, stoic buildings stretch across the city like pages from a history book no one can close.
It’s heavy. Important, but heavy.
For me, the visit was emotional. I’m glad I went — everyone should — but I don’t know that I’ll go back.
🏨 Where We Stayed
I like nice places, and I love nice boutique places. This one nailed it.
The Circus Hotel — centrally located, quirky, clean, and run by people who clearly like what they do. The lobby had that easy bohemian vibe, the rooms were stylish but unfussy, and the service was top-notch.
Breakfast? Great. Try the burrito — seriously. And the location’s right off the metro line, super easy from the airport. Two thumbs up.
⚡ Buzz Factor
So — just to remind anyone new here — I’m not a professional writer, influencer, or travel shill. No one’s paying me for this (though, you know… offers are welcome).
I’m just telling you what I felt.
Berlin is packed with things to do — museums, monuments, great food, great beer. But for me, there was a weight I couldn’t shake. The past is baked into the bricks here.
I had a great stay. Learned a lot. Ate well. But emotionally, it was heavy.
Also — side story — I decided to try a €50 shot of whisky at the hotel bar. Here’s the thing: I hate whisky. But I wanted to see if expensive whisky tastes better. Verdict? No. Still tastes like gasoline with a splash of oak and regret.
Berlin: a fascinating city, but not quite my vibe.
Holocaust Memorial-respectfully heavy place.
🏛️ Things to Do
There’s no shortage of things to do in Berlin — and most of them are historically significant. We did a lot in a short trip. Here are my standouts:
🧱 The Berlin Wall
Seeing it in person hit hard. There’s still a long stretch preserved, and standing there — knowing how many people died trying to cross that strip of land — is gut-wrenching. We didn’t smile in any of our photos. You can’t.
🕯️ The Holocaust Memorial
An entire city block of gray concrete slabs. From the outside, it looks abstract. But once you walk in — the air changes. You feel disoriented, isolated, and small. The underground information center lists three million murdered Jews. It’s impossible not to feel it.
I left shaken. Go — everyone should — but once was enough for me.
🏺 Staatliche Museum
Incredible Roman and Egyptian collections, beautifully laid out. One of the best museums I’ve visited in Europe.
✡️ The Jewish Museum
Really well designed — not just about the Holocaust, but the broader story of Jewish culture in Germany. Deep, personal, human.
🚧 Checkpoint Charlie
Honestly? A more than a bit underwhelming. It’s basically a small booth in the middle of traffic, surrounded by tourist shops selling “authentic” Checkpoint Charlie mugs and magnets. Quick photo, move on.
🏰 Brandenburg Gate
Huge. Iconic. Worth the photo. It’s part of a walking area that ties together several major sites.
🚋 The Getting-Around Bit
Berlin’s big and spread out, so expect to mix walking with the metro. The system is extensive — it’ll take you anywhere.
Downside? It’s not the cleanest, and we saw more than a few homeless people camped out in stations. It was late winter and cold, so maybe that amplified it. Still, it left an impression.
Great Israeli vegetarian place-way better than it sounds
🍽️ The Bite Test
We didn’t go crazy on food this trip — just a long weekend — but I do have a few notes:
Breakfast at The Circus Hotel — A+. The burrito’s worth mentioning twice.
Kaanan(vegetarian) — Hidden gem in the arts district. Cozy, great service, and highly recommended. I’m not a vegetarian, but I’d go back.
And yes, when in Germany, drink the beer and eat the schnitzel.
💬 Final Thoughts
Berlin is complex. It’s beautiful, it’s haunted, it’s alive. It made me think, feel, and reflect — and that’s worth something.
But it’s also heavy. It’s not a “fun” city in the usual sense, and that’s okay. It’s not trying to be.
For me, Berlin was more about understanding than enjoyment — and sometimes, that’s the point of travel.
