Busy planning your Berlin itinerary orwondering if a capital city is possible on a budget? Look no further! Here is my personal Berlintravel guide for you, with tips on things to do in Berlin, and where to stay on a budget…
Despite being a capital city in a developed country, Berlin is astonishingly affordable for budget travellers. Accommodation in Berlin can be as cheap as €10, and it’s surprisingly easy to findfabulous meals for just€5. Berlin’s many neighbourhoods are home to an eclectic mix of cultures and nations which combined with a hippie, artistic vibe help to make the city so interesting. Whether you ‘re in town for history, artwork, nightlife, or cuisine, Berlin has affordable entertainmentfor everyone. Here’s my list of the best thingsto do in Berlin on a budget:
1. Free Walking Tours –Alternative & City Tours
Berlin has transformed itself intoa vibrant and artistic city, nurturingpunks, hipsters and entrepreneurial youth. It’seasy to blissfully submerge yourself in graffiti and creativity, but be sure not to overlook Berlin’s historical architecture, and striking war-tornpast. Free walking tours are a great way to combineeducation and exploring.
For general historical city tours, Sandemanshave a 2.5-hour tour from the Brandenburg Gate at 10am, 11am or 2pm.Brewer’s Berlin Tours have a similar, slightly longer 3.5-hour tour leaving fromFriedrichstrasse station at 1pm every day.
For something a little out of the ordinary, Alternative Berlinoffers a3-hour of graffiti and street art which explores the more ‘underground’ haunts of Berlin, Kreuzberg’s punk history. The tourleaves daily from the TV Tower in Alexanderplatz at 11am and 1pm. I had a week in Berlin and took both the Sandemans city tour and the Alternative Berlin tour. Both were excellent and though entirely different, both take you to see things you would undoubtedly miss without these tours.
Price = free toursare tip-based.
2. Watch the Sunset from Park Inn
For just a couple of Euros, you can head up to the Panorama Terrace Sun at the Park Inn Alexanderplatz,and take in what is probably the best view of the city. At only €3, it’s a much cheaper alternative to the TV tower, and probably better, as it looks out over the TV tower. There’s also an option to‘base fly’ down 125 metres down from the deck. Base flying isa hybrid mix of bungee jumping and an abseiling.Unfortunately the base-flying was closed when I visited, because I would have been all over that!
Price = 3 Euros.
3. Pergamon Museum
There are five museums on Museum Island.I couldn’t face visiting them all, so I opted for the Pergamon. Whether or not you decide to opt for the full pass to all the museums on Museum Island, I strongly encourage you to visit the Pergamon. The Pergamon doesn’t give much away from the outside, butwhat it houses is just magnificent. Hidden behind the walls of the Pergamon are full-sized reconstructions of monumental buildings from Turkey, and the Middle East.The museum has three major collections – theMiddle East museum, an antiquity collection, and the Islamic art museum. It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever been to, and one of the best things to do in Berlin.
Price = Museum Island full day pass €18/€9 student. Pergamon Museum only €12/€6 student.
4. Exploring Spreepark
If, like me, you have a weird penchant for abandoned places and derelict attractions,Berlin is a mecca.Undoubtedly the best resource on places to visit is the website, Abandoned Berlin.Arguably Berlin’s best Urbex attraction is Spreepark, which for along time was easily accessible by holes in the fence. I have read that the fences have been repaired since my visit, and there are rumours of reconstruction going on but I believe it remains accessible for those who like a challenge. For those not keen onjumping fences, running away from security and guard dogs,paid tours of the park have recently become a thing, and there has even been events inside the grounds. For up-to-date advice on accessibility, check out the comment section on Abandoned Berlin’s post on Spreepark.
Price = free.
5. The Reichstag Dome
The Bundestagis a modern and funky-looking dome structure attached to the Reichstag parliamentary building. Visiting the Reichstag is free, but you do need to book in advance on their website. It’s near to the Brandenburg Gate, so you can visit both easily together.
At the building, you can take an optional audio headset which gives you a slightlyinteresting tour of the building over 20 minutes or so. I would aim to visitat sunset, when the dusky hues of the night sky reflect on the dome’s metallic structures, making for quote a beautiful site.
Price = free. Book here.
6. Day Trip to Potsdam
Justa 25 minute train journey from Berlin, Potsdam is the perfect option if you’ve ran out of things to do in Berlin (unlikely), or you have half a day to spare and need a break from the capital city chaos. Not to mention, it’s quite the little fairytale town. In the early20th century, Potsdam was home toPrussian kings and German Kaisers. Around the city there are several unique cultural landmarks such as the Sansoucci palaces, and almost magical architecture.
Price = €11 train ticket.
7. The Turkish Market
You can find the Turkish Market in Kreuzberg on Tuesdays and Saturdays. For locals it’s a great place to buy groceries and household items. For travellers, it’s an ideal place to sample some of Berlin’s fabulous cheap eats. Think currywurst, ice creams and seasonal fruit and freshly baked goods. Relax with yoursnacks and a beer next to the river at the side of the market, while you take in the colours, smells and sounds of Berlin’s many buskers. Use the opportunity to explore Kreuzberg itself, one of Berlin’s more quirky and alternative districts. There’s even a museum dedicated to the Ramones.
Price = free/ a few Euros for food.
8. The Jewish Museum
Berlin has so many galleries and museums to choose from. If I had to pick only two, it would have to be the Pergamon and the Jewish Museum. They both fabulously present entirely different parts of history. As one of the largest Jewish Museums in Europe, the Jewish Museumexhibits the political, social and cultural aspects of Jewish German history. The museum isn’t purely about the holocaust, it provides an insight into the whole history in Europe and is very well presented. The architecture and layout is wonderful and interesting. Take tissues- the collections are powerful, and moving.
Price = €8 or €3 with an ISIC student card.
9. TheMemorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
It’s a striking and emotive memorial. In simple terms, the memorial is a site covered with 2,711 concreteblocks in asloping grid pattern, but in reality, it is so much more. It’s message is powerful. Visit the museum situated underneath the memorial. Walk through the rows of blocks, and you will understand its brilliance. Feel the hope the light gives you, before again you are plunged into darkness.Take some time to sit on the blocks and interpret the memorial in your own way. It has to be experienced to be appreciated.
Price = free.
10. The East Side Gallery
It’s generally a given that you’ll visit the Berlin wall if you’re visiting the city. The East Side Galleryis a 1.3km section of the wall, which now, covered in over 100 artworks by over 100 artists from 21 countries, is now an international memorial for freedom.A visit to the East Side Gallery helps you tounderstandBerlin’s history in abright and emotive way.
Price = free.
How much money do I need to budget for Berlin?
You can find hostels in Berlin for around €10, especially if you book in advance, but budget €15 to be safe. Many hostels have free breakfast until early afternoon which can cover you for breakfast and lunch. You can get decent lunch-sized snacks for €2 and a good-sized evening meal for €5. Berlin is a haven for cheap food, and vegetarian and vegan cuisine is easy to find. Budget €5 per day for subway transport and aim take advantage of the manyfree attractions. If you can, budget €20 to visit a couple of museums and to covertips for a free walking tour. Berlin can be super affordable, and there is so much to do on a budget!
I would say try to budget for €30 per day, but aim to spend €20.
Cheap Places to Stay in Berlin
Berlin has an abundance of cheap accommodation and hostels, and there’s many Couchsurfing hosts. In the height of summer or at weekends, I recommend booking in advance as it’s a popular capital city and can get booked up. If you’re unsure of dates, you can book through Booking.com as many accommodations have free cancellation.
I stayed at Hostel Aloha and paid €13 for a dorm. It’s a small, friendly and vibrant hostel, with a lively atmosphere and free breakfast served until 1pm! It’s ideal if you’re looking for a hostel suited to solo travellers and meeting people. I find these type of hostels much more enjoyable than the larger, sparkling and sometimes almost clinical chain hostels Berlin is full of.
If you fancy something quirky and different,you can even stay on a hostel boat! Eastern Comfort Hostelboatis a boat actually onthe Spree river.Dorms are around €16.
If you do prefer the newer, larger, and often more expensive flashpacker hostels,I recommend Baxpax Downtown where I also spent time. I generally find the larger hostels to be less friendly environments, but this place has a great location and all the mod cons – a bar, restaurant, roof terrace and even a pool. Dorm prices are round €20.
Eating Cheap in Berlin
When I travel, I often stay in hostels with kitchens and cook to save money. In Berlin,many hostels have free breakfast until early afternoon, and you can get a big meal in many local fast food outletsfor only €5!
If you’re consideringvisiting Berlin, go for it! It’s a wonderful city.
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