I went to Berlin three times in a year and a half.
The first time, I went there for a week at Christmas 2011. The second time was at the end of December – beginning of January 2012 for 2 weeks, and the last time was the last week of May, that is to say last week. In another article, I presented the things to do in Berlin. In this article, I will give you some advice and my opinion on Berlin.
Berlin Review; Why I liked Berlin
Here are the 5 things that made me like Berlin:
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Partying in Berlin,
Like everyone, I like to party. This city has a special atmosphere at night, there are a lot of nightclubs in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district near the Warshauer strasse or Schlesisches Tor station or the East Side Gallery. There is all kinds of music, electro, rock, RnB & pop, or alternative music, etc. The most famous clubs are Matrix, Watergate, I also tried the Lido in the same district. Special mention for a place I like: Kulturbrauerei where I spent New Year’s Eve in 2013, I have also been many times to a nightclub called Frannz which is located in this place, these places are more in the north of Berlin.
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The cost of living in Berlin,
Everything is much cheaper than in Paris, prices are almost halved. The bus to the airport costs only 2.4 euros whereas in Paris it costs at least 5, much more expensive. The price of a restaurant meal is at least 5 euros cheaper, you can get by for less than 12 euros with a drink whereas in Paris it would cost 20. The same goes for the price of food and drinks. A pint of beer costs 3 euros, in Paris it’s at least 8 euros. A small downside, the price of public transport is a bit high: 28 euros for a weekly A-B card compared to 20 euros in Paris for zone 1-2. Accommodation prices are also very low, you can find a room with a host or in a shared flat for 300 euros/month in Berlin.
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Cultural activities in Berlin,
Berlin has more museums than Paris, there are also many parks or outdoor activities somewhat like Paris. In winter, there are many markets: Christmas market for example. I went to the Jewish Museum or also the DDR Museum or the German History Museum which I recommend. There is something for every taste. When the weather is nice, there are often festivals or outdoor events. When I was there at the end of May, I went to an event dedicated to ecology and the week before I arrived I missed the Culture Week, too bad. Here is a link to find the: museums to do in Berlin.
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The locals and the German language,
The locals speak English and are happy to speak German with you if you want to talk to them in German. I went twice for language learning purposes and I felt quite comfortable when I went there.
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There are also quite a few foreigners,
Berlin is a very touristy city, a bit less than Paris, but it attracts its share of tourists, you will not feel out of place if you do not speak German, you can always speak English or even French since there are many French people in the city. I frequented youth hostels quite a bit including the Wombat Hostel on Alte Schonhauser strasse where I stayed for more than 10 days and met Americans, Australians, English, etc. I found this hostel through the Hostelbookers site which I recommend when you want to sleep in a youth hostel abroad.
And you, who have been there, what is the thing you liked about Berlin and what is your opinion on Berlin?
