We arrived at the camp site just before lunchtime and after sorting ourselves out, we headed into Berlin. It took just under an hour to get to downtown Berlin. First, a 10 minute walk from the camp site to the bus stop, then a ride on the 133 bus to Holzhauser Straße, from where we caught the U Bahn to Friedrichstraße.
First stop was the Ampelmann shop on Unter den Linden. They have loads of great Ampelmann merch (the character from the pedestrian crossings), but it’s very expensive for what it is. That said, we both have our eye on an Ampelmann brolly, and I will be treating myself to a coffee mug.
Having bought a one day travel pass, we took the bus to Alexanderplatz, which was heaving on a busy Saturday afternoon. We eventually found the tourist information, in the reception of the Park Inn hotel, and bought ourselves a Welcome Berlin card which will give us free travel and reduced admission charges for the rest of our time here.
With that all sorted we took the tram to Hackescher Markt and, after sitting out the rain at a bar (as you do), we walked along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate and then the Holocaust Memorial.
We had a lovely dinner at an Indian restaurant before travelling back to the van, and tonight we will be working out where we’ll be going on which day. We’ll be spending tomorrow in Potsdam, where there’s loads to see and do. It’s going to be a busy few days!
If you get the time, and have the money, get the lift up the TV tower in A-platz for sunset. Best to book in advance. Most amazing views, with a bar
Walking tour of city from Hackesche Markt is fascinating too
Cheers Stu. We’ll probably have to give the TV Tower a miss as it’s been quite grey and overcast. We did go on a couple of the walking tours from Hackesche Markt the last time we were here, and they were great. This time we hope to visit some of the places we walked past last time, like the Stasi Museum.