Dear Future Berliner: Welcome to the most magical city in the world (in my humble opinion)! I’m sure you’re excited and ready to get exploring as you study abroad in Berlin, so I’ve written out a weekly itinerary for you — full of my favorite things — to get you started.
Monday
Mondays after class are the perfect time to go stroll through a park. Grab a döner and head over to Schöneberg to find the beautiful Victoria Park, or catch a bus and head to Grunewaldsee for a lovely walk through nature. Another popular spot is right in Mitte, the central district, and is called Tiergarten, the former hunting grounds of nobility.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, find yourself in the neighborhood of Kreuzberg for €1.50 tacos at Santa Maria’s bar and restaurant. They offer tacos with beef, chicken, or vegetarian filling, so there’s something for everyone.
Wednesday
Wednesday is a perfect day for some classic sightseeing. Hop over to Unter den Linden to see the Brandenburger Tor, then stroll just behind it to see the Reichstag — the German Parliament building. Move a bit north and you can see Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Cathedral, and Museum Island. Also worth visiting is the Victory tower, where you can climb 270 steps to get a bird’s eye view of the city.
Thursday
Every Thursday, Markthalle IX, back in Kreuzberg, hosts a street food market from 5:00 – 10:00 PM, where you can try everything from käsespätzle (German style mac and cheese) to cannolis to sushi. Bring a group of friends and have everyone order something different so you can share!
Friday
You don’t have class Fridays, so this is a perfect day to catch up on some homework. Being abroad means constantly moving, shaking, and doing. This can be exhausting, so make sure to take a day or two a week to focus on schoolwork and self care.
Saturday
I may sound repetitive, but beautiful Berlin Saturdays are great for picnics in the park! This time around, make your way to Tempelhof — a park that sits on the grounds of an abandoned airport. With acres of grass, it’s the perfect place to play frisbee or soccer with your friends. Bring a blanket and enjoy the sun.
Sunday
Finally, on a Sunday, most things in Berlin are closed. However, there is a flea market in Prenzlauer Berg where dozens of vendors gather to sell their handmade goods. It’s called the Mauerpark Flea Market and it’s open from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
While there are countless other things to do in this wonderful city, these are some of my favorite spots and activities. I hope this helps you make the most out of your time as you study abroad in Berlin, and that these activities help you love your host country even more!
This post was contributed by Taylor Mowery, a student from Black Hills State University who is spending her spring semester studying abroad with AIFS in Berlin, Germany.
