SShprints

Hello!
2 early 30s guys going to Berlin for the first time in December. Arriving in the morning on 12/26 and staying until 12/30 when we go to Paris. Any recommendations for a 4 day itinerary?
I realize that it will very cold and grey so we won't really be able to just "stroll" around different neighborhoods. Is it possible to visit the concentration camp as a half-day trip instead of a whole day? Also, because its winter and it gets dark early, what are our options for things to do after sundown but before dinner time (3-4hrs)?
Thanks so much!

Sergey

29FEB

The Reichstag would be high on my list - Dome at night would offer outstanding view of the city.

http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/vis...upp/index.html

But check for holiday closings too.

Cowboy1968

Museums are usually open from 10-6.
With the limited daylight hours, you could do your regular sightseeing in the AM hours, and visit the museums later in the day.
Special exhibitions often have extended hours, so you check what's on in the city on the official TI website
www.visitberlin.de

Sachsenhausen near Oranienburg could be 1/2 day trip when you start early to get there when they open. While Oranienburg is very easy and frequent to reach by suburban and regional trains, the memorial is a bit away from the station so you need to change to a bus. The buses don't run that often, so it could be easier for you to take a taxi from Oranienburg station for 5-6 euros if you do not want to walk appr 20mins.

clayrr

My partner and I will be on almost the same dates. We also arrive the morning of the 26th (from LA via JFK) but we leave the night of the 29th on an overnight train to Paris. We're still planning museum visits but I know from experience that plans easily get thrown aside once we start wandering. The weather will make a difference too; strolling when it's 40 and dry is far better than strolling when it's 20, windy and snowing.

One thing I found that we just have to see is this:
http://currywurstmuseum.com/en/

I'll check back here to see what folks suggest. Have a good trip!

madamtrashheap

As per Cowboy, Sachsenhausen is a good suggestion for a half-day trip. Another, but lesser-known, WWII site is Ploetzensee. It wasn't a concentration camp but played a large role in the persecution of people regarded as "inferior" by the Nazis. It is located in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, so not as far out as Sachsenhausen, but if you have to make a choice, then I'd go to Sachsenhausen first.

The Currywurstmuseum is a good suggestion, and could be one of those afternoon excursions (followed by another Currywurst or two at Konnopke Imbiss (opposite Elberwalderstrasse U-bahn stop) or Fritz & Co in the square next to KaDeWe department store.

The DDR Museum is interesting and again and inside thing. And one of the best places to be when the sun is going down is in the bar on top of the TV Tower. If the weather is good, the sunset is spectacular. The drinks aren't cheap, so you won't linger too long, but it's a nice place to start your evening.

And strolling around the neighbourhoods, even in Winter, is still the done thing in Berlin, despite it being a cold old hole sometimes. If Berliners let the weather dictate everything, they'd never leave the house! Plus, if you're strolling, and get too cold, there are plenty of cafes and pubs/bars to pop into along the way to warm up, so don't let Winter deter you from exploring.

cruzysuzy

I agree with madamtrashheap…. Strolling Berlin at night is the highlight of the city…although do not bother trying it in the touristy section. It is boring, expensive and everything closes early. You will want to hit the Friedrichain/Kreuzberg area (boxhagenerplatz or schliesischestrasse) Many great intrigues and cafes and bars.

I am not so much for the museums to steal all of my time, but there are many to choose from.

My personal favorite spot is from the East, visiting the Treptower Park Soviet Memorial. It is an amazing park and a fascinating view of architectural dialog. I usually like to compare this with the Friedrich Wilhelm Memorial Church in the West, however the old church is completely covered for renovations.

One can leave the Soviet Memorial and walk along the Spree past "Molecule Men" and then through Arena Berlin to Schliesisches strasse. There are some nice bars and eats along the way. One place, Barbie Deinhofs has 2 for Tuesday drinks! Follow this along to Oberbaumbrücke and cross over Warschauer S Bahn to Revaler Strasse and explore the old and ruined train yard, where hidden inside is a world of wonders!

Another great area is at Admiralbrücke for the sunset! If you venture in towards the Graefekiez, again many cute neighborhood spots to warm up with a drink!

As for the day, I prefer walking from Alexanderplatz on Unter den Linden. Stop in at Babelplatz, the Berliner Dom, Museum Island, then hard right it to the Reichstag and the Band des Bundes, to come back to the Brandenburg Gate, on over to the Holocaust Memorial and back up to Gendarmenmarkt to see Schinkle's Masterpieces and explore the best Weihnachtsmarkt in Berlin! If you are not too tired, head over by Hackeschermarkt and roam around those back streets and you cannot go wrong.

Another nearby treasure is Potsdam, but I fear it is much better seen in spring and summer.

PalenQ

. Any recommendations for a 4 day itinerary?

Here's my and others 2 euro cents worth!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-journal.cfm

dfourh

Your observation about how dark it is then is really the essence. The object should be seeing essential sights during the (so-called) day, but then finding bright lights and conviviality once it starts to dim 4pm or after. PalenQ's 2 cents are great - - and for night living I would gravitate toward finger fooding and beer quaffing at places like: KuDamm in the area intersecting Meinickestrasse and Fasanenstrasse (just stroll, just peek at pubs and cafes, and stop here and there); Savignyplatz (same story); the area around S-Bahn Hackescher Markt;

dfourh

oops - - hit the wrong button too soon - - here's more: the area around U-Eberswalder Strasse; the ethnic shops et. al. east of Mortizplatz (down Oranienstrasse); and last but not least, Bergmannstrasse (south of U-Mehringsdamm).