Berlin Day 2

Our second and final day in Berlin started out on the chilly side, but at least it wasn’t raining. We had big plans to see all the major tourist sites—well, that was the idea anyway. Let me start by saying that if you’re going to visit Berlin and want to see everything, give yourself more than just a day. In my opinion, you could easily spend several days exploring all the history and culture this city has to offer.

We quickly realized that trying to cram everything into one day was a bit ambitious, but we were determined to see as much as we could. With so much to take in, it became clear that Berlin’s rich history and modern vibe make it one of those places where every corner holds something new and exciting.

We left the hotel and walked about half a mile to catch the S-Bahn towards Brandenburg Gate. However, once we got to the S-Bahn station, we quickly realized that our plans were going to be a little more complicated than we had originally thought. The first S-Bahn we hopped on took us in the wrong direction, and we didn’t realize it until we reached the end of the line.

At that point, we had to backtrack, which was frustrating but also kind of funny in hindsight. It was a minor setback, but it definitely reminded us to always double-check the train route before jumping on! The extra time was a small price to pay, as it gave us a chance to see a few more areas of the city.

After finally heading in the right direction, we had to exit and board another S-Bahn a couple of times to reach our destination. A bit of stress and an unforgettable experience later, we arrived at Brandenburg Station. While the S-Bahn usually runs above ground, it occasionally dips underground, and that's exactly what happened at Brandenburg Station. As we ascended the stairs, the iconic Brandenburg Gate stood before us, its grandeur immediately capturing our attention.

The Brandenburg Gate is arguably the most iconic landmark in Berlin. During the Cold War, it symbolized the division of Germany, but today, it stands as a powerful symbol of peace and unity. This monumental structure, built in the 18th century, once stood in a restricted zone, off-limits to both East and West Germans. Now, it’s open to the public, and I can tell you firsthand that photos of this iconic monument simply don’t capture its awe-inspiring presence.

As soon as we arrived, we noticed a protest happening in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Unlike in the U.S., the protesters were confined to a designated area, and it seemed that was the only place they were permitted to gather. What struck me next was the sheer number of tourists — the area was far busier than I had imagined, especially for early December. Yet, despite the crowds, this was still a sight to behold. I could hardly believe I was standing there, in a place that, when I was born in Berlin, was off-limits to everyone.

I could have easily spent an hour simply gazing at the Brandenburg Gate, taking in the intricate carvings that adorned it. However, we had to stick to our schedule, and with the wind picking up and the temperature dropping, we decided to move on. Next, we made our way to the Reichstag Building, Germany’s parliament building, which moved here in 1999. This iconic structure has witnessed pivotal moments in Germany’s turbulent history. The building is massive, and if you plan ahead, you can explore its interior with an audio guide tour. However, given our limited time, we decided to skip it.

Our next stop was a brief walk in the opposite direction to the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe. This somber site serves as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust and the countless lives lost during that horrific time. We did not spend much time here but this is on the list of places that we will come back to in the future.

By this point, we were all feeling the cold, and with daylight only lasting a few more hours, we decided to hop on a tour bus that allowed us to get off and on at different stops. It was the perfect chance to rest our legs and warm up before the next destination. What made it even better was that the bus was a double-decker, and this was my first time on one. I absolutely loved every minute of it! As my daughter would say, “10 out of 10, would definitely recommend!”

Once on the bus, we decided to skip the first few stops, like the Deutsche Bahn terminal, since we’d be seeing that tomorrow and didn’t need to visit it twice. Now, it was time for the stop I had been eagerly anticipating — Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border crossing in Berlin during the Cold War! Growing up, I had heard countless stories about Checkpoint Charlie and its role as the gateway between East and West. We lived on the West side of Berlin, but my dad’s work in the Army took him through this border crossing and into East Berlin regularly. Checkpoint Charlie was manned by U.S. soldiers, and just a few feet beyond it was another checkpoint guarded by East German soldiers (which no longer exists today).

When we arrived at Checkpoint Charlie, it quickly became clear that getting a decent picture would be a challenge. The crowds were overwhelming, far more than I had ever imagined. If it weren’t for the historical significance of this crossing and its connection to my family’s story, I might not have enjoyed the stop as much. But, despite the crowds, I’m glad we made the stop and had the chance to experience it.

Photo edited to remove the people in it!

The area surrounding Checkpoint Charlie is a major tourist hotspot. There’s a large souvenir shop packed with people, and about a mile down the road is a German chocolate store, Ritter Sport. My wife was eager to browse the souvenir shop for something to take home, so we spent about an hour there. Afterward, we made our way to Ritter Sport, and we were not disappointed. While you can find Ritter Sport chocolate in the U.S., the selection of flavors in Germany is far more extensive. After another hour of shopping and spending a bit more money, it was time to head back and catch the tour bus.

By this point, it was getting late, and once again, the cold from walking around had started to settle in, so we were relieved to get back on the tour bus. Given the time, we decided to stay on and view the rest of the sites from the top deck as we drove by. While I was a bit disappointed that we wouldn't be stopping to see the East Side Gallery, I knew we were running short on time. As we drove past and saw how crowded it was, I was actually glad we could take it in from the bus instead.

The most famous painting on the Berlin Wall.

The tour bus pulled over and shut down at precisely 5pm local time. At 5pm it is dark and luckily for us the tour bus ended not far from our hotel, so it was an easy walk from here.

Our daughter had been begging us to try McDonald's while we were in Germany and let her know how it was, so tonight was the night. I’ve never been a huge fan of McDonald's, and the German version turned out to be no different. The real difference, though, was how much noisier it was compared to any McDonald's back home. The only positive we could find was that the desserts seemed a lot better. With dinner behind us, it was time to head back to the hotel and pack up. Tomorrow, we were off to Nuremberg!

Stay tuned for a recap of Nuremberg!