Backpacking Tips for Berlin
Berlin is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan and affordable cities. Offering up museums, history, culture – both old and new – and easy access to many other destinations in both western and eastern Europe, it is certainly one of the most attractive cities for backpackers to visit.
There are a number of excellent resources on traveling Berlin available on the net. For example, the wiki travel guide provides a good place to start, so that you can determine what specific activities you may be interested in. In this post, we will talk about how you can travel on a budget as a backpacker in Berlin.
Where to stay?
When deciding where to stay in Berlin, there are several options to choose from. Hostels are the clear favorite among backpackers, and it’s certainly true that there are a wide variety of hostels to choose from and the competition between them ensures low prices. However, you may also be interested in looking at an affordable short term stay in an apartment, or if you really want to go local, try couchsurfing with someone who lives in Berlin.
What to eat?
The dining options for a backpacker in Berlin are extensive. There are immigrants from all over the world in this city and the variety of cheap, ethnic food is astonishing. Whether it’s pad thai, doner kebabs or falafel, you will have no shortage of meals that can be had for less than 5 euros. Of course, it’s always a wise idea to self-cater here and there, and if your budget allows it’s worthwhile to splurge just to change things up a bit.
What to do?
There are many enjoyable Berlin activities that cost nothing at all. Simply walking around the city and enjoying the green spaces and architecture is a pleasurable afternoon itself. You can go to the Berlin Wall and get a slice of history at no cost, and in addition, you can check out the largest open air art gallery, which takes up a 1.3 km long stretch of the wall (it is known as the East Side Gallery). When it comes to nightlife, Berlin is quite affordable as long as you steer clear of tourist spots and esclusive nightclubs. Smaller bars and lounges are a much better way to go, and you will also find that you interact more with the locals in these environments as well.
Please share your own tips in the comments.
Photo credit: flickr user Zanthia
