4 Things to Do under 4 Euros in Berlin

Berlin is a city that offers activities for travelers with any interests. It is overflowing with art, music and culture. It is blessed with great museums and historical monuments.

It showcases great architecture both contemporary and classic. However, experiencing the eclectic mix of offerings often burns a hole in your wallet. Not every traveler can afford paying 10 euros and up for a couple hours in a museum, or blow their budget going to see the symphony or a football game. The glorious thing about Berlin is that there is fun, unique and varied activities for all budgets. Here are a few options on how to enjoy Berlin on the cheap – four activities for under 4 euros.

Language Exchange Party

Every Wednesday evening a group of people from all over the world gather together for a language exchange. Stop by to learn a little German, English or other language and make new friends while you’re at it. All you need to bring is your native tongue and a smile. I’ve overheard conversations in Spanish, French, German, English, Chinese and Italian just to name a few. Not only is the party filled with interesting people but it also boasts one of the best locations to have a drink in Berlin – aboard the Eastern Comfort Hostelboat. This hostel and lounge occupies a boat floating in the River Spree, docked alongside the East Side gallery in the shadow of the beautiful Oberbaum Bridge. It has stunning views of the night skyline as the sun sets behind Berlin’s iconic TV tower.

Cost: 1 euro – payable when you buy your first drink.

Time: 7 pm until late

Contact: Eastern Comfort Hostelboat GmbH

Mühlenstr. 73 – 77

D-10243 Berlin

Tel.: (030) 66 76 38 06

The Reichtag

This isn’t exactly an out of the way activity and you will have to brave the long lines of tourists to get in. However, this icon of the German Government and Reunification is worth the wait. The architecture is truly stunning – combining fantastic, high tech contemporary design with a historic landmark. The famous glass dome holds an array of light reflectors that catch sunlight and stream it down upon the counsel chambers. It is a modern marvel and an innovative approach to sustainable architecture. It symbolically addresses transparency of government as anyone can now look down upon government proceedings. A spiraling ramp leads you up the dome and offers great views down on the surrounding city. Walkways lead out onto the roof for more great views and a breath of fresh air. Walking around the surround area is also worth a dedicated afternoon. The River spree winds its way through this area and is banked by bike and walking paths.

Weekend Flea Markets

The urban plazas, and parks throughout Berlin fill up with stalls selling all sorts of goodies every weekend. Saturdays are usually reserved for farmers markets, offering fresh produce and other food items. Sunday brings out local residents and shops selling all sorts of antiques, used clothes, and various tchotchka. The biggest and most varied flea market is located in Prenzlauerberg on Bernauer Strasse near the corner of Wolliner Strasse. The small lanes are packed with locals looking for a bargain or items made by Berlin Designers. Stalls sell handmade jewelry, clothing and crafts. Others sell used lamps, records, miscellaneous electronic wires, used (perhaps stolen) bikes, and anything else you can imagine. Interspersed with these booths are some fantastic street food stalls offering fresh squeezed juices, coffee, delicious sausages and of course there are bars stocked with cold German beers. You can get in and experience the chaos and crowds of funky dressed people for free but you will have to bargain hard for any purchases.

The #200 Bus Tour

As long as you are disciplined enough to leave the markets without emptying your wallets, this activity is the most expensive on the list. Many of the most used bus routes in the city are services with double decker buses. The seats at the front of the top level offer fantastic views onto the bustling streets and of the surrounding buildings and monuments. Bus number 200 runs a fantastic route from the Zoologischeral garten station past many of the significant sites in Berlin. Wait until you are at the front of the line to get those prime seats and sit back and watch the city roll by. You will see the broken tower and bold addition to the Gedachnis-Kirche, you will pass nearby the Tiergarten and the stunning architecture of the embassies district, pass through Potsdamer Platz and roll through Mitte and Museum Isle. IT continues its course by Alexander Platz and up through Prenzlauerberg past the Volks Park (which is worth a stroll through). Get off at the corner of Conrad-Blenkl-Strasse, walk southeast one block and make a left at Paul-Heyse-Strasse. On your right you will see a large hill that houses the stunning Velodome and Swimming center built for Berlin’s Olympic bid. Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, these half submerged buildings are draped with metal mesh that creates dramatic reflections of light.

A single ticket costs 2.40 Euros while a full day ticket that will allow you to hop on and off at your leisure will run a little over 6 Euros. The full day ticket will be good on all forms of public transportation.

These are only a few of the many options to enjoy time in Berlin without breaking the bank. There are hundreds of galleries dotting the streets, amazing cafes that spill out onto the sidewalks, and great parks that offer free recreation. In general Berlin is a very affordable city with an amazingly hip and creative population. There is a plethora of activities for all budgets and interests. These are a just a few of the cheapest options. For more stories about living in Berlin and traveling throughout the world visit www.byworldofmouth.com. For descriptions and reviews of interesting architecture in Berlin visit www.talkitect.com. Enjoy your trip!

Photo of Berlin Reichtag, Germany, by creaydestrye

Topic:  Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment
Tags:  Berlin, budget

About the author

Lucas is an architect, an artist, a designer, an ultimate player, and a writer. He was born in upstate New York yet has lived and traveled throughout the world. He has resided in Shanghai, China for 2 years, Bangkok, Thailand for 1 year, Montreal, Canada for 5 years and am now setting up shop in Berlin. Along with exploring Europe, writing about his adventures, and playing Ultimate Frisbee he am looking for work as an architect.