Ur Weekend in Berlin: A Journey Back in Time and a Surprising Discovery
Last weekend we were in Berlin – and what an experience it was! Our accommodation was super centrally located right next to Alexanderplatz, which provided us with a perfect starting point for our explorations. Berlin is known for its excellent public transportation network, and we decided to explore the city comfortably by subway, S-Bahn, and bus.
Day 1: Ostalgie Tour – A Journey Back to the GDR Era
Our first day began with a journey back in time to the GDR. On the Ostalgie Tour, we got to know the city from a completely new perspective.
We started at Karl-Marx-Allee, which impressed us with its monumental, confectionery-style architecture. Here, our guide told us about the magnificent buildings of the GDR and the everyday lives of the people who lived in the well-equipped apartments – a real contrast to the often modest old buildings of that time.
A highlight of the tour was the stop at the former Stasi headquarters in Lichtenberg. It was horrifying to learn more about the extent of surveillance – from the tapped telephone calls to the miles of files. Our guide also shared personal stories that gave us a deep insight into life in the GDR.
The tour continued to Treptower Park, where we visited the monumental Soviet Memorial. It was a quiet but impressive place that honors the history of the fallen soldiers.
Back in the city center, we drove along former Berlin Wall sites, along the Elbechaussee, and past iconic sights such as the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island. This tour was a fascinating and moving introduction to our Berlin weekend.
Evening Program: Historical Dinner in the Nikolaiviertel
After an impressive day, we continued the evening in the charming Nikolaiviertel. Our guide, Anna, surprised us right from the start – she welcomed us as a barrel organ player, which immediately lightened the mood. Together with her, we strolled through the historic district, past the narrow alleys and picturesque houses, while Anna told us exciting stories from Berlin’s past.
Dinner at a quaint restaurant in the district perfectly complemented our Ostalgie program. The rustic dishes and the atmosphere of the restaurant transported us to another time, and we couldn’t get enough of Anna’s stories. From anecdotes about life in the GDR to stories about the district itself, the evening was a true highlight of our weekend.
Day 2: Humorous Discovery on the „Tour de Toilette“
After the history-rich Ostalgie tour, we wanted to do something lighter on the second day – and the Tour de Toilette sounded simply too curious not to do.
Our guide, Anna, led us through the history of toilets in Berlin with a great sense of humor and a wealth of curious facts. Did you know that public toilets were places for political discussion in ancient times? We were amazed at how advanced the Romans were in terms of hygiene back then.
We were particularly impressed by the historic toilet blocks, including the famous Berlin Octagon, which was once one of the most advanced public sanitation facilities. Some of these blocks have been creatively repurposed – one of them now serves as a snack bar!
Another highlight was a visit to Fredericks at Potsdamer Platz, where we felt a sense of history as we marveled at the former imperial men’s restroom. Who would have thought a toilet could have so much to tell?
At the end, we stopped at a quirky pub, where a high-tech Japanese toilet and a hearty schnapps awaited us – the perfect end to this unusual but extremely entertaining tour.
Our conclusion: Seeing Berlin with new eyes
Our weekend in Berlin was full of new impressions and surprises. The combination of the in-depth Ostalgie tour, the humorous tour de Toilette, and the charming evening in the Nikolaiviertel not only introduced us to the city’s history, but also showed us how diverse Berlin is.
Public transport took us around quickly and comfortably, and the central location of our hotel on Alexanderplatz made everything even easier. Whether you’re looking for history, humor, or simply a sense of wonder – Berlin has something for everyone. We’ll definitely be back!
How were your Berlin experiences? Have you ever participated in such unusual tours? Please share your experiences with us!
