If there’s a city that knows how to party, Berlin knows how to party. If I thought Myfest 2015 was a huge celebration, Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin is a party like no other.
Love and Pride At Berlin’s 2015 Christopher Street Day (CSD)
CSD is Berlin’s annual day to celebrate pride. There are parades, parties, demonstrations, and marches that last all weekend long. This year’s theme was “We’re all different. We’re all equal,” with over 200,000 people taking part in the parades and over 500,000 taking part in other festivities. With the US Supreme Court’s recent decision tolegalize gay marriage in all 50 states, there was even more cause for celebration than usual.
While I’ve celebrated pride in Toronto and San Francisco, this would be the first time I’ve ever done so in Berlin. I was all too happy to join my friend, Adam, for an epic day and night full of fun and most of all, love. We attended the main parade in Charlottenburg and the alternative parade in Kreuzberg. We also went clubbing, saw Robyn perform live, danced on a box, got kissed on the cheek by “sailors”, and came home sometime after 7:00 the next morning.
My time was brilliant and I took a whole lot of photos to capture Berlin’s 2015 Christopher Street Day (CSD).
Photos From The Parade In Charlottenburg
The parades were full of color, loud music, happy people, pretty outfits, love, and tons of smiles. The main parade starts in Charlottenburg around midday and ends a few hours later at Brandenburger Tor.
Photos From The Parade In Kreuzberg
We continued to celebrate Berlin’s 2015 Christopher Street Day. The alternative parade in Kreuzberg is a much more relaxed affair. Even when it started pouring rain, the party kept going. Someone started playing music, and tons of people took to the streets and started dancing in the rain without any care about getting wet.
The city put on a great show for CSD and again, I couldn’t help but feel so very happy that I happen to be living in Berlin.
How do you like our photo-filled post rounding up Berlin’s 2015 Christopher Street Day? Have you been to this fun-filled party?
Good To Know About Berlin’s Christopher Street Day
1) Having family or friends coming in for the party and they need a place to stay? Check out hotel offerings on booking.com.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
It’s going to sound weird, considering where I live, but I find it incredibly difficult to write about Berlin sometimes. Everyone has written about Berlin and I’m not sure what there’s left to say about the city that’s new or unique? It’s much easier for me to produce Berlin life content, which you can read about on my new website. I do like putting out photos from the CSD parties or festivities on May Day. Somehow, it’s much easier for me to write about these things, as I can add my own personal slant.
The few times I’ve written about the city, I offered up (what I hope is) a different perspective, such as my recent article, 10 Cool and Alternative Things to Do in Berlin (That Won’t Break the Bank). Yet, I’ve come to realize, there are many people who haven’t been to Berlin, who’d love to visit and read more about the tourist frequented sites that I’ve come to take for granted, be it Brandenbirger Tor or the Berliner Dom. I’ve been to all of these famous Berlin landmarks myself (several times in fact), but after living here for the better part of 10 years, they’re not places I regularly go.
Since the most popular content on my blog is anything and everything Berlin, I came to the conclusion that I should write more about these sites. I remember when I first came to city, I’dmoved here without ever having visited (yes, I was crazy). During those first weeks and months, everything was so fresh and I did all of the typical touristy things be it afree walking tour, a bike trip to Potsdam, and even a boat tour along the Spree. And to be honest, it was overwhelming to know even where to begin. I thought about it even more – where would I take my family if they ever visited? Of course, I’d start with taking them to some of the most popular attractions in Berlin. The very same ones that made my heart burst with joy when I saw them for the very first time.
Five of the Most Photographed Landmarks in Berlin
So let’s visit five of the most photographed landmarks in Berlin. While there are many other notable Berlin landmarks not mentioned here, these are among my favourites to show first time visitors to the city.
1) Brandenburger Gate
Brandenburger Gate is one of Berlin’s most well known and most visited landmarks.The 18th century neo-classical gate was commissioned by the Prussian King, Frederick William II during the time of Batavian Revolution and was built on the site of a historical city gate that once connected Berlin to Brandenburg an der Havel by road.
Brandenburger Gate was one of the few Berlin landmarks that still remained standing after WWII. However, it was severely damaged from explosions and many bullet holes. After the war, the East and West Berlin governments actually worked together to restore the gate to its former grandeur. For a short time, the gate was open, with both vehicles and people being permitted to pass freely from East to West (and vice-versa). When the East Germans erected the Berlin Wall in 1961, the gate was permanently closed.
After the revolution and fall of the wall, Berlin residents congregated at Brandenburger Tor to celebrate their freedom. A site that had once marked a bitter point of division between East and West was now a symbol of German Unity. Finally, on December 22, 1989, the crossing was once again reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. And by December 2000, the restoration efforts on the gate was finally completed.
These days, people come to the gate to watch sporting events, celebrate NYE in style, attend concerts (I saw Nena sing 99 Red Balloons here a few years ago!), and even stand in protest.
Address:Pariser Platz, 10117
2) Berliner Dom
The Berliner Dom is my absolute favourite Berlin landmark. It’s big, bold, and unabashedly beautiful!
Built in 1905, this Italian Renaissance and Baroque styled Protestant church offers up a lot to visitors from the museum, to the crypts, dome viewing platform, church services, concerts, choir recitals, and more. The Berliner Domsustained heavy damage during WWII and then became part of East Berlin when the city was split into pieces amongst the allies. Decades passed by before restoration efforts began in 1975. A more earnest was undertaken only in 1993, four years after the fall of the Berlin wall.
From the outside, the main focus point of the church is the massive dome topped with an ornate golden cross, surrounded by four towers. Inside, the octagon-shaped interior is lavishly decked out with an onyx and marble altar, a Sauer Organ with 7,269 pipes, intricately detailed mosaics, golden accents, and a plethora of statues.
The museum details the church’s history, as does the crypt filled with more than 100 royals from the Hohenzollern Dynasty, all former Prussian rulers and German emperors. A special treat is climbing the 270 steps to the church’s basilica where you can glimpse heart-stopping panoramic views over Berlin. Another highlight is attending a classical musical concert.
In nicer weather, tourists and locals alike often lounge on the lawn in front of the Berliner Dom, many suntanning, reading a book, and drinking a cold beer.
Address:Am Lustgarten, 10178
3) Museum Island
Another one of the most photographed landmarks in Berlin is surely Museum Island.
Museum Islandis a UNESCO World Heritage site that is packed full of five museums that span more than 6,000 years of history. Construction on the complex began during the 18th century under Prussian rule and was completed in 1930. As with most of Berlin’s other notable landmarks, the island on the Spree fell victim to damage during the war and then to neglect during Communist times. A master plan was finally put together in 1999 that would see Museum Island return to its former glory.
The Altes Museum is full of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman artifacts, while the Neues Museum features Egyptian and other early history objects. The Altes Nationalgalerie shows off 19th century European art. The Bode Museum is full of medieval sculptures and recently became infamous, when robbers pulled off an unbelievable heist when they made off with a gigantic Canadian coin valued at more than €4,000,000! The most well-known and popular museum, the pièce de résistance, is the Pergamonmuseum which attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors annually. The museum is known for their architectural highlights such as the Pergamonaltar, Ishtar Gate, and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus. They also boast an impressive collection of rare Islamic art. Currently under renovation as they build a fourth wing, the Pergamonaltar is currently closed to visitors.
Addresses:
Altes Museum – Am Lustgarten, 10178
Altes Nationalgalerie – Bodestraße 1-3, 10178
Bode Museum – Am Kupfergraben, 10117
Neues Museum – Bodestraße 1-3, 10178
Pergamonmuseum – Bodestraße 1-3, 10178
4) Bundestag
The German parliament, known as the Reichstag or theBundestag, is one of the most important historical landmarks in Berlin, if not all of Germany. Thousands of people visit every year to witness parliament in session, dine at the gourmet restaurant, and take in panoramic views over Berlin from the glass dome. Although reservations are needed to visit the parliament, entry is free, and is a must see for anyone visiting Berlin.
Paul Wallot, a German architect, first modelled the building after the Memorial Hall in Philadelphia. Further touches, such as mosaics and sculptures, were added by artist, Otto Lessing. Wallot’s dream was finally realized when construction was completed in 1894. And in 1916, the words “Dem Deutschen Volke” were inscribed on the front of the building, meaning “To the German people” in English. The German parliament was held here until 1933 when the building was set on fire in act of arson. Under the Nazi regime, the building remained in a state of ruin and suffered from further damage during WWII. At the end of the war, Russians proudly hung their flag from the building to show their strength, dominance, and ultimate victory over the Germans. After the war, the German parliament was moved to Bonn and restoration work didn’t begin until 1961, only being completed in 1964 without much fanfare. It became more of an exhibition place, with most statues being removed and traces of soviet graffiti and the bullet ridden facade being left intact.
After German reunification, an official ceremony of the event was held there and in 1991, the decision was made to relocate the parliament back to its original location. Architect Norman Foster saw the renovation and design of the new parliament building, and shortly before the building opened again to the public, the entire building was draped in fabricby artist Christo and his wife, Jeanne Claude. Finally, on April 19, 1999, the first session of parliament was held in the building.
The stunning glass dome is located directly above the debate chamber, allowing the public to see the government in action. It also has a mirrored one that sends light into the building and helps achieve energy efficiencies. The dome can be reached either by lift of climbing one of two large spiral ramps that form a double helix.
Our pro-tips? Visit at sunset for the most spectacular view over Berlin and have some bubbly at the Dachgarten restaurant which has both indoor and outdoor seating options. Reservations at the restaurant are highly recommended and will help you to avoid the long queue outside.
Address:Platz der Republik 1
5) Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz in Mitte, is a large public square and one of the busiest transportation hubs in the city. From the U-Bahn, to the S-Bahn, regional and country trains, to buses, and trams, it’s always packed full of people, be it tourists or locals. Area highlights include shopping meccas, Galeria Kaufhof and Alexa with more than 180 stores, the Fountain of International Friendship, the TV Tower, a World Clock with a rotating installation showing time around the globe, the Rotes Rathaus, and evenbase jumping opportunities at the Park Inn. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants, and if you’re up for it, the city’s famous grill walkers – people who walk around with BBQ’s strapped to their bodies and sell sausages to tourists. At Christmas, it plays host to one of the liveliest Christmas markets in the city, with plenty of food and drink stands, and a ton of carnival rides for children.
Alexanderplatz started off with humble beginnings, operating as a cattle market outside of the city gates. It only started developing in the late 19th century, when a train station was built and later on when a huge department store setup shop in 1904. During the hedonistic 1920’s, it became of the go-to nightlife spots in Berlin. The area has since seen a lot of redevelopment, especially during the communist years when it evolved to become the city centre of the Eastern side of the city.
Alexanderplatz is a place that you’re going to either love or hate. There’s been times, when I haven’t been sure how to feel about it, but after a recent evening spent there with a friend drinking a späti purchased beer under the TV Tower and people watching, I’ve come to appreciate the area much more.
Are you looking for even more of the top most photographed landmarks in Berlin? Then give these posts a read – 7 top Instagram spots in Berlin andPhoto Spots in Berlin. Even better, give me a follow on Instagram to see highlights from my life when I’m on the road.
Address:10178
Locations
Use this customized Google Map to easily find your way to the most photographed landmarks in Berlin.
Good To Know
1) Need of a place to stay in Berlin, then check out your options on booking.com.
How To Spend A Wonderful 24 Hours In Warnemünde – Only 3 hours from Berlin, Warnemünde is the perfect escape for Berliners. Think seafood restaurants, a long sandy beach, therapeutic spas, & the Baltic Sea.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
One of my favourite things to do is hit up spas around the world, be it the Blue Lagoon in Iceland or the Beer Spa Bernard in Prague. But how about visiting a spa in the middle of Berlin (a place I happen to call home) and get a chance to not only pamper yourself but feel like you’re travelling to an entirely different country? That’s exactly what you get when you travel to Vabali Spa in Berlin.
Vabali Spa In Berlin
Feeling stressed, I needed to escape everything and relax, even if only for a few hours. I did some research about spas in Berlin and found a heavenly oasis in the middle of the city, Vabali Spa. So early one Saturday morning, I met up with a couple of gal pals and headed there for a day of girlie fun.
At 20,000 square metres, the spa has everything from saunas to indoor and outdoor pools, private suites, a restaurant, bar, fitness facilities, and massage rooms.
Upon entering Vabali Spa, you’ll be handed a wristband and asked to proceed to the main check-in area. On weekend nights, you can expect a large queue with wait times up to 20-30 minutes. This isn’t fun, but trust me, it’s well worth the wait.
As you walk through this 80-metre-long arcade, you really start to get a feeling for the calming, Asian-inspired design of the spa. The teak pillars and bamboo bushes help hide away the outside world and immediately fill you with a sense of relaxation.
The check-in process is very easy. You can opt to rent a robe, slippers, and towels, all of which are easily charged when the attendants scan your wristband (save money by bringing your own). This actually works for anything you do throughout the day, be it buying a drink from the bar or booking a massage treatment. You’ll be charged when you check out of the spa at the end of the day. They’ll also give you a key to a locker where you can secure all your belongings and then set about on your spa experience.
The Outdoor Area
At Vabali Spa in Berlin, you’ll find that the biggest draw is certainly its expansive outdoor area, which includes a dining terrace, poolside beach chairs, an outdoor pool, two jacuzzi tubs, a huge relaxation area, and access to some of the saunas. The pool and jacuzzi tubs are actually heated year round.
This is where you’ll have to toss aside your prudish ways and embrace the openness of the German spa culture. While most people walking around will be clothed in either a towel or a robe, you’ll find many Germans swimming naked or trying to get an all-over body tan while relaxing on one of the beach chairs.
The spa actually has a “textile-free” policy that requires you to remove your bathing suit to swim in all of their pools or relax in any of the saunas.
The Indoor Area
When it’s not warm enough to enjoy the outdoor area of Vabali Spa, come indoors and immerse yourself in this 1.5-metre-deep and 50-square-metre pool.
There are also several quiet rooms spread around the spa, where you can simply sit back in a lounge chair to sleep, read, listen to music, etc. There’s even an area where you can curl up under a blanket on warm water beds When my friends and I discovered this, we squealed in delight and immediately jumped under the covers for a snooze.
Massages and Private Suites
Vabali Spa offers a range of massage treatments that can either be booked in advance or through a large touchscreen near the main check-in desk.
My friends and I all opted for the 50-minute classic massage that they describe as “Loosening and relaxation of muscle tension and blockages in the entire muscular system, with individual stretching and flexibility massage techniques bringing the body into harmony.” Needless to say, all three of us emerged from our treatments as very happy ladies.
For coupled folks who want a more romantic experience, you can book a private suite for the day and receive your spa treatments there. A private suite can be booked on an hourly basis (I did this with a man friend of mine recently!) – most suites come equipped with an indoor lounge area, shower, deep soaking jacuzzi tub, and an outdoor terrace. You can book a massage treatment in the room or opt to go at it alone – bookings include a fruit platter, a bottle of sparkling wine, candlelight, and music – plus oil and bubble bath so you can enjoy a soak together.
Saunas and Steam Baths
At Vabali Spa in Berlin, there are eleven different saunas and steam baths, which vary in temperature and even, aroma. Some of the rooms have panoramic views overlooking the property, while others like the Russian style sauna feel cozier.
I’d recommend doing a tour of all the different rooms to see which aromas you like and which temperature you can handle. Room temperatures start from 50 degrees Celsius and reach up to 95 degrees Celsius. Humidity ranges anywhere from 20–100%.
There’s a sauna schedule, which you can check to find out when an attendant will come to do an intensive aromatherapy and “heat-infusion” session. The attendant pours water over the oven’s rocks and then walks around the room, whipping a towel toward you to evenly distribute the heat and the scent.
Restaurant and Bar
The restaurant’s cuisine is focused on light, fresh, healthy dishes with a Mediterranean and Asian flair. The chef only uses local and organic products, as well as free-range meat. I had the beef stir-fry with a spicy chili-ginger-garlic sauce and can vouch for its tastiness (see the full menu).
The full-service bar includes wine, beer, and cocktails likethe Hugo. You can even ask your server’s assistance to do a food and wine pairing for your meal. On nice days, you can opt to eat outside on the terrace. You can also order drinks from the comfort of your poolside chair.
For obvious reasons, you’re required to wear clothing while you eat your meal. My friends and I simply wore our spa robes and slippers while we dined inside. It was a luxurious experience to say in the least.
What do you think of Vabali Spa in Berlin? Would you spend a day here?
1) This is a perfect way to spend the day alone, with friends, or even better, with lovers. My friends and I had so much fun and have definite plans to visit again over winter. You really don’t feel like you’re in Berlin at all even though it’s less than a 10 minute walk from the central station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
2) The spa’s open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily.
3) Rates for two hours are from 20,50 €, for four hours from 27,50 €, and for the day from 35,50 € (plus and extra 2,00 € on the weekends and public holidays).
4) Due to the high amount of nudity in the spa, privacy is one of Vabali’s topmost concerns. Absolutely no mobile phones are permitted. Leave your phone in the locker and help the spa maintain a peaceful and relaxing environment.
5) It’s easy to get lost in love with your partner once you’re within the confines of the spa. It might be hard, but it’s best to reserve your lusty ways for later on and keep your public displays of affection to a minimum.
6) While most Germans get the gist, the nudity aspect seems to have other people thinking that Vabali Spa is something that it’s not. So let’s get this straight – it’s not a swingers club, but a health and wellness facility. Berlin has other places for those kind of things.
7) Smoking’s permitted outdoors in designated sections.
8) If you’re looking for a place to stay in Berlin, check with booking.com.
*Disclosure – All photos in the post are courtesy of the spa.This post also contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
I’m not sure I could ever live in a tropical climate because I love the changing of seasons so much. I’m a Canadian girl at heart and will never be able to live anywhere where I can’t watch the miracle of spring’s growth, enjoy long lazy summer days, pull out my fall fashion statement pieces, and wake up to a white Christmas.
My favourite season by far, is autumn when the leave are falling, laying in big piles all around you, ripe for jumping into or skipping through. The red, orange, and yellow coloured leaves paint the forested areas of Berlin into a whole new world. I love the feel of those crisp mornings and warm moments in the afternoon. Fall is always bittersweet, as you’re saying bye to summer and know full well, winter is almost upon you.
Fall in Berlin is also downright magical. It’s cheesy to say this, but it’s true. Check out some of what autumn in Berlin looks like at Volkspark Friedrichshain.
Volkspark Friedrichshain: Photos Of Autumn In Berlin
I woke up one morning to visit my favourite local park,Volkspark Friedrichshain. The park was bathed in the most glorious of light. I don’t wake up early very often, but this beautiful fall day in Berlin made it very worthwhile.
I couldn’t think of a better way to start my day in Berlin!
What do think of these photos of autumn in Berlin? Can you recommend any good spots for taking pictures? Drop our readers a note in the comments section.
Good to Know
1) If you’re in Berlin for a vacation, book yourself a place to stay.
Treat Yourself At Vabali Spa In Berlin – Spend a day at Vabali Spa in Berlin. One of the largest spas in Germany, it has saunas, pools, relaxation areas, a restaurant, & more.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Living in Berlin has given me a new appreciation of art in general, most notably street art, and how it really can enhance a city’s urban spaces. Street art also provides a fascinating way for people to become acquainted with the culture of a city, especially when murals and other works of art show up containing political themes and other relevant commentary. Take, for example, the wall at Mauerpark which changes every week depicting tragedies like the murder of George Floyd.
Years back when I took an impromptu trip to meet with a university friend in Cologne, I enjoyed hanging out in the city’s Belgian quarter for a day. Full of funky stores, hip cafés and a really amazing tattoo parlor where I happened to get a new tattoo(!), I was surprised to find soooo much street art in Cologne.
You can say this trip started me on a “whole thing”, as checking out street art around the world is now one of my top travel obsessions. Check out some of my favorite blog posts from places like New York City,Mostar, and Vilnius.
My favorite photo from this trip is this one with music notes painted on the two garage doors. I love how it could have been left boring and bland but was turned into something really pretty.
I’m also quite enamored with Little Lucy, and similar sketcheshave also appeared in Berlin and Hamburg.
Do you like this street art in Cologne? Where have you seen the best examples of street art? Tell me about it by leaving a comment below.
Good To Know
1) If you’re looking for a place to stay while you’re in Cologne, Germany, look no further than booking.com.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support
