"Not Quite as Wonderful as I Expected" Berlin by Ekaterinburg

Berlin Travel Guide: 6,867 reviews and 15,338 photos

Marx & Engels - Berlin
Marx & Engels
I liked lots of things about Berlin BUT.....

.. I have to be honest and admit that a lot of the city seemed ugly to me and that I'd never before seen so many examples of hideous and mediocre modern architecture in one place.

Of course there are some stunning examples of all kinds of architecture but almost everywhere you go in Berlin, there are rows of soul-less concrete box-type apartment blocks not too far away.

I also found the sprawling layout of the city confusing and the lack of a centre, a bit disorientating.

So, that's the rant finished. The tips on my page are about several things I liked and a few things I loved in Berlin. Unfortunately, I had to cut my trip short and come home four days early. This and the fact that the weather was too wet and dreary to see anything properly for most of the time I was there, severely cut down on the number of things I saw and did.

But sometimes, with the best will and effort in the world, things don't work out as planned and there's not a lot you can do about it.

  • Last visit to Berlin: Dec 2007
  • Intro Updated Jun 21, 2012
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Comments (17)

  • Reply
    May 6, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Very useful tips. i am totally clueless about Berlin so, I will use your tips as my guide in planning the trip. Thanks, Katherine!

  • Reply
    johngayton's Profile Photo
    Sep 21, 2010 at 12:48 PM

    Interesting viewpoints. I liked the randomness and lack of centre of the city - but then that's how my brain functions anyway LOL.

  • Reply
    MichaelRees's Profile Photo
    Jun 10, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    Immer noch eine Reise wert - but still worth visiting

  • Reply
    evaanna's Profile Photo
    Jul 12, 2008 at 1:16 PM

    It seems that you did find quite a few interesting places in Berlin after all. The New Synagogue for one is a real beauty. The bear holding a coat-of-arms reminds me of Wilanow. Very enjoyable reading, like all your other pages.

  • Reply
    Jeannette1's Profile Photo
    Apr 13, 2008 at 9:00 PM

    Very informative and detailed tips. I feel the same as you do about Berlin. Probably won't go back.

  • Reply
    bijo69's Profile Photo
    Apr 6, 2008 at 3:03 PM

    Excellent page Katherine! Sorry, to hear that you had to cut your visit short, but Berlin is better to see in summer anyway.

  • Reply
    grishaV1's Profile Photo
    Feb 20, 2008 at 1:11 PM

    One persons horror is another's beauty. Berlin is also dense with beautiful bldgs away from main places."Off the beaten path" is greatly needed. Dec. in Berlin...or most any place this region, what can one expect but rain or snow? Its winter after all!

  • Reply
    tiabunna's Profile Photo
    Jan 30, 2008 at 7:32 PM

    An interesting and informative page, Katherine, even if your trip was not without problems. Maybe that gives a reason to consider another trip some day, in a different season and circumstances?

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Jan 23, 2008 at 3:06 PM

    Fine tips on Der Freischütz & the Philharmonie! Glad you enjoyed them both.

  • Reply
    Jan 19, 2008 at 4:27 AM

    Hi Katherine - sorry to hear your trip to Berlin didn't quite live up to expectations - nevertheless this is an interesting and well written page - reminded me of some places I saw here back in May too! :)) Have a good weekend, Maria x

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