die Berliner sbahn am Wochenende in Berlin
Travel Guide

A weekend in Berlin

Why I spent my very first weekend in Berlin when I was 26

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The fact that this weekend in Berlin was finally happening was a small miracle for me. With my 26 years of age I have already been to over 23 countries in the world, have experienced so many cultures and seen so many beautiful corners, but I had never made it to my “own” capital – and not even on purpose. All attempts failed so far, no matter if it was a cancelled concert or a flu, it shouldn’t be – until now.

Weekend in Berlin – expectations

On Friday we boarded the ICE, which travels directly from Munich to Berlin in four hours. And although travelling could certainly be more pleasant at the moment, wearing masks four hours was easy. Admittedly I had rather low expectations of Berlin. But these were positively filled in the first few moments.

Berlin reminds me of New York. “My” New York 2013, the New York I was allowed to call home. It is the wonderful sounds of the most different languages, the diverse faces I look into and the closeness to the water that reminds me so much of that time. And maybe also the graffiti, the odour in the heat of summer and also the obvious gap between rich and poor. It is exactly these things – may they be more positive or more negative in some eyes – that give me a feeling of home in a city.

If someone had asked me on Thursday evening whether I could imagine living in Berlin, I would have answered with a clear NO. But with every second longer in this city the no became a maybe. Although you can’t get a picture of a whole city on a weekend, I’m sure that I got the right picture for me.

Berlin is full of beauty and diversity, you only have to look closely to discover it.

Favorite spots in Berlin

Hackeschen Höfe: How wonderful must it be to live there? A dream. It’s understandable that the apartments there are now among the most famous and expensive in Berlin. The cute little shops, restaurants and also the cinema, the small courtyards have done it to me. A small oasis in a huge metropolis.

Victory Column: It is certainly an extremely touristy place, but the view is still beautiful. And also sitting on the first platform, having the Berlin noise in my ears, was a place to relax.

Spreeufer Nikolaiviertel: Every (or almost every) spot on the Spree is certainly perfect for relaxing. I also noticed this during our 2.5h Spree boat trip. But sitting there and looking at the Museum Island has made it one of my favourite places for me.

Gendarmenmarkt: What can I say, these buildings impress me. No matter how many I’ve seen. The elegance that such a concert hall radiates is indescribable to me.

My favorite places to have food in Berlin

  1. Maison Umami -rarely eaten so well Vietnamese food and rarely seen such a wonderful, detail-loving interior.
  2. Zimt&Zucker – cute little café, ideal for a relaxed breakfast.
  3. Italofritzen – for my perfect moment of happiness in Berlin, that restaurant was responsible. The view directly to the Spree while eating pizza was indescribably beautiful.
  4. Ristorante DaVicni – because a good pizza can’t be huge enough and the location below the S-Bahn line gave me the Berlin vibes.

A weekend in Berlin – impressions

eine Fassade eines Hauses in den hackeschen Höfen in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht auf dem Alexanderplatz vor der Weltuhr und dem Berliner Fernsehturm
© Vanessa Schwenk
der Alexanderplatz mit der Weltuhr und Blick auf den Berliner Fernsehturm
© Vanessa Schwenk
das Konzerthaus in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
ein bild der Spreefahrt in Berlin. Das Wasser glänzt und die Fenster des Neubaus reflektieren den Himmel an diesem Wochenende in Berlin.
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht auf der Museumsinsel in einem batik kleid.
© Vanessa Schwenk
eine beliebige Straße in Berlin an diesem Wochenende in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
die Museumsinsel fotografiert von der Spreebootsfahrt an diesem Wochenende in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
eine Fassade eines Hauses in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht mit Einkaufstüten am Bahnhof Hallesches tor
© Vanessa Schwenk
die Aussicht auf das begrünte berlin von der Siegessäule aus. die Straße zum Brandenburger Tor ist zu sehen.
© Vanessa Schwenk
ein Kunstwerk am Bahnhof bellevue aus Tetra Pak Flaschen, die ein Herz bilden.
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht in der mall of Berlin und blick auf das Gebäude des Bundesrats
© Vanessa Schwenk
ein Sonnenuntergang am Bahnhof Hallesches tor in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht an der east side gallery neben einem der vielen Kunstwerke
© Vanessa Schwenk
schloss Bellevue in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht mit einem erfrischenden drink an der reling des boots bei der spreerundfahrt an diesem Wochenende in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
der Bahnhof bellevue in Berlin mit seiner roten Fassade verziert mit Graffiti
© Vanessa Schwenk
frühtstück im Zimt und Zucker am Wochenende in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk steht vor dem Brandenburger tor
© Vanessa Schwenk
Ausschnitt einer barocken Fassade eines Hauses in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
ein schwarz weiß foto eines Gebäudes in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
der Berliner Bahnhof fotografiert vom Wasser aus.
© Vanessa Schwenk
eine trabi Kollektion in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk
das Futurium vom Wasser aus fotografiert
© Vanessa Schwenk
vanessa schwenk sitzt auf den mauern der museumsinsel bei ihrem Wochenende in Berlin
© Vanessa Schwenk

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Founder of Virago Spring, formerly a journalist, she now works full-time as a Senior SEO Manager and leads the search strategy team for the German market at a major media publisher. Outside of work, she loves fashion, dogs and everything to do with interiors. She shares tips and tricks for a beautiful life - at home and at work. Whether it's about organization or self-care.