Whenever I travel, I make a promise to myself: I will write, I will keep track, I will remember. But as soon as I step off the plane, I totally lose myself in the wanderlust and want to enjoy every moment as it comes.

Four days in Berlin, and no idea where to start.
Since we flew into Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) — located a bit outside the city center — we took the S-Bahn train to Friedrichstraße Station and walked to our hostel from there. This moment sparked my love affair with train stations. Before that, I can’t ever remember being on a train — unless you count the one that loops around Disneyland. These real, giant train stations with arched glass ceilings and never-ending platforms felt like a dream.

Where We Stayed in Berlin

We stayed at Baxpax Downtown Hostel — chosen for its proximity to the few landmarks I knew I wanted to see, and its location in Mitte. A friend had recommended Mitte as the best borough to stay in for first-time visitors. It was the perfect base to explore Berlin on foot.

Day One: Museum Island, Berlin Wall, and Schnitzel

We spent our first day walking along the canal to Museuminsel (Museum Island), a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s home to five museums — including the Pergamon Museum, located on a small island in Berlin’s Spree River.

We stumbled upon one of three remaining pieces of the Berlin Wall, this one near a large cemetery and rose garden. We sat on a patch of grass and enjoyed lunch, soaking in the peaceful contrast to the heavy history.

From there, we followed Berlin’s most iconic landmark — the Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower) — which led us straight into Alexanderplatz for a much-needed beer and schnitzel. The Fernsehturm, constructed between 1965 and 1969, was meant to symbolize Berlin and still serves that role today. It’s visible from almost every corner of the city, and we quickly learned to use it like a compass. Lost? Look for the tower, and let the colorful pink and blue pipes lead you home.

Day Two: Free Walking Tour & Berlin’s Historic Landmarks

It didn’t take us long to learn one of our favorite travel tips: a free walking tour is the best way to experience a new city. So the next morning, we retraced our route — this time with someone to explain all the places we had wandered through the day before.

We walked through the Brandenburg Gate, past the Berliner Dom, and reached the second and longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. We also visited the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, which was powerful and emotional. Even as the rain started, we pressed on to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Reichstag Parliament building, and ended the day at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe — one of the most moving memorials I’ve ever experienced.

Why Berlin Stays With You

What an incredible city — full of life, creativity, and deep history.
Berlin isn’t about perfectly curated moments. It’s about honesty, resilience, art, and contrast. It’s a city that invites you to wander, get lost, and feel your way through its layered past and vibrant present.

Want to follow more of my travel adventures?
Check out the full Travel Journal archive on Egypsy.co — filled with reflective stories, cultural insights, and practical tips from places I’ve fallen in love with.