Top Facts About Berlin You May Not Know

We visited Berlin a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed our time in this memorable city, visiting the sites for which Berlin in known such as the remains of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and The Brandenburg Gate.

As you probably know, Berlin the capital of Germany is a city rich in history, some of it dark but always fascinating. During World War 2 it was the headquarters of the Gestapo, the German secret police and Hilter spent much of his time there. If you are interested in the history of this a visit to the Topography of Terror, an exhibition on the former premises of the SS headquarters, is highly recommended, but leave the little ones at home due to the nature of the exhibit.

The Brandenburg Gate

After World War 2 Germany was divided into two separate countries, East and West Germany. East was communist under the control of the Soviet Union and West was democratic and allied with Britain, France and the US.



Part of the Berlin Wall that still stands

People in East Germany started to leave and move to the West as they didn't want to live under a communist leadership and to prevent this in 1961 the Berlin Wall was built. People were stunned as the wall seemed to go up overnight, and until the demise of the wall in 1989, over 5000 people escaped to West Germany. Guards on the wall were ordered to shoot anyone trying to escape and over 200 people were killed.


The sign illustrates how Berlin was split into East and West after WW2 and prior to 1989 at Checkpoint Charlie


As you can see the modern history of Berlin is dark and at times depressing but don't let that put you off visiting this amazing city. Berlin is also known for its diverse architecture, its interesting nightlife,and its creative industries. With a booming street food scene and a number of Michelin star restaurants, foodies will also not be disappointed.

Below are some facts about Berlin you may not know about.

Top Facts About Berlin You May Not Know
  1. The city of Berlin is nine times bigger than Paris and over 180 kilometres of the navigatable waterway.
  2. With more than 4,650 restaurants, 900 bars, 190 clubs and 175 museums, you will never be bored or hungry.
  3. It has more bridges than Venice.
  4. In 1924 the first set of traffic lights in Europe was installed in Potsdamer Platz. Today you can go and admire a replica of the lights in the same spot. 
  5. There are more doner kebab houses in Berlin than there are in Istanbul. 
  6. The International Berlin Beer Festival has the longest beer garden in the world.
  7. It is Germany's biggest university city and over 130,000 students study in Berlin every year.
  8. Of Berlin's 3 million population nearly 30% have a migrant background.

Tell me have you ever visited Berlin?

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20 comments

  1. Unknown24 August 2016 at 09:18

    No I haven't but I want to. Been to Düsseldorf some years ago and I loved it.

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    1. Mellissa Williams23 September 2016 at 00:00

      I haven't been to Dusseldorf, what was it like Stella?

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    2. Unknown26 September 2016 at 19:09

      It was lovely. A beautiful city. Very much like Amsterdam.

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  2. Lubka Henry24 August 2016 at 09:24

    I haven't been to Berlin since I was very little. Very interesting facts indeed. The Berlin wall can't be missed indeed!

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  3. Colette24 August 2016 at 18:12

    I love learning about the WWII so would be really interested to visit - as you say, maybe not with the kids though!

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    1. Mellissa Williams23 September 2016 at 00:01

      I think you have to balance finding out about the second World war and the Berlin wall with things that are more fun.

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  4. Petite Style Beauty24 August 2016 at 18:30

    Nice facts! I've never been to Berlin, but I've been to Germany's cities like Dusseldorf, Frankfurt um Main and Munch.

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  5. Unknown24 August 2016 at 20:43

    I would love to go to Berlin. I visited Belgium and France for an historic holiday and loved it.

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  6. Stephanie Merry21 September 2016 at 09:47

    I've not been to Berlin before but it's definitely on my bucket list - thanks for sharing x

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  7. Ickle Pickle21 September 2016 at 09:51

    I have never been but would love to - my eldest daughter has been with her father and says it was an amazing place. Kaz x

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  8. KLF21 September 2016 at 15:00

    I have been to Berlin a few times and I always feel like I have barely scratched the surface. There is actually so much to do!

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    1. Mellissa Williams23 September 2016 at 00:03

      There is Kaye, we barely scratched the surface too.

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  9. Kate21 September 2016 at 15:34

    Loads of great facts. I'd love to go to Berlin.

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  10. Kerry Louise Norris21 September 2016 at 22:05

    I've never been. I didn't know any of those facts. Gobsmacked it has more bridges than Venice x

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    1. Mellissa Williams23 September 2016 at 00:04

      I could hardly believe that either. Apparently so has Birmingham!

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  11. Emily Twin Mummy and Daddy21 September 2016 at 22:11

    Fab facts. Looks like a great place to visit. Very interesting x

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