TEFL in Berlin: 7 things you have to see in the German capital
If you’re planning on doing TEFL in Berlin this year, then be sure to read on. We’ve got this 101 on the things you simply must see while working and living in the enthralling German capital. There’s a good mix, from legendary techno clubs (a Berlin specialty) to iconic buildings that have a central place in the nation’s history. Let’s begin…
Brandenburg Gate
No trip to Berlin, no matter if it’s a two-day city break or a year-long TEFL jaunt, could be complete without a sighting of the Brandenburg Gate. This is the iconic landmark of the city. It rises above the heart of the bustling Mitte district, crowning the chic shopping strip of Unter den Linden (Berlin’s answer to the Champs Elysée). The monument itself is a glorious display of Neoclassical design, with a quadriga chariot on top and fluted columns up front. It’s played a central role in German history, having survived WWII and then been a gateway between East and West Germany throughout the Cold War.
Museum Island
Calling all culture buffs doing TEFL in Berlin – Museum Island is the place you’re looking for. Sat on a little speck of land in the middle of the Spree River, this collection of award-winning institutions is positively brimming with history and art. Where to begin? How about the Bode Museum, with its collection of Byzantine sculptures and Coptic Christian relics? Or maybe you’d prefer the Pergamon Museum, where there’s a whole reconstruction of an ancient market town from Turkey, along with the very gates of Babylon? And that’s really just a taster of what awaits in this UNESCO World Heritage Site!
TV Tower Berlin
TV Tower Berlin, or the Fernsehturm Berlin as its known in the local lingo, is like the kebab stick on which the city rotates. You can see it looming overhead from virtually every corner of town, its famous red and white spire shooting into the clouds. Part broadcasting tower, park observation deck, the Fernsehturm has a soaring café almost at its pinnacle, from where visitors can see nearly 60km on clear days.
Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain
These days, Berlin is known as one of the coolest cities in Europe. It’s a hipster hub, with more vegan falafel joints, mezze kitchens, and craft beer bars than you can shake a stein at. The best place to feel that vibe is the connected neighborhood of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain. At once gritty but edgy, the streets there are filled with squat cafés and jazz bars. You can see some remnants of the Berlin Wall, too, strewn with intriguing graffiti, and there’s oodles of vintage clothes shopping besides.
Tiergarten
Grab yourself a pretzel or a bratwurst and make for the Tiergarten. That’s what the locals do whenever the sun’s shining. Berlin’s largest central park, this one ranges from the buzzy downtown core of Mitte all the way to grand Charlottenburg in the west. It’s got open lawns for picnicking, wide waterways where ducks bob on the surface, and grand equestrian monuments, not to mention even hidden sunbathing spots au naturel. You could wander for days and days and still not see it all.
Reichstag
The Reichstag is the most important building in Germany. Opened in 1894, it was once the center of power for the German Empire. That all ended with the fragmentation of Germany after the war, but the Reichstag was refurbished and repaired by 1999, when it became the meeting place of the German parliament once more. Today, it’s perhaps best known for the shimmering Reichstag Dome. That soars nearly 50 meters above the surrounding metropolis and comes filled with spiral walkways that offer 360-degree panoramas of the whole capital.
Berghain
They just don’t make clubs like Berghain anymore. This is one of Berlin’s original techno meccas. It occupies a vast, post-industrial depot on the east side of the city, and draws a huge (like, seriously, huge) crowds of revelers every night. The door staff are infamously picky with who can enter and who can’t, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t get through. If you do, then expect the hedonism to go off the scale, as reports of Berghain parties are that they don’t end until well into the next day. Just be sure you haven’t got lessons for a few days, eh?
Are you a veteran of TEFL in Berlin? Have something to add to this list? We’d love to hear your suggestions. Simply drop them in the comments below. Alternatively, if you’re ready to get TEFL qualified and traveling to places like Germany, head over to our courses page to begin.