Berlin is a city that rewards travellers who are willing to put the guidebook down and explore. For Jacaranda FM radio personality Rob Forbes, the German capital is best experienced by slowing down, getting lost in its neighbourhoods and discovering the places that make the city feel like home.
Having recently spent time in Berlin, Rob has shared his top five things to do and see for travellers looking to experience a different side of the city.
Stay in Friedrichshain and live like a local
Rob’s first piece of advice is to choose the right neighbourhood. His pick is Friedrichshain, Berlin’s grittier eastern district just north of the Spree. Home to the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall and the famous East Side Gallery, Friedrichshain offers plenty for visitors to explore, but Rob says the real magic is found away from the main tourist routes.
“Tucked off the main roads are streets full of wonderful places to eat and drink, and the place feels pulsing and alive late into the evening,” says Rob. “My advice? Put your map away entirely and let the neighbourhood reveal itself to you, one late evening after another. Treat it like you live there, and it will make you feel like you do.”
The neighbourhood is also well connected by underground trains and trams, making it an ideal base for travellers wanting to explore the rest of Berlin.
See the Brandenburg Gate after dark
No trip to Berlin would be complete without seeing the Brandenburg Gate, but Rob suggests skipping the crowds and returning to the city’s most famous monument long after the tour buses have left.
Rather than visiting during the day, when the landmark can be surrounded by crowds of tourists, Rob recommends heading back after dinner, when the square is quieter and the monument is illuminated against the night sky.
“Go back after dark, well after the tour buses have cleared out and the crowds have thinned to almost nothing,” he says. “You’ll find it a different landmark entirely when it’s lit against an empty square at midnight. It’s quiet enough that you can simply stand there and soak it in properly. It’s gorgeous.”
Visit the Berliner Dom
Berlin’s Museum Island is home to some of the city’s most important cultural attractions, but if travellers are only going to pay to visit one, Rob recommends making it the Berliner Dom.
The grand cathedral, which sits at the heart of Museum Island, is one of Berlin’s most recognisable buildings and is known for its elaborate interior, impressive dome and historical significance. “I’ve been to loads of cathedrals over the years, and this one takes my breath away every time,” says Rob. “The scale of the dome and the way the light moves through stops you in your tracks. It might be absolutely the most beautiful building I’ve ever been inside.”
For those who don’t mind a climb, Rob also recommends making the journey to the walkway around the top of the dome for panoramic views across Berlin.
Spend a day at Vabali
For those looking to escape the pace of sightseeing, Rob’s second recommendation is to spend a full day at Vabali, a sprawling spa and sauna complex designed to feel like a vast Japanese garden.
With more than 15 saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, quiet spaces to relax and plenty of food options, Rob says the experience is the perfect way to unwind after exploring the city.
“Every local friend we had gave us the same piece of advice: do a day at Vabali,” he says. “After three hours, it felt like a complete nervous system reset. By the end of the day, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed.”
Rob does, however, advise South African visitors to familiarise themselves with German sauna culture before visiting.
Spend a day at one of Berlin’s swimming lakes
Berlin might be far from the coast, but Rob says travellers shouldn’t overlook the city’s swimming lakes, which offer locals their own version of a day at the beach. While Wannsee and Schlachtensee are among the best-known, Berlin is home to dozens of lakes that can be reached by public transport.
“Grab a towel or a sarong, pack some snacks and drinks, take your book and leave the day open,” says Rob. “Head out to a lake on the train, find yourself a shady spot under a tree and spend your day swimming and relaxing. It’s a gorgeous outing.”
For Rob, experiencing Berlin isn’t necessarily about ticking off every major attraction (and there are a lot of them!). It’s about giving yourself enough time to experience the city at its own pace.
“Berlin got under my skin,” says Rob. “There are a thousand online checklists and a million reels telling you where to go and what to do. But sometimes the best way to experience a city is to put the map away and let it show you what makes it special.”
Listen to Rob Forbes on The Drive With Rob & Roz every weekday afternoon between 16:00 and 19:00 only on Jacaranda FM.
