From gritty glamour to elegant edginess, the streets of Berlin are the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram post. Its ever-evolving art-scene and timeless classical European architecture make Germany’s capital a prime location for indulging in cutting-edge culture. Follow our Instagrammer’s guide to Berlin and prepare to splash historical graffiti and breath-taking buildings all over your feed.
This 18th century neo-classical monument is an iconic symbol of the Cold War and the only surviving historical gate in the city. Offering interesting insights in Berlin’s past, the gate represents both the division and unity of the East and West areas. Made from sandstone and with many references in the architecture to the Acropolis buildings in Athens, this six columned monument makes for a colossal photo opp!
Street art galore, the largest open air gallery in the world is screaming out to be photographed. In its central location of Friedrichshain – Kreuzberg, the show space features famous graffiti stretching along a portion of the Berlin Wall. As a heritage-protected site, the gallery is home to 105 pieces of art and stands as a symbol of freedom. Some iconic paintings include the Socialist Fraternal Kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German president Erich Honecker, and Bridget Kinder’s Trabant Car.
Located on Museum Island in the Mitte borough, the best place to view the cathedral in Berlin, is not from the front. For the best photo follow the Vera-Brittain-Ufer pathway along the banks of the River Spree until you come to the ‘Three Girls One Boy’ statues by Wilfred Fitzenreiter. Hop up beside one of the figure and snap the perfect shot. One of the main landmarks dominating the cityscape, the dome of the cathedral is the real selling point of the basilica. Take some time to peek inside the building, where its ornamented interior is also well worth a photo.
Home to the Imperial Diet of the German Empire, your camera is guaranteed to love this next location. The roof terrace and dome are the areas open to the public and boast spectacular views of the parliamentary and government district. Come here for your city panoramic selfie and don’t miss out on the cool interior of the dome’s insides for another artsy Berlin photo.
This indoor marketplace is the perfect location for a foodie photoshoot. Lined with stalls selling an array of international food and a ceiling criss-crossed with iron beams, you won’t find a corner not worthy of your Instagram feed in this place. Opened in 1891, the market hall hosts Street Food Thursday’s featuring vendors from across the globe and has the most aesthetically pleasing little flower stand, ready and waiting for its close up.
Not just your average train station, the walkways at Friedrichstrasse are picture-perfect and calling out for attention. The long tunnels of wrought iron framed glass windows are amazing candid capture spots as the sun streaks across the ground. Don’t bother trying to get pictures here during peak travel times, but during quiet times this is a strangely serene place to come and take a few photos for the ‘gram.
Large public square and city transport hub, the area named after the Russian Tsar is a hotspot for iconic landmarks. Commonly known as just Alex, the square is home to the world clock showing the current time in 148 major cities around the globe. Behind the clock looms the tallest structure in Berlin, the TV Tower, a symbol of the entire city. The challenge is to fit as many attractions in one photo as you can and I promise you the end result is worth the multiple angle tests!
Sitting on the boundary of Mitte and Kreuzberg, Berlinische Galerie houses one of Berlin’s most important art collections, but for once it’s what’s on the outside that counts not the inside. Directly outside the museums entrance is several rows of lettered yellow boxes spelling out the names of famous artists. Already recognisable across Berlin inspired Instagram posts, the squares make a cool artsy aesthetic that embodies everything the city is about.
At the eastern end of Leipziger Strasse, the U-Bahn station has a special feature that will brighten up your feed. Lounge on one the green benches lined up in a row and add a splash of colour to your holiday photo reel.
Pink, white and green are the signature colours at this international fusion eatery and the décor is what Instagram dreams are made of. With views over the River Spree and the Oberbaum bridge from the restaurant’s terrace, this dinner spot is the ultimate in digi-pop design and needs to be added to the list of Instagrammable spots in Berlin – the food’s not bad either!
Also known as the Holocaust memorial, this is an extraordinary site that you should visit regardless of its photogenic potential. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold, the incredible tribute is in the heart of the city and should be treated with all the respect it deserves. Nevertheless it is a spectacular work of art and craftsmanship that’s well worth a spot on your feed.
Born out of a pre-existing conceptual restaurant in Brooklyn, NY, the House of Small Wonder recently opened its doors to Berlin and Instagram-enthusiasts can’t get enough of it. Its rustic, fresh atmosphere coupled with Japanese inspired food make it a picture-perfect hide away. Resembling a real-life botanical garden, head to the white iron staircase to satisfy your inner aesthetic OCD.
Linking Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, the double-deck bridge straddles the River Spree and is the ultimate location to catch the sun set. A symbol of unification after the separation during the Cold War, the bridge has a roadway on its lower deck and railway line on its upper. For the perfect photo, wait for the famous yellow train to cross the top deck adding a new dimension to your shot of one of Berlin’s most famous bridges.
Heading to Berlin? Make sure to tag us using #ryanairstories, in your most Instagram worthy photos of Berlin for a chance to be featured on Ryanair’s social media channels.
Flights to Berlin
- Lucy Norris
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