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Not to miss in Berlin – local’s favourites

Not to miss in Berlin

Living in Berlin for 9 years, these are my absolute favourite spots in the city. I highly recommend visiting them if you’re traveling to Berlin.

I moved to Berlin in 2015, and here are my favourite spots (on no particular order) you should visit when you come to the city. Honestly, the places I’m introducing in this blog post aren’t hidden gems; on the contrary, they’re quite famous among Berliners. Nonetheless, I highly recommend visiting them.

Strolling through the flea market on Sundays

If you’re looking for the perfect Sunday, you should visit Mauerpark. It is a park located between the two districts of Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding, and (almost) every Sunday, it hosts a huge flea market. Some commercial sellers offer a variety of handcrafted items like clothes, art, and jewellery, but there are also many private sellers mainly offering second-hand clothes. My flatmate and I love the mix of the market and have already bought lots of great clothes for just a few coins. But honestly, I also really love the handcrafted accessories. There are food trucks and Spätis (Berliner convenience stores) nearby as well.

Batches on the flea market in Berlin

Besides the market, the park is a great place to visit. Especially on weekends, many people come here to relax in the sun. And nowhere else will you find so many street musicians. Sometimes, there is even karaoke in the park. People also come here to play sports – I once joined a free Zumba session. Mauerpark is also one of the few places where having a BBQ is allowed.

Flea market at Mauerpark
  • Mauerpark Flohmarkt
  • Park/ flea market
  • Bernauer Strasse 63-64; 10435 Berlin (Wedding/ Prenzlauer Berg)
  • Admission is free
  • The park: 24/7; The flea market: Sundays, 8am-6pm
  • M10 Wolliner Straße; U8 to Bernauer Straße; U2 to Eberswalder Straße
A Taste of Thailand in the Heart of Berlin

Berlin is a place which thrives on its people and diversity. One of the most popular places to enjoy street food, and definitely my favourite, is Thaipark in the Charlottenburg district. It features mainly Thai food – as you can probably guess from the name – but you can also find other East Asian dishes.

Dumplings at Thaipark

It all started with a few people sharing Thai food in a park and grew into a large food market and a popular weekend meeting spot for Berliners. There were even several discussions about moving or closing Thaipark. This year, the street food market was relocated to a neighbouring street. I think the atmoshphere is still great. In the recent years, Thaipark has made significant strides in environmental responsibility. Food is served on reusable plates, which you can borrow for a small deposit (usually 2€). Alternatively, you can bring your own containers or plates. The food is freshly cooked right in front of you, and offers this little vacation nostalgia from your last trip to Thailand. 

A stall at Thaipark
  • Thaipark
  • Thai/ Asian Street Food Market
  • Württembergische Straße; 10707 Berlin (Wilmersdorf)
  • Admission is free; A dish costs around 6-8€
  • April-October, every Saturday and Sunday, 11am-9pm (can be closed due to rain)
  • U2, U3, U7 Fehrbelliner Platz; Bus 101, 115, 143 U Fehrbelliner Platz
  • Official page (only available in German)

Since this year, a smaller version of the Thai market can also be found at Gleisdreieck Park on Fridays. Please note that both street food markets accept cash only.

Thai Bridge
  • Thai Bridge
  • Smaller Thai/ Asian Street Food Market
  • Gleisdreieck; Jules B-Part Café, Luckenwalder Straße; 10963 Berlin (Kreuzberg)
  • Admission is free; A dish costs around 6-8€
  • April-October, every Friday, 3pm-10pm (can be closed due to rain)
  • U1, U2, U3 Gleisdreieck
  • Official page (only available in German)
Visit an Urban Village Right Next to the Spree

Holzmarkt25 feels like its own little village, where people come to enjoy street food, dance, relax by the Spree (the largest river in Berlin), and simply have a good time. The urban village is named after its street address and is located between the S-Bahn stations Jannowitzbrücke and Ostbahnhof in the district of Friedrichshain.

Holzmarkt

There are many small shops and stalls offering food, and sometimes also handcrafted flea market jewellry, accessories, and clothes. My highlight is a large wooden ship next to the Spree, with benches and wooden chairs to relax in. Holzmarkt25 is also really family-friendly, they even have a small playground for kids. The atmosphere is always positive and open-minded. Entry is usually free, but a fee may be apply if a special event is planned.  Please check their website for information on upcoming events. It is not allowed to bring any food or drinks (except water) into Holzmarkt, so please support this incredible place by buying food and drinks on-site. In winter, they also offer a small Christmas market and a bonfire.

Holzmarkt

Aside from the main village, there is also the famous techno club Katerblau, which is part of Holzmarkt. A little tip: you can only pay with cash inside the club, so be sure to bring enough. In addition to the club, Holzmarkt also has a restaurant, a kindergarten, a music school, and a small event space.

  • Holzmarkt25
  • Urban village with street food and events
  • Holzmarktstraße 25; 10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain)
  • Usually admission is free; Fees apply for events
  • 24/7 (can be closed due to heavy weather conditions)
  • Bus 300, N40 Holzmarktstraße; U8, S3, S5, S7, S9 Jannowitzbrücke; S3, S5, S7, S9, S75 Ostbahnhof
  • Official page (only available in German)
Enjoy Street Art – Without Worrying About the Rain

One of my favourite museums is Urban Nation, which features urban art from various artists worldwide. The exhibition changes approximately once a year, as does the building’s façade. There is no entrance fee. Many of the art pieces reflect society and address political issues. The Urban Nation Museum also has its own art project called One Wall, which brings five artists to Berlin each year to repaint old building walls.

Inside of the museum of Urban Nation

If you’re looking for more museums, check out my blog post on my favourite museums in Berlin: Free Admission to Berlin’s Best Museums.

  • Urban Nation Museum
  • Art museum
  • Bülowstraße 7; 10783 Berlin (Schöneberg)
  • Admission is free
  • Tuesday-Sunday
  • U1, U2, U3, U4 or Bus 106, 187, M19 Nollendorfplatz
  • Offical page
Berlin from Above: The City’s Best Rooftop Bar

On the rooftop of a mall in Neukölln, you’ll find my favourite rooftop bar and club in Berlin: Klunkerkranich. Simply head to the upper floor of Neukölln Arcaden, where you will arrive at parking deck 5. From here, walk a bit further and turn right to reach the entrance of Klunkerkranich. There is uausally an entrance fee, starting at around 5 € (5.50 US$), depending on the evening. I recommend arriving early, as it can get very crowded at the door in summer.

A woman on a rooftop bar in Berlin

Klunkerkranich is a combination of a bar and club, also depending on the event of the night. It can range from a club night to a Pride event or even a laid-back evening with relaxing house beats. The entire parking deck is part of the club, offering perfect sunsets over Berlin, and you can of course also see the TV tower at Alexanderplatz from here. You’ll find lots of plants and a small urban garden. There is even a small sand box in the middle of the floor. I absolutely love the vibe, especially on long summer nights in Berlin.

View from Klunkerkranich
  • Klunkerkranich
  • Bar and club
  • Neukölln Arcaden; Karl-Marx-Straße 66; 12043 Berlin (Neukölln)
  • Usually 2-10 € (2-11 US$)
  • In high season: daily; Thursday-Sunday from 4pm; Monday-Wednesday from 5pm
  • U7 Rathaus Neukölln; Bus N7 U Rathaus Neukölln
  • Offical page
Berlin's Most Unique Backyard

Another place you should visit is the backyard of Haus Schwarzenberg. It is a dream come true for street art lovers, filled with murals, drawings, stickers, graffiti, and collages that change over time. You’ll discover countless hidden messages and details, so be sure to take a closer look.

Haus Schwarzenberg in Berlin

There are also two museums located here. One is a small museum about Anne Frank, which is also very suitable for children, and the other one is the Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt, a former factory where Otto Weidt hid Jewish people during the Nazi regime in Germany.

The backyard is located near the famous Hackesche Höfe, which is also worth a visit but offers a stark contrast. At Haus Schwarzenberg, you can relax in the backyard under red-yellow buntings with a beer from Café Cinema and soak in Berlin’s vibes in one of the city’s most unique backyards.

  • Haus Schwarzenberg
  • A backyard full of art
  • Rosenthaler Str. 39; 10178 Berlin (Mitte)
  • Admission is free
  • 24/7
  • S3, S5, S7, S9 Hackescher Markt; Tram M1 S Hackescher Markt; U8 Weinmeisterstraße
  • List Item
Having a Picnic on a Runway

Nowadays, Tempelhofer Feld is used as a park and for sports, especially those involving wheels. Until 2008, it was an airport in the centre of the city.

At Tempelhofer Feld

The runyway is now open to various activities, from jogging, and biking to inline skating, or also wind sports. It is also the perfect spot to rent an e-scooter to dash around for fun or to fly your kite. The area is huge, offering not just green spaces but also a dog park, an urban garden, and a small observation tower. It is occasionally used for festivals, including music festivals in the past (Florence + the Machine and Muse were performing here) or the annual Festival der Riesendrachen (a festival showcasing some of the world’s largest kites, with free entry). Tempelhofer Feld is the perfect place to enjoy the unique,  calm noisiness only cities can offer, all while being in the middle of Berlin.

Festival der Riesendrachen
  • Tempelhofer Feld
  • Park (former airport)
  • Tempelhofer Damm; 12101 Berlin (Tempelhof)
  • Four entrances: Tempelhofer Damm; Columbiadamm; Oderstraße/Herrfurthstraße; Oderstraße/Crashgate
  • Admission is free
  • Depends on the month; usually from dawn till dusk
  • S41, S42, S47 S Tempelhof; U6 U Tempelhof or Paradestraße; U8 Leinestraße or Boddinstraße; Bus M43 Friedhöfe Columbiadamm or Golßener Straße
  • Offical page
Between Urban Art, Clubs, and Bars

RAW is a place filled with small clubs, urban art, and good vibes. It is especially popular with night owls, but it also offers exhibitions, sports classes, and a flea market on Sundays.

You can even find Berlin’s smallest disco here – the Teledisco, a former phone box where you can have a private dance. I also love the little photo booths where you can create nice memories with friends in the form of a photo strip. Around RAW, you will find plenty of food spots and bars (especially Simon-Dach-Straße is really famous for all its bars). The RAW area consists of former railway halls, now repurposed as a hub for alternative culture.

  • RAW area
  • Area full of clubs, art, exhibitions, and a flea market on Sundays
  • Revaler Strasse 99; 10245 Berlin (Friedrichshain)
  • Admission is free
  • 24/7
  • S3, S5, S7, S9, S42, S75, U1, U3, Tram M10 Warschauer Straße; Tram M10, M13 Revaler Straße
  • Offical page

These were my top favourite places in Berlin. Do you agree or did I miss something?

You have read the blog post Not to miss in Berlin – local’s favourites on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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5 tips to avoid crowded places

At Eibsee

No one likes having too many people around while travelling. Here are some easy tips on how to avoid crowds.

Obersee

Here are 5 tips for you on how to avoid crowds while travelling:

Come during the Off-Peak Hours:

Visit tourist spots either way early in the morning or in the late evening because this is the time when the places are usually way less crowded. Also, starting your day early can help and maybe enjoy a sunset in an otherwise way more crowded place.

Travel in shoulder season:

Or in other words, avoid the high season of your dream destination. Therefore, you will not only have fewer people around but can also save some money since the prices for activities and accommodation are usually lower.

Avoid public holidays and school vacations:

Most families travel in the summer season because usually, this is the time when their kids have the most extended holidays. So if your dream destination is really popular with families you can maybe visit it in autumn or spring instead. But also general public holidays (for example Christmas) and the weekends around it can attract more tourists since people try to extend their vacation by taking the days off in between.

A woman infront of Neuschwanstein Castle
Learn from Google:

Google offers a feature that shows you for a lot of places the busiest times of the day. Consider also weekdays versus the weekend since a lot of people have free time on the weekend, so popular spots will also be way more crowded then.

Talk to locals:

This may seem obvious, but try to choose a less known place. Ask a local, for example, someone who works at your accommodation, the waiter of the restaurant, you have dinner or the bartender, if they can give you a tip on what to visit instead. Touristic places are usually not that popular with locals, and they have their own sites to go where it is less crowded. I met a lot of locals who were super happy about people being interested in their country and culture – and were therefore super open to giving me tips on where to go. And who knows, maybe you can even find a hidden gem.

You have read the blog post 5 tips to avoid crowded places on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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12 Mistakes you should avoid in Iceland

Landmannalaugar

Here are 12 mistakes you should avoid – I would have wanted to know before I went to Iceland myself. I share all my tips with you on how to prepare for Iceland and save some money according to your budget. Iceland is super expensive but in my opinion, it is totally worth it – you will collect beautiful memories for life.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world – so it is even more important to plan a bit ahead and calculate with your budget, to avoid these common mistakes. Or in other ways here is a guide on how to plan your Iceland trip:

Number One: Book in advance

This is a really basic rule for travelling: Book in advance. But I can tell it is especially important for Iceland – whether we’re talking car rentals or accommodations. Keep in mind that Iceland is really expensive for most people and the rule of first come first serve also applies here.

Do I need a car?

In combination with number one, I also want to answer the question of whether or not you need a car. I am a huge fan of travelling by public transport but this time I am afraid the answer is yes. There are a lot of beautiful places in Iceland which are only reachable by car. In addition, public transport is quite expensive compared to other countries I’ve been to, for example, the 188 km from Reykjavik to Vík í Mýdral costs 7,980 kr (approximately 54 € or 57 US$) one way with Strætó.

Another way is to bring your own car by ferry to Iceland. The Ring Road is also cleared in winter and remains passable. Other places in Iceland like the Westfjords or the inner part of Iceland like Landmannalaugar will require better cars (and summer).

Cars in Iceland

❗️Tip: If you can’t or don’t want to drive you can also book plenty of different day tours from Reykjavik or even book a group tour for several days right from the beginning. I did a combination of both.

Number two: Take the cheap flight

Most cheap flights arrive late or go early in the morning. If you can find a good deal at weird times – take it. Unfortunately, public transport is only running from 6:30 am till 11 pm so you may be too early or late to catch the public bus (excuse for number three). But there are shuttle busses leaving after every flight from the airport plus bringing you also to the airport for early flights – so you won’t need a taxi.

Number three: Use public transport from the airport

There are several shuttle buses for tourists and taxis waiting for you in front of the airport but there is a way cheaper option most locals use: public transport. The bus number 55 goes around twelve times a day to the capital Reykjavik (less on the weekend), takes around an hour and 15 minutes and costs 2,280 kr (around 15.50 € or 16 US$). You can pay by card on the bus. You will find a timetable here.

❗️Tip: There are also plenty of car rental places at the airport so it can be also an idea to book the car at the airport and use it to save the cost of leaving and going to the airport.

Number four: Don’t travel by yourself

Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling alone and Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. But travelling alone is just way more expensive. Try to plan your trip with a group of friends, ideally 4-5 people in total (or as many spots as your rented car has), so you can divide costs as the car rental, petrol, accommodation and food. This will save you a lot of money.

Group photo in Iceland
Number five: Do research on the accommodation

You can probably already guess: Staying in Iceland is very expensive as well. Cheaper solutions can be renting a caravan to have a car and a place to sleep in once. Also, camping by tent can be an alternative (at least in summer but you have also to calculate with more expensive gear).

Of course, sharing a dorm room (I paid 46 € / 49 US$ per night for sharing a room with 20 people) can be also an opportunity to save some money. Otherwise, number four also applies here – travel with friends and share bigger rooms with each other.

Number six: Be prepared for any weather
Iceland

Clothes are another important topic: Especially in summer, you should bring different clothes instead of this one really warm jacket (don’t bring your winter jacket in summer!). The best tactic is to use layers – or as we would say in Germany use the ‘onion look’ (because – you know – onions have layers 😉 ). The weather can switch super fast – in summer you can easily have all four seasons in one day.

Really important regardless of when you travel: Bring a rain jacket and windbreaker plus a hat and gloves. Believe me, even in summer you will need them.  

Number seven: Cook for yourself

In many (Western) countries cooking by yourself can save a lot of money – and it is a main point for Iceland as well. Go shopping in supermarkets (not convenience stores!), the cheapest are Bonus (with a pig in the logo) and netto.

❗️Tip: Honestly, Iceland is not exactly famous for its food anyway. One of the more popular dishes is Fish and Chips. If you want to give it a try but still save some money – give food trucks a try. Locals recommended Vagninn a truck at the harbour of Reykjavik, but it is only open in summer. Also, Hot Dogs (even in Vegetarian and Vegan options) are a popular food choice in Iceland, you can get them at food trucks (for example at Hallgrímskirkja, the main church of Reykjavik) as well.

Number eight: Bring a reusable bottle

You don’t need to spend any money on water because not only the tap water but also the water coming from glaciers, streams and waterfalls is very clean and drinkable. Just bring a reusable bottle and save your money.

Number nine: Use free hot springs

You probably already heard of spas like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon – the entrance fees are rather high. If you want to save money you can also take a look for free (or way cheaper) hot springs in nature you can find everywhere in Iceland. There is also an App called Iceland Hot Spring Map (but costs money). The hot springs have an average temperature of 38-40 degrees Celsius (100-104 degrees Fahrenheit) which makes it possible to take a bath outside all year long. – And as the locals say here: there is always a place for one person more join the hot spring.

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

My favourite hot springs we visited were:

  • Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool, one of the oldest pools of Iceland: H98V+FC9, 861 Evindarhólar
  • Fosslaug Waterfall with hot springs: FJV8+MHM, Varmahlíð
  • Hot Tube in the Westfjords: Bíldudalsvegur, 466
Snorkelling at Silfra

❗️Tip: Did you know that you can also snorkel or dive between the two tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia? Unfortunately, this is the opposite of free since you need special equipment to swim in the cold water. You can find the rift Silfra in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the national park of Þingvellir.

Number ten: Download offline maps

This can be lifesaving! Especially in the Highlands and the Westfjords, you can easily lose your internet connection, so make sure to download the maps beforehand particularly if you use Google Maps for navigation.

Number eleven: Leave the Golden Circle

Don’t get me wrong, the Golden Circle has really beautiful sights but especially in summer it is also really crowded since it is close to Reykjavik. So don’t plan too much time on the Golden Circle – there is so much more to see! One underrated and not-so-often visited part of Iceland is the Westfjords.

Number twelve: Enjoy the free nature

This is not really a tip but something that makes Iceland so great. A lot of nature and spots are for free (like the most famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss). The national parks as well, the only fees you have to calculate are the parking fees. In order to keep it that way, respect the rules, don’t leave any trash (only foodprints) and enjoy this beautiful and unique island.

Waterfalls in Iceland

I hope I could help you with those tips. Are you missing anything? Then feel free to leave me a comment. Have a great time in Iceland!

You have read the blog post 12 Mistakes you should avoid in Iceland on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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Top Activities for Sal – and is it worth the money?

Salinas of Santa Maria

Observing sharks, floating on water, catching a Fata Morgana, crossing the desert by bike or kite surfing are only a few activities of the Cap Verdian paradise Sal. I share with you the top activities and answer the question if it is worth it.

Most tourists who visit Cabo Verde will either way fly to Boa Vista or Sal. Both islands look similar with long white sand beaches, the blue ocean right in front and a lot of hotel chains. Also, both islands are really dry, with only a few cities and otherwise pretty much deserted. But both islands offer a few more activities and spots you can visit to make your stay a bit more varied. In this blog post, I will share the top activities of Sal.

Salinas of Sal

The island is called Sal for a reason. For years Sal was used to win and export salt. Nowadays, there are two Salinas left. One is the famous Salinas de Pedra de Lume in the North-East, the other one is Salinas de Santa Maria and right behind the city in the South of the island.

The Salinas de Pedra de Lume are a very popular and famous spot to swim in – or better you can let yourself float in the water. You should make sure to not stay longer than 20 minutes inside because of the high salinity. But I can promise you your skin will feel really smooth in the end because of the salt peeling. The entrance fee is 5 €.

The Salinas de Santa Maria are not that famous. You can find them right behind the same named city. They are still used for salt production. You can also have a nice walk around them. They look really spectacular, some of the water fields are even pink and red. But locals told me to only go there during the week and before sunset for safety reasons (because the Salinas are very deserted on the weekend).

Is it worth it?

Yes, definitely. I both liked seeing the Salinas of Santa Maria but also floating in Pedra de Lume. I also think the latter is worth the entrance fee. I would totally recommend it.

Pedra de Lume
Pedra de Lume
Pedra de Lume
Salinas of Santa Maria
Salinas of Santa Maria
Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a popular spot for tourists on the east coast. Here you can find a bay in the ocean with shallow water which is a perfect spot to see baby lemon sharks. Before you enter the water you should make sure to lend some closed water shoes. You will enter the water with a guide. Then you can see the little sharks swimming around your legs.

The little sharks eat fish but are not dangerous to humans. In contrast, the bigger lemon shark could become a danger to humans since they are easily provoked. However, the bigger sharks can not enter the bay because the water is not deep enough.

Is it worth it?

It is a special moment seeing the little sharks so if it is something you can enjoy then go for it.

Terra Boa

The middle of Sal is pretty much like a little desert – a lot of sand. Therefore it is also perfect to see a Fata Morgana and to do fun photos playing with perspectives. A famous spot to do so is Terra Boa. From here you will feel like you can always see water on the horizon but there is none. So you are actually able to see a Fata Morgana. You can use the same effect for photos. Since there is almost nothing else but sand it is actually hard to estimate distances. Maybe you know the funny photos people take in the famous salt desert in Bolivia. Here are similar ideas working (just of course the ground is not reflecting). You should definitely play a bit with perspective here and get creative. For example, I balanced with one leg on my camera.

Is it worth it?

It definitely gives you the Wow-effect and it was fun taking some creative photos but it only makes sense if you actually have someone who can take them for you. It is a little stopover, nothing too big.

Playing with perspective makes it look like a woman stands on a camera
Playing with perspective makes it look like a woman stands on a bottle of water
Zipline

The Zipline of Cabo Verde is located in the protected area of Serra Negra close to Santa Maria. The tour includes the pick-up from Santa Maria.

The starting point will be the valley station from where you will be welcomed and get an introduction on how to zipline. There you will also find lockers to leave your belongings behind. I actually brought my phone up with me for photos because you will also get a little backpack from the organisers which you can use to put in your valuables. Do not forget to bring your action cam with you to film the whole ride. Otherwise, you can also lend a GoPro.

After the introduction, you will be driven a bit further up the mountain and walk the rest up by yourself with the group. The starting point of the zipline is in 103 metres ( 337 feet) at the top of the mountain. The flight length is over 1  km (0.62 miles) and can reach over 100 km/h (62 mph). You can ride down sitting or headfirst hanging.

Is it worth it?

The experience itself was great, the guides were really nice and helpful but the ride was with 45 € ( 48.50 US$) a bit pricey. Overall, I enjoyed the ride but it was also pretty fast over. If you always wanted to take a ride on the zipline or just enjoy it in general you can think of doing it otherwise it will be maybe not worth the money.

Two people going down a zipline
The view of the Cape Verdian zipline
Bike Tour

In Santa Maria are some bike rentals for normal and E-Bikes you can lend to do a tour. I got a flyer with a map on it but honestly, the way didn’t exist like marked anymore because they started building a house in between. This made it a bit more adventurous for me than I planned in the beginning. In general, the winds in Sal can get really strong. When I was there, the winds mainly always flew in the same direction which made it really hard going from South to North but quite easy the other way. However, it is a special way of exploring the island especially if you do not have a car.

Is it worth it?

It was a nice activity I could do on my own but also pretty exhausting riding against the strong wind. If you enjoy riding a bike you can definitely plan a little nice tour otherwise it is not really on the prior list of activities. I paid 10 € (10,80 US$) for four hours. If you want to lend a bike you can also use Komoot to find a tour or join a group tour of the bike rental.

Bike in the desert
Bike in the desert
Kite Beach

Sal is really famous for kite surfing since there are perfect weather conditions from December to April. There is even a beach called Kite Beach on the East side of the island not too far from Santa Maria. The winds are too strong for beginners but if you have already some experience, you can also go kite surfing here. Otherwise, you can just enjoy the colourful kites in the sky. The beach was also used for the latest kite-surf World Cup in 2023.

Is it worth it?

It is totally nice if it is the right weather conditions. You have to check first if it is actually a good day for kitesurfing (aka the right winds) otherwise the beach will be pretty empty.

Kite surfer
Kite Surf Beach in Sal
Woman standing on the Kite Surf Beach
Blue Eye Cave (Buracona)

Buracona is a natural pool which can be used for swimming if the waves are not too strong. If you are lucky you can also see the Blue Eye from a cliff. If the sun shines on the surface of the water it will change its colour to turquoise. The light is formed by the cliff and has the shape of an eye which brings it its name.

There is also a sightseeing tower nearby from which you can enjoy seeing the natural pools and the wide ocean. Buracona has an entrance fee of 3 €.

Is it worth it?

It was special to see the Blue Eye Cave and to take a look at the strong waves of the ocean (when I was there it was too windy to swim). I would totally recommend a visit.

The tower of Buracona
The Blue Eye Cave on Sal
Buracona on Sal
Snorkelling and Diving Tours

There are several diving schools around the island where you can book different courses and trips. I just did a one-time snorkelling tour to see the underwater world. For these tours, you will not need any previous knowledge but can just join a group. I got snorkelling equipment plus a diving suit. But you can also book classes to learn how to dive and get certificates.

Is it worth it?

I can’t say anything about going diving. I met other tourists who really enjoyed it. But I did book a snorkelling tour. If I am honest the water was not too clear so it was sometimes hard to see something but in the end, we saw a few turtles which was actually nice. But there are definitely better snorkelling spots than this one. Take a look at the video for a better insight.

Where to find the activities
Trip map created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

You have read the blog post Top Activities for Sal – and is it worth the money? on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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Santiago on a budget – Top 6 activities

The national park Serra Malagueta

Santiago is kind of an all-rounder offering you different activities from hiking, over swimming to exploring the culture of Cabo Verde. Explore more about the history of the country, visit a village of rebels, and learn more about how Cabo Verde was used for the slave trade.  Here are six tips on what to do on Santiago if you want to save some money but still have a good time.

local market in Praia

If you are visiting Cabo Verde’s main island Santiago, you will fast recognise that food and activities are in general more expensive since most products are imported from Portugal. Here are six perfect activities for you if you are also travelling on a budget.

Santiago on a budget – Top 6 activities
Number One: Visit the local markets

If you visit Santiago, you should make sure to visit some of the famous markets around. One food market called Mercado Municipal for fruits and vegetables but also fish is directly in the city centre of the capital Praia on the plateau of the city. If you follow down the stairs you come directly to a second even bigger market called Mercado de Sucupira. From here are also starting the colectivos (minibuses used as public transport, read more in my blog post General tips for your vacation on Cabo Verde) to go around the island.
Mercado de Sucupeira is a market where you can buy all kinds of clothes but also shoes, jewellery, accessories and other different items. The market is also used by locals for shopping. Here I bought some pretty hair bands. Locals sell self-made clothes in traditional colours and fabrics. Most of them bring their sewing machines to fix the sizes in case a garment is not fitting you. The prices are really reasonable. I paid 150-200 CVE (1.36-1.80 €/  1.50-2 US$) for a hair band and on a market in Sao Vicente 1,000 CVE (9 €/ 10 US$) for a homemade shirt plus 200 CVE (1.80 €/ 2 US$) extra to change it to my perfect fit. The market also sells homemade meals in front of the market. I paid 200 CVE (1.80 €/ 2 US$) for a whole meal. You can eat no were else in Praia cheaper than here.

Also, the other towns on the islands have their own markets. There is another big market in the second biggest city of Santiago called Assomada you can visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you are in Assomada make sure to also visit the Poilon Tree, the oldest tree in Africa. 

Number Two: Visit Cidade Velha

Cidade Velha is the old town and former capital of Cabo Verde. The town was formerly called Ribeira Grande and was also renamed again to Ribeira Grande de Santiago in 2005. But all locals know and most of them also still use the old name Cidade Velha. It became the first settlement on the islands of Cabo Verde in 1462, founded by Antonio da Noli. Cabo Verde was actually a former uninhabited island. But with the discovery by Portugal, Cabo Verde was used for the slave trade marking the dark history of further colonial power of Europe. Most slaves were brought from Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to Brazil and the Caribbean. Therefore nowadays the inhabitants of Cabo Verde are the descendants of Europeans and Africans – both influenced the Creole culture of Cabe Verde.

The historical centrum of Cidade Velha became part of the UNESCO world heritage in 2009. The town is full of history and culture. The Rua da Banana has nice traditional houses to gaze at and at the end of the street an old renovated church which is the oldest in Africa. There is also a fortress you can visit, which recalls the ancient history of the town being used for slavery. Cidade Velha is located next to the ocean and has a rocky stone beach.  

Number Three: Go swimming in Cuba

Cuba is one of Santiago’s must-visits where you can swim in natural pools. Natural pools are little lagoons which are separated from the ocean. Cuba offers little water pools of stone with stone and sandy ground and different depths. It is close to Ribeira das Pratas (next to Tarrafal). You can reach it by hiking down to Ribeira Principal.

The pools of Cuba fill with fresh water from the ocean when the waves get a bit higher. On these days you should obviously also not swim in the pools since the strong waves can press you against the walls or under water. There is no entrance fee for the natural pools.    

Number Four: Go hiking in Serra Malagueta

Serra Malagueta is a huge natural preserve in the heart of Santiago. Here you can have different kinds of hikes, like following a loop road but also a one-way path ending at the East and North-West coast.

The national park is located on a volcanic mountain range. The peak of Serra Malagueta is with 1,064 metres (3,490 feet) the second highest on the island (the highest is Pico da Antónia with 1,394 metres or 4,573 feet). If the sky is really clear you can see the neighbouring islands Fogo and Maio at the horizon. The park was founded in February 2005 and has a size of 774 hectares (1,912 acres).

Cabo Verde’s landscape can be really dry. If you want to hike in green you should come right after the rainy season to Cabo Verde, which is during September.  You can find 124 different kinds of plants and around 19 different birds.

You can find a collection of hiking tours with the official app of Cabo Verde. Hiking in Cabo Verde is in general save, there are no dangerous animals anyway on the islands. You should just make sure to go with enough time, during day time and if possible bring others with you. You could also think about booking a hiking tour.

❗️ Tip: In the 1940s the mountains of Serra Malagueta were a hiding spot for the Rabelados, a group of non-violent rebels who flew from the Portuguese colonial ruler. The community of Rabelados are still living in this area. You can take a Colectivo from Calheta to find Espinho Branco to visit a little village and learn more about their traditions and culture. They also offer their own art exhibition. 

Number Five: Visit the beaches in Tarrafal

The nicest beaches on Santiago are probably in Tarrafal in the North-West of the island. Here you can choose between white or black sand beaches and enjoy perfect sunsets.

You will find the black beach in Reibeira das Pratas which is nearby Tarrafal. The beach is usually deserted because it is a bit harder to find by tourists. So if you are lucky you will have (almost) the whole beach to yourself. When I went to visit the beach there was only one other couple there. If you are lucky you can even see the neighbouring island Fogo from the shore.
As I mentioned, the beach is a bit hidden from the road. There is a path, you have to follow which goes between coconut and palm trees. The beach is at the end of it. There is also a self-made sign saying ‘beach’. My host in Praia told me it is even allowed to set up a camp there which sounds pretty perfect in the combination of being in the West and having the whole horizon with the possibility of beautiful sunsets right in front of you.

The more famous white beach is directly in Tarrafal – here for sure, you won’t be alone. At this beach, you can also rent a boat or try jet ski.

But also Praia has some nice beaches you can visit. A bit hard to reach but famous for its turtles is São Francisco. Here turtles lay eggs if it is in the season. There are also some beaches closer to the city where you can go swimming as the little beach Prainha or the bigger one Praia da Gamboa.

Number Six: Enjoy the Street Art around Praia

Especially the two districts Achada Grande Frente and Terra Branca in the capital Praia offer a lot of different street art you can explore for free. Achada Grande Frente shows a long underwater scene and musicians. The art of Terra Branca is more diverse diving into the culture of the country. But you can also find more street art around the whole island like in Tarrafal. Read more about my favourite street art on Cabo Verde in my blog post Best Street Art spots on Cabo Verde.

❗️ One last extra tip

Enjoy the live music everywhere around the island. Especially in the capital Praia, there are a lot of nice spots to have dinner and listen to some music – there are several types from traditional to modern world music. Not really low budget but still worth a mention is 5tal da Música, a restaurant that offers different music and dances every night. Since it is a place where tour guides love to bring tourists you should make a reservation first.

But also if you do not want to spend too much money on food, crabbing some snacks and drinks and walking around the main streets of Praia will also entertain you for sure.

You have read the blog post Santiago on a budget – Top 6 activities on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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Best views and tips for Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle

At the latest, Disney made Neuschwanstein Castle world known. Read all about how to get a ticket, what to expect from a tour and find the best viewing points to see the castle in all its beauty.

Neuschwanstein Castle is the most famous castle in Germany and probably also one of the most known in Europe. The castle was also used by Disney as an inspiration for Cinderella’s castle and can be found on the well-known logo of the company itself.

Last summer, I decided that it was finally time to visit the famous castle on my small trip through Bavaria and therefore to cross one of my must-sees from my travel bucket list. I found the perfect viewpoint and will share all my tips with you in this blog post.

💡 Facts about Neuschwanstein Castle

The construction work of Neuschwanstein started in the summer of 1868. The castle was built for the Bavarian king Ludwig II. and was designed as the ideal knight’s castle from medieval times. Nevertheless, the latest technic was used outside as well as inside for the construction work. The castle was even fitted with hot air central heating, running water and an automatic flushing system. The king actually also had a telephone available. If I remember it right he could only call the post with it.  

The king only lived a few months inside the castle because he died in 1886 before the castle was completed. Therefore the construction work was never finished.

Tips for booking tickets

If you want to visit the castle from inside you should book your tickets already beforehand online to make sure you will be able to visit the palace. The tickets are often sold out days before, in summer even weeks before, especially if you plan on going on weekends or holidays. One ticket costs 17.50 EUR (18.60 US$) for adults and one Euro less for students, pensioners, and disabled persons as well as if you have the Gästekarte (you will get the Gästekarte in most hotels if you stay overnight, I even got it on my camping spot). If you want to bring your children make sure to also buy tickets for them, every child – even babies – need their own tickets. Tickets for children from 0 to 17 years cost 2.50 EUR (2.60 US$). The tours are available in English or German but you can also book a time frame to use an audio guide which is available in 19 different languages.

Castle Hohenschwangau

You can also combine the ticket to visit Hohenschwangau Castle and/or the Museum of the Bavarian Kings which you can find right around the corner just a few metres further at lake Alpsee. In case all tickets are already sold out during your stay, you should take a look at the online shop at eight o’clock in the morning. Sometimes you can be lucky and more tickets will be unlocked for the day. You can buy your tickets online in the official shop of Neuschwanstein.de.

In case you missed buying tickets online and you want to check the ticket centre, you can find it next to the parking slots. There is no possibility to buy any tickets at the castle. So do not make the mistake to go all the way up to the castle first.

You should plan around 45 minutes of walking from the parking slot and bus stop up to Neuschwanstein Castle. There is also the possibility to take a bus or a horse-drawn carriage but from both stops, you will need to walk a bit further to reach the entrance.

Woman on a meadow with Neuschwanstein Castle in the back
Cows and a church in Schwangau
Woman on a meadow with Neuschwanstein Castle in the back
Woman on a meadow with Neuschwanstein Castle in the back
Neuschwanstein Castle from the front
Neuschwanstein Castle
Pöllat gorge from above
Neuschwanstein Castle
Castle Hohenschwangau
Alpsee
Alpsee
View on Castle Neuschwanstein and the lake Alpsee from the mountains
A woman infront of Neuschwanstein Castle
View on Alpsee and Castle Hohenschwangau from the balcony of Neuschwanstein
What to expect from the castle tour

Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public only seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886. This is a bit ironic since it was once planned as the retreat of the king. Until today more than 1.5 million people visit the rooms of the castle every year.

The inside of Neuschwanstein Castle can be only visited with a tour. The tour itself is actually quite short. I chose a guided tour which took not even 30 minutes in total. The reason is that only 14 rooms were completed before the death of King Ludwig II. Therefore the rooms on the second floor were never finished. Anyways, the rooms which were actually finished are worth a visit.

The view from the balcony of the castle

The picture cycles on the walls are inspired by the operas of Richard Wagner. You will find his different works and the medieval legends, they are based on, in all rooms of the castle. Another recurrent theme is the swan which is shown in different statues and paintings. The swan is also part of the name of the castle itself. Neuschwanstein means literally translated “New Swan Stone” –  the German word “Schwan” is the animal swan. Also the town Schwangau itself in where you can find the palace has the animal in its name. The swan is used as a Christian symbol of purity.

I was most blown away by the Singers’ Hall and of course the grotto. The king let built his own artificial dripstone cave in his castle. It was designed by August Dirigl and had originally coloured lights and even a waterfall. The Singer’s Hall occupies the whole fourth floor in the eastern section of the palace. It was planned as a stage for theatre and musical performances but was never used in this way.  

It is not allowed to take pictures inside the castle but you can see photos of all the rooms on the official page of Neuschwanstein.

Best viewing points around

📍 Behind the castle: If you visit the Neuschwanstein make sure to also follow the path behind the castle. It is really not an insider’s tip but you will have a really nice view of the backside of the castle as well as of lake Alpsee and Hohenschwangau castle.

📍 Marienbrücke (Mary’s bridge): Marienbrücke is only a 15-minute walk from Neuschwanstein Castle. There is also a bus you can take from the parking slot to go up. The bridge itself is very popular and often crowded. It can happen that you have to wait around 30-45 minutes to visit it if you come during the high season. If you want to avoid the crowds come in the morning before or in the evening after the opening hours. I visited the bridge around 6 pm in the summer. It was way less full and in the end, I had the bridge almost to myself. The view is just perfect. You stand right upon the Pöllat gorge with the castle right in front of you.

The bridge can be closed during winter because of bad weather conditions such as ice and snow. You can check it beforehand online on the page Hohenschwangau.de.

📍 Close to Marienbrücke: Also Marienbrücke itself is a beautiful photo motive. If you follow the middle path from the bus stop you will have a quite nice view to see Marienbrücke and the castle without too many people around. There is even a sign that shows you the way.

📍 Your own personal spot: If you want to have a stunning view of the castle without tourists, you should just follow the way up the mountains and use them for a beautiful view down. When I visited Neuschwanstein Castle at midday in summer, the line of people visiting Marienbrücke was endlessly long so I hiked further uphill. There I had the view just for my own. The spot is not really a secret since you can find it on google maps but since you need to walk around 20 minutes upward you won’t see too many people. Follow the spot on google maps and enjoy your own beautiful view. But please take care to not go too close to the edge. Safety always comes first and should be more important than any nice view and photo.

🚌 How to reach the castles by public transport
If you want to travel by public transport you can use a train to Füssen (for example from Munich central station) and from there a bus (bus number 9606 or 78) which brings you to the parking spot and ticket centre of the castles. The bus stop is called Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau. You can find all connections and buy tickets on bahn.com.

You have read the blog post Best views and tips for Neuschwanstein Castle on My Travel Journal-Blog.

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Good to know about Germany

Do you plan to visit Germany? Then you found the right blog post. Here you find some “Insider” news, tips, help and other good-to-know stuff about my home country. 

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

 

About Germany

Germany has a size of over 350,000 square kilometres and more than 80 million inhabitants. Our capital is Berlin, and of course, we speak German and pay with Euro. Our country has a big historical background, especially the Second World War is still an important subject in Germany and we were divided into two countries (with a wall which even divided Berlin into two parts). The German reunification was on the 3rd of October 1990, it is our national holiday. We are less than half per cent of the world…

 

Shops are closed on Sundays

It’s cheaper to buy food in the supermarket and cook your own meal than go out to a restaurant. However, if you go to restaurants or bars you usually give the waiter a tip of around 10% for his – and this is the important part – good service. On the other hand, it is also totally common to actually give no tip in case the waiter was impolite or the service bad.

If you want to buy food in the supermarket you should know that all shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. There are some exceptions on special days (Verkaufsoffener Sonntag). There are also special rules for convenience stores, petrol stations and supermarkets which are part of a train station. If you are in Berlin, you can for example go to the supermarket at the central station or Ostbahnhof. But the groceries can be more expensive, especially at the convenience store.

One special attention for tourists in Bavaria (for example Munich, Nuremberg, castle Neuschwanstein) and Saarland: Supermarkets close here a little bit earlier, at the latest 8pm.

 

Deposit on plastic and beer bottles

In Germany, we have a deposit for most bottles. You recognise it through a little sign on the bottle, which shows a can and a bottle with a returning arrow. Plastic bottles, cans and beer bottles but also some other glass bottles (for example soft drinks) have deposits. Most big glass bottles with alcohol (wine or spirits) are non-returnable.

Plastic bottles and cans have a 0.25 Euro deposit, and beer bottles (glass) 0.08 Euro. There is also a deposit on the crate itself. After you emptied the bottles you can bring it back to the supermarket and get your money back. This deposit system is part of the environmental protection of Germany and should help the recycling system. Furthermore, many homeless people in Germany collect bottles with a deposit from public parks. So if you do not want to bring your bottle home you can just place it next to a trash bin people will collect it from there. 

Bundestag in Berlin
Bundestag in Berlin
Public transport

Compared to many other countries, Germany has expensive public transport. Especially the local transport could be very expensive (price reduction for single tickets only for kids under 14 years). When you want to travel across the country you can use planes, trains (for long-distance travel, it’s cheaper to buy the tickets at least three days before – Deutsche Bahn or sometimes cheaper here), busses (f.e. Flixbus, Postbus or Eurolines) or also take a ride with the car (f.e. Blablacar). The last one is a good decision when you want to travel spontaneously. There are different portals you can use and ask foreigners to take them for less money with you.

No speed limit

One cliche about Germans is, that they love cars. The fact is that Germany doesn’t have a speed limit on highways. But it was already discussed a lot if it would reduce car accidents.

Clean tap water

Our tap water in Germany is very clean. So you don’t have to buy water in the supermarket and can just use the tap to refill your bottle. Many people buy their water anyway in the supermarket. One reason will be that sparkling water is really in common here (but you can also buy water without carbonic acid).

Age Limits
Germany produces a lot of wine and beer. The age limit for beer, and (sparkling) wine is 16 years. For any other alcohol like spirits or driving cars, you have to be 18 years old. With 18 you’re at your full age in Germany. But you have to be 21 years old for some clubs and every casino.
 
 
 
 
 

First written on Sunday, December 20th, 2015, you have read the blog post Good to know about Germany on My Travel Journal-Blog.