Last week I headed to Berlin to see Pearl Jam in concert at O2 World in Berlin. The concert hall is not far from the Ostbahnhof train station and to get there you can walk along the River Spree and check out the East Side Gallery as you go.
I’ve never been to the East Side Gallery before and it was interesting to see the artwork which was created in 1990 not long after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some of the 106 pieces of art are in poor condition but others have been restored. The weather and vandalism have been a problem but hopefully the rest will be restored in the future.
The concert itself was brilliant of course and it was totally worth the road trip to Berlin from Paris. On the way to the concert I also noticed they have set up some beach bars along the river. We went back the following day and got to enjoy a brief period of sunshine while we sipped on an Aperol Spritz or three. It was so relaxing sitting on beach chairs on the sand, almost like being at a real beach. Almost… It’s not exactly like Tenerife in July but it wasn’t bad.
I know Paris has Paris Plage but this was so much more relaxed than anything I’ve ever seen in Paris or in France. It’s one of the reasons I’d love to move to Berlin, there’s just so many new and different things going on all the time. I’d definitely recommend checking out one of these beach bars if you’re in Berlin, it’s a cool place to hang out, especially if you’re with a group of friends.
I’d also recommend the German summer drink of choice, an Aperol Spritz. It’s really delicious! It’s made with a bitter orange flavoured spirit and Prosecco. Another popular drink is a Hugo which is made with Elderflower syrup, mint leaves and Prosecco. It’s refreshing but I prefer the Aperol Spritz.
Berlin is such an amazing city, I can’t wait to go back later this year for a longer trip.
About Andrea
Have you visited some of the squats? I went to an amazing one last year with my stepson who spent 6 months studying in Berlin. We went to an Indian restaurant on Oranienburger Str. and the squat was very close. There was a sort of perpetual fête going on and various other events on the different floors. Behind there was a little garden. It was quite amazing.
I wasn’t particularly enamoured of Berlin but I could see what a vibrant place it is for young people. There are things going on all the time and it looked really cool (but we know I’m an oldie!)
I have never heard of that! I will definitely check it out next time I’m there. And you’re not an oldie!!
The river beach set up looks really cool! One more reason for me to get up to Berlin soon!
BTW I love that you drove all the way to Berlin for a Pearl Jam concert. They were my favorite band in the early to mid 90s
The concert was absolutely amazing! You should have gone. I saw them a couple of years ago at a festival in France but this was something else. It was the best concert I’ve ever been to!!
Ah, Spreestrand! My problem is that I haven’t been back to Berlin in the summertime in some time as I’ve usually visited in spring, fall, or winter – I’d love to see the Spreestrand full of people!
Glad you enjoyed Pearl Jam, too! I haven’t seen them in years – I hope to see them again!
That was my first time ever in Berlin in summer so it was nice to see it in a different light, even if there were thunderstorms every day.
I found Berlin an extremely vital and “buzzy” city on my only visit there a few years ago–this makes me want to go back!
Buzzy is definitely the right word for it. That’s definitely something that’s missing from Paris.