“Sometimes 24 hours are enough to get to know a new city. And sometimes they are just enough to discover that you absolutely have to come back.”; Berlin
There are birthdays where you might wish for a lovely dinner, perhaps a new pair of shoes, or simply a relaxing day at home. And then there are birthdays where you suddenly decide to fly to another city for 24 hours. This year, I opted for the latter—specifically, a quick trip to Berlin with my husband.
The German capital had actually been on my personal travel list for quite some time. It wasn’t necessarily because I wanted to visit a particular museum or see a specific landmark; rather, I was curious about the city itself—its architecture, its people, its restaurants, and, of course, whether the city is truly as different as everyone always claims.
So, we packed our bags and flew from Vienna to Berlin. It’s an hour-long flight—really all it takes to escape the daily grind for a weekend. And I truly believe that we should treat ourselves to little getaways like this much more often.
Our trip to Berlin may have been short, but I can tell you one thing: it certainly wasn’t boring.
A Quick Flight
The journey there was, to begin with, really straightforward. The flight from Vienna takes just one hour, which I personally find quite pleasant—no sooner have you sat down on the plane than it’s already time to get off again.
From the airport, we planned to take public transport into the city center. The connection sounded perfect: trains run roughly every 20 minutes, and the tickets cost around five euros per person. So far, so good. However, there is one small detail you absolutely must keep in mind: the ticket has to be validated before you travel. In Vienna, you’re familiar with those blue validation machines, which are usually clearly visible in front of the platforms. In Berlin, by contrast, there are small red boxes—and sometimes you actually have to go looking for them.
And believe me, this little detail can end up being quite expensive. Luckily, we had validated our tickets just in time. No sooner had the train doors closed than a man stood up and began checking tickets—someone I never would have identified as a ticket inspector beforehand. Some other passengers weren’t as fortunate; because their tickets hadn’t been validated, they each had to pay a 60-euro fine. Welcome to the capital!
I have to admit, it was certainly an interesting first impression. So, here’s a quick tip for your next trip to Berlin: always check whether your ticket needs to be validated. Not all tickets work the same way, and an avoidable fine would be a truly annoying start to your visit. After a train ride of about an hour, we finally reached the city center.
Our Charming Hotel
My husband is used to that by now.
Immediately afterwards, by the way, came: “We need to air out the room right away.”
I’m not even sure why that’s always the first thing I have to do in hotels. But before I can truly feel comfortable anywhere, I need fresh air—and plenty of it. So, once the room had been thoroughly aired out, we were finally able to get ready and head out to explore the city.
Getting Lost
I love getting to know new cities on foot. Of course, you could put together a list of sights beforehand and try to tick off as many as possible. But honestly? Often, it’s the unplanned moments that I enjoy the most.
So, we simply set off for a walk. What struck me quite quickly about Berlin was the mix of different architectural styles. Historic facades stand alongside modern buildings, wide streets meet narrow side alleys, and at times, it feels as though every neighborhood has a distinct personality of its own. I was particularly drawn to the historic buildings and the grand squares. I love architecture and could easily spend hours talking about why a building was designed the way it looks today. My husband feels the same way, by the way.
So, you can probably imagine what our walks are sometimes like. Other couples might talk about the weather; we, on the other hand, discuss whether a building’s facade looks harmonious or why a particular street layout makes sense. Romantic, I know. What I found especially fascinating, though, is that the city doesn’t try to look the same everywhere. You can spot different eras, various architectural visions, and, of course, the traces of its history.
That’s precisely what makes a trip to Berlin so interesting to me. You don’t just discover the major sights—you also uncover the many contrasts that lie between them. After our first long walk, however, we were pretty tired. So, we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap. After all, we wanted to go out for a nice dinner that evening. And, naturally, you need energy for that.
Dinner Date
For the evening, a visit to a restaurant was on the agenda—one I had been particularly looking forward to: Telegraphenamt.
I had already taken a look at the venue beforehand and was immediately taken with the atmosphere. By now, you know me: a beautiful interior can win me over just as quickly as a great menu. And Telegraphenamt truly has a lot to offer. The historical elements, the high-ceilinged rooms, and the stylish decor come together to create a wonderful combination—elegant, yet not overdone. I especially appreciated how the original character of the building has been preserved.
However, we noticed something else entirely that evening. It was Friday night, and the city seemed remarkably empty. Not just the restaurant, but many of the streets and other establishments we passed by as well. Of course, it could simply have been a coincidence, but for such a large capital city, I had somehow expected more of a buzz. In Vienna, on a Friday evening, you’d be lucky to get a table at a good restaurant on the spur of the moment. Here, by contrast, it was almost unusually quiet. But let’s get back to the food.
Cocktails First, Because
And what can I say?
We were both truly satisfied. The food was excellent in terms of flavor, the presentation was beautiful, and the atmosphere was exactly what I had hoped for that evening. I like restaurants that offer a special ambiance without making you feel like the focus is solely on the decor. After all, I’m not just looking to take nice photos—I also want to enjoy a great meal. And that’s precisely the combination that worked here. For me, Telegraphenamt was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Berlin—a restaurant I would certainly consider visiting again on a future trip.
When The City
After dinner, we naturally didn’t want to head straight back to the hotel, so we spent some time soaking up the nighttime atmosphere. I find that a city always changes a bit once evening falls. Facades are illuminated, the streets take on a different character, and suddenly you notice details that might have gone overlooked during the day.
Berlin at night had a distinct, idiosyncratic quality to it. On one hand, there were the impressive buildings; on the other, a surprising stillness—the same quiet we had already remarked upon during dinner.
Perhaps we were simply in the wrong streets, or perhaps it was just this particular evening. But, for me, that’s all part of the travel experience. A city doesn’t always have to align perfectly with one’s preconceived expectations right from the start. Eventually, we made our way back to the hotel—after all, we had a busy agenda for the following morning.
Slow Mornings
Slow Mornings And The Perfect French Toast
The next morning, we started off with breakfast at a small, modern café. And here, once again, we experienced something quite funny. When we arrived, there was hardly anyone around outside. Inside the restaurant, too, there were only two other couples. We placed our breakfast order, and less than five minutes later, the entire place was suddenly packed. Where did all these people come from all of a sudden?
I honestly have no idea. But this was exactly how I had imagined a modern breakfast spot in Berlin: unpretentious, with an urban vibe, a healthy menu, and an interior that felt both cool and cozy. We ordered two different sandwiches, plus an order of French toast with banana and peanut butter.
To go with it, there was a cold-pressed green detox juice and a cappuccino. My personal favorite was definitely the French toast. The peanut butter was wonderfully creamy and paired perfectly with the sweetness of the banana—a combination I love anyway, and one that was executed really well here. The sandwiches were also fine, though I would have liked a bit more flavor. I also found the bread a little too hard for my taste.
On the other hand, the green juice was really good, and the cappuccino had a pleasantly bold flavor. All in all, a nice start to the day, despite a few minor shortcomings in terms of taste. And then, it was already time to move on.
One Iconic Landmark
Naturally, my husband and I immediately began to philosophize about how the individual streets were laid out, the architectural decisions behind them, and how a city evolves over the centuries. I know—perhaps not the most thrilling topic of conversation for a romantic weekend getaway. But for us, it’s actually quite entertaining.
And these are the kinds of moments I love: simply walking through an unfamiliar city together, sharing thoughts, and gathering new impressions along the way. That said, I did have one specific destination in mind for that day. And, for once, it had nothing to do with architecture.
A Little Shopping
Of course, I had to do a bit of shopping during our trip to Berlin. To be more specific, I really wanted to visit the Mall of Berlin. Yes, I know—you travel to another city, only to end up in a shopping mall. Typical me.
But when you’re already outside of Austria, you might as well take the opportunity, right? My main goal was Sephora. And the reason for that had a name: Rhode. This beauty brand had been on my personal wish list for a while, and once I realized I could buy their products there, it was clear that we had to stop by. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with that idea. But I found what I was looking for and was finally able to pick up the products I wanted. Mission accomplished.
After that, we visited a few other shops, and I picked out some accessories. Especially in autumn, I often feel the urge to wear more jewelry and be a bit bolder with my outfits. In the summer, I tend to keep my looks fairly simple. But as soon as it gets cooler outside, I love combining different materials, darker colors, and more striking accessories. After all, a beautiful piece of jewelry can transform an entire look. And sometimes, you don’t even need a completely new outfit to achieve that.
Two Churches
After our brief shopping excursion, we returned to sightseeing. Our next destination was the Gendarmenmarkt, home to the German and French Cathedrals. I have to say, I really liked this square.
The two imposing buildings, the historic architecture, and the overall layout create a beautiful scene. I found it particularly interesting how different the two buildings are on the inside. In the German Cathedral, the historic exterior has been preserved, while the interior was largely redesigned during its reconstruction. Instead of a traditional church, you now find a modern exhibition space inside.
I actually found this contrast quite fascinating.
At the French Cathedral—or, more precisely, the French Friedrichstadt Church—the historical atmosphere feels quite different.
We wanted to take a look around there, too. However, we would have had to pay an entrance fee for the restricted area. And, to be honest? Given everything we’d already done that day, we decided against it. Oh well—too bad! But the Gendarmenmarkt itself is definitely worth a visit; for me, it stands out as one of the most beautiful architectural highlights of this entire trip.
A Bavarian Lunch
Before The Rain
After so much walking and shopping, we were naturally hungry again.
So, we decided to have lunch at the Augustiner on Gendarmenmarkt. Yes, we were in the German capital, yet we chose a Bavarian tavern. But sometimes, you just crave something hearty. We each ordered a *Maß* (a liter) of beer—after all, our little birthday excursion deserved a proper send-off. I opted for a beef soup with *Kaspressknödel* (cheese dumplings), while my husband ordered a roast pork dish.
And as we sat there enjoying our meal, it started to rain outside. Naturally, we didn’t have an umbrella with us. That would have been far too simple, wouldn’t it?
Luckily, our hotel wasn’t too far away, so after lunch, we decided to make our way back at a leisurely pace. Our route took us across Museum Island. Along the way, we noticed just how many buildings were currently undergoing renovation. It felt as though every second building was covered in scaffolding.
Of course, preserving such historic structures is a complex task, and renovations—especially for large museums—can take quite a long time. Still, I found it a bit of a shame, as I would have liked to explore the museum complex in more detail. In any case, Museum Island is already on my list for my next trip to Berlin. Because one thing is certain: 24 hours is nowhere near enough time to take in all the cultural sights.
One Last Coffee
Back at the Monbijou Hotel, we still had some time before we had to head to the airport.
So, we decided to get comfortable in the lobby. And I must say, the lobby had real charm. Decorated in slightly darker tones, it was pleasantly quiet, with a fire burning in the fireplace—the perfect atmosphere to relax a little after a long day full of new impressions. I ordered a tea, and my husband had a coffee. And then, we simply sat there.
We talked about the hours that had just passed—what we had enjoyed, what had surprised us, and which places we might want to visit next time.
I’m especially fond of these little moments at the end of a trip. When you’re no longer rushing from one sight to the next, but instead simply taking the time to look back on everything. It was a lovely conclusion to our Berlin trip. And, in a way, the perfect opportunity to reflect on the impression the city had left on me.
My Final Thoughts
Can you really get to know a city in 24 hours? I don’t think so.
Our trip to Berlin was wonderful, varied, and exactly the kind of short getaway I had wished for my birthday. We enjoyed good food, discovered fascinating architecture, did some shopping, and, above all, spent time together. Even so, after such a brief stay, I can’t yet say whether Berlin could become one of my favorite cities. I simply haven’t seen enough of it for that. What I can say, however, is that the city is incredibly multifaceted. It has history, character, and a rhythm all its own. Perhaps it just takes a bit longer to truly understand it.
And I must confess, one other thing became clear to me during this trip: I love Vienna.
Not because one city has to be better than another. But rather because traveling constantly reminds me just how much I appreciate the atmosphere, architecture, and overall vibe of my own hometown. For me, Vienna simply possesses that special blend of elegance, history, and vibrancy—a combination I personally adore. Yet, that is precisely why I want to keep discovering new cities. After all, traveling doesn’t necessarily mean having to fall in love with a place right away. Sometimes, it’s enough just to gain new perspectives, collect wonderful memories, and return home with a few extra shopping bags.
And who knows? Perhaps next time, Berlin will get a full weekend.
With love, Vani.
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