German Diaries: Berlin
After a few weeks of bouncing between cities, I finally landed in Berlin for a four-night stopover and checked into the Melia Berlin. I’d never stayed at this one before, but I’ve been to a few other Melia hotels in the past. This one? Definitely stands out.
First impressions: sleek and modern. You walk in and get that clean, business-traveler-meets-urban-holiday vibe. But then, almost immediately, there’s this little twist, their Spanish roots are actually front and center. I’m talking churros at breakfast, tapas at the bar, and a splash of that Madrid mood woven into the design. Way more authentic than other Melias I’ve seen outside of Spain. The layout, though? A bit odd. My route to the room took me straight through the hotel’s tapas bar which felt more like I was cutting through someone’s dinner than heading to my own space. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely one of those “wait, am I allowed to be walking here?” moments. Now, the room itself: I booked a Deluxe Room with a City View, and it was surprisingly spacious. Bigger than I expected, actually. The AC was on point, thank god because Berlin was cooking in that heatwave. You know those summer days when you step outside and immediately regret it? Yeah, it was one of those weeks. So the moment I walked into a cool room? Bliss.
The room had more of a traditional design, which I didn’t mind it balanced out the ultra-modern vibe of the rest of the hotel. Big desk, comfy bed, plenty of space to spread out. Only thing missing? Power outlets by the bed. Why is that still a thing in 2025? No one wants to crawl under a desk to charge their phone at midnight. The bathroom felt newer than the bedroom sleek lines, solid water pressure, and a proper bathtub. If you’ve been living out of a suitcase for a while, you know how underrated a bath can be. There was also a bidet, if that’s your thing, and they stocked those big-bottle dispensers with actually good products (not the cheap mystery gel some hotels try to pass off as “shampoo”).
Breakfast? Honestly, it was great. The dining space was bright and relaxed, and the buffet had a wide range everything from cold cuts to fresh fruit, pastries, and yes, Spanish touches like churros. I didn’t go too hard on those (tempting, though), but I loved that they were there. You could also get eggs made to order, which always feels like a little morning luxury.
Overall? Melia Berlin was a solid pick. If you’re into modern hotels with a subtle twist, need a great breakfast to kick off your day, and don’t mind zig-zagging through a tapas bar to get to your room, it’s a good shout. I’d stay there again, especially if that heatwave decides to make a comeback.
After settling in, I wanted to keep the first day light.
I ended up at Bonanza Coffee Roasters in Mitte after a bit of aimless walking. No real plan, just that kind of morning where you’re figuring out the city one coffee at a time. The place caught my eye because it wasn’t trying too hard. Clean lines, big windows, and that smell of freshly roasted beans drifting out onto the street. It pulled me in without much thought. Inside, the setup’s sharp but not cold. Industrial touches, warm lighting, people quietly chatting or lost in laptops. It felt like one of those cafés where you could easily spend a few hours, whether you’re meeting someone or flying solo. I ordered an oat milk flat white and sat near the window.The coffee hit the spot. Smooth, full-bodied, strong enough to knock out the lingering travel fog without going overboard. You could tell they take the roasting seriously. I ended up chatting briefly with the guy behind the counter, who walked me through some of their current beans. They had Colombian and Costa Rican on offer, both roasted in-house. No pretentiousness, just solid knowledge and a clear love for what they do. The vibe was calm but alive, if that makes sense. People in their own little bubbles, all doing different things. It didn’t feel staged or curated, just... Berlin doing its thing. The only real downside is the seating. If you come at the wrong time, you might be standing around awkwardly with your cup. It gets busy, and the space isn’t huge. Still, totally worth it. I didn’t come for a three-course brunch anyway. Food-wise, it's basic but fine. A couple of pastries, maybe a small sandwich if you’re hungry. Nothing special, but enough to tide you over while you sip. Honestly, you're here for the coffee, and on that front, Bonanza doesn’t disappoint.
Day 2 - Oat Bowls, Art Walls & Solo Wandering
I started the day with breakfast at Haferkater, which is basically oat bowl heaven. I got one topped with almond butter, berries, and crunchy seeds - clean, filling, and way better than any hotel buffet. It’s about 15 minutes from Melia, but totally worth the walk.
After that, I took the train to the East Side Gallery, the stretch of the Berlin Wall turned outdoor mural space. After a bit of wandering around Berlin, I hopped on the train and made my way over to the East Side Gallery. It’s one of those places you hear about a lot, but nothing really prepares you for how strange and powerful it feels to stand in front of a piece of the old Berlin Wall, not just as a relic of the past, but as a massive open-air canvas covered in color, protest, joy, and a lot of pain too.
The murals stretch on for over a kilometer, each one completely different from the next. Some are loud and wild, others are simple but hit hard. It’s like flipping through pages of someone’s diary, except every page was painted by a different person, from a different place, with a different memory or message to share. And somehow, it all fits. You start to realize it’s less about perfect technique or neat explanations, and more about emotion, freedom, and transformation.
I walked the full length without rushing. It’s one of those things that deserves your time. Even if you're not usually into street art or history, it hits differently when you're actually there. Some pieces made me pause longer than I expected, not because I fully understood them, but because they made me feel something. I like that about this place - it doesn’t try to explain everything. It just lets you take what you need from it.
When I reached the end, I crossed over to the Spree River, which is just a short walk away. I found a spot by the water, sat down for a bit, and let it all sink in. You’ve got the murals behind you, the river in front, and a soft breeze rolling through. It’s quiet over there, a different kind of energy, almost like the city taking a deep breath. It was the kind of moment you don’t plan, but are really glad happens.
If you ever end up in Berlin, the East Side Gallery should be high on your list. Not because it’s some big tourist must-do, but because it holds so many layers in one place — history, art, voices, memories, and that sense that cities, like people, can grow into something better.
I walked the full length, just soaking it all in - the art, the messages, the leftover energy of the place. I spent the rest of the day exploring Friedrichshain and grabbing a cold-pressed juice at a random vegan café nearby.
Day 3 - Museum & Great Coffee
This morning started slow, just the way I like it when I’m traveling solo. I wandered down the street from my hotel and ended up at The Barn, a small spot that doesn’t try to impress with flashy interiors or endless menu options - it just quietly delivers really good coffee. The vibe is minimal and clean. Not cold, though. More like… intentional. Everything has its place. No clutter. The kind of space where you can actually think. A few people were working on laptops, a couple others chatting quietly. It’s the kind of café where you can either blend in with a book or sit in silence without feeling awkward. I grabbed a seat outside on a little bench, sun on my face, oat milk flat white in hand. You could tell immediately they take their espresso seriously - smooth, full of depth, not a trace of bitterness. No extras, no syrup nonsense. Just well-roasted beans made right. It’s the kind of cup that makes you stop and just enjoy it for a second.
The staff were warm and easy to talk to. Not overly chatty, but helpful and happy to explain the beans if you're curious. They all spoke English too, which makes things easier if your German is as limited as mine. You can tell they know their stuff, but they don’t make a big deal out of it. There were a few different roasts on offer, mostly single origins, and everything smelled incredible. It’s clear they care about quality, from the coffee itself to how the space is run. Super tidy, organized, not one of those chaotic coffee shops where you’re dodging takeaway bags and mismatched chairs. It wasn’t a long stop, maybe 30 minutes, but it was exactly what I needed to ease into the day. If you're in Berlin and need a proper coffee without the scene or the hype, The Barn is a solid bet.
I checked out the Berlin Spy Museum.
Which was surprisingly hands-on and fun (yes, I tried the laser maze). I’m not usually a museum guy. I mean, I’ll go, especially when I’m traveling solo and have time to kill, but I rarely stay longer than an hour. Right from the entrance, it sets the tone. You walk through these sleek glass doors with moody lighting and that dramatic spy-movie music playing in the background. It’s a bit cheesy, sure, but it works. It pulls you in. The whole place is designed to feel like you're stepping into a world you’ve only seen in films. And yeah, there are gadgets. A lot of them. Hidden cameras in cigarette packs, lipsticks with tiny blades, old-school bugs, code-breaking tools. The kind of stuff you think James Bond probably used but turns out was actually real. I started by just wandering through the displays, but quickly got pulled into all the interactive stuff. You can test your reaction speed, try to crack codes, even crawl through a laser maze. And yes, I did the laser maze. Failed it spectacularly, but no regrets.
The museum does a good job mixing fun with the heavier stuff too. There are some sections that dive into real espionage during WWII and the Cold War, and it hits you how serious this world actually was. And still is. It’s not just about the gadgets and trench coats. People risked and lost their lives doing this.
They’ve also got this little area where you can take a spy-style photo of yourself. You upload it with a hashtag to Instagram and it prints out from a small machine near the entrance. Kind of ridiculous, kind of fun, and I didn’t mind joining in even though I was there solo. If you’re even remotely curious about the world of espionage or just want a break from cathedrals and galleries, this place is 100 percent worth it. One tip: book your ticket online in advance. It’s cheaper, and the earlier you book, the less you pay. I just did mine the night before and it worked fine. Honestly, I walked out of there grinning like a kid. If you're traveling alone in Berlin and looking for something cool to do between coffee stops and museum fatigue, this one’s a gem.
Day 4 - Tiergarten, Clean Eats & the Goodbye Loop
On my last day, I wanted to keep things light and easy. I took a morning walk through Tiergarten, Berlin’s version of Central Park. Honestly, I thought it was just a big park, nice to have nearby, but not something I’d go out of my way for. The Brandenburg Gate? Just around the corner. The Holocaust Memorial? Right there. The Reichstag? A short walk. So naturally, I ended up cutting through the Tiergarten constantly, and it grew on me more with each pass.
There’s something about the calm in there. Berlin is a busy, layered kind of city. Lots going on, history everywhere you turn, and streets that seem to change mood from block to block. But inside the Tiergarten, it all softens. You’ve got tree-lined paths, little ponds, birds hopping along the trails, and just enough benches for a proper pause when your feet start complaining. It’s funny how something so central can feel so removed from the city around it. You’re in the heart of Berlin, but for a little while it doesn’t feel like it. It feels older, slower, almost like the city pauses there too. If you’ve been to Berlin, maybe you’ve felt that contrast - the sharp lines of government buildings and embassies right outside, and then this soft green space that just keeps going. I didn’t do anything grand in the Tiergarten. I just walked. Sometimes I’d grab a takeaway coffee and sit on a bench for a bit, watching strangers go by or letting the sun hit my face if it bothered to show. Other times I’d walk through it as a shortcut, but it never felt like just a shortcut. There’s something peaceful about taking your time there, even if you’re technically on your way somewhere else.
For lunch, I hit up Daluma in Mitte. Think quinoa bowls, smoothies, fermented veggies, the whole clean-eating lineup, but done really well. I had a roasted veg bowl with tahini dressing and a ginger-turmeric juice that basically reset my whole system. Before heading back to pack, I stopped by the hotel lounge for one last espresso and looked over my photos from the trip. Berlin was everything I needed: culture, calm, real food, and space to just be. Traveling solo without drinking turned out to be easier and better than I thought. No foggy mornings, no energy dips, just four solid days of clarity, flavour, and good memories. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
