Berlin greeted me with cold air, long walks, and a harsh reminder that most of Germany shuts down on Sundays—except one supermarket that saved the day.
If you missed the previous post about my cross-country train ride, you can read it here
→Day 12 – Füssen to Berlin on the ICE
https://sakulight.blog/travel/day12-berlin-en/
Morning: Chilly Start
Woke up around 10 a.m. The wind outside was sharp, and a full down jacket barely kept me warm.
Berlin’s autumn chill hits harder than expected—it’s not “light jacket” weather, it’s “gloves and scarf” weather.
Walked about 90 minutes toward the Victory Column (Siegessäule), passing through a rose garden where a few flowers still bloomed in October. The path was calm, the city unusually quiet.
The Victory Column: A Spiraling Challenge
Entry: €4.5. The structure has small corner buildings that lead into the main tower. Inside are exhibits about Germany’s military victories and architecture.
Then came the climb—hundreds of spiral steps with no break. Even as someone used to stairs, I was gasping by the top.
After 10 minutes of steady climbing, I reached the summit. The reward: sweeping views across Tiergarten, with Berlin’s TV Tower faint in the distance.
Cold wind cut through everything, but the view was worth it.
Lunch & Brandenburg Gate
After descending, I walked toward the Brandenburg Gate, passing the impressive glass dome of the Reichstag building.
Lunch was quick and simple: currywurst and fries from a small Imbiss stand.
Berlin street food isn’t fancy, but it’s honest—and filling. Then came the rain, which turned the meal into a soggy memory but a good one.
After a short rest at my accommodation, I revisited Brandenburg Gate at night. It was lit up modestly—not part of the Festival of Lights yet, but the calm atmosphere had its own beauty.
Night: The Sunday Supermarket Struggle
Evening mission: buy groceries.
Here’s the catch—most supermarkets in Germany close on Sundays.
After some research, I found one exception: REWE inside Berlin Central Station.
When I arrived, a long line stretched out the entrance due to crowd control. Inside was chaos, but it felt oddly festive.
Here’s what I grabbed for about €12:
- 1.5L Volvic
- 5 sausages
- 2 rolls of bread
- protein cream
- salad
- cut fruit
Dinner secured, wallet intact.
Wrap-Up
Berlin’s first full day was a mix of cold walks, famous sights, and grocery victories.
It reminded me that travel isn’t just about museums or monuments—it’s also about navigating the everyday rhythm of a foreign city.
Tomorrow: the Festival of Lights around Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz.
Takeaway:
Berlin shines in small details—warm currywurst in the rain, a crowded station grocery, and the quiet glow of history at night.
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