Berlin dilemma

Stefan Verhoeven

Stefan Verhoeven

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Half september I will be in the Berlin region for 3 days. Here's my dilemma...

I have three places I would love to visit, but don't want to rush things just to check a box that I visites. I also like to do some photography, and I know I will take my time if I see some opportunity for a great shot, so I take my time generally. I would love to visit
- Berlin Zoo
- Tierpark Berlin
- Museum für Naturkunde (the zoological museum).
But it seems to be a massieve squeeze to put two fantastic and big zoos and a museum in a three day visit. What do you think? Any advice for somebody who has never been to Berlin before?
 
Mostly depends on what spieces you want to photograph most. I would recommend one day in the Tierpark, 1.5 day at the Zoo and half day at the Museum. The Museum is closed on Monday and sometimes is fully booked. Why not replace the Museum with Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae ?
 
Stefan Verhoeven said:
Half september I will be in the Berlin region for 3 days. Here's my dilemma...

I have three places I would love to visit, but don't want to rush things just to check a box that I visites. I also like to do some photography, and I know I will take my time if I see some opportunity for a great shot, so I take my time generally. I would love to visit
- Berlin Zoo
- Tierpark Berlin
- Museum für Naturkunde (the zoological museum).
But it seems to be a massieve squeeze to put two fantastic and big zoos and a museum in a three day visit. What do you think? Any advice for somebody who has never been to Berlin before?
Click to expand...

I always enjoy more my days at the zoo than in museum, especially photography wise.
I'd recommand visiting Berlin Zoo, then Tierpark, and deciding based on these two visits wether you'd like to revisit one or the other the 3rd day, if not the museum.

Edit : depending on your 3rd day and if you're likely to go back to Berlin, the yearly pass might be a good option, as it's "only" 100€ for Zoo + Tierpark + Aquarium
 
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twilighter said:
Mostly depends on what spieces you want to photograph most. I would recommend one day in the Tierpark, 1.5 day at the Zoo and half day at the Museum. The Museum is closed on Monday and sometimes is fully booked. Why not replace the Museum with Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae ?
Click to expand...
I will look into Felidae, thank you for the Idea!
 
Stefan Verhoeven said:
Half september I will be in the Berlin region for 3 days. Here's my dilemma...

I have three places I would love to visit, but don't want to rush things just to check a box that I visites. I also like to do some photography, and I know I will take my time if I see some opportunity for a great shot, so I take my time generally. I would love to visit
- Berlin Zoo
- Tierpark Berlin
- Museum für Naturkunde (the zoological museum).
But it seems to be a massieve squeeze to put two fantastic and big zoos and a museum in a three day visit. What do you think? Any advice for somebody who has never been to Berlin before?
Click to expand...
I’m also a photographer who loves to take my time with the animals and I just came home from a trip to Berlin and visited all of the above. I did all three easily in the span of three days so - it’s definitely possible! I started with Museum für Naturkunde on a Saturday and then visited Zoo Berlin and the Tierpark back to back on Sunday and Monday with no rush. I just arrived very early and could enjoy the zoos and take my time walking through them without worrying about having enough time.
 
ketoflukes said:
I’m also a photographer who loves to take my time with the animals and I just came home from a trip to Berlin and visited all of the above. I did all three easily in the span of three days so - it’s definitely possible! I started with Museum für Naturkunde on a Saturday and then visited Zoo Berlin and the Tierpark back to back on Sunday and Monday with no rush. I just arrived very early and could enjoy the zoos and take my time walking through them without worrying about having enough time.
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Another positive confirmation that it is possible. I will go for the option to visit all three in three days! Thanks @ketoflukes And are you happy with the photos you have made?
 
Just did the visits.
According to Strava I walked 25 kilometers in Tierpark Berlin (together with a backpack full of camera equipment and halfway also with some old books from the sales booth). To be honest I was not expecting to see the whole Tierpark in one day, but I am sure I have seen almost everything. Great zoo, fantastic collection.
Zoo Berlin was also good, spectacular aquarium, some great old architecture and here and there also some nice animals ;)
The zoological museum was another treat, fantastic exhibitions, for me it could have been bigger because I am sure they have much more to display that is now behind the scenes.
Even squeezed half a day sightseeing Berlin in the trip.
 
Stefan Verhoeven said:
Just did the visits.
According to Strava I walked 25 kilometers in Tierpark Berlin (together with a backpack full of camera equipment and halfway also with some old books from the sales booth). To be honest I was not expecting to see the whole Tierpark in one day, but I am sure I have seen almost everything. Great zoo, fantastic collection.
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For a start, I am glad you liked each of the 3 venues.

As to the Tierpark, I am quite impressed you actually managed to walk so much, see (virtually) everything, take pictures of it and still enjoy it! It's always been and likely always will be by far my favourite zoo, but I don't know, if I could still do it in a day - even without taking pictures.

So what did you actually like best about the Tierpark? Anything in particular or more the general impression? Do you think you'll come back in a few years, when they finished the Africa projects (savannah and elephant building)?
 
markmeier said:
For a start, I am glad you liked each of the 3 venues.

As to the Tierpark, I am quite impressed you actually managed to walk so much, see (virtually) everything, take pictures of it and still enjoy it! It's always been and likely always will be by far my favourite zoo, but I don't know, if I could still do it in a day - even without taking pictures.

So what did you actually like best about the Tierpark? Anything in particular or more the general impression? Do you think you'll come back in a few years, when they finished the Africa projects (savannah and elephant building)?
Click to expand...
I was suprised that there was so much space at the Tierpark. I know it was big, but not half of the space is in use for animals. Several empty enclosures, some closed ones for renovations and a lot of parks, gardens and woods. Therefore it had a great airy feel to it, but also I feel there is much potential left.
I am in general not a big fan on Camelidea and feel they filled in one of the areas with the greatest potential. In the middle of the park with a beautiful scenery, I felt a bit disappointed that I didn't see groups of zebra's, wildebeest, giraffe and/or rhino's strolling around in the central area of the park. Everybody flocked in for the flamingo's in the corner, and for the rest 'nobody' paid attention to the several Camelidea species that were around. Also for me a bit too much domesticated species (although I like them, that's for me personally not a group I want to see in a zoo, a petting zoo is also not something I personally like, but I can appreciate the crowds of children that are drawn in by it).

Seen some really nice species: the deer collection is world class, some rare and interesting carnivores, good bird of prey collection, and some real treats (unfortunately the Giant squirrels were asleep in a wood log so a no show for me). Also some great enclosures: mixed vulture aviary, terraria + cat + bear in Alfred-Brehm house, Himalaya red panda.

I really liked the Tierpark, but could see there is much potential left. Hopefully they keep on improving some older exhibits and keep a very interesting animal species list. I don't see me coming back quickly but that had nothing to do with the zoo. There are many zoos I didn't visit yet that are more my focus, then revisting a zoo 700km away from my home.
 
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