Sight: Random old buildings right beside apartment buildings built in the seventies with lots of trees. The sidewalks are all made out of cobblestones. Many colors... and no vinyl siding. Sorry America, you get to keep that. And ever kind of graffiti you could imagine. Everywhere. No building is safe.
Hearing: A loud "deea deea deea" as the subway doors close, and a tick toc noise that is made from the walk signals (it sounds like someone making a knocking sound with their tongue). Oh, and the "brrring-ding" of the bike-riders as they basically tell you to get out of their way or risk losing your life. Add a few rumbles to that... deep rumbles. And you have the ambiance.
Taste: it depends where you are, but if you stand by the Spree river, the air tastes like fishy, dirty water. The bitter taste of second hand smoke combined with the petrol of the subway.
Smell: Cigarette and cigar smoke masks all other smells. Smoking apparently doesn't kill in Germany, because everyone and their dog (and the monkeys at the zoo) smokes.
Touch: With you hands, it is better not to touch things-- but if you do, it is either grimy with dirt, or sticky with people-use. With your feet, you can feel the cobblestones through your shoes. However, it is a good idea to hold the rails on the subway, because most people need to remain standing. It is also a good idea to wash your hands after remaining standing.
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