Berlin Travel Guide
If you are planning your first visit to Berlin and don’t know a lot about the city, you are in the right place! We will give you information about Berlin’s eventful history, and then read about practical information. The next step is to investigate its top attractions and most popular museums.
Berlin really is a great city! Make sure you visit at least once in your life.
This is a BIG guide so please stick with it!
Why should you visit?
The German capital is a history packed city. Devastated at the end of World War II and divided by a Wall for 28 years, Berlin regains its former splendor.
The contemporary buildings erase the city’s difficult past to create a unique atmosphere, where vintage blends pleasantly with the state-of-the-art, and the outlandish complements the everyday.
The Berlin Wall makes an emotive open-air museum, where you can relive moments of anguish and horror by discovering numerous true stories about families that were separated for years. The death camps expose the best kept secrets on the consequences of a fascist regime and the bunkers transmit the terror that one day kept the city hidden by fear.
There is a wide variety of activities, day trips and excursions in Berlin that will wrap you up in its complex history.
The DDR Museum offers a unique way of discovering the socialist state of East Germany or German Democratic Republic. Checkpoint Charlie, one of the most famous Berlin Wall crossing points, was the setting of constant escapes to West Berlin. While Museum Island offers a wide range of exhibitions for both tourists and locals.
Moreover, it is simply priceless to feast on a delicious currywurst accompanied by a good German beer near the Brandenburg Gate.
During our trip we discovered why the number of tourists grow year after year in Berlin and will now tell you about the attractions that we visited during our stay.
Best time to visit
Situated in north-eastern Germany with a mainly flat topography, Berlin has a temperate continental (but bordering maritime) climate with nine to 11 rainy days each month.
Spring (March to May) is pleasant with a mild weather. Temperatures averaging 4 degree C (39 degree F) in March and climbing gradually to 14 degree C (57 degree F) in May. The city celebrates multiculturalism with the annual Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen or KDK in short) in May, making it an ideal time to visit Berlin.
Summer (June to August) is warm with average high temperatures of 23 degree C (73 degree F), although the built-up areas can get warmer due to the heat stored in buildings and pavement. The city has a string of festivals during this time including Classic Open Air, Berlin Pride, Beer Fest (Berliner Bierfestival) and Music Fest (Musikfest).
Autumn (September to November) starts off warm but the cool autumnal air soon ushering in and lowering the temperatures to an average high of 13 degree C (55 degree F) by October. This is a cheaper time to visit Berlin.
Winter (December to February) is mild with average high temperatures of 3 degree C (37 degree F), but winds from the east may lead to cold spells. The city knows how to party and throws one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Europe at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Wrap up warm and book your hotel in advance if you’re visiting
Getting around Berlin
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Berlin is an enormous city, but it has an excellent public transportation system. Taking the S-Bahn (elevated train), U-Bahn (underground), or bus will get you anywhere you want to go. All of them use the same fare system.
Berlin is divided into three tariff zones: AB (2.60€ or £2 / $3 for a single fare), BC (2.90€ or £2.50 / $4 for a single fare), and ABC (3.20€ or £3 / $4 for a single fare).
A single AB ticket is good for most journeys in central Berlin. Buy your tickets at any U-Bahn or S-Bahn station and validate them in the station machines before you board. (The entire system runs on an honor system.) Tickets are good for 2 hours. For information on all forms of Berlin’s public transportation, visit www.bvg.de
Tip : If you’re planning more than two trips on public transportation in Berlin, you’ll save money by buying a Tageskarte (day pass) for 6.70€–7.20€ or £5.50 / $8, depending on the number of zones you want. The Tageskarte is good for unlimited transportation within the zones you purchase it for. You can save euros on transportation and sightseeing with a Berlin Welcome Card, which covers unlimited public transport in zones AB and gives reductions on 160 sights and attractions. A 48-hour, 72-hour, 5-day pass costs 19€/25€/32€ or £16/£20/£25 / $21/$26/$34 A 72-hour pass including admission to Museum Island’s galleries and museums costs 34€ or £27 / $36. The Tageskarte and Berlin Welcome Card can be purchased at any Berlin Info store or here:
BY S-BAHN
Speedy and efficient, S-Bahn trains (www.s-bahn-berlin.de) provide an enjoyable way to explore Berlin. The service comprises 15 routes, which feed into three main lines going east–west, north–south, and circling around central Berlin. Purchase and validate your ticket at one of the red or yellow ticket-validation machines on the platform before boarding. The S-Bahn operates from 4am to 12:30am, later at weekends. S-Bahn entrances are marked with an S in a green background. Some S-Bahn lines intersect with U-Bahn lines, so you can transfer from one to the other. The S-Bahn is particularly handy if you are traveling from Bahnhof Zoo in western Berlin to Mitte in eastern Berlin or southwest to Grunewald and the lakes.
BY U-BAHN
U-Bahn underground trains (www.bvg.de) provide another fast and efficient way to get around Berlin. Ten lines run to more than 170 stations from 4am until midnight, later at the weekend. At peak times, trains depart every 3 to 5 minutes. U-Bahn entrances are marked with a U in a blue background. Validate your ticket in one of the validation machines before boarding.
U-BAHN was what we used 90% of the time, its so easy to use!
BY BUS
If you’re not in a hurry, Berlin’s buses are a great way to get about and enjoy the views, especially from the upper deck. Routes 100 and 200 are particularly scenic and travel from Bahnhof Zoo east to Mitte, passing many Berlin landmarks along the way. Buy your ticket before boarding, not on the bus. You can download routes from www.bvg.de
BY TAXI
Taxis wait outside major hotels, stations, and airports round the clock. Most drivers speak some English. There’s a minimum charge of 3.20€ or £2.50 / $4 plus 1.65€ per kilometre. If you’re going less than 2km (1 1/4 miles) and flag down the cab, ask for the Kurzstreckentarif (short-route fare); the driver should switch off the meter and charge no more than 4€ or £3 / $5.
BY CAR
Once in central Berlin, there’s no need for a car; it’s cheaper, quicker, and more carbon friendly to use the excellent public transport network, even for day trips.
BY BICYCLE OR SCOOTER
Berlin’s network of cycling trails makes biking a popular way to get around. Bikes are a fun, eco-friendly way of exploring the sights. Most S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains have a dedicated car for bikes, but you need to buy an additional reduced fare ticket to take the bike on public transportation. Using one of the scooter lying around is also a quick and relaxing way to get around, we used this way several times. Just use the “LIME” app and you’re good to go. The cost of borrowing an e-scooter from Lime consists of a fixed activation fee and a price per minute. In Berlin the activation of a scooter costs one Euro.
ON FOOT
With its grand avenues, pedestrian-only streets, leafy parks, squares, and riverside and canalside promenades, Berlin is a city best enjoyed and discovered on foot.
Things to see and do
Below are 10 of our favourite things to do in Berlin. Check out our 20 things to do in Berlin page for even more things to see and do.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument that has stood through the city’s history since the 18th century and it should be at the top of your list of things to see in Berlin!
As you might already know, the gate is a symbol of separation between East and West Berlin, and is probably one of the most significant landmarks in the city! Be sure not to miss this historical spot and the photo opportunities it brings! I have seen it twice and its always a great sight to see!
Berlin TV Tower
The Berlin Television Tower, which is known to locals as the Fernsehturm, and is instantly recognisable from the distance, stand outs of the skyline at 368m, making it the tallest building in Berlin. Built in the 1960s, visitors to the tower can enjoy a unique 360° panorama of the city. Tip: Visit the TV Tower with the Berlin Welcome Card and save up to 25 per cent.
Visiting the Tv Tower is a must! We loved it!
Tickets are best bought in advance here:
The Reichstag
Another historical site to visit in Berlin is the Reichstag, a place where the Parliament sits. It has a glass dome, which represents the political transparency of the city.
When the decision was made to move the Federal Government to Berlin, it was time to reawaken the Reichstag building from its long years of slumber on the Mauerstreifen, the military zone between the two sides of the Wall. The building has since been completely modernised, and today’s visitors to the Reichstag can look out from the building’s glass dome to get a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle in the city. There are also a number of government buildings in the vicinity of the Reichstag, for example the Bundeskanzleramt (Federal Chancellery) and the Brandenburg Gate.
The entrance to Reichstag Berlin is free of charge, but be sure to book your visit well in advance! We booked ours 4 weeks in advance and there were not many spaces left. There is no need to print your booking form, just show it on your phone at the entrance. Don’t forget to bring your valid photo ID!
Berliner Dom
Berliner Dom, otherwise known as the Berlin Cathedral, is a Neo-Renaissance style building built in 1905. Paying a visit to this gorgeous cathedral is considered to be one of the top ten things to do in Berlin!
The Dome is located on Museum Island where numerous other museums are nestled. You should go up to the top of the cathedral for an incredible view of the city! The admission is 7€ or £6 / $8
Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin is a memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe.
The memorial is an open space structure and you can freely walk around. It comprises of different shaped blocks in a maze like fashion.
A stone’s throw away is the place where Adolf Hitler committed suicide in the Führerbunker during the end of World War II, which is now a car park.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the setting for many thrillers and spy novels, from James Bond in Octopussy to The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.
Located on the corner of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße, it is a reminder of the former border crossing, the Cold War and the partition of Berlin. The barrier and checkpoint booth, the flag and the sandbags are all based on the original site – and are a popular subject for photos.
We took photos of the famous site (below) and then we went to the Checkpoint Charlie museum. Tickets and further information can be found here
Highlights of the museum:
- Escape car with boot compartment.
- Original pieces of the wall.
- Fake and genuine travel documents.
- Scale model of a wall section.
- Suitcases prepared for escape attempts.
Potsdamer Platz (Sony centre)
Once the bustling heart of the city before the Second World War, then a no man’s land from 1945 until the fall of the wall, the history of Potsdamer Platz has been eventful to say the least. It changed completely after the fall of the wall in 1989 and is now dominated by the presence of the Sony Center, skyscrapers and endless shops. What’s more, Potsdamer Platz is the main place to be for stars and celebrities, and not only during film festivals.
Make sure you head inside the Sony centre! Its a feast lovers of futuristic architecture and has some great restaurants/ bars. We went in the day and at night!
Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in Europe!
Pay a visit to this amazing zoo if you have time, as it is definitely worth it! Plenty of animals and some great walk ways!
In case you are visiting Berlin with kids, they will definitely be happy to spend some time here and admire all the exotic animals and colourful birds! The zoo actually has more than 1,350 species and more than 20,000 animals, so you can never get bored there! Don’t forget the PANDA’S!
Price: 15,50€/person or £13 / $17 for adults and 8€/person or £7 / $9 for kids. Tickets here
Welt Balloon Berlin
This was probably our most favourite thing we did in Berlin!
Drift up but not away for about 15 minutes aboard a helium-filled balloon, which remains tethered to the ground as it lifts you 150m into the air for panoramas of Berlin.
We have a dedicated page with more information for the Welt Balloon here
Tickets can be bought below via our partner:
Victory Column
The Victory Column is a monumental structure located in the middle of Berlin’s Tiergarten, constructed between 1871 and 1873 to celebrate Germany’s victory over France in the 1870/71 Franco-Prussian War.
The column is 66 metres tall and is crowned by a bronze statue of the goddess Victoria.
Originally the column was placed directly in front of the Reichstag and was moved by the Nazi government in 1939 to its current location as part of their plans to extensively redevelop the centre of Berlin. At the same time the column was heightened by about 7.5 metres.
The Siegessäule is open to the public; visitors can climb the 285 steps to a viewing platform at the top (no facilities for disabled visitors). There’s an entrance fee of €2.20 or £1.80 / $3 (€1.50 reduced). The Siegessäule is located at the centre of a major roundabout, pedestrian access available is via four tunnels spaced around this; don’t try to cross the five-lane roundabout around its base unless you wish to cut short your time in Berlin.
Book Tours and Purchase Tickets
Where to stay
When we visited Berlin we stayed at RELEXA HOTEL BERLIN.
This hotel was within walking distance of the Brandenburg Gate and other historical sites. Although our room was incorrect upon check-in with dead flies on the bed, the staff quickly moved us to a cleaner room.
Our favourite features:
- Fantastic value
- Friendly staff
- Large rooms
- Access to the S-Bahn at Anhalter Bahnhof
- Mini-mart just a few buildings down
Book here
Other Hotels
Here are some hand-picked accommodations all located in the center, close to the metro and with fabulous reviews. Check them out and see which one is perfect for you!
Luxury (£180 / $240 USD and up): Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is a great 5-star hotel situated right in the city center, half a kilometer from Sony Center. This hotel has all the amenities you could ever need, including a TV with satellite channels, DVD player, bathrobes etc. Berlin Marriott Hotel is the best place to stay in Berlin if you are looking for luxury service and amenities. This hotel is a 10-minute walk from Brandenburg Gate and it offers awesome rooms, a fitness center, mahogany furnishings and more!
Middle (£90 / $120 USD to £180 / $240 USD): Meliá Berlin is the best place to stay in Berlin if you are traveling on a middle-priced budget. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and some of them even have an awesome view of the river or city! Steigenberger Hotel am Kanzleramt is located only half a kilometer away from the Brandenburg Gate. You should also know that Berlin Main Station is right next to the hotel – how convenient!
Budget (£45 / $62 USD to £90 / $120 USD): If you’re looking for a great budget hotel, then The Circus Hostel is a great choice. Located right in the city center, this hostel is very friendly and it also offers bike rental facilities! Another good choice is Select Hotel Berlin The Wall. Situated half a kilometer from Sony Center, Select Hotel offers great facilities and even a 24-hour front desk clerk!
Final thoughts
Any German will tell you that Berlin is not Germany and Germany is not Berlin. But you know what they also say? “Berlin is poor but sexy”. And we could not agree more with that!
It keeps alive a tale of two cities – East and West Berlin, and it also has a strong avant-garde vibe. Berlin is full of free spirited people and you will see that right from the start! There is a lot of respect in Berlin for people. There is also a lot of beer.
The city is constantly changing and evolving and it doesn’t let anything hold it back. We will return here for sure, and we wish you a great visit to this city of freedom!
More photos
Save this post (pin it)
We love Berlin! Absolute gem! Make sure it’s on your list.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
