travel guide map berlin

Berlin travel guide: what to see, do and eat in Berlin

This guide is for tourists who want to visit Berlin. If you want to move to Berlin, read my moving to Berlin guide .

Visa requirements

You might need a visa to visit Germany. It depends on your citizenship:

• EU , EEA and Swiss citizens You can visit Germany without a visa. You can stay as long as you want. You can also live and work in Germany.
• Other Schengen area residents You can visit Germany without a visa. You stay in Germany for 90 days in a 180 day period. 1 If you want to stay longer , or work in Germany , you need a residence permit .
• Citizens of other countries People from certain countries can visit Germany for 90 days without a visa. Other people need a Schengen Visa to visit Germany. A Schengen Visa costs 75 €. 2 You can apply for a Schengen visa at the German embassy or consulate in your country .

Visa requirements by country  – Federal Foreign Office

How to travel to Berlin

Fly to the Berlin Brandenburg airport . Use Kayak , Omio , Rome2Rio or Google Flights to book your flight.

To get from the airport to the city, you can…

• Use public transit (recommended) Take a train from BER airport to Berlin. It takes 30 to 45 minutes. Use Google Maps or BVG Fahrinfo . The airport is in zone C, so you must buy an ABC ticket. The ticket costs 4.40 €. You can buy tickets at the airport, near the train platform. You can pay with cash or a credit card. 3 Validate your ticket before you get on the train. –  How to use public transit
• Take a taxi There are taxis outside the BER airport. A ride from the airport to the city centre costs at least 50 €. 4 You can also book a taxi with Uber or FreeNow . You can pay with cash or a credit card. 5
• Rent a car You can rent a car at the airport. There are kiosks for different car rental companies. You can also rent a Miles car.

By intercity bus

Intercity buses are often cheaper than planes or trains. Use Rome2Rio or Omio to buy bus tickets. Some buses let you bring a bicycle.

Most buses have free Wi-Fi, power outlets and a small toilet.

Most intercity buses arrive at…

• Berlin Brandenburg airport , 45 minutes from the centre
• Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB), 25 minutes from the centre
• Alexanderplatz , in the centre

If you arrive at BER airport, you need an ABC train ticket to get to Berlin. It costs 4.40 €.

Intercity trains are more comfortable, but also more expensive. They arrive directly in the city centre. Most trains have free Wi-Fi, but it’s often unreliable. Some trains let you bring a bicycle.

Most trains stop at the central train station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof . This is in the middle of Berlin.

Use Rome2Rio , Omio , Bahn.de or Google Maps to find a train route. To pay less, use the Super Saver Fare or book your tickets long in advance.

By car or motorcycle

You can drive in Germany with a foreign driving licence. You might need a translation or an International Driving Permit.

Who can drive in Germany ➞

Driving in Berlin is easy, but free parking is hard to find.

Most parking spaces in the centre cost 1 € to 4 € per hour. 6 Use Parkopedia to find a free or paid parking space. Most parking spaces outside of the central neighbourhoods are free. Motorcycles can park on the sidewalk for free.

You can also park outside the city and take the train to Berlin. There are free Park and Ride (P+R) car parks . You can park your car there for free, and take the train to Berlin. You can find them on this map (in Multi-mobility), or with this list .

The area inside the Ringbahn is an environmental zone . You need a green environmental sticker to drive in this area. You can get a green sticker at most gas stations around Berlin. Motorcycles don’t need a green sticker to enter this zone.

Information about the environmental zone  – Berlin.de

By car sharing

BlaBlaCar lets you ride with drivers who travel to Berlin. You meet them in one place, and drive together to another city. Car sharing is usually cheaper and faster than intercity buses, but it takes more planning.

How to get around in Berlin

How to find your way around berlin.

Google Maps works really well in Berlin. It also works offline. The BVG app and the Jelbi app let you see train schedules and buy train tickets, but it does not work offline. Maps.me and OsmAnd have offline maps and directions.

How to use public transit in Berlin

Berlin has very good public transit. It’s the best way to get around, even when you have a car. Just make sure you buy the right ticket and validate it . If you are caught with the wrong ticket, you will get a 60 € fine .

You can buy a 24 hour, 7 day or 1 month ticket. It’s cheaper than buying a ticket every time. There’s also the WelcomeCard , a ticket that gives you rebates on museums and attractions.

How to use public transit ➞

How to rent a bicycle or a scooter

This is the best way to see Berlin . Berlin is very flat and has a lot of bike paths, so it’s easy to ride a bicycle or a scooter. You can rent them for around 10 € per day.

When I have visitors, this is my favourite way to show Berlin. I take my visitors along the river Spree and the Landwehrkanal.

Where to rent a bicycle ➞

Where to rent an electric scooter ➞

How to rent a car

You don’t need to rent a car in Berlin. It’s easier to use public transit. If you have an International Driving Permit or a EU driver’s licence, you can drive in Germany.

Where to rent a car ➞

What to see and do in Berlin

There are many lists of things to see in Berlin. See visitBerlin.de , WikiVoyage and Lonely Planet .

Main attractions

• Berlin Wall ( Berliner Mauer ) Some parts of the Berlin wall were preserved. There is preserved part of the wall and a free museum on Bernauer Straße . The East Side Gallery is another part of the wall that was turned into a gallery.
• Berlin Cathedral ( Berliner Dom ) The most famous church in Berlin. You can visit it, or relax on the grass in front of it. It’s on the museum island , close to many old museums.
• Berliner Unterwelten Bunker, tunnel and air raid shelter tours. The tours are in German, English, French, Spanish and more. I have done 3 of their tours. They are very interesting.
• Brandenburg Gate ( Brandenburger Tor ) The iconic gate on Berlin’s East-West axis.
• Christmas markets In November and December, you can visit Berlin’s Christmas markets. There are dozens of them. Many are in scenic locations. There are dozens of kiosks that sell hot drinks, food, sweets and home-made goods. The Christmas markets are open from the middle of November to the end of December.
• East Side Gallery A long mural painted directly on the Berlin wall.
• Mauerpark Every Sunday, this park hosts a big flea market and an open air karaoke. Many musicians also play music there.
• Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Next to the Brandenburg gate is a large holocaust memorial and museum. You can walk through the memorial.
• Museum island ( Museuminsel ) Museum island is home to the Berliner Dom, and many of the biggest, oldest museums. If you like beautiful old buildings, it’s worth a visit.
• Oberbaum Bridge ( Oberbaumbrücke ) A beautiful bridge that goes across the river Spree. It’s right next to the East Side Gallery. You can also kayak on the Spree to get a really good view on the bridge.
• Palace of tears ( Tränenpalast ) A small, free museum about the border control between East and West Germany. It’s in the old border crossing point, right next to the Friedrichstraße train station.
• Reichstag building ( Reichstagsgebäude ) An iconic building. You can visit the cupola and the rooftop, and learn about the history of Berlin. It’s free, but you must make an appointment .
• Soviet war memorials There are many memorials to the Red Army, who liberated Berlin in 1945. There are big memorials in Tiergarten , Treptower Park , and in Schönholzer Heide . The biggest one is in Treptower Park.
• Tempelhof airfield ( Tempelhofer Feld ) This giant former airfield is where many Berliners go to relax, drink beer, skate, kite surf and cycle. It’s a great place to visit on a sunny day.
• Teufelsberg** Teufelsberg is an artificial hill. There is a cold war listening station at the top. It’s now an open air gallery with a really good view of Berlin. If you don’t want to pay to visit Teufelsberg, you can visit Drachenberg, the other hill next to it.
• TV tower ( Fernsehturm ) The TV tower in Alexanderplatz is visible from almost anywhere in Berlin. You can take an elevator to the top of the tower, and get a panoramic view of Berlin.
• Victory Column ( Siegessäule ) The Victory Column in Tiergarten sits on Berlin’s East-West axis. You can go up the tower and see Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building from above.

visitBerlin.de  – Official website with really good information

You can find events on visitBerlin.de , Facebook and Resident Advisor . You can find live music on Resident Advisor , Bandsintown , Songkick and Echtzeitmusik .

• Berlinale film festival  – February This is the third largest film festival in the world, after Cannes and Venice. You can meet movie stars, and see all kinds of films.
• Cherry blossom  – April and May After the reunification, a Japanese TV channel donated 10,000 cherry trees to Berlin. Most of them were planted where the Berlin wall was. Every spring, the cherry trees bloom and cover the alleys in rose petals.
• Fête de la Musique  – June 21 A music festival in the entire city. There are musicians and concerts in every part of the city.
• Zug der Liebe  – End of August The Zug der Liebe is a big parade with techno, dance and a lot of happy people.
• Berlin Pride (CSD) – End of July A big LGBTQ+ parade with music trucks. It’s one of the largest Pride events in the world.
• Christmas markets  – Middle of November until end of December Germany is famous for its Christmas markets. Berlin has dozens of different markets, including alternative markets like the Japanese Christmas market and the Naughty Xmas Market.

Official event calendar ➞

Public holidays in Berlin ➞

Walking tours

Guided tours are a great way to discover Berlin. Use GetYourGuide or Airbnb experiences to find walking tours, or look at this list . I highly recommend the Berliner Unterwelten tours.

Outside of Berlin

If you have a bit more time, Potsdam and Wannsee are worth seeing. You can get there by train. Potsdam is in zone C , so you need an ABC ticket.

In the last week of April, you can also see the Baumblütenfest in Werder. It’s one of the largest folk festivals in Brandenburg .

Clubs in Berlin

Berlin is famous for its techno clubs. It can be hard to get into certain clubs. Clubs don’t let everyone in. For example, they often reject tourists, big groups, drunk people, and people under 21 years old. 7

In Berlin, people don’t wear fancy clothes to go clubbing. If you dress too nice, you won’t get in. 8 Ask the locals what the unofficial dress code is.

Most clubs have a cover charge. You must pay 5 € to 15 € to get in. Clubs in Berlin stay open until the morning. The party starts late, and the busiest time is around 2AM. You can buy presale tickets for club events on Resident Advisor . When you have tickets, it’s easier to get in. 9

Find club events on Resident Advisor , or follow clubs on Facebook and Instagram.

What to eat in Berlin

Typical berlin street food.

• Currywurst  – Currywurst is street food. It’s a pork sausage with a curry and ketchup sauce. It’s usually served with fries ( mit Pommes ) in a cardboard plate. Curry 36 is a good place to try a Currywurst mit Pommes . Konnopke’s Imbiss is another famous place.
• Döner kebab  – The standard street food in Berlin. The best kebab places are a secret, but the worst kebabs are usually in train stations and tourist areas.
• Gemüse döner (also called a chicken döner) – A döner kebab with chicken and fried vegetables. Mustafa’s , K’Ups and Rüyam are some of the most famous chicken Döner places.

Typical Berlin dishes

Cuisine of Berlin  – Wikipedia

Fleischerei Domke and Englers Unikat have cheap, traditional working class dishes. For something fancier, try Max und Moritz .

Tipping in restaurants

Most people tip in German restaurants, but it’s okay if you don’t. The waiter won’t be rude to you if you don’t tip. German waiters don’t need tips to survive, but it’s a big part of their income.

How to tip in Germany ➞

Where to stay in Berlin

There is no “down town Berlin”. There are many popular neighbourhoods, and each one has a different personality. If you stay anywhere in the Ringbahn , you should be okay.

• Hotels: Booking.com
• Hostels: Hostelworld
• Vacation apartments: Airbnb or Wimdu
• Long term apartments: see How to find an apartment in Berlin

If you are more patient, you can also use CouchSurfing and BeWelcome . People host visitors for free, and spend time with them during their visit.

Shopping in Berlin

In Germany, shops and supermarkets close on Sundays . Most restaurants, tourist attractions, Spätis and gas stations stay open on Sundays.

Always have cash with you . Some restaurants and businesses only accept cash and Girocards . Most street food kiosks and Spätis only accept cash. Cards are rarely accepted for small transactions.

If you live outside the European Union , you can get a refund for the VAT you paid in Germany. For example, if you buy a laptop in Germany and bring it home in the United States, you can get the 19% VAT back. It’s not easy to do.

VAT refund process  – Federal Foreign Office

Stay connected

If you visit from another EU country, your SIM card will also work in Germany. You make calls, send SMS and use mobile data without any extra costs.

German power outlets

Germany has Type F power outlets. They have a voltage of 230V, and a frequency of 50Hz. Before you visit Germany, check if your devices will work there. You might need a travel adapter to charge your devices.

Power sockets in Germany ➞

Free Wi-Fi in Berlin

If you don’t have mobile data, you can find free Wi-Fi everywhere:

• All U-Bahn stations have free Wi-Fi. Look for the “BVG Free WiFi” network.
• Some S-Bahn stations also have free Wi-Fi. Look for the “WIFI@DB” network.
• REWE and Lidl supermarkets have free Wi-Fi. 10 Some Edeka supermarkets also have free Wi-Fi.
• Hotels and hostels have free Wi-Fi for their guests.

Map of public Wi-Fi hotspots  – publicwifi.eu

Prepaid SIM cards for tourists

If you want mobile data while you visit Berlin, you should get a temporary SIM card.

There are 3 ways to buy a SIM card:

• Buy a digital SIM card (eSIM) This is the easiest way. Buy an eSIM from Airalo , and activate it when you arrive in Berlin. It’s very easy. I use it all the time when I travel. Your phone must support eSIMs.
• Get a SIM card at the airport Go to the mobile phone kiosks at the airport, and buy a SIM card. It takes 15 to 30 minutes, but it can take longer when it’s busy. Temporary SIM cards are more expensive.
• Get a SIM card at a mobile phone shop Buy a SIM card from a Vodafone, Telekom or O2 shop. Electronics stores like Saturn or MediaMarkt also sell and activate SIM cards. You must show your passport and a registration certificate to activate the SIM card, but store employees will just use your passport and the address of your hotel. 11

Google Maps works really well in Berlin. If you need offline maps, use OsmAnd or Maps.me . Google Maps also works offline , but you can’t get directions.

You should also download the BVG app or the Jelbi app to buy train tickets. They have more accurate train schedules. It’s easier than the ticket machines, and it’s in English. The Jelbi app also lets you book cars, scooters, bicycles and taxis.

Be a good tourist

You don’t need to speak German. People in the tourism industry often speak English. If you are not sure, ask first. Museum exhibitions are in German and English. Signs in tourist areas are also in English. If you want to live in Berlin , you should learn German . If you are just visiting, English is fine.

Do I need to speak German in Berlin? ➞

In Germany, tipping is optional. In general, people tip up to 10% for good service, or round the amount on the invoice.

Things you should not do

• Do not walk on the bike paths Look down, and make sure you’re not blocking a bicycle path. If you walk on the bike path, cyclists will ring their bell, scream at you or even bump into you.
• Do not put your glass bottles in the trash People collect empty bottles and return them for money . Don’t make people search for bottles in the trash. Put your empty bottles next to the bin. In some parks, bottle collectors ( Flaschensammler ) will walk around and ask for your empty bottles.
• Do not joke about Nazis and the war You probably shouldn’t joke about this. It’s not funny, and it’s not original.

Berlin is a safe city even at night, but crimes still happen. Pickpockets steal phones and bags in trains and restaurants.

Cannabis is illegal in Germany . You can still buy it from dealers in parks, but it’s a really bad idea. You will get bad weed, and it’s often contaminated with chemicals.

Magic mushrooms, cocaine and MDMA are also illegal. If you buy MDMA or ecstasy in Berlin, the KnowDrugs app can help you verify what you buy.

How to buy weed in Berlin ➞

Emergency numbers in Berlin ➞

Lost things

Where to find lost things in Berlin ➞

Auswärtiges Amt   ⤴

bvg.de   ⤴

web.archive.org , berlin.de   ⤴

berlin.de   ⤴

berlin.de , hotel.de   ⤴

reddit.com/r/berlin , reddit.com/r/berlin   ⤴

reddit.com/r/berlin   ⤴

unternehmen.lidl.de , kaufda.de   ⤴

expatica.com , traveltomtom.net , teltarif.de , prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com   ⤴

Turn your dream vacation into reality

3 Days in Berlin (Ultimate Itinerary + Map)

• December 26, 2023

Berlin is the capital of Germany and its largest city. This multicultural metropolis is a city of contrasts, a place where history meets the modern.

Vibrant culture, dark history, alternative nightlife, fabulous food, Berlin has it all! No wonder why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Germany.

Planning a trip to Berlin could be overwhelming (especially for first-timers) but don’t worry, I got you covered! This Berlin itinerary is the only thing you’ll need to fully plan your trip. From must-see attractions, where to stay and eat, to getting around, you’ll find it all in this in-depth guide.

3 days in Berlin itinerary

This 3 days in Berlin itinerary is perfect for everyone visiting the city for the first time. It covers all the main attractions with helpful tips on how to skip the lines. You will also find some ideas for modifications (depending on your interests and if it’s a winter or summer city break).

Already have a hotel booked? Check if your hotel has a good location in my guide to Where to stay in Berlin first time .

Find a map of this 3-day itinerary for Berlin (with all attractions and restaurants’ websites) at the end of the blog post.

3 days in Berlin (perfect itinerary for first-timers)

• Day 1: TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, East Side Gallery
• Day 2: Museum Island, Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie
• Day 3: Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Topography of Terror, Natural History Museum, Historical Museum, Madame Tussauds

3 days in Berlin – Day 1

Have breakfast at gregory’s.

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM Start the first day with breakfast at Gregory’s . They offer great coffee, freshly squeezed juices and a variety of cakes and sandwiches.

See the city’s skyline from the Berlin TV Tower

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM The Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is one of the most recognizable city’s landmarks. Towering 368 metres above Alexanderplatz, it’s the highest building in Berlin. You can visit the observation deck for a panoramic view of the city. Another option is to book a table at the Sphere restaurant , which is located at the top of the tower.

Please note that the Fernsehturm opens at 9 AM (March to October) and at 10 AM (November to February). So if you’re visiting in the winter, visit the Berliner Dom first and then the tower.

For an alternative view of Berlin that includes the Fernsehturm, visit the Panoramapunkt at Potsdamer Platz. Buy skip the line ticket for Panoramapunkt here .

Tour the Berlin Cathedral

10:15 AM – 12:15 PM Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is one of the most important city sites and a must-see while in Berlin. It is located on Museum Island (home to several museums, hence the name).

The cathedral is known as the Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church. In fact, it has never been a true cathedral, because it has never been the seat of a bishop. The current cathedral was constructed during 1894 – 1905 on the site of an old church from the 15th century.

In 1465 the Hohenzollern family needed a court church close to their new royal palace. For that purpose, they used the catholic St. Erasmus Chapel, located on the site of the Berlin Cathedral at that time. It was elevated to the status of Collegiate Church. In Germany, they called such collegiate churches Domkirche. This is how the Berliner Dom got its name.

The Hohenzollern family also used the church as a burial place. You can visit the crypt, which contains 94 coffins from the 16th to the 20th century.

For awesome 360° panoramic views over the city, take the 270 steps to reach the viewing platform of the dome. You can see the Museum Island, Gendarmenmarkt, Reichstag and Rotes Rathaus. During the climbing, you will pass along the cathedral’s museum. It presents drawings, photos and models of the history of the church.

The entrance fee covers the church, the Hohenzollern Crypt and the dome. Leave the visiting of the crypt for last, because once you exit the crypt you can’t go back to the church.

There are regular classical music concerts organized in the church ( see details and available dates ). 

Have lunch at Factory Girl

12:15 PM – 02:00 PM Factory Girl is one of my favourite places for lunch. They offer fantastic healthy brunch options. Don’t miss to try their famous dessert Coco Anjéla . It’s worth every single bite!

If you still crave something sweet, then make Woop Woop Ice Cream your next stop. The ice cream is freshly made with liquid nitrogen. It’s super fun to watch the preparation process in front of you.

See the remains of the Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery

02:00 PM – 03:30 PM To get to East Side Gallery take the S-Bahn (lines S5, S7 or S9) from Alexanderplatz to Ostbahnhof. From there it’s about 200m to the famous landmark.

The infamous Berlin Wall was about 140km long and it stood for almost 30 years. Its main purpose was to stop the emigration of East German citizens to the more liberal West Germany. The wall, in fact, was two concrete walls with a neutral space between them.

The East Side Gallery is the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Stretching to 1.3km, this open-air gallery is the longest in the world. More than a hundred paintings by artists from all over the world cover the wall.

The most popular works in the East Side Gallery are Dmitri Vrubel’s Fraternal Kiss and Birgit Kinder’s Trabant breaking through the wall.

To find out more about the story of graffiti, take this Street art and graffiti tour through some of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Take a boat cruise along the River Spree

A boat cruise along the River Spree is the perfect way to explore the city in a relaxing way. Plus, you’ll see many of the city’s popular landmarks, including Reichstag, Bellevue Palace, Museum Island, etc.

Have dinner at Schnitzelei

For a tasty Schnitzel, Schnitzelei is the place to go. The Schnitzels are huge and made using local ingredients. They also offer delicious German tapas and have an extended beer menu (plus craft beer).

3 days in Berlin – Day 2

Have breakfast at zeit für brot.

09:00 AM – 09:40 AM Zeit für Brot is my favourite bakery in all of Germany. Their speciality is sweet buns with a variety of fillings – chocolate, cinnamon, poppyseed, marzipan and many more. This is what heaven looks like for me. The sandwiches are also fantastic.

Explore Museum Island

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM You can easily spend not 2 hours, but 2 days here. The island houses a complex of 5 museums – Neues Museum, Altes Museum, Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum and Alt Nationalgalerie.

Pergamon Museum (Pergamonmuseum) – closed for renovation until 2027 If you have to choose only one, visit the Pergamon Museum. It is the most popular one. The museum houses antiquity collections, Middle East collections and Islamic artworks. Among its treasures are the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the Market Gate of Miletus.

New Museum (Neues Museum) Visit the Neues Museum for Egyptian and Early History collections. The most famous item on display is the bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.

The Old Museum (Altes Museum) The museum features Greek and Roman art and sculptures. The exhibits in Bode Museum include collections of coins and medals, as well as art from the Late Antique and Byzantine periods.

Although it is not as popular as the previous two museums, if you’re visiting in the summer, I’d advise you to book your Altes Museum ticket in advance.

Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie) And if you’re an art lover, don’t miss the Old National Gallery. The featured collections include Romanticism, Impressionist and Neoclassical artworks. You can also find an amazing collection of masterpieces by Caspar David Friedrich.

Tickets are timed-entry, so if you’re visiting in the high season book your skip-the-line Alte Nationalgalerie ticket in advance.

Have lunch at Mogg & Melzer

12:30 PM – 02:00 PM For lunch stop at Mogg & Melzer Delicatessen . This little restaurant is famous for its home-cured and smoked pastrami. The portion size is generous, so it’s best to share a starter and one sandwich (unless you’re not super hungry).

Climb the Glass Dome at Reichstag Building

02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Reichstag building (Reichstagsgebäude) with its iconic Glass Dome is the seat of the German Parliament. You can not only visit the building but climb the glass dome for fantastic views of the city. There is also a rooftop terrace with a nice restaurant.

It’s free to visit the Reichstag, but you have to make online registration at the German Bundestag Service Centre  in advance. To enter the building you need a passport or official identification card. Audio guides are available in 11 languages. The Reichstag is open daily from 8 AM until midnight.

Another option to visit the Reichstag is by reserving a table at Käfer , the rooftop restaurant at the Reichstag. The reservation includes not only free unlimited coffee and tea, but also a piece of cake!

You can reserve your table here .

See the iconic Brandenburg Gate

03:15 PM – 03:30 PM Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is one of the city’s symbols and a must-see for every tourist. It was built in the 18th century replacing a former city gate. That gate stood on the road to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel. From here comes the current name of the gate.

Napoleon first used the gate for a triumphal procession after he captured the Prussian capital in 1806. After Napoleon’s defeat, it became a Prussian triumphal arch. Only the royal family was allowed to pass through the gate.

Later the Brandenburg Gate symbolizes the division of the city into West and East during the Cold War and then a reunified Germany. Don’t miss seeing it illuminated in the evening.

Pay respect at the Holocaust Memorial

03:30 PM – 04:00 PM Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is dedicated to the 6 million Jewish victims that lost their lives during the Holocaust. The memorial is composed of 2711 rectangular concrete blocks of different heights.

It’s free to visit the Holocaust memorial, as well as the underground Information Centre. There you can hear sobering stories of survivors of the Holocaust.

Admire the architecture at Gendarmenmarkt

04:15 PM – 04:45 PM Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful city’s squares. Surrounded by three gorgeous buildings, the square gives you a sense of how magnificent the city was in the past.

Here, you’ll find two identical churches facing each other – the French Cathedral and the New Church. The French Cathedral (Französischer Dom) dates from the 17th century, while the German Church (Deutscher Dom) – from the 18th century. Both churches are free to visit.

Visit Checkpoint Charlie

05:00 PM – 05:15 PM Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Its name comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie), as it was the third checkpoint opened by the Allies in Berlin.

Today, you can see a replica of the guardhouse and border crossing signs. And it’s the most touristy place in Berlin, so be prepared for crowds.

Try the currywurst at Maximilians Berlin

For an authentic German experience, have dinner at Maximilians Berlin . It’s a huge restaurant with great ambience, where all the waiters are dressed in traditional costumes.

Try Bratwurst or Currywurst (the most popular food in Berlin). The latter is a sliced fried pork sausage, served with ketchup seasoned with curry.

3 days in Berlin – Day 3

Tour the royal charlottenburg palace.

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) is the most magnificent palace in Berlin. It was built in the 17th century during the reign of the Hohenzollern Dynasty. The palace served as a summer residence of Sophie Charlotte, the first queen of Prussia.

If you like classical music, don’t miss the Berliner Residence Orchestra concert in the Great Orangery. Enjoy a great evening while listening to the most beautiful works of the Baroque era by candlelight.

The admission to the palace includes an audio guide, while the gardens are free to enter.

You’ll find the Belvedere tea house and the Mausoleum within the gardens area. The Belvedere houses a large collection of porcelain. The Mausoleum is the final resting place of Queen Louise. It was built by her husband, King Friedrich Wilhelm III after she died aged just 34.

Take a look at the ideas below to fill the last afternoon from your 3 days in Berlin.

You can also take a half-day trip to Potsdam, Wannsee or Sachsenhausen concentration camp (more info further in the guide). In this case, you better do in the morning and leave the visit to Charlottenburg Palace for the afternoon.

See the unique Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) is the most unique church in the city. Built in the 19th century, it was badly damaged by bombing raids during WWII. Rather than fully reconstructing the church, it was decided to intercorporate the ruins into a new church.

Today, the church is a memorial that reminds of the horror of the war.

Learn more about WWII at the Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror is located at the same place where the headquarters of the Gestapo and SS once stood. The museum traces the history of WWII, featuring an indoor and outdoor exhibition.

In the outdoor exhibition, you’ll find one of the few large remaining sections of the Berlin Wall. And the best part is that the museum is completely free!

Find out how people lived in East Berlin

To get a real feel of what it was like to live in the former DDR, visit the DDR Museum. The interactive exhibits include reconstructed apartments and items from daily life. You can even climb into an original Trabant!

Book skip the line ticket for DDR Museum here . 

See the dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum

If you like dinosaurs, don’t skip a visit to the Natural History Museum. The exhibits feature an impressive collection of dinosaur skeletons, as well as lots of stuffed animals and reptiles.

You can book tickets for the museum here . 

Discover the German history at the Historical Museum

German Historical Museum is a must-visit for every history buff. Here, you’ll find 2000 years of history packed. The exhibitions take you from the early Middle Ages to the present day.

See the celebrities at Madame Tussauds

Don’t miss this opportunity to take a photo with your favourite celebrity stars. Book your ticket for Madame Tussauds here .

Berlin TV Tower – book in advance, as tickets are sold for a certain time slot. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait in line first to buy tickets and then – for your time slot (which can be hours ahead). You can reserve your ticket to the tower here .

Museum Island – the most popular museum is the Pergamon Museum (closed for renovation until 2027). Again, tickets are valid for a certain time slot, so book your tickets in advance here . 

Reichstag building – you need to reserve in advance online at the German Bundestag Service Centre . And for the rooftop restaurant at the Reichstag, you can reserve a table here .

How to save money on your 3-day Berlin itinerary

If you plan to visit more than one museum, buy the 3-Day Museum Pass in any case. The pass includes free entry to over 30 different museums, including the ones on Museum Island.

To show you how much you can save using the pass following my itinerary, I did the math for you.

Museum Island (Pergamon Museum) – €19 Museum Island (Neues Museum) – €12 German Historical Museum – €12

Total without the pass – €43 if you use the pass – €29 Total savings – €14

As you can see you’re starting to save at the second museum.

However, if you plan to explore only the museums on Museum Island, buy this 1-Day Museum Pass . It’s valid for one day, only for the museums on Museum Island. The price is the same as the entrance fee to the Pergamon Museum, so it’s a real deal.

3 days in Berlin in winter

If you’re visiting the city in the winter, follow the first and second day of this Berlin travel itinerary. For the third day – visit the Charlottenburg Palace in the morning, but skip the gardens. Devote the rest of the day to the Christmas markets (there are more than 80).

Getting around in Berlin

Berlin is a huge city, so even if you stay right in the city centre, for some of the landmarks, you’ll need to use public transport. Don’t worry, the city has an excellent metro system called S-Bahn and U-Bahn. You can even use the S-Bahn to get to Potsdam and Sachsenhausen. To plan your route use this route planner .

You can find a detailed map of the itinerary here . 

I tried to group the landmarks for the first 2 days in such a way that you can explore the city with minimal use of public transport. You’ll need to use the metro only to get to East Side Gallery and back to the city centre.

For the third day (especially if you plan a half-day trip to Potsdam) I recommend you buy a day pass. You’ll need Tageskarte Berlin ABC – if you want to visit Potsdam. If you plan to use it only within the city, buy Tageskarte Berlin AB. This pass can also be bought for 4 or 7 days.

The ABC zone also covers the Brandenburg Airport, while AB only includes areas within the city boundary. So, if you use it on the day of your arrival, buy the pass directly from the Tourist Information Office at the airport.

An alternative to the day pass is the Berlin Welcome Card . The card offers free public transportation (including Potsdam and the Brandenburg Airport). You’ll also benefit from discounts at 200 attractions.

You can also use the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus for easy and convenient transportation around the city.

How to get to Berlin

The Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is located in the city centre, close to Brandenburg Gate. It is well-connected by S-Bahn and U-Bahn to the rest of the city. Check timetables and book tickets online at Deutsche Bahn official site .

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is located 18km southeast of the city. There are a few options to get to the city centre from the airport:

• take the airport express trains (FEX, RE7 and RB14) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (trains every 30min or hour)
• the S-Bahn (lines S9 and S45) is more regular than the express trains (every 20min) but slower

The fastest and cheapest option for you depends on where exactly you’re staying, as the city centre is huge ( see here all options ).

Day trips from Berlin

Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

If you’re interested in WWII, Sachsenhausen is a must-visit. This concentration camp was used primarily for political prisoners till the end of the Third Reich. After its fall, the Soviets used the camp for anti-Communists and Russians.

There is no entrance fee, but you have to pay for an audio guide or to join a guided tour.

How to get to Sachsenhausen The easiest way is to take a Sachsenhausen Memorial guided tour from Berlin. The advantage is that you won’t deal with how exactly to get there. Plus, you’ll learn in-depth the dark history of the concentration camp.

Another option is visiting the camp individually. Take S-Bahn line S1 to Oranienburg Station. From there it’s about a 2km walk to the site. For more visitor information click here .

Potsdam was the royal city of the Prussian kings until 1918. Today, you can explore the huge palace complex and gardens. Don’t miss the New Palace and Sanssouci Palace (known as the German Versailles).

Potsdam can be done in half a day if you visit only these two palaces and part of the gardens. Yet, it’s best if you have more time to explore the city as well (it’s really nice). For more information take a look at my complete Potsdam itinerary .

How to get to Potsdam The easiest way is to take a Sanssouci Palace guided tour from Berlin. Advantages: bus transfer directly from the city centre, guided tour of Potsdam and tour of Sanssouci Palace.

To get there by yourself, take the S-Bahn or the RE trains (it depends on where you’re staying) to Potsdam train station or Charlottenburg station.

Take a cruise

If you’re visiting the city in the summer months, don’t miss the opportunity to take a cruise and explore the beautiful countryside.

Take a cruise along the River Spree to Müggelsee, one of the seven largest lakes in the city. Explore the idyllic park landscape of the old town of Köpenick and see its impressive palace.

Take this Berlin-Wannsee cruise and explore one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage regions. You’ll cruise through the palaces of Potsdam and Berlin and experience Prussia’s great history.

This beautiful Baroque city is known as Florence at the Elbe. Located about 2h by train from Berlin, the city is a great option for a long day trip. Yet, I’d recommend staying overnight, especially if you’re a museum lover. Don’t miss seeing the Zwinger (a gorgeous Baroque palace) and Frauenkirche.

How to get to Dresden

Take a train from Berlin Central train station to Dresden train station (2h journey). The Old Town is just a short walk from the train station.

How many days in Berlin

Are 3 days in berlin enough.

3 days in Berlin is the perfect amount of time to explore the city and see the highlights. You’ll even have time for one half-day trip (like Potsdam or Sachsenhausen).

The itinerary is designed in such a way, that you’ll see the city’s essentials during the first 2 days. The third day includes the Charlottenburg Palace and a few interesting museums.

If you want to make any day trips from Berlin, you can easily modify the last day of the itinerary. Potsdam, Wannsee or Sachsenhausen concentration camp make great half-day trips. You can combine any of them with a visit to Charlottenburg Palace or a museum (in the afternoon).

What if I don’t have 3 full days in Berlin?

If you have less than 3 days in Berlin, skip the last day of the itinerary. Even though Charlottenburg Palace really deserves a visit, it’s out of the city centre. So, if you’re short on time you’d better leave it for another time.

2 or 3 days in Berlin?

Although it’s possible to visit Berlin in 2 days, I’d recommend 3 days (or at least 2 days and a half).

If you’re not into museums, 2 days is enough time to see the city’s highlights. Yet, if you are a museum lover or a WWII buff, I’d recommend you to spend at least 3 (or even 4) days in Berlin. There are some super interesting museums and a lot of WWII sites to explore.

Best time to visit Berlin

For nice weather, visit the city from May to October. Winters are very cold, so unless you’re visiting Berlin for the Christmas markets, avoid the period.

Long Night of Museums (Lange Nacht der Museen) takes place in the last week of August. From 06:00 PM to 02:00 AM more than 70 museums open their doors to visitors. 

During October, the Festival of Lights and Berlin Leuchtet take place and the city becomes a scene of illumination and light art. Berlin Leuchtet is also held at the beginning of March.

In December, the city becomes home to more than 80 Christmas markets! No wonder why the city is called the capital of the German Christmas markets.

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About the author

Hi there, fab itinerary! We are looking to go for the Christmas markets in December and was wondering if you have any tip on where to stay for this? Many thanks

Hi, thanks! 🙂 You can take a look at my post about the Best Christmas Markets in Berlin , in which you’ll find the best area to stay for the Christmas markets + a few recommended hotels.

When we visit Berlin, we always eat our currywurst at a typical snack bar, preferably at Curry Wolf on Ku’Damm or directly at the Brandenburg Gate. Perfect to briefly interrupt sightseeing and fortify yourself.

Thanks, I will give it a try the next time I visit Berlin! 🙂

Hello, hope you are fine. I will be visiting Berlin next month, I have gone through this article thoroughly. I must appreciate your efforts making this super itinerary. I have a question are there any new attractions or newly opened places that are not listed in this article? Or this article is updated to date? Thank you.

My itineraries usually cover only the most popular attractions and I try to update them regularly with the latest changes. I last updated this article a year ago. However, there are many off-the-beaten-path places or newly opened temporary exhibitions, which I usually don’t include in my itineraries. You can check for such events or newly opened places at the official website of Visit Berlin . Have a great time in Berlin! 🙂

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Berlin in One Day – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

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How to Spend One Day in Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a multi-cultural hub for travelers. A fascinating and dark recent history, a legendary nightlife scene and an eclectic vibe means there are plenty of options for foodies, hipsters and historians alike. In short, no matter what you’re into, you’ll find something worth exploring with our one day Berlin itinerary and city guide.

In this Berlin travel guide, you’ll find a complete one day itinerary of all the most important must see Berlin attractions, with an interactive map, organised to make the best use of your time.

We also share recommendations for central places to stay, ideas about where to eat local food, and tips about how to make the most of your 24 hours in Berlin.

When to Visit Berlin

Summer in Berlin, which is the most popular time to visit, is hot and dry. It’s a good idea to make sure that you have a room with air conditioning during the summer.

Prices will be higher than usual, but it’s worth being able to sit outside and enjoy a beer in one of Berlin’s many beer gardens and parks. 

In the winter, Berlin is cold and damp. Over the holidays, roughly between the end of November and Christmas Day, there are Christmas markets dotting the city.

While it’s not the most pleasant time to be in Berlin in terms of weather, the atmospheric Christmas markets are well worth a visit in December, where you’ll sip gluhwein and shop for traditional and artisan Christmas-themed trinkets alongside locals and other tourists. 

Fall brings Oktoberfest to Berlin. It’s actually in September, not October, and it’s not nearly as much of a spectacle as the one in Munich, but it’s still an event worth exploring.

Autumn is cooler than summer, and towards the end it turns cold and drizzly as winter descends on the German capital. 

In the spring, Berlin is still cool and damp, with the occasional day of sun that is the perfect time to head out to one of Berlin’s many green spaces as local Berliners celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.

Is this your first time visiting Germany? Get all the information you need in our Germany Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Berlin Trip Resources

Fly into Berlin’s Brandenberg Airport

Drive in from Europe or hire a car in Germany

Travel Insurance

Medical costs, delays and lost luggage

Getting to Berlin

When flying to Berlin you will land at Brandenberg Airport (BER) which is only 27km from the city.

The easiest way to get into the city is by the Airport Express (FEX)   which runs every half hour between BER terminal 1-2 and Berlin Central Station, the trains take about half an hour and also stop in Berlin Gesundbrunnen and at Ostkreuz station.

You can also take a regional train, trains run several times an hour between BER terminal 1-2 and Berlin Central Station. To find out more information on timings and purchasing tickets go here .

The express buses X7 and X71 travel frequently between underground station Rudow and terminals 1-2 and the underground station Rudow, the journey takes 16 minutes, and you can then continue your journey on the underground.

You can also book a private transfer from the airport with Klook directly to your accommodation in the city. Klook works with a large range of local operators to bring the the best options and prices for your transfer.

Where to Stay in Berlin

Luxury: Hotel Zoo Berlin – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Monbijou Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Hostel: Pfefferbett Hostel – Booking.com | Agoda

What to See & Do in Berlin

Berlin is actually quite a compact city, and our one day in Berlin itinerary is easily manageable on foot.

With this itinerary, you’ll cover all the  Berlin bucket list sights , meaning you can leave knowing you have experienced the best of Berlin in your short timeframe.

If you prefer to have your day in Berlin organised for you, why not consider one of these highly recommended Berlin tours ? You’ll have a knowledgeable guide and commentry, get tips about the city and learn about Berlin’s history and character. You can even take a tour in a VW campervan!

Berlin One Day Itinerary Interactive Map

How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

The Brandenburg Gate

Start your time in Berlin with what is quite possibly the most iconic sight in Berlin, if not all of Germany, the Brandenburg Gate. Plan to get up early and be there first thing in the morning, before all the crowds show up and ruin the moment (and the pictures). 

The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century, and shortly after, it was requisitioned by Napoleon as he marched into the city following his military victory, before he took the ‘quadriga’ (the statue on top) off with him to Paris. Don’t worry, it was returned shortly thereafter when Napoleon was defeated. 

Today, the icon serves as the gateway to a couple of other top Berlin sights to see including the Tiergarten and the Reichstag Building, which are next up on your Berlin must see itinerary.

Reichstag Building and Dome

Home to the German Parliament, the Reichstag building is a mainstay in Germany’s tumultuous history. Following the Reichstag fire in 1933, that served as a major plot point in Hitler’s rise to power, it was dormant until the reunification of Germany in the early 1990’s. It was rebuilt and unveiled in 1999. 

Today, it is an important symbol of German democracy, housing the Bundestag, which you can actually go and watch in session, if you speak German and are interested in procedural politics.

The more interesting thing for visitors to do is to climb to the dome of the Reichstag, which has an informative self-guided tour about the history of the building and Germany itself, and is a modern architectural marvel. 

To gain access to the Reichstag dome, one of the most popular sights to see in Berlin, you need to register in advance. Several months in advance, if you can. There’s a chance you’ll find spots available a week or two out, but it’s not likely, especially in high season.

If you’re booking at the last minute, this highly rated tour of the Reichstag Building and Dome will get you access to all areas of the building with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Learn about the political and historical background of Berlin and Germany as you go, and after the tour, discover the other impressive buildings around Berlin’s parliament quarter.

Victory Column

Next, make your way through the Tiergarten, Berlin’s third largest park, to the Victory Column . This towering… tower was built in the mid-1800’s after a Prussian Victory, and is topped with a gold statue of the Greek Goddess of Victory. 

If you choose to buy a ticket to the observation deck, you’ll climb 270 steps to the top where you’ll have far-reaching views of the city and surrounding area.

The Tiergarten is huge, and it’s actually not even Berlin’s biggest park. It is, however, Berlin’s most popular park to visit, with attractions like the Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, and Reichstag Building all either in the park, or on the border of it. It’s a lovely place to walk around, particularly in the summer when it’s warm and dry. 

At the southwest corner of the park, you’ll find the Berlin Zoo and the Aquarium, which make good stops for traveling families with kids. 

TOP TIP: If you find yourself craving a beer, head for  Cafe am Neuen See , which is a gorgeous location for a beer garden. Sit alongside the pond sipping German beer with tourists and locals alike. The biergarten is closed from late fall to late spring, when it’s cool and drizzly in Berlin, but you can get a delicious and warming hot chocolate in the cafe.

Potsdamer Platz

You can’t visit Berlin for the first time without standing where the Berlin Wall once did. Now a thriving and lively square, full of bars and restaurants and modern architecture, Potsdamer Platz was once brutally cut in two by the Berlin Wall.

Between the inner and outer zones of the wall lay a desolate no-mans land, which those escaping over the wall from East Berlin would have to cross. Known as the ‘death zone’ the area was finally dismantled after the end of the cold war in 1990, in preparation for the Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’ concert, which was held where no-man’s land had previously existed.

TOP TIP: For a fantastic view of the Berlin cityscape, head to Potsdamer Platz 1, home to the Panoramapunkt viewing platform, 100m above the square and accessed by riding Europe’s fastest elevator, which shoots upwards at 8.65 metres per second! Book your skip the line tickets here .

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

In the middle of the city is the important and very moving Holocaust memorial. This place of remembrance and contemplation is huge, with 2711 concrete slabs or ‘stelae’ of different heights placed on the 19,000 square metre site.

Open to the skies, it can feel pretty grim here, but it’s an important place to stop and visit when you’re in Berlin.

Museum Island

Berlin’s Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Spreeinsel, or Spree Island, in the historic heart of the city. It is one of the most visited sites of Germany’s capital and one of the most important museum sites in Europe, so a must do in Berlin.

There are a bunch of different museums here built under the Prussian rulers that are worth coming back for if you find yourself with more time, but with only 24 hours in Berlin, you’ll want to head to the Pergamon Museum. It houses a collection of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Persian artefacts, including the supremely impressive Ishtar Gate. 

The eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon, the Ishtar Gate was constructed in about 575 BCE by order of King Nebuchadnezzar II. When German archaeologists excavated Babylon in the 1930s, they dismantled the Ishtar Gate and took it back to Berlin to be meticulously reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum. 

Other museums on the island include Neues Museum for Egyptian history and artifacts, or the Deutsches Historisches Museum, which is focused on German history.

Berliner Dom

You’ll also find the Berliner Dom, or Berlin Cathedral, on the island, overlooking the River Spree. The distinctive dome of the Cathedral is one of the main landmarks on Berlin’s skyline. With its elaborate ornamental and decorative interiors, the church is definitely worth visiting.

Not a centuries old church, the cathedral replaced the original 15th century building and was not consecrated until 1905.

Severely damaged in World War II, the cathedral was unlucky enough to be in East Berlin after the division of Germany and full restoration was only completed in 1993, four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

Berliner Fernsehturm

The Berlin TV Tower which dominates Alexanderplatz is pretty iconic, with its distinctive shape standing 368 meters tall. Known as ‘the top of the city’, this is the tallest building in Berlin.

The TV tower opened in 1969 and the globe is home to a viewing gallery at 203 metres and revolving restaurant at 207 metres.

The view from the tower is epic, with Berlin and the surrounding countryside spread below. You can even enjoy it with a drink from the bar if you visit at sunset!

It can get really busy, and it’s one of the places we recommend booking your timed ticket in advance, to beat the queues and get the best views. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, why not reserve VIP tickets with a reserved window seat in the Sphere restaurant?

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery in Berlin is well worth the journey over to Fredrichschain. It’s an open air art gallery along the river Spree that has over one hundred pieces of political art on a 1.3km stretch of the original Berlin wall, one of the few piece still standing after the reunification of Germany in the 1990’s. 

You can walk the length of the fascinating and moving gallery and check each of the pieces out. Some of the art reflects on life in East Germany, while other pieces are more hopeful and forward looking, imagining a new Germany in the future.

Enjoy a Beer Tasting

The Germans love a beer and a great way to experience Berlin is through their beer culture. You don’t have to visit during Oktoberfest to enjoy the beer, but join a craft beer and brewery tour to discover some of Berlin’s finest beers.

This highly rated tour has you meeting your guide to visit three local craft beer bars or craft microbreweries to sample some fantastic German beers and traditional snacks. The tour is perfect for learning all about Berlin’s rich brewing history with an expert guide.

Take in a Show

A cultural hotspot, Berlin enjoys a vibrant theatre and arts scene which caters to all tastes. From comedy, to live shows and classical music, there’s something here for everyone.

Visit the Icebar

Berlin’s Icebar is constructed from a cool 69,000 kilos of ice, and everything in the Icebar is made from ice too!

Located between Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt, the Icebar operates at minus ten degrees celsius. There are ice sculptures of polar bears, sledding dogs and even Berlin sights like the Brandenburg Gate, and at the bar, made of ice, the glasses are made of ice as well!

You can’t just stroll in though. You need to book in advance so the team know how many sets of thermals to get ready. Yes, you’ll have to wrap up in proper arctic gear when you arrive, once you’ve had a welcome drink of course!

Where to Eat in Berlin

When you’re in Berlin for a day, you have to try currywurst, which is a local delicacy that consists of pork sausage, often cut into coins, on top of a bed of fries and topped with curried ketchup and a sprinkle of curry powder.

The invention of currywurst is attributed to Herta Heuwer in Berlin in 1949, after she obtained ketchup (or maybe Worcestershire sauce) and curry powder from British soldiers in Germany. She mixed these ingredients with other spices and poured it over grilled pork sausage.

Currywurst is delicious and cheap, making it a perfect lunch to fuel your Berlin exploration. The best place to get currywurst according to locals and tourists alike is  Curry 36 , who have three locations around the city, which you can find on the interactive map .

Mustafas Gemüse Kebab

In a show of the diversity of Berlin and the impact of immigrants on its culture, some of the best foods to eat in Berlin were brought to the cosmopolitan German capital from other countries. You’ll find döner kebab all over Berlin, a fitting nod to Berlin’s large Turkish population.

It’s a combination of juicy lamb, beef, veal or chicken (never pork) sliced from a vertical rotisserie onto pita bread, and topped with all sorts of goodies from fresh salad, tomatoes, slaw and kebab sauce, usually made from garlic, mayonnaise, yoghurt, and lemon zest. It’s quick, filling, and handheld, which makes it a great on-the-go meal for exploring Berlin. 

Mustafas Gemüse Kebap  is  widely regarded as one of the best spots in Berlin – although you might have to queue.

TOP TIP: If you have a bit of extra time, avoid the queues and head for  Rüya Gemüse Kebap , an off grid place that serves a chicken döner kebab that is as good, if not better, that Mustafa’s version.

Other Germany Travel Ideas & Guides

• Five Unmissable Germany Road Trip Routes
• 24 Hours in Hamburg – Itinerary, Map & Travel Tips
• Visit Zugspitze Germany – Find Out How!
• Motorhome Germany – A Complete Touring Guide
• Germany Motorhome Itinerary
• 18 Magical Castles in Germany to Add to Your Bucket List
• Beautiful Cities in Germany: 27 Picturesque Cities to Visit

Top Five Berlin Travel Tips

• The  3 Day Berlin Museum Pass  is a great deal for travellers who are planning on visiting two or more museums in Berlin, but if you’re only in town for just one day it doesn’t really make sense to purchase it.
• Get yourself a  Tageskarte one day ticket  to make traveling around the city seamless. It costs €8.80, and covers all forms of public transportation from the time it is validated until 3am the following morning. Single rides cost over €3, so if you’re planning on taking more than a couple of trips, it’s worth getting.
• Bring a rain jacket and layers with you in the fall, winter, and spring. Weather can be cold and drizzly, but it shouldn’t stop you from getting out and exploring.
• You can drink in public in Berlin, which means that a picnic in the park with currywurst and a bottle of local beer is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Berlin. As long as it’s sunny and warm, anyway.
• Checkpoint Charlie is super touristy, and hardly worth seeing. Skip it, and spend your time elsewhere.

More Than One Day in Berlin

If you’re wondering what to do in Berlin for half a day more, check out these Berlin top attractions to add to your itinerary.

Visit The Berlin Wall Memorial

The Berlin Wall Memorial is place of remembrance and where the Berlin Wall one stood as it snaked south from Prenzlauer Berg through the city, creating a border between East and West Germany.

Today, there is a 70m stretch of the original Berlin Wall with border strip and watchtower directly on Bernauer Straße, in this open air museum. 

Learn About Berlin’s Modern History

If you’re fascinated by Berlin’s Word War Two history, the exhibition ‘Hitler, How Could It Happen’ and the Berlin Story Museum, housed in a WWII bunker, are a must. You’ll learn about the rise of the Third Reich, National Socialism and Hitler as well as the history of Berlin when you visit. Get your two-in-one ticket here .

Explore the Topography of Terror Museum

Head to the Topography of Terror Museum , where you’ll learn about the Nazi regime in the former Gestapo Headquarters in Berlin.

Discover Charlottenburg

Just west of the city center is Schloss Charlottenburg , a baroque palace in, you guessed it, Charlottenburg. It’s beautiful, and it’s worth walking around the grounds, but probably not worth going inside to the museums.

Small Group Sachsenhausen Memorial Walking Tour

If you take one day trip from Berlin, make it this highly recommended and well organized walking tour .

Take a trip to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial and learn about a somber but important chapter in Germany’s history . Start your guided experience at the Camp Administration Center, now an on-site museum, but formerly the base for overseeing the Third Reich’s 32 main camps and 1000+ satellite camps. Hear stories of revolt by Jewish prisoners in 1942, defiance by British prisoners of war, and sabotage by Soviet and Polish prisoners. 

With a professional guide to offer insights, an organized tour is the perfect opportunity to see  more of Berlin in less time!

Written for The Gap Decaders by Matt of Wheatless Wanderlust

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Berlin's combo of glamour and grit is bound to mesmerise all those keen to explore its vibrant culture, cutting-edge architecture, fabulous food, intense parties and tangible history.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museumsinsel

Museumsinsel & Alexanderplatz

Walk through ancient Babylon, meet an Egyptian queen, clamber up a Greek altar or be mesmerized by Monet's ethereal landscapes. Welcome to Museumsinsel …

Neues Museum

For over 60 years, not a soul was able to visit Berlin’s Neues Museum – in fact, it sat in ruins. But today it’s one of the city’s most celebrated…

Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamonmuseum is one of Berlin’s most visited historical gems and perhaps also its most controversial. This museum offers an archaeological time-warp…

East Side Gallery

Friedrichshain

The East Side Gallery is the embodiment of Berlin’s grit and guts.

Fernsehturm

Germany's tallest structure, the TV Tower is a Berlin icon.

Topographie des Terrors

Historic Mitte

This compelling exhibit tells stories of terror and persecution in Nazi Germany.

Schloss Charlottenburg

City West & Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg Palace is one of Berlin's few sites that still reflect the one-time grandeur of the Hohenzollern clan, which ruled the region from 1415 to…

Gemäldegalerie

This museum ranks among the world's finest and most comprehensive collections of European art with about 1500 paintings spanning the arc of artistic…

Top picks from our travel experts

14 of the best things to do in berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the principal gateway for foreigners and diplomats between the two Berlins from 1961 to 1990. Unfortunately, this potent symbol of…

Café am Neuen See

Next to an idyllic lake in Tiergarten, this restaurant gets jammed year-round for its sumptuous breakfast and seasonal fare, but it really comes into its…

Alte Nationalgalerie

The Greek temple–style Old National Gallery is a three-storey showcase of 19th-century European art. To get a sense of the period's virtuosity, pay…

Urban Nation

Creating a museum for street art may be akin to caging a wild animal. Yet, this showcase of works by top urban artists pulls the genre out from the…

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

Allied bombing in 1943 left only the husk of the west tower of this once magnificent neo-Romanesque church standing. Now an antiwar memorial, it stands…

This legendary club began as an artist squat in the early 1970s and soon evolved into Berlin’s seminal punk venue, known for wild concerts by the Dead…

Altes Museum

A curtain of fluted columns gives way to the Pantheon-inspired rotunda of the grand neoclassical Old Museum, which harbours a prized antiquities…

Teehaus im Englischen Garten

Not even many Berliners know about this enchanting reed-thatched teahouse tucked into the northwestern corner of Tiergarten park. It's best in summer,…

Prince Charles

Prince Charles is a stylish mix of club and bar ensconced in a former pool and overlooked by a kitschy-cute fish tile mural. Electronic music shares…

Bikini Berlin

Germany’s first concept mall opened in 2014 in a smoothly rehabilitated 1950s architectural icon nicknamed 'Bikini' because of its design: 200m-long upper…

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Prenzlauer Berg

For an insightful primer on the Berlin Wall, visit this outdoor memorial, which extends for 1.4km along Bernauer Strasse and integrates an original…

Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart

Berlin's contemporary art showcase opened in 1996 in an old railway station, whose grandeur is a great backdrop for this Aladdin's cave of paintings,…

Panoramapunkt

Europe’s fastest lift, Panoramapunkt yo-yos up and down the red-brick postmodern Kollhoff Tower in 20 seconds. From the bilevel viewing platform at a…

The successor of the legendary Bar25, Kater Blau showers freewheeling club-goers with fine electro in a rambling indoor-outdoor playground, featuring two…

Jüdisches Museum

In a landmark building by American-Polish architect Daniel Libeskind, Berlin’s Jewish Museum offers a chronicle of the trials and triumphs in 2000 years…

This ‘kitty’ is naughty, sexy and decadent, listens to electro of all stripes and fancies extravagant get-ups (or nothing at all). Berlin’s most (in…

Griessmühle

Hugging an idyllic canal in Neukölln, Griessmühle is a sprawling indoor-outdoor space with a funky garden strewn with tree houses, Trabis (GDR-era cars)…

Brandenburger Tor

A symbol of division during the Cold War, the landmark Brandenburg Gate now epitomises German reunification. Carl Gotthard Langhans found inspiration in…

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At this gritty multifloor party pen with lots of nooks and crannies, a steady line-up of top DJs feeds a diverse bunch of revellers with dance-worthy…

It’s been burned, bombed, rebuilt, buttressed by the Wall, wrapped in fabric and finally turned into the modern home of the German parliament by Norman…

Bode-Museum

On the northern tip of Museumsinsel, this palatial edifice houses a comprehensive collection of European sculpture from the early Middle Ages to the 18th…

Continental Europe's largest department store is a temple to retail and gourmet food.

Museum für Film und Fernsehen

Germany's film history gets the star treatment at this engaging museum. Explore galleries dedicated to pioneers like Fritz Lang, ground-breaking movies…

Berlin’s rulers used to hunt boar and pheasants in the rambling Tiergarten until garden architect Peter Lenné landscaped the grounds in the 19th century…

The best free things to do and see in Berlin

Hansa Studios

Complete this analogy: London is to Abbey Road as Berlin is to…Well? Hansa Studios, of course, that seminal recording studio that has exerted a…

Tränenpalast

During the Cold War, tears flowed copiously in this glass-and-steel border-crossing pavilion where East Berliners had to bid adieu to family visiting from…

Oberbaumbrücke

With its jaunty towers and turrets, crenellated walls and arched walkways, the Oberbaumbrücke (1896) gets our nod for being Berlin’s prettiest bridge…

RAW Gelände

This jumble of derelict buildings is one of the last subcultural compounds in central Berlin. Founded in 1867 as a train repair station ('Reichsbahn…

Klunkerkranich

In the warmer months, vibes, views and sounds are the ammo of this club-garden-bar combo on the rooftop parking deck of the Neukölln Arcaden shopping mall…

Karl-Marx-Allee

It’s easy to feel like Gulliver in the Land of Brobdingnag when walking down monumental Karl-Marx-Allee, one of Berlin's most impressive GDR-era relics…

Volkspark Humboldthain

Berlin’s second public park has offered a nature retreat to city dwellers since 1866, but it considerably changed its look after WWII when two of its…

Sowjetisches Ehrenmal Treptow

At the heart of Treptower Park, the gargantuan Soviet War Memorial (1949) looms above the graves of 5000 Soviet soldiers killed in the Battle of Berlin, a…

Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin

Europe’s largest revue theatre puts on innovative, high-tech and visually stunning shows that are an artistic amalgam of music, dance, costumes,…

Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand

This memorial exhibit on German Nazi resistance occupies the very rooms where high-ranking officers led by Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg plotted the…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Neighborhoods

A modern multicultural city, Berlin has cool hipster vibes by day and an incredible nightlife when the sun goes down

Forest walks, cycling routes, dips in the lake, historic sites and much more are all within easy reach of Berlin – and sometimes even within the city limits.

Money and Costs

Even though Berlin is an incredible city with lots to offer, its attractions don't cost the earth. Here's how to visit Berlin on a budget.

Transportation

It can seem intimidating at first, but getting around Berlin is quick, efficient and relatively cheap. Here's our guide to transport in the German capital.

Free Things to Do

From panoramic vistas and sinister museums to hidden street art, here are all the excellent free things to do and places to go in Berlin.

Spending Diaries

Lonely Planet’s Destination Editor Sandie Kestell returned to her former home, Berlin, for two days. Here's what she spent.

Traveling with Kids

From street festivals to beer gardens, Berlin’s bohemian attitude makes traveling with family and kids incredibly fun and stress-free.

Germany’s capital is full of fabulous shops that you won’t find anywhere else.

Latest stories from Berlin

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Berlin   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Berlin

More than three decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city basks in a cultural renaissance that boasts everything from museums and fashion to food and nightclubs. But that's not to say that this city has forgotten its dark past; in fact, attractions like The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe , the Topography of Terror and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum are evidence of its steadfast reverence. And yet, Berlin is on the upswing. An afternoon of visiting a lively cafe, a biergarten or an all-night dance fest at a club will provide you with the proof.

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• # 1 in Best Places to Visit in Germany
• # 11 in Best Places to Visit in July 2024
• # 16 in Best Cheap European Vacations for 2023-2024

See All 4 Rankings

Best of Berlin

Best hotels in berlin.

• # 1 in Hotel Adlon Kempinski
• # 2 in Grand Hyatt Berlin
• # 3 in Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Best Things to Do in Berlin

• # 1 in Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
• # 2 in Reichstag Building
• # 3 in Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Popular Tours

All-in-One Berlin Shore Excursion from Warnemunde or Rostock Port

(113 reviews)

from $ 164.56

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin.

(2742 reviews)

from $ 31.92

Private Custom Berlin Sightseeing Tour in a Minivan: East and West Berlin

(82 reviews)

from $ 414.15

Berlin Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Berlin is May through September, when the weather is ideal for cafe sitting, relaxing in a park, and leisurely city strolling. Winter, on the other hand, is   cold, however the city’s nightlife and arts scene continue to thrive and entertain travelers. Temperatures tend to range from 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. However, this might be the best time for budget travelers to score deals on airfare and hotel rates.

Weather in Berlin

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Don't risk it: Stamp your ticket  All public transportation tickets must be stamped at the platform, bus or tram before you begin your journey. Tickets that are not stamped are considered invalid and are subject to a fine of 60 euros (about $65) upon inspection.

Pack a phrasebook  Berlin is a friendly city, but knowing a few German words will help you exponentially. For example, bitte is "please," and danke schön is "thank you."

Don't plan your shopping spree for Sunday  Many shops (with the exception of those in airports and railway stations) are closed on this day.

How to Save Money in Berlin

Visit in the winter Bundle up and enjoy Germany’s capital in the winter. You'll have to face some cold temperatures (ranging from the low 30s to the 40s), but the superb deals on flights and hotels may make it worth it. During the holiday season, you’ll have the opportunity to visit more than 60 Christmas markets .

Party in Berlin East You should take advantage of the city's lively nightlife, but you don't have to pay a fortune to do so. Nightlife venues to the east of the city are generally more affordable than those in the west.

Buy a Berlin WelcomeCard Visitors can enjoy not only free transportation by subway, bus and ferry with the Berlin WelcomeCard , but also discounted tickets to major attractions. You'll also receive a free downloadable map of Berlin with your purchase.

Pack a picnic A variety of popular parks, such as Mauerpark or Tempelhofer Feld, are equipped with barbecues and vast green space suitable for a picnic. Consider packing a meal and enjoying it outdoors.

Culture & Customs

East and West Berlin were historically united after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Since then, Germany has experienced a vast economic and cultural revitalization that has propelled it to become one of the most powerful countries in Europe – and the world.

Although Germany's official language is German, you'll find that many Berliners are proficient in English, too. Still, you can't go wrong learning a few German words: Guten tag or hallo for "hello,"  bitte for "please" and danke for "thank you."

Punctuality and order are two characteristics highly prized by German culture, so be on time to any business meeting or formal engagement. When in a restaurant, do not leave your money on the table after receiving the check. Hand the money to the waiter and ask for your change. Tips are already included in your bill, but if the service was exceptional, it's customary to tip an extra 10 to 15 percent.

Berlin's official currency is the euro (EUR). Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates often, check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops.

What to Eat

Berlin's food options are wide-ranging, with an abundance of traditional German cuisine, a thriving international food scene and even healthier, vegetarian options. Still, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to nosh on authentic dishes Berlin is known for.

A variety of sausages – everything from bratwurst to bockwurst (pork and veal) to the unique currywurst (sausage covered with ketchup and curry powder) – are ever-popular, as are staples like Wiener schnitzel (flattened, breaded, fried veal). German cuisine relies heavily on pork – so much so that you'll find eisbein (pork knuckle) served with potatoes and sauerkraut. Pop over to Zur letzten Instanz , the oldest restaurant in Berlin, for some traditional eats. It is one block off the Klosterstraße U-Bahn station.

Berlin also has a large Turkish influence (around 150,000 Turks call the city home) and that's spilled over into the gastronomy. For a look at a variety of delicacies, check out Turkish Market along the banks of the Landwehr Canal in the Neukölln neighborhood (hop off the U-Bahn at U Kottbusser Tor or Schönleinstraße). Additionally, be sure to try a döner kebab sandwich, which was first introduced by Turkish immigrants (urban legend says it was invented in Berlin). The dish includes a special bread filled with thin slices of beef (or chicken or lamb ... take your pick) and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a yogurt-based sauce. You'll find these sandwiches at numerous street vendors all over the city.

Finally, no trip to Berlin is complete without some (or lots) of bier ( beer). Beer is a big part of German culture; the legal drinking age for fermented beverages is 16 (or 18 for distilled alcohol). Germany also takes the quality of its suds seriously. There are a number of regulations, known as Reinheitsgebot  (literally translated to "purity order"), that limit the number of ingredients used in the brewing process to only malt, hops, yeast and water. There are biergartens all over the city, but one of the most beautiful, Cafè am Neuen See , is found in Tiergarten . Don't forget to say prost or zum wohl  (cheers and bottoms up, respectively). 

In general, pickpocketing tends to be a Berlin tourist's main safety concern. Watch out for pickpockets on public transportation, especially during rush hour and at major tourist attractions. Berlin’s tourism website advises travelers to also be aware of fake police officers who will try to steal cash or credit cards. Also, visitors should be aware that prostitution is legal in Germany, and a percentage of Berlin's sex workers are victims of human trafficking.

Getting Around Berlin

The best way to get around Berlin is via the U-Bahn underground trains or S-Bahn regional, elevated trains, which are both a part of the city's extensive BVG public transportation system. You can even reach the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER), which opened in 2020, by S-Bahn (there is a railway station directly below Terminal 1, and the one-way trip takes about 45 minutes from the airport to Berlin’s city center in Alexanderplatz). Although service is significantly slower than the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, travelers can also take advantage of the city’s extensive bus and tram lines.

As with every big metropolis, driving is discouraged: heavy traffic and scarce parking are the main culprits. For a bit of exercise, you can rent a bike and peddle along the city's bike lanes and through the parks. Many locals use bicycles as their main mode of transportation. Metered taxis are also abundant; they can be hailed on the street or scheduled ahead of time. Ride-hailing services, such as Uber, are also available and helpful for travelers.

Entry & Exit Requirements

United States citizens can visit Berlin for 90 days without a tourist visa. A passport that is valid three months beyond your planned departure date is required for entry. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website .

The Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) is one of the most-photographed sites in Berlin.

Explore More of Berlin

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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Berlin Travel Guide

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

Berlin is a place of stark contrasts. On one hand, reminders of its turbulent past are everywhere. But it's also a modern megalopolis—that's geographically nine times bigger than Paris—with exciting new attractions and an inherent subversiveness. This juxtaposition makes it a destination unlike any other.

The big question for most travelers when venturing to Germany's once war-torn capital then becomes how to navigate the past while living in the present. It's essential to confront the heavier aspects of the city's history. However, that doesn't mean a visit to Berlin is all memorials and museums. (Though, it bears repeating that you should absolutely carve out ample time to do all that.) The contemporary side of things very much deserves exploration, too.

An artsy mecca with a slew of galleries and eccentric installations, Berlin transformed the last pieces of the wall that once divided it into a permanent open-air exhibition.

This sprawling city also has a wild side with nightlife at its center. There are hedonistic drinking dens with cabaret acts, swanky speakeasies and anything-goes clubs where people party for 48 hours (that's not an exaggeration). Add to that picturesque parks, a thriving food scene that's garnered international acclaim of late, a world-class zoo and a cool aesthetic sensibility with homegrown designers making a global name for themselves.

Overwhelmed? Berlin tends to have that effect on out-of-towners. Bookmark this guide to help plan your first (or next) trip.

CEST (Central European Summer Time)

Best Time to Go

May through October is the peak travel period in Berlin. Temperatures tend to be moderate, making it a lovely time to walk around, see the historic sites, hang out in the many green spaces and enjoy al fresco dining. Winter isn't the season that most tourists visit due to the less welcoming weather. However, holiday festivities—notably the fabled Christmas markets—are a bright light in the middle of what can feel like a very long, grey few months.

Things to Know

Currency: Euro (Check the current exchange rate )

Language: German

Calling Code: +49

How to Get Around

U-Bahn: The most convenient and efficient way to navigate Berlin, the U-Bahn , or subway system, has a total of 10 lines stopping at 173 stations. During the day, the iconic yellow U-Bahn trains depart every five minutes. At night, they leave in 10-minute intervals. Tickets are also valid across the Transport Association Berlin-Brandenburg VBB-operated S-Bahn, buses and trams.

S-Bahn: The S-Bahn is a network of suburban train lines that covers 15 lines and nearly 170 train stations. In the city center, it mostly runs above ground.

Buses: Metro buses M11 to M85 run 24/7. Day bus lines 100 to 399 connect the suburbs and city center. Night buses —which are marked with an N—cover the day bus and U-Bahn routes that cease operating overnight.

Trams & Metrotrams: Upwards of 20 tram lines extend the network of the U-Bahn through the eastern part of Berlin. The difference between trams and metrotrams is frequency, with the latter running more often.

Taxis: Public transport in Berlin is fantastic—and would be our recommendation. That said, if you'd rather take a car, taxis are widely available.

Rideshare: Prefer to hail an Uber? That's also an option.

Bicycles: Bike sharing is a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around thanks to companies like Nextbike and Donkey Republic. While electric bikes are available to rent through Wheels, Jump and LimeBike.

Best Hotels

Hotel de rome.

Address: Behrenstraße 37, 10117 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 4606090 Website

Located on Bebelplatz in historic East Berlin, Hotel de Rome occupies what was once the headquarters of 19th-century Dresden Bank. Brilliantly, this prestigious Rocco Forte property preserved many of the building's most spectacular original features—most interestingly the jewel vault that's now an indoor swimming pool. While sleek furnishings and colorful accents add modern flair to the mix.

Orania.Berlin

Address: Oranienstraße 40, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: +49 30 69539680

Website: orania.berlin

An upscale addition to the edgier side of Kreuzberg, Oriana.Berlin is a boutique stay with an elevated yet totally laid-back sensibility. It's impossible to pinpoint the singular thing that makes this hotel so stellar, however, the subtle Asian influences—headboards swathed in elephant-printed fabric and signature crispy-skinned duck at the restaurant—as well as jazz in the open-concept lobby, definitely play a part.

Hotel am Steinplatz, Autograph Collection

Address: Steinpl. 4, 10623 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 5544440 Website

The same air of glamour and sophistication that lured the likes of Brigitte Bardo to Hotel am Steinplatz remains today. Sure, the decor is different—not that anyone would complain about the gorgeously refreshed interiors (or the upgraded amenities for that matter)—but the distinctive Art Nouveau details endure. Plus, it's within walking distance of Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz and the Berlin Zoo.

SO/ Berlin Das Stue

Address: Drakestraße 1, 10787 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 3117220 Website

Upon arrival, SO/ Berlin Das Stue looks incredibly posh. The 1930s neoclassical edifice, built by KaDeWe architect Johann Emil Schaudt, certainly gives off a regal first impression. Inside the former Royal Danish Embassy, it's just as resplendent with an eye-catching white marble staircase and dazzling, larger-than-life chandelier. Direct access to the Berlin Zoo is a bonus.

25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin

Address: Budapester Str. 40, 10787 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 1202210 Website

Hip, youthful, off-beat, and affordable—25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin serves up major cool factor. It's the type of place you'd go to hang out even if you weren't a guest. Of course, staying at this urban oasis does come with a bunch of perks such as enjoying the jungle-themed rooms and skipping the line for the rooftop cocktail bar.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

Address: Unter den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 22610 Website

Boasting (arguably) the most desirable addresses in Berlin, Hotel Adlon Kempinski sits directly across the way from Brandenburg Gate. Enviable location aside, this five-star property is a revered landmark for so many other reasons. From the opulent lobby and spacious suites to the Michelin-starred restaurant, grandeur and elegance are the very heart of everything.

Best Restaurants

Hackethals (german).

Address: Pflugstrasse 11, 10115 Berlin Germany Phone: +49 30 28387765 Website

When in Berlin, you must try traditional German food. Hackethals is a cozy gastropub that does classics right. Order the sauerkraut, potato dumplings, schnitzel, and slow-cooked venison. Be sure to leave room for apple strudel. To wash it down? Beer, of course.

Restaurant Tim Raue (Fine Dining)

Address: Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 26, 10969 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 25937930 Website

Berlin-born chef Tim Raue needs no introduction. Neither does the elevated Asian-inspired menu at his Michelin-rated restaurant, which continually receives rave reviews from critics and diners alike. Needless to say, reservations are required.

Curry 61 (German)

Address: Oranienburger Str. 6, 10178 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 40054033 Website

Currywurst (pork sausage smothered in curried ketchup and served alongside fries) is an extremely popular street food in Berlin. You can sample it all over the city, but Curry 61 makes one of the best versions of this crowd-pleasing dish. Try it and thank us later.

Eins44 (Modern European)

Address: Elbestraße 28/29, 12045 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 62981212 Website

Sublime isn't a word that we toss around a lot. However, it's the most accurate way to describe the entire experience at Eins44. Enter the industrial-inspired eatery, inside an old distillery, and prepare to have your taste buds tickled by an unfussy interpretation of modern European fine dining.

Panama (German)

Address: Potsdamer Straße 91, 10785 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 983208435 Website

Oftentimes, you have to choose between Michelin-starred fare and a fun vibe. That couldn't be less true of Panama. The modern German cuisine, lively two-floor space and service are fantastic. Did we mention the craft cocktails and interesting wine list?

Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (Turkish)

Address: Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin, Germany Website

Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap in Kreuzberg is one of those places that's just universally adored. The only downside? Depending on when you visit, the queue might stretch an entire city block. We promise it's worth waiting just to dig into a juicy döner kebab.

Things to Do

East side gallery.

Address: Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 2517159 Website

What was once a symbol of division now reflects the spirit and resilience of the city. Perched along the banks of Spree River in Friedrichshain, the 4,318-foot-long East Side Gallery showcases a collection of colorful murals painted on the surviving pieces of the Berlin Wall. It's a beautiful metaphor that's so very Berlin.

Reichstag Building

Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 22732152 Website

Like so much of Berlin, the Reichstag Building has lived many lives. Today, it again houses the German parliament. Admire the neo-Baroque edifice from the outside or book in advance to step inside the Sir Norman Foster-designed glass dome.

Brandenburg Gate

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany Website

One block south of the Reichstag Building stands Brandenburg Gate. Widely considered to be Berlin's most iconic landmark, it's a shining symbol of freedom and reunification after four decades of Cold War division.

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 2639430 Website

Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe honors the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It's a heartbreaking and incredibly important reminder of what happened that should be mandatory to visit.

Tempelhofer Feld

Address: Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 700906710 Website

An abandoned airport turned 355-hectare public park, Tempelhofer Feld delivers that telltale mashup of past and present in the most Berlin way possible. You can stroll, cycle, or skate down the concrete runways where WWII dive-bombers took off, while feet away dogs run after frisbees and bikini-clad Berliners sunbathe.

Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin, Germany Website

Berliners love to party. As such, there are a lot of after-dark venues to do just that. But none compare to Berghain. The world's most infamous club invites revelers to leave their inhibitions behind, dance to techno beats and give in to every debaucherous whim.

Museum Island

Address: Bodestraße 1-3 10178 Berlin, Germany Website

On a small island in the Spree River sits a collection of five prominent museums. This UNESCO-listed, architecturally striking complex is known as Museum Island—and it's a must for any culture lover.

Best Shopping

Kaufhaus des westens.

Address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 21210 Website

At a sprawling 650,000 square feet and with some 380,000 items for sale at any given time, Kaufhaus des Westens—typically abbreviated to KaDeWe—holds the title of Berlin's most famous retail space. It's actually the second-largest department store in all of Europe after Harrods in London.

Sing Blackbird

Address: Sanderstraße 11, 12047 Berlin, Germany Website

Berlin isn't lacking in vintage stores. Sing Blackbird sets itself apart thanks to an expertly curated selection of pre-loved pieces, plus a stylish café.

Kurfürstendamm

Address: Kurfürstendamm 10707 Berlin, Germany Website

Often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Kurfürstendamm in Charlottenburg is lined with high-end designers like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. If you don't have that kind of cash, it's also a great place for window shopping.

The Amazing Crocodile Design Store

Address: Raumerstraße 23, 10437 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 40006930 Website

Fancy an upside-down geometric pendant lamp or neon pink floor mirror? You'll find both at The Amazing Crocodile Design Store, the buzziest spot to buy quirky, refined, and oh-so-chic homewares in Berlin.

Address: Oranienstraße 24, 10999 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 61651119 Website

A progressive, forward-thinking undercurrent has permeated its way into the Berlin aesthetic of late. Insert Voo Store, a contemporary concept shop meets specialty coffee roaster that's tucked away on the ground floor of a former locksmith in Kreuzberg.

Antique Jewellery Berlin

Address: Linienstraße 44, 10119 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 20689155 Website

Antique Jewellery Berlin offers a vast array of vintage baubles. Whether you're in the market for a signet ring or enamel earrings, we'd be willing to bet it's sitting in the case at this beloved retailer.

Neighborhoods to Know

Berlin has 12 administrative districts ( Bezirk) , subdivided into 23 neighborhoods ( Kiez ).

Mitte: Keen to stay in the heart of the action? Mitte (which literally means "middle") lies in the center of the city. Not only is this sprawling borough chock-full of top sights—including Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and Tiergarten—but also cafes, bars, and shops. Another major selling point? Public transport. Basically, every train line runs through the main railway station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

Kreuzberg: People often liken bohemian Kreuzberg to Brooklyn, but there's really no accurate comparison. Of late, a spate of hip bars and trendy restaurants have popped up at a breakneck pace. Yet much of Kreuzberg still clings to its grittiness like a badge of honor. On one corner, a beautiful community garden and art installation. Veer left and you'll arrive on a gentrification-resistant street scattered with broken beer bottles and graffiti-covered buildings. And that's the beauty of this enigmatic, multicultural hood.

Charlottenburg: Charlottenburg could accurately be categorized as the more upscale side of Berlin. Graceful pre-war buildings, five-star hotels, top-rated restaurants, and designer boutiques dot the litter-free boulevards. The stately Charlottenburg Palace has ornate interiors and manicured gardens, while Berggruen Museum displays an incredible collection of modern art.

Neukölln: A diverse district known for its eclectic, international vibe, the bustling streets of Neukölln brim with Middle Eastern bakeries, vegan eateries, bars, breweries, and artists studios. Check out a poetry slam at Heimathafen Neukölln and shop for fragrant spices at the Turkish Market.

Schöneberg: The epicenter of nightlife back in the 1920s, today Schöneberg is the hub of LGBTQIA culture. It's home to an array of bars, cafes, galleries and shops, including Kaufhaus des Westens, as well as Natur-Park Südgelände.

Things begin to thaw in the spring. As the months move ahead, the temperature rises. Summer is warm, but rarely hot. Pack a light jacket and be prepared to layer as it moves later into fall. When winter rolls in, expect some clouds, rain, sleet and snow.

The following are average Fahrenheit highs and lows by season.

Spring: 65°F / 47°F

Summer: 74°F / 57°F

Fall: 57°F / 44°F

Winter: 39°F / 30°F

Apps to Download

Berlin Subway: U-Bahn and S-Bahn maps and route planner iOS | Android

berlinHistory: Berlin history by location iOs | Android

Going Local Berlin: Insider travel tips iOs | Android

accessBerlin: Route planner; online and offline maps; restaurant, hotel and activity recommendations iOs | Android

The Best Berlin Guide Books for Every Traveler [2024 Update]

Although I visited Berlin last summer, I didn’t get to explore the city as much as I’d wanted, and I’m looking forward to re-visiting the German capital this summer.  So, I recently sat on my balcony with a can (or two…) of German radler and a pile (or two!) of Berlin travel guide books for a marathon trip-planning session.

In addition to learning a lot about Berlin and discovering some amazing “must-see” attractions in Berlin, I quickly became an expert on Berlin guide books.  I learned exactly which book had the best walking tours, the best photos, the best budget travel advice and the best background information.

If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, don’t just wing it!  Berlin is too big, too exciting, too diverse and too interesting to be explored and enjoyed without a plan.  Instead, invest in one, two or three of these Berlin guide books, which will help you maximize every minute of your time in Berlin.

I’ve noted exactly which Berlin travel guide books you should buy, borrow (from the library) and skip , so you can find the perfect book for your travel style.  Read on for the complete guide!

( Wondering about radler ? Radler is the German word for cyclist, or the English word for “delicious beverage”.  Okay, that’s a lie.  Radler does mean “cyclist”, but it is actually only one specific kind of delicious beverage – a fifty-fifty blend of beer and lemonade or lemon soda.  If you’ve ever had a shandy, it’s the same thing, but more German.  I’ve been told it goes by the “cyclist” moniker because it’s perfect for hydrating after a long bike ride.)

Lonely Planet Germany – The Best Berlin Guide Book for Trips Across Germany

The Lonely Planet Germany is a massive, countrywide guidebook clocking in at 848 pages.  The guidebook’s Berlin section spans seventy pages at the front of the book.  Coverage begins with two detailed maps of the city, and then segues into comprehensive listings of sights, hotels, dining options, nightlife, shopping and general tourist information.

One-, two-, and three-day itineraries are suggested, and there are two-page spreads dedicated especially to the Berlin Wall and Museum Island.  There is also an additional twenty-page guide to destinations around Berlin, like Potsdam, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Spreewald.

The Lonely Planet Germany would be my top choice of guidebook for anyone visiting Berlin and then going on to explore other parts of Germany, because it is the most thorough Germany travel guide book on the market.  However, it is also thick and heavy, so consider buying the Kindle edition rather than the cumbersome paper copy.

Buy, borrow or skip?  Buy it, but consider the electronic version.  I bought the Kindle edition, which I can read on my phone as I’m out and about in Berlin.

National Geographic Walking Berlin – The Best Berlin Guide Book toCarry Around the City

I didn’t expect much from this little Berlin travel guide book.  However, in the end, National Geographic Walking Berlin – The Best of the City turned out to be my favorite Berlin travel guide!

Unlike the hulking Lonely Planet, this guidebook is five inches wide, seven inches tall and less than two hundred pages.  It slips easily into a small purse or daypack without adding much weight.

I loved this book because it’s organized into thirteen different walking tours, each with an easy-to-follow, full-color map, lots of color photos, and interesting information about the things you can expect to see along the way.

This book completely aligns with my travel style, which is heavy on the wandering around and exploring at a leisurely pace, and light on the rushing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction.  With this book in my purse, I can quickly learn about the things I stumble upon and the lesser-known places nearby that I might otherwise miss.

Buy, borrow or skip?   I bought this book and brought it with me to Europe!

Insight Guides Explore Berlin – Best Berlin Travel Guide Book for People Who Are Too Cheap to Buy the eBook

At first, I had a hard time finding anything that differentiated this book from some of the other Berlin travel guide books.  However, as I was skimming through a second time, I noticed that the Insight Guides Explore Berlin guidebook has one very unique feature: a free eBook !

By downloading the Insight Guides app (available from the App Store and Google Play), scanning a QR code from inside the physical book and registering with Insight guides, you can access a free digital travel guide to Berlin.  The process of downloading the book was a little bit confusing, but once I’d figured it out I was pleased to discover that you literally get the entire book for free!  The electronic version is effectively organized (hyperlinks help you navigate between references to the same things) and contains all the same full-color photos.

Buy, borrow or skip?   Borrow, obviously!  Sign this book out of your local public library, scan the code inside and use the digital version for free!  (I clearly don’t have a future in book sales…)

Interlink Cultural Guides Berlin – The Best Berlin Travel Guide for Readers

I was not expecting this!  The Interlink Cultural Guides Berlin travel guide book reads more like a first-year college textbook than a typical travel guide.

This Berlin guide book contains almost 240 pages of dense text, supplemented with only a handful of photos (in fact, the first photo doesn’t appear until page 26).  The book is divided into chapters including Geography & Topography, Landmarks, Leisure & Pleasure and Spending Power.  Each chapter then includes several sub-chapters focusing on a very specific aspect of Berlin.  For example, the Geography & Topography chapter is further divided into Water: Rivers, Water: Canals, Water: Lakes, Green Spaces: Forest and Hills, and Green Spaces: Parks.

Similar to a textbook, this Berlin travel guide also features a short glossary of common German terms that you’ll read throughout the book (from alt to Westen) and a reference list of books and websites that can provide more information for inquisitive readers.

Buy, borrow or skip?  Voracious readers and academic travelers should definitely buy this one, while others should borrow it and just read the sub-chapters pique their interest.

Eyewitness Travel Berlin – The Best Berlin Guide Book for Visual Travelers

The motto at Eyewitness is “the guides that show you what others will only tell you”, and that’s especially true in the case of their Berlin travel guide book.

Eyewitness Travel Berlin was updated in spring 2023.  The new edition contains almost 300 pages of full-color photographs, annotated diagrams and easy-to-follow maps.  These stunning images are supplemented with text, but it’s clear that visuals are the focus in this book.

This is a fantastic book to rifle through in the days leading up to your trip.  It’s impossible not to be inspired by the images inside, from the double-page photograph of the illuminated Brandenburg Gate to the illustrated cross-section of the Marienkirche church.  However, the book is weighty and wouldn’t be great for carrying around Berlin during a day of sight-seeing.

Buy, borrow or skip?   Borrow this one from the library if you’re considering booking a trip to Berlin.  By page ten you’ll have whipped out your credit card and you’ll be comparing flights online!

The Rough Guide to Berlin – The Best Berlin Guide Book for Budget Travelers

I’ve always had a soft spot for Rough Guides.  Sometimes, they feel like the neglected younger sibling of the Lonely Planet series. However, when you actually crack one open, you realize that Rough Guides have stayed true to their budget travel roots (unlike some “other” travel guide book series…).

The Rough Guide Berlin is an excellent example of a guide book that really caters to budget travelers.  It has more than three hundred pages of affordable travel advice, including a full-color guide to seventeen “can’t miss” spots in Berlin, customized itineraries (including one focused on budget travel, and another on the city’s nightlife) and well-curated directories of affordable accommodation and restaurant options.

Although the full edition was last updated in 2016, a brand new pocket edition was released in March 2020.  Check it out if you want a smaller, more current publication from this great series!

In my opinion, the only downside of The Rough Guide to Berlin is the editors’ choice to put all of the maps at the back of the book.  This makes it harder to visualize which attractions are close together, or what would be the best walking route between different sights.

Buy, borrow or skip?  Budget travelers should buy this one. By following the tips for smart, inexpensive travel in Berlin, you could easily save the equivalent of the price of the book in your first few hours in Berlin.

Rick Steves Germany – The Best Germany Travel Guide Book for Your Grandmother

The latest version of this Germany guidebook was published in December, 2022.  Click here to order the latest edition.

Rick Steves is a pretty cool guy.  He’s dedicated his life to encouraging Americans to explore Europe in a way that embraces and shows respect for the local people and culture.  So, I always feel a bit sad that I can’t personally get behind his guidebooks.

First, the good stuff. The Rick Steves Germany guidebook is updated every year, so you never have to worry about outdated information.  As well, it’s even longer than the Lonely Planet Germany guidebook (it’s more than 1050 pages long!) but, thanks to its tissue-thin paper, is smaller and lighter than its counterpart.  The Berlin section in this book is about 130 pages long.

So, why don’t I love this Germany travel guide book?  Well, there are two huge reasons.

First, Rick Steves books have the worst maps of any guidebook I’ve ever seen.  Each map is hand-drawn in a simple style, and they often leave out smaller streets and lesser-known landmarks.  There have been several occasions where I’ve planned a walking trip based on a Rick Steves map, thinking my destination is only five or ten blocks away, and later discovered that the map didn’t include dozens of smaller streets along the way.  His maps are so confusing!

Second, I find that the travel tips in Rick Steves guidebooks cater more to older, less-able or less-experienced travelers. For an experienced traveler the tone can be a bit patronizing, and for a younger traveler, trendy or up-and-coming attractions are only ever mentioned in passing.

Buy, borrow or skip?  Borrow this Germany travel guide book from the library before your trip, or buy it as a gift for your grandparents if they’re heading to Germany.

Frommer’s Berlin Day by Day – The Best Berlin Travel Guide Book for Short City Breaks

Another pleasantly purse-sized Berlin travel guide book, Frommer’s Berlin Day by Day is a good option for travelers taking a short city break in Berlin.

The book opens with one-, two- and three-day itineraries, each with a full-color map, descriptions of the highlights you can expect to see, recommendations for where to eat and some color photographs.  Next, there are recommendations based on particular interests (including beer, art and East German history) and six easy-to-follow neighborhood walking tours.

The last half of the book is a typical travel directory of hotels, restaurants, nightlife, day trips and travel directories.  There’s also a quick list of useful German expressions at the back of the book.

Overall, Frommers Day by Day Berlin is a solid Berlin travel guide book.  However, I still prefer the National Geographic Walking Berlin, mainly because its maps have more details and it contains significantly more color photographs.

Buy, borrow or skip?   I’d recommend borrowing this Berlin guide book from your local public library.

Eyewitness Top 10 Berlin – The Best Berlin Travel Guide Book for Travelers with a Short Attention Span

TikTokers take note – The Eyewitness Top 10 Berlin is the Berlin guidebook of your dreams, and it was just updated in late 2023!

Unlike Eyewitness’ comprehensive Berlin city guide (discussed above), this unique book has fewer than 200 pages, divided into almost 100 “Best of Berlin” lists.  The book begins with one hundred fascinating facts, divided into the top ten things to know about each of Berlin’s top ten tourist attractions.  The next section is more topical, featuring two-page spreads like the Top 10 Historic Buildings in Berlin and the Top 10 Festivals and Fairs in Berlin. Finally, it closes with the Top 10 highlights in each of Berlin’s ten most interesting districts.

Buy, borrow or skip?   This is a great Berlin travel book to gift to the non-reader in your life who needs to be convinced to join you on a trip to Berlin.  It’s as breezy and skimmable as a gossip magazine, so buy it as a gift for them!  If you’re already sold on a trip to Berlin, borrow this from the library and flip through it on your coffee break at work.

Fodor’s Berlin – The Best Berlin Travel Guide Book for People Who Hate Trip Planning

Where some other Berlin travel guides have attempted to include everything under the sun (or should I say, everything under the Reichstag dome?), Fodor’s Berlin offers a much more curated look at Germany’s capital city.

This short Berlin travel book opens with a “Best of Berlin” section before transitioning into a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city.  This content makes up the first third of the book, and the latter two thirds are a typical travel directory. Fodors’ correspondents often give their highest ratings to expensive service providers.  For example, one of their recommended restaurants has prices starting at € 115 for dinner (!) and the ultra-expensive Hotel Adlon is one of their top picks for accommodation in the city.

Buy, borrow or skip?   I think that most readers of my blog can skip this Berlin guide book.  It doesn’t offer anything unique compared to the other Berlin travel guide books I’ve recommended, and constantly reading about experiences that are out of your price range isn’t very much fun!

Heading to Berlin? Check out my list of the 25 Best Things to Do in Berlin (no Berlin guide book required!).

There are lots of cool hotels in Berlin, but there’s one in particular that strikes the perfect balance of design, affordability, comfort and luxury.  Read about my stay at Casa Camper Berlin .

Traveling on a tighter budget?  I know a central Berlin hotel with comfortable private rooms at hostel prices!  Read about my six-night stay at Hotel 38 Berlin . 

There is an alternative to expensive hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Berlin that still lets you see the city from the second floor of a double-decker bus.  Read about the secret €3 Berlin sightseeing bus tour .

Then, check out my guide to finding the best vegetarian food in Berlin (and the rest of Germany too!).

Browsing for Berlin guidebooks later?  Pin this post to your trip-planning board!

20 Solo Female Travel Quotes to Inspire Your Next Journey

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I lived in Berlin for 2 years and return often as a travel writer. Here's my complete visitor's guide to the German capital.

• Berlin is packed with historic sites and cultural experiences, and a diverse array of restaurants.
• Our comprehensive guide to visiting Berlin includes the best places to see, stay, eat, and more.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations .

More than three decades after the fall of the Wall, the formerly divided Berlin has emerged as one of Europe's most dynamic, captivating capitals. With shiny new architecture constantly popping up around the city, and abandoned World War II- and Soviet-era buildings reimagined as edgy contemporary art spaces and trendy clubs, Berlin is on a steady course of reinventing itself. Even so, the German capital holds on to its wonderfully authentic, scruffy side — in its smoky, hole-in-the-wall bars, graffiti-covered streets, and anything-goes attitude.

This progressive spirit is what drew me to move from Amsterdam to Berlin in 2016 and stay for two years. Although I've since relocated to Barcelona, I come back frequently to take advantage of Berlin's vibrant culture, great bars, and diverse global dining scene.

I'm an avid museum-goer, and love exploring the city's vast array of museums — around 170 at last count — with new ones opening all the time. And when the weather is good, I enjoy strolling and picnicking in the many parks, or stopping for a Berliner Weisse (a traditional local wheat beer) at a neighborhood beer garden. 

It's also a relatively inexpensive city — especially compared to other European capitals like Paris and Amsterdam. While there are plenty of pricey five-star hotels and spendy Michelin-starred restaurants, you can just as easily find a decent, centrally located hotel room for less than 100 euros, or around $98, a night, grab a tasty traditional currywurst with fries for around 5 euros, and wash it down with a beer for under 4 euros. 

Navigating Berlin can be a bit of a challenge, whether you're a newbie or a veteran visitor like me, because of its huge size. The city is made up of 12 different kiez (neighborhoods), each with its own distinctive vibe and attractions. Fortunately, there's an excellent public transportation system to get you where you need to go. 

With Insider's guide, you'll have everything you need to plan the perfect Berlin vacation. 

→ An expert's tips on getting to Berlin and navigating the city's public transit system

→ where to stay in berlin — the 9 best hotels and accommodations, → 10 of the best restaurants in berlin where you should actually eat, → 8 unique adventures and activities to do in berlin, from street art to city parks, → important advisories for your berlin trip from a former resident.

• Main content

• 1 Districts
• 2.1.1 The beginnings
• 2.1.2 Kaiserreich and Weimar Republic
• 2.1.3 Nazi era and World War II
• 2.1.4 Cold War and partition
• 2.1.5 History since reunification
• 2.2 Climate
• 2.4 Economy
• 2.5 Orientation
• 2.6 Read and watch
• 2.8 Tourist information
• 4.1.1 Getting from the airport to central Berlin
• 4.2 By train
• 4.5 By ship
• 4.6 By bicycle
• 5.1.1 Tickets
• 5.1.2 Purchasing tickets
• 5.1.3 Validating tickets
• 5.2 By train
• 5.3 By U-Bahn
• 5.4 By tram (streetcar)
• 5.6.1 Tours and rentals
• 5.6.2 Bicycles on public transport
• 5.7 By e-hailing
• 5.8 By taxi
• 5.10 By ferry
• 5.11 By gondola lift
• 6.1 Museums
• 6.2 Remains of the Berlin Wall
• 6.3 Private art galleries
• 6.4 Tall buildings with observation decks
• 7.1 Explore
• 7.2 Outdoor recreation
• 7.3 Festivals and annual events
• 7.4 Parades
• 7.5 Cultural venues
• 10.1 Shopping areas
• 10.2 Markets
• 10.3 Opening hours
• 10.4 Credit cards
• 11.1 Orientation
• 11.2 Waiters and tipping
• 11.3 Breakfast
• 12.3 Concerts
• 12.4 Brauhäuser
• 12.6 Street drinking
• 15.1 Prostitution
• 16 Stay healthy
• 17.1 Libraries
• 17.2 Embassies
• 18.1 By air

Berlin is Germany's capital and biggest city. Within the city limits, Berlin in 2022 had a population of 3.7 million.

Berlin is coming into its own again as a cosmopolitan capital of one of Europe's wealthiest nations. "Arm aber sexy" (poor but sexy) as a former mayor would have it, Berlin attracts young people, students and a creative bohème like few other cities in the world. With architectural heritage from Prussian monarchism, Nazism, East German communism and Potsdamer Platz , filled with 1990s and 2000s-style glass palaces after having been a "blank canvas" due to the wall, Berlin's architecture is as varied as its neighbourhoods and its people. And due to its long history as a cosmopolitan capital, it has attracted immigrants from all over the world for more than 300 years now, who continue to leave their own marks on the city.

Berlin is home to world-renowned universities, orchestras, museums, and entertainment venues, and is host to many sporting events. Its Zoological Garden is the most visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. The city is well known for its festivals, nightlife, contemporary arts and a very high quality of living.

Districts [ edit ]

Berlin can be seen as a cluster of centres. Berlin has many boroughs ( Bezirke ), and each borough is composed of several localities ( Kiez or Viertel ) — each of these boroughs and localities has a unique style. Some boroughs of Berlin are more worthy of a visitor's attention than others. Berlin used to be divided into 23 boroughs, and these boroughs are used in Wikivoyage as they remain foremost in popular conceptions of the city and are useful for visitors to know. In 2001, the number of boroughs was reduced from 23 to 12 for administrative purposes—mostly by merging old boroughs—sometimes across what was the inner-Berlin border. The boroughs can roughly be grouped into eight districts:

Understand [ edit ]

The city of Berlin is co-extensive with the Land of Berlin, one of the 16 federal states that make up the Federal Republic of Germany. It has a population of 3.8 million (2019) (and a million more in suburbs like Potsdam across the state line in Brandenburg ).

Berlin is and has been far less dominant as the capital of Germany than London, Paris or Madrid are in their respective countries, because of the federal nature of Germany and because the havoc war and partition wreaked on the city.

Merely a backwater town in the early 18th century, Berlin grew to be one of the most important and biggest cities in the world by the 1920s. The heart of old Prussia and a focal point of the Cold War , it lost much of its importance and historic architecture as a result of World War II and German partition.

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science. Its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, and media corporations. Significant sectors also include IT, biotechnology, construction and electronics.

With the world's oldest large-scale movie studio complex in nearby Babelsberg, Berlin is an increasingly popular location for international film productions.

History [ edit ]

The beginnings [ edit ].

The area was most likely first settled by Slavs before German-speaking immigrants arrived in the 11th and 12th centuries. The earliest evidence of settlements in the area of what is now Berlin are a wooden rod dating from approximately 1192 and remains of wooden houses dated to 1174 which were found in a 2012 excavation in Berlin Mitte. The first written records of towns in the area of present-day Berlin date from the late 12th century. Spandau is first mentioned in 1197 and Köpenick in 1209, although these areas did not become part of Berlin until 1920 (see below). The nucleus of Berlin was two towns: Berlin (now known as the Nikolaiviertel close to Alexanderplatz), which began as a Slavic town, and Cölln, which was Germanic in origin, which included what has today become the Museum Island. While the etymology of "Berlin" is not fully clear (the bear in the coat of arms is due to an understandable wrong assumption medieval German speakers made) it is likely linked to a Slavic word for swamp. So yes, Germany's capital was literally built in a swamp. The year 1237 (first mention of Cölln in official records) is what was used as the basis for the 750-year celebrations in 1987, and it'll likely be used as the reference point for future anniversaries.

The area became known as Berlin-Cölln and was a residence for the electors of Brandenburg, but it remained a relatively small trading post. Roughly half of Berlin's inhabitants perished as a result of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). The war led to a signature Hohenzollern policy of allowing and even encouraging religious refugees to immigrate to the area. The policy was promulgated by "great elector" Frederic William (Friedrich Wilhelm, reigned 1640-1688), who also consolidated the trend of ruling Prussians to be called Friedrich, Wilhelm or both, which lasted all the way to the last German Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Berlin became the capital of Prussia in 1701, but Potsdam remained a symbol for Hohenzollern rule into Weimar times. In 1710 several independent towns were merged into Berlin, helping to give it the polycentric layout it still has. The Prussian leaders of the 18th century were known for their "enlightened despotism" and an amount of religious toleration far beyond that found in other parts of Europe at the time. Those policies benefited all of Brandenburg/Prussia but they had their strongest impact on Berlin.

Kaiserreich and Weimar Republic [ edit ]

The German Empire ( Deutsches Reich ) was formed in 1871 under Prussian dominance and Berlin became the capital of this newly-united Germany. It grew quickly as the political capital and as a centre of industry. Between 1877 and 1900, its population grew from 1 million inhabitants to 1.9 million. In 1884-1885, Berlin was the location of the Berlin Conference, in which the great powers, namely Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Ottoman Empire, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, met to divide Africa among themselves.

In 1918, it was in Berlin that many of the most decisive events of the German November Revolution to overthrow the Kaiser took place. Philipp Scheidemann, a Social Democrat, declared a republic from a window of the Reichstag on 9 November 1918. Just hours later, communist Karl Liebknecht declared a "free socialist republic" leading to a schism between the Social Democrats and Communists, who were already at odds in 1914 over the question of whether to support World War I . Berlin became one of the centres of fighting and chaos. The split continued throughout the Weimar Republic period.

In 1920, the last of the annexations of towns surrounding Berlin created the administrative borders it has today, then known as "Groß-Berlin", or Greater Berlin. The Weimar era was probably the high point in both the importance of Berlin and its reputation in the world. The city's population grew to 4 million people. It was one of the most populous and influential cities in the world, only exceeded in population by New York City and London. In area, Groß-Berlin was the second biggest city in the world behind only Los Angeles. Almost all politicians, intellectuals, artists, scientists and other public figures known during the Weimar Republic lived and worked in Berlin. It was here that the theatres, cabarets and cinemas brought German culture to a frenetic flourishing that was suddenly and violently ended with the Nazi takeover.

Potsdamer Platz (site of one of the first traffic lights in the world) was considered one of the places in Europe with the densest traffic. The rapidly developing S-Bahn (electrified in that era) and U-Bahn mass transit systems were seen as models for the world with few equals. Tempelhof Airport (then without its iconic terminal building which was built by the Nazis) was seen as one of the best airports in Europe, and its connection to the U-Bahn showed the way for all major airports to come.

Berlin was also a bustling multicultural place with people from all over the world contributing to its cultural and economic output. Rampant inequality, however, meant that not everybody participated in the boom. The economic crisis of 1929 and the subsequent austerity measures hit the poorest disproportionately hard. Housing was scarce in the city, and apartment blocks intended to remedy this were built. Six groups of these buildings have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the name "Berlin Modernism Housing Estates".

Nazi era and World War II [ edit ]

The takeover of Germany by the Nazis in 1933 meant a break for the culture of Berlin. Many of the intellectuals and artists who had been drawn to the liberal and progressive metropolis had to flee, were imprisoned by the Nazis or otherwise silenced. The vibrant gay scene which had existed more or less openly despite laws banning male homosexuality was brutally suppressed by the Nazis. Until 1933 Berlin felt a world apart from the rising Nazi threat emerging from more rural areas. It seemed almost as a foreign invasion when the Nazis took power and asserted their brutal regime in Berlin and the rest of Germany. The Nazis wanted to redesign Berlin into "World Capital Germania", but the war put an end to those plans. The Nazi buildings that remain were built before the war and are not always associated with them, such as the Olympic Stadium (built for the 1936 games), and the terminal building for Tempelhof Airport.

Berlin was hit hard and repeatedly by a series of aerial bombardments during World War II that levelled a lot of the city. In the last months of the war, Berlin was at the heart of one of the bloodiest battles of the war as several Soviet generals raced one another to get to Berlin first because Stalin believed the Americans and British intended to conquer Berlin as well. A "whispered joke" making the rounds at the time among Germans said the war would be over when the Volkssturm (old men and teenagers - Hitler's last "soldiers" of any kind) would take the S-Bahn to the front. The iconic photo of a Soviet soldier raising the red flag on the Reichstag dates to that era, and graffiti made by Soviet soldiers in 1945 can still be found in the Reichstag Building.

Some foreign tourists like to ask where the Führerbunker is, but like other potential "shrines to Nazism" it was levelled by the Allies and is now the site of a parking lot. The Topographie des Terrors ("Topography of Terror") in central Berlin is an open-air exhibit that gives backgrounds on the sites of various Nazi offices in Berlin and which atrocities were directed from where.

Cold War and partition [ edit ]

Berlin was divided into four sectors in accordance with the agreements of Yalta and Potsdam. While the powers had planned to jointly administer Berlin and Germany, it broke down with the Soviet blockade of the Western sectors, and then with the Berlin airlift. West Berlin had to be supplied by the western allies through the air.

The airlift, including the dropping of small packets of candy on makeshift parachutes, endeared people in West Berlin to the Western allies, and eventually forced the Soviets to end the blockade. Despite the name "raisin bomber", the single most common good by net tonnage was coal. Because the sectors were cut off from Soviet-occupied electricity lines, the planes also flew in an entire power plant and subsequently the fuel for it, but most coal was used to heat private homes. West Berlin later became a part of West Germany in fact if not in name: it sent non-voting delegates to the Bundestag who were nominated by the Berlin parliament rather than elected by the people; similarly all federal laws had to be approved by the Berlin legislature, which usually happened without any real vote or discussion. Berlin remained the last open crossing in the increasingly militarised and airtight "inner-German" border. On 13 August 1961, the East German (GDR) leadership closed the border just weeks after East German leader Walter Ulbricht said in a press conference "Niemand hat die Absicht eine Mauer zu errichten" (nobody has the intention of building a wall). The border was fortified more and more in the ensuing years with several walls. The concrete wall was soon covered in graffiti on its western side. The side was in East Berlin, but neither the East German nor the West German authorities were willing or able to police it.

While there was an effort in the west to preserve historic buildings which had survived Allied bombardment, the GDR tore down buildings that might have been salvageable. The Stadtschloss was seen as a remnant of feudalism and was replaced with the Palast der Republik which housed the GDR Parliament. It was torn down after 1990 due to its political associations and asbestos content. A new Stadtschloss at the same site, housing the Humboldt forum , opened in 2020. The rebuilding of a feudal monument on the site of east Germany's most notable representative building was seen as a dubious political statement, and was controversial because of the questionable way in which many of the exhibits were acquired during the colonial era.

The partition also led to a unique development, especially in the Western half. West Berlin never legally belonged to the Federal Republic of Germany, even though it "voluntarily" applied most West German laws. A prohibition on joining the military made it a place for many students and radicals or people who wanted to avoid the draft to go. The student revolts of 1967/68 mostly took place here. It was here that young Benno Ohnesorg was shot during a protest against the Shah of Iran in 1967. This galvanised a movement against continued presence of Nazi elites, the Vietnam War and several - perceived or real - birth defects of the young German Federal Republic. This movement, retroactively called die 68er (the 68ers), was most prominent in Berlin. Its leader, Rudi Dutschke, an East German emigrant from Brandenburg. In this era, Kreuzberg, a part of which was surrounded by the wall on three sides, became a hotbed of leftist activism. There were frequent clashes with police, which have been occasionally repeated since reunification. During partition, artists like David Bowie came to Berlin for inspiration. A stop at landmarks symbolic of the division became a mainstay of foreign state visits to the city. Ronald Reagan famously stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate, made inaccessible by the Wall, when he said "Mister Gorbachev open this gate; Mister Gorbachev tear down this wall."

People fed up with the situation in East Germany - and encouraged by Gorbachev's policy of glasnost and perestroika - took to the streets in increasing numbers in 1989. There was a large demonstration at Alexanderplatz in October 1989. On 9 November 1989, GDR press secretary Günter Schabowski read aloud a new decree regarding an opening of the border during the first-ever live GDR press conference. On the subsequent question of when it would enter in force, he replied "sofort, unverzüglich" (i.e. immediately). While the people who had drafted the new decree had not intended for immediate entry into force, Schabowski had been kept out of the loop regarding that crucial detail. This slip-up led to people flocking to the border post in the belief the Wall had fallen. The overwhelmed guards had no choice but to open the border, and this day became known as the "fall of the Berlin Wall". The Wall was torn down in the ensuing days and weeks. Events began moving fast, and after elections resulted in a clear pro-unification majority, East Germany joined West Germany on 3 October 1990, just days ahead of what would have been the 41st anniversary of the GDR. Berlin became the capital of reunified Germany and most government institutions moved there in 1998.

History since reunification [ edit ]

Despite its almost total lack of industry (what survived the war either left West Berlin or was nationalised in East Berlin and mostly went bankrupt during 1989/90), Berlin is a major draw for immigrants, particularly the young and well-educated. Unlike virtually all major capitals, Berlin is slightly less well-off than the national average, and thus has had comparatively affordable rents and costs of living during the postwar era, albeit with a steep upward trend catching up to its peers by the 2020s. This has combined to make Berlin one of the centres of the startup phenomenon. The "rent question" has come to dominate Berlin politics in the 2020s with a Berlin-based rent control law struck down by the Constitutional Court on the grounds that a state government didn't have that authority (only the federal government does) and a plebiscite in the works that would expropriate big private real estate companies which had bought up a lot of Berlin housing stock cheaply in the neoliberal 2000s.

While the Wall is now fallen longer than it ever stood, and some scars of partition took only weeks or months to mend, there are still visible signs of where the border once was. Some are seemingly innocuous like the lack of trams in the old West or the colour of street lights, but some are kept in place on purpose to remind locals and visitors alike of that phase of history. After reunification, there was an iconoclasm of all things GDR. While many things (particularly the monuments to the Soviet soldiers) were kept, the most notable victim of a drive to tear down all relics of Communist government was the Palast der Republik . It was torn down in part because of asbestos contamination, but also to restore the former Prussian Stadtschloss , which had been torn down to make way for the GDR reorganisation of the city.

Climate [ edit ]

Berlin is at a transition point between temperate oceanic and continental climates, meaning warm summers and cold winters. Nighttime temperatures typically fall below freezing in the winter, and snowfall is a regular occurrence, though the snow rarely accumulates for more than a few days. Summers are typically pleasant, with daytime temperatures typically in the low 20s, and nighttime temperatures staying above 10 °C. Berlin is a rather windy city, though by no means as windy as coastal cities like Hamburg or Lübeck. A wind-stopping jacket comes highly recommended, especially during autumn and spring.

People [ edit ]

As a city that grew from an assortment of minor towns in a backwater of Europe to the third biggest city in the world in barely more than two centuries, Berlin has always been a place where being "from elsewhere" was the rule rather than the exception. During GDR times, East Berlin attracted many people from the countryside and other cities as new housing was built at a faster rate there to alleviate the housing shortage. Furthermore, Berliners often enjoyed slightly fuller shelves and shorter lines in supermarkets than other East Germans. In the West, some people left Berlin due to its isolation, and others came in due to the exemption from the draft. Since reunification, Berlin's Jewish community has been growing because of immigration from the former Soviet Union, and because some young Israelis find Berlin a better place to live (and party) than Tel Aviv, Haifa or Jerusalem. Today Berlin draws people from Germany and from all over Europe, particularly the south of the continent. You will find a diaspora of very close to every ethnicity, religion and national origin in Berlin. This means that Berlin is able to constantly reinvent itself, but a Berliner born-and-raised is something of a rare sight outside some outlying neighbourhoods.

Nowadays the conflicts between Easterners and Westerners are often replaced by jokes about Swabians, who have a reputation for thriftiness, uptightness and an audible dialect. Many Swabians have flocked to neighbourhoods like Prenzlauer Berg, and the welcome hasn't always been warm. Make no mistake, however, often those complaining the loudest about "Swabians" or gentrification are relatively recent arrivals themselves.

Berliners are notorious for a certain type of "humour" that can come across as just plain rudeness to those not accustomed to it. The stereotypical Berliner has a reputation for impolite directness even among Germans who in general see little use in pleasantries and small talk. Berliners will also frequently complain about supposed or real government incompetence which they find evidenced in everything from trash on the streets or a delayed bus to the woes during the construction of the new airport or the understaffed civil service. However, it is generally not seen favourably when out of towners start joining the complaints.

Berlin is also a remarkably irreligious city with only about a quarter of the population belonging to either the Protestant or Catholic Church as tracked for tax reasons. Media – especially those of a conservative bent or based in mostly Catholic southern Germany – have consequently taken to calling Berlin the "capital of atheists". Nevertheless, Berlin also has a large Muslim population, and you can meet people from every religion in Berlin.

Economy [ edit ]

From 1871 to 1940, Berlin was a centre for major German industrial companies and the administrative headquarters of many companies in all fields. However, soon after the Second World War ended, many of these companies moved south or west, went bankrupt, or were nationalised in the GDR.

Berlin consequently became a centre of research, rather than of production. West Berlin had a special subsidy for "Berlin-made" industrial products during partition, but those were usually products which had the bare minimum of production occur in Berlin to benefit from the subsidy and almost all of those schemes ceased the moment the subsidy was ended after reunification.

While some company headquarters have moved to Berlin since reunification in 1990, the dominance of the capital is much less pronounced in the German economy than in that of most other European countries. Despite the economic boost resulting from the country's capital moving back to the city, Berlin's unemployment rate soared over 10% from 2000 to 2010. Berlin today is known in Germany for being a centre of creative branches such as design and arts of all kinds; you will see a lot of people working with Notebooks in some coffee shops.

Since reunification some companies have established head offices in Berlin but in many cases those exist primarily to have a "representative" address on the letterhead and a lot of administration, let alone development or production is still done outside Berlin. In what many Berliners hope to be a sign of a trend change, Berlin founded industrial conglomerate Siemens is once again moving into its 1920s "Siemensstadt" in the 2020s to have a capital location for research, administration and production.

Orientation [ edit ]

As Berlin grew from several different towns and villages, there is not one centre per se but rather several centres which can make orientation a bit difficult.

The apocryphal adage about Washington DC's street layout being designed to confuse invading armies could apply to Berlin as well, if it were designed by anybody to do anything at all. Berlin's streets are confusing and follow no logic to speak of, owing to the development of the city and to decades of partition. Cardinal directions are of little use: almost nothing is aligned straightforwardly east–west, nor north–south, not even the former border. Street signs therefore usually bear the names of boroughs and sometimes local landmarks.

There may be different streets of the same name scattered across the city. For example, there are at least three streets named "Potsdamer Straße": one in Lichtenrade, one in Zehlendorf and another one in Giesendorf. This is not an uncommon thing in Berlin in part due to it having been a bunch of separate cities and villages. Some of the more common names have since been changed, but by far not all of them. It is a good idea to always keep in mind which district you are travelling to. German postal codes are pretty fine-grained and usually the same street-name should not appear twice in the same code, so try and use the full address with postal code and/or district. Taxi drivers somehow have to (and usually do) know most of those strange and repeating street names. As Istanbul-born comedian Serdar Somuncu quipped with regard to the many Turkish-descendant taxi drivers, "A German wouldn't go to Istanbul to become a taxi driver, yet countless Turkish taxi drivers get people to one of the three dozen Goethe Straßen in Berlin without fail every day".

House numbers do not necessarily run in the same direction (up or down) everywhere. On a lot of streets, the numbers ascend on one side and descend on the other. So to avoid getting you lost, you should check the numbering scheme first: you can find the name of the street at nearly every street corner. The same sign will usually state the range of house numbers in that segment.

Berlin's U-Bahn and S-Bahn bear the scars of decades of partition and of post-reunification lack of funds. They originated as a hodgepodge of lines with different loading gauges constructed by private companies and then-independent cities. Routes are indicated by number and the name of their endpoint, so memorise them lest you want to go many kilometres in the wrong direction. A good public transport map comes in handy, and several institutions hand out city maps with urban rail stops indicated on them. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn and, in the former East, Straßenbahn (tramway) are still a good way to get around. The buses are also clean, reliable and relatively fast.

Read and watch [ edit ]

Berlin probably reached its cultural peak in the 1920s, although since then many artists took a lot of inspiration from the divided years. Here are just a few books and films to introduce you to Berlin:

• Berlin Alexanderplatz (Alfred Döblin, 1929) captures the Berlin of its time. The most famous of its three film versions is the 15½-hour Fassbinder film. A remake loosely based on the novel was released in 2020.
• Emil and the Detectives (Erich Kästner, 1929) is the most famous book set in Berlin. Emil, a naïve country boy, is robbed by a criminal. The boy is helped by a gang of street-savvy Berlin children who solve the case by themselves. There are several film versions of the story, made from 1931 to 2001.
• Cabaret perhaps the work that defined the view of the Weimar Republic in the Anglophone world. The movie is based on the 1939 book, Goodbye to Berlin , by Christopher Isherwood, a gay man about the nightlife of pre-war Berlin, a hedonistic world ignoring the coming catastrophe
• Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo , a 1978 autobiography written by "Christiane F." about a drug-addicted child prostitute in West Berlin. David Bowie recorded the soundtrack for the 1981 film.
• Run Lola Run (German: Lola rennt ), a 1998 movie about a small time criminal and his girlfriend, Lola. Its frenetic narrative tells three different versions of the same story depending on Lola's decisions. It was one of the biggest post-reunification successes of German cinema.
• Good Bye, Lenin! , a 2003 film set in East Berlin during the 1989/90 transition. The premise is the protagonist trying to ensure his mother, who fell into a coma shortly before the fall of the Wall and awoke shortly afterwards, doesn't realise the GDR is no more.
• The Kangaroo Chronicles (Marc-Uwe Kling, 2009–14). A "minor artist" narrates his life with a communist kangaroo roommate; the two engage in hijinks, often of a political bent, philosophising about the injustices of capitalism, and how modern society induces laziness. His observational comedy is spot-on. A movie based on the books was released in 2020.
• Victoria , a 2015 film about one night in Berlin, shot in a single 140-minute take without cuts. A Spanish student in Berlin runs into a gang who are much less sophisticated but exhibit a rough charm. They inadvertently get involved in criminal activity, giving the film elements of a thriller and road movie through different parts of the city.
• Babylon Berlin (2017–present), a hit TV series about crime, nightlife, demimonde, drugs and political conflict in 1920s Berlin, loosely based on the crime novel series.

Music [ edit ]

There are countless musical tributes to Berlin, many of which praise the imperfections that are characteristic of the city. This is just a small selection:

• Paul Lincke's operetta song Berliner Luft (1904)
• Hildegard Knef's Berlin, dein Gesicht hat Sommersprossen (1966)
• the Rauch-Haus-Song (1972) by leftist rock band Ton Steine Scherben, which became the anthem of the squatter scene and was covered by several punk bands
• David Bowie and Iggy Pop lived in West Berlin during the late-1970s. Bowie's albums Low , Heroes and Lodger are therefore known as the "Berlin Trilogy". Songs that are clearly about Berlin include Iggy's The Passenger (1977) and Bowie's nostalgic Where are we now? (2013)
• Wir stehn auf Berlin (1980) by Neue Deutsche Welle band Ideal
• Sido's rap Mein Block (2004) about life in the Märkisches Viertel , a deprived plattenbau estate
• Dickes B (2001) by reggae/dancehall combo Seeed and Schwarz zu blau (2009) by Seeed member Peter Fox

Berlin is a centre of electronic music of all kinds, and its legendary clubbing scene attracts people from around the globe. The movie Berlin Calling , with music by Paul & Fritz Kalkbrenner (the former also playing the main role), is a celebration of this part of Berlin culture.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Visit Berlin . ( updated Feb 2024 )

Talk [ edit ]

Signage and automatic announcements are often available in English , and possibly other languages besides German. Most signage related to the partition era is available in all three languages of the former occupiers (French, Russian and English). There are, however, surprisingly many people who speak little or no English, in particular among the elderly and people who grew up in the East, where Russian was taught in schools. This does not necessarily keep them from attempting to speak English with you if they notice an accent or halting German.

A lot of place names can be a bit tricky even to fluent German speakers as they are of Slavic origin. The widespread -ow ending is to be pronounced /o:/ like a long German "o". Saying "Pankoff" or "Rudoff" will mark you as an out-of-towner and might cause jokes at your expense.

People who work in public transit and the tourism sector are now expected to speak at least some English, but they may not necessarily have much patience explaining the same thing over and over to tourists every single day, even when it's their job to do so, and the aforementioned Berlin rudeness / "humour" might come through when dealing with tourists.

Immigration and the Erasmus programme mean there are several other languages widely spoken. In particular, there are some 200,000 people of Turkish origin living in Berlin, mainly in the western districts. But don't assume someone speaks Turkish well (or at all) just because they have a Turkish surname. Foreign students originate from all over Europe, but Spanish, Greek and Italian speakers are especially numerous. As many students in Berlin are either Erasmus students or have been abroad elsewhere, you can reasonably expect students to speak at least passable English and often another European language.

The Berlin dialect ( Berlinerisch ) is still spoken by many people, particularly in outlying districts and neighbouring Brandenburg. Dialect is usually more pronounced in the East and some words are almost entirely unknown even in West Berlin. Some words used in the Berlin dialect:

• Schrippe: bread roll
• Stulle: sandwich
• Broiler: grilled chicken (people from western Germany and former West Berlin probably won't understand this; they say Grillhähnchen instead)

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

You may also want to consider flying in to the airports of Hamburg , Frankfurt or Hanover . From there you can take a (high-speed) train or intercity bus to Berlin. The nearby airports of Leipzig and Dresden have fewer scheduled flights.

Getting from the airport to central Berlin [ edit ]

The airport is in Fare Zone C of the Berlin public transit fare system, so you will have to use a ticket valid in BC (not valid for entering the central "A" zone) or ABC for €4.00 (August 2023). Tickets valid only in AB or the DB "City Ticket" are not valid for travel to the airport and you are subject to a €60 fine (January 2023) if caught using the wrong ticket or no ticket at all. There are also 24-hr tickets and 7 day tickets available.

From the airport by car: Should you wish to drive from the airport, use A113 and follow signposting. Berlin's traffic is becoming a major issue, so think twice before using your car.

By train [ edit ]

The central station 52.52549 13.36913 3 NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) together with 52.47549 13.36474 4 Südkreuz ( Southern Cross , formerly Papestraße) and 52.51001 13.43454 5 Ostbahnhof ( Eastern Station ) — plus minor 52.54939 13.38878 6 Gesundbrunnen in the north and 52.53473 13.19839 7 Spandau in the west — forms the backbone of all connections. All are connected to S- or U-Bahn. All trains stop at Hauptbahnhof and a second major hub (depending on your itinerary). Regional trains stop at several stations within Berlin, almost all of them also at Hauptbahnhof and all stop at least at one major long-distance hub. The Hauptbahnhof is situated between the S-Bahn stations Friedrichstraße and Bellevue. It is an impressive feat of architecture with many shops, most of them open on Sundays. Given its size, the distances between train platforms are surprisingly short. However, try to avoid tight connections, as the multilevel layout can be confusing at first and Berlin Hauptbahnhof is a good place to kill half an hour at any rate. The new 'Hauptbahnhof' may appear as 'Lehrter Bahnhof' on older maps.

  U5   connects the Hauptbahnhof to Alexanderplatz and destinations further east (older guides might state U55 instead which has been merged into the lengthened U5 in 2020). Four S-Bahn lines (   S3   ,   S5   ,   S7   ,   S9   ) serve the station as do three tram lines (M5, M8, M10). The tram lines serve the Main Station coming from the East and the M10 also runs west to Moabit (U Turmstraße). M10 is particularly known as a "party tram" due to its route serving several nightlife hotspots and has been the subject of many a newspaper article. In addition to these transport options mostly oriented East-West a new S-Bahn line, tentatively called "S21" is under construction serving as another north–south spine through Hauptbahnhof.

During partition Berlin had two main train stations: Zoologischer Garten (practically universally referred to in speech as Bahnhof Zoo or just Zoo ) in the West, and Ostbahnhof in the East. The latter was named "Hauptbahnhof" from 1987 to 1998. Since the opening of the Hauptbahnhof, most ICE and international lines no longer stop at Zoologischer Garten, although regional DB services and S+U-Bahn services still stop there.

Berlin is served by all the train types Deutsche Bahn (DB) has on offer, including high speed ICE, somewhat slower IC, and EuroCity (EC) operated by DB and other European railway companies. Connections to the rest of Germany are excellent and most of Europe is reachable with one or two changes. While train routes to Berlin suffered during partition, they were a high federal priority following reunification and today Berlin has fast train connections to the west and south. Trains due north and east are still a bit slower. For example, the line to Dresden is slower today than it was in the 1930s when streamlined steam trains plied the route.

Domestic trains to Berlin include ICE services from Hamburg , Munich via Leipzig / Halle , Erfurt and Nuremberg with the fastest trains arriving in Berlin less than four hours after departure from Munich, IC/EC services from Dresden, and several "regional" trains, which have more intermediate stops and longer travel time than ICE. Among these the IRE from Hamburg might be of interest due to its cheap fixed price (€19.90 one way, €29.90 round trip). Berlin is also a stop for several "ICE Sprinter" services - ICE trains with fewer or no intermediate stops intended to lure business travellers from planes onto trains with faster travel times.

Berlin is also served by a private competitor of DB: Flixtrain , a subsidiary of Flixbus. They run trains from Stuttgart via Wolfsburg, Frankfurt and other stops, from Cologne via Bielefeld , Hanover , and Wolfsburg , from Basel , via Frankfurt , as well as shorter distances from Dresden , and Leipzig with a stop in Wittenberg . In addition to Hauptbahnhof, some Flixtrain trains stop in some of Berlin's other major train stations; Gesundbrunen, Ostbahnhof, Südkreuz, and Spandau. Flixtrain doesn't accept any DB tickets, and the same is true vice-versa.

The Austrian railway company ÖBB (under the name Nightjet ) runs sleeper trains to Berlin from Vienna (11 hr) and Zürich (12 hr).

There are also long-haul sleeper trains from Moscow via Minsk and Brest , run by RZD [dead link] at least once a week, with greatly increased departures during spring and summer. From the other direction, this train originates in Paris the night before, making it a handy overnight connection between the two cities - and the only sleeper train between Germany and France. Apart from a summer-only service from Kaliningrad , there are as of 2017, no other overnight trains from Eastern European and Russian cities.

By bus [ edit ]

• Flixbus - the biggest player in the market
• RegioJet/Student Agency mostly serving the Hamburg - Berlin - Dresden - Prague corridor

By car [ edit ]

Berlin's "capital beltway", the A10 Berliner Ring , extends up to 30 km (19 mi) outside the city limits and actually only touches Berlin itself in the Northeast. It was built in the GDR era as the longest circular motorway in the world to direct traffic around West-Berlin but has since been surpassed in length by Beijing's sixth ring road and also Beijing's seventh ring road when it opens. At 196 km (122 mi) it is 8 km (5.0 mi) longer than the M25 around London, Europe's second longest orbital motorway. These motorways (enumerated in a clockwise direction) connect with the ring:

• A11 from Stettin at Dreieck Schwanebeck
• A12 from Frankfurt (Oder) / Warsaw at Dreieck Spreeau
• A13 from Dresden / Prague at Kreuz Schönefeld
• A9 from Leipzig / Munich at Dreieck Potsdam
• A2 from Hanover / Dortmund at Dreieck Werder
• A24 from Hamburg at Dreieck Havelland .

From the ring, these are the motorways heading towards the city:

• A111 from the northwest at Kreuz Oranienburg
• A114 from the north at Dreieck Pankow
• A113 from the southeast at Schönefelder Kreuz
• A115 from the southwest at Dreieck Nuthetal .

There are also dual carriageways:

• B96 from the north and the south
• B2 from the northeast
• B5 from the east and west
• B101 from the south.

Inside Berlin there is a heavily congested inner ring motorway (A100), which encircles the north, west and south with the northeastern section missing. Berlin driving is not for the faint-hearted, but manageable as there are wide streets and reasonably good parking conditions - at least in most parts of the city. The very existence of A100 is controversial in Berlin and its extension even more so. There are occasional demonstrations on A100 (usually with some transportation policy related aim) that shut down A100 for motorized traffic.

Berlin has a low emission zone ( Umweltzone ), which contains all areas within the S-Bahn ring. All vehicles moving inside this zone (including foreign vehicles) are required to bear a green emissions sticker ( Feinstaubplakette ). There are exceptions, e.g., for historic cars, but not for foreign number plates. The sticker can be ordered on-line .

By ship [ edit ]

Being some 200 km (120 mi) inland, Berlin does not have a seaport. The nearest seaport is Rostock -Warnemünde, which is 2½-3 hours away by train, though still sold by many cruise ship operators as " Berlin ", so don't be surprised. There are similar distances to the seaports of Hamburg and Szczecin . The latter was "Berlin's port" until 1945, but Cold War neglect and the newly drawn German-Polish border have all but severed that connection. There have been only slow attempts in the 2010s and 2020s to re-establish the link.

Some river cruises start or end at Berlin, using the Havel, Spree and some canals for cruises to Prague or the Baltic Sea . While river cruises in this area are nowhere near as popular as those along the Rhine or the Danube, there is some charming nature (including the Spreewald ) rather close to Berlin. Most cruises include a tour of Berlin as the river Spree runs close to many sights.

By bicycle [ edit ]

The 700-km Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route and the 340-km Berlin- Usedom Cycle Route both end in Berlin.

Get around [ edit ]

By public transport [ edit ]

As Berlin is a major metropolis with pretty decent public transit, you should take buses, trains and trams whenever possible as those cover most of the city and are often the fastest way to get to places. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) list all their fares on their website. Consult their Berlin route planner (in English) to get excellent maps and schedules for the U-Bahn, buses, S-Bahn local trains (RB and RE) and trams, or to print your personal journey planner. The route planner can also calculate the fastest door-to-door route for your destination for any given day and hour. However, the route planner assumes a rather slow walking speed. It might suggest taking a bus or tram for a single stop where healthy adults would be faster walking. The planner will let you pick between three walking speeds, but even the fastest walking speed is not terribly fast if you have no luggage. While BVG doesn't run S-Bahn or local trains, they are covered by the website and can be used with the same tickets.

• BVG's customer service , ☏ +49 30 19449 . If you don't know how to get somewhere, or how to get home at night, BVG's customer service number. Most U-Bahn and some S-Bahn stations have call points from which you can contact customer service directly. Some BVG buses and tram lines run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Tickets [ edit ]

The public transport system in Berlin (U-, S-Bahn, bus, tram, regional rail) uses a common ticket system based on zones (zone A, B and C). You are unlikely to go beyond zone A and B, except on trips to Potsdam or to the airport (BER). The border between zones A and B is the S-Bahn Ring (see below). Zone C includes trips to and within Potsdam.

The following tickets can be used for single journeys:

• Single Ticket . The standard single journey ticket. It is valid for any travel within two hours of validation, in a single direction, within the appropriate fare zones. There is no limit to transfers, but return journeys are not allowed. Price: Berlin AB €3.20 (reduced €2.00); Berlin ABC €4.00 (reduced €2.90). ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 4-trip ticket ( (4 Fahrten Karte) ). This gives you 4 single trip tickets at a cheaper cost. Price: Berlin AB €10.00 (reduced €6.20). ( updated Sep 2023 )
• Short trip ( Kurzstrecke ). For a single journey you can buy a cheap Kurzstrecke for €2.20, but this is only valid for 3 stops on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn (transfers permitted) or 6 stops on buses or trams (no transfers). The stations included in a short trip ticket are indicated on schedules posted at bus and tram stops. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Several options are available for unlimited travel:

• 24 hour Ticket (24 Stunden Karte) - valid for 24 hours from validation for unlimited travel within specific zones (€9.50 for AB, €9.90 for BC and €10.70 for ABC as of August 2023)
• Small Group Day Ticket AB (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte). A day ticket valid for up to five people. For groups of three or more, this ticket is cheaper than individual day tickets. Price: Berlin AB €29.00, Berlin ABC €31.00 (August 2023).
• 7-Day-Ticket AB (7-Tagekarte). A ticket valid for seven days. Price: Berlin AB €39, Berlin ABC €46 (August 2023).

• Berlin CityTourCard . Ticket valid for all public transport services in Berlin, Potsdam and the surrounding area (depending on the covered zones) and a discount card for many tourist attractions; available in several different versions: 48 hours AB €20.00; 72 hours AB €30; 5 days AB €43. Add €5 if you want to go to Potsdam (fare zone ABC). A folded leaflet with inner city map and an overview of the S-Bahn and U-Bahn railway networks of Berlin is included. Can be bought at ticket machines and various sales points (Berlin airports, larger train stations, hotels or online).
• Berlin WelcomeCard . Unlimited travel with all methods of public transport for the validity of the ticket; save up to 50% on more than 200 tourist and cultural highlights; handy guide in pocket book format with insider tips and tour suggestions; city plan for Berlin and Potsdam and a network plan for public transport. Can be bought at various sales points (Berlin airports, larger train stations, hotels or online).

Tickets valid for only B and C are available as well, which you might need for a single trip to the Airport from somewhat out of the way lodgings. There is only one way to get a ticket only valid in A: Deutsche Bahn offers "City Tickets" as an add-on for their long distance train tickets and in Berlin those are only valid for a single trip inside the A zone.

Reduced fares apply for children 6 to 14. Children under 6 ride free.

Purchasing tickets [ edit ]

Tickets can be purchased in several ways. Upon arrival at the different Berlin airports, some tickets can be purchased at the tourist desk. All tickets are available at vending machines at the airports, U- and S-Bahn platforms, and passengers may also use the vending machines operated by DB at long-distance and regional railway stations to purchase the same. English and other European languages are available. Payment is mostly by local bank cards, coins and banknotes. If you need assistance most larger stations have staffed ticket counters where you can ask questions and buy tickets. Buses will accept cash, and make change for tickets. Hotels may sell tickets as well. It is also possible to purchase tickets with an overseas debit or credit card (i.e. Visa and Mastercard) via the BVG mobile app and DB Navigator app (from the menu, tap Transport associations then VBB - Berlin & Brandenburg and select the appropriate ticket) but ensure that the device your ticket is loaded into has sufficient battery life to last the duration of the journey.

In some places people will try to sell used tickets to you. You can go only one direction with a single-journey ticket (check the validation stamp and be careful as this could also be a pickpocket trick). Don't pay more than half the price.

Validating tickets [ edit ]

You need to validate your ticket using the machines on the U- and S-bahn platforms or in the bus. The machines are yellow/white in the U-Bahn and the bus, and red on S-Bahn platforms. Validation simply means the machine prints a time stamp onto the ticket to indicate the beginning of the ticket's validity period. Alternatively, if travelling on the regional trains (see next section), a conductor may validate the ticket for you whilst on board by punching a time stamp. Once validated, a ticket which is still valid does not need to be re-validated before each single trip. When purchasing tickets through the DB Navigator app, passengers can opt to validate their ticket immediately after purchase so there is no need to do anything further to validate it.

Whilst it might be tempting to try to avoid buying a ticket given the absence of physical barriers, plain-clothed inspectors do patrol the trains. There is a €60 fine if you are caught without a validated ticket or if the device your ticket is loaded into runs out of battery shortly before or during inspection. Ticket inspections are arguably more common than in other cities and the inspectors more strict than in other cities. Don't even try to outrun one. They'll catch you and be all the more pissed at you. In some cases fare inspectors have not shirked from using physical force to restrain would be fare-evaders. Fare dodging cases rarely go to court unless for repeat offenders.

If you need to get around the city quickly, take the S-Bahn .

The Ringbahn that goes all around Berlin in a circle (or as local politicians would have it "a dog's head") lets you get to other parts of the city really fast.

Regional trains (RB, RE) run along the same central east–west connection, but stopping only at Lichtenberg or Karlshorst, Ostbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Hauptbahnhof, Zoologischer Garten, Charlottenburg and Spandau or Wannsee, as well as other lines connecting north–south from Jungfernheide or Gesundbrunnen through Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz and Südkreuz to Lichterfelde-Ost. Between the stations in the city centre, RB and RE trains run only two to three times an hour per direction so whilst you may be arriving at your destinations faster than with the S-bahn, you may have to wait longer to catch an RB/RE train. Long distance trains mostly run to Hauptbahnhof, often with one or two extra stops at other stations and local tickets are normally not valid for trips on these stretches.

By U-Bahn [ edit ]

The Berlin U-Bahn (commonly understood to be short for Untergrundbahn - "underground railway") is a network of ten lines across the city. They are numbered from 1 to 9 with the prefix "U" (   U1     U2     U3     U4     U5     U6     U7     U8     U9   ). You may find the U-Bahn network slightly less logical and convenient to use than in other European capitals, as Berlin's troubled history made its mark on it and many key locations remain unconnected, which is why using buses, trams and S-Bahn to complement the U-Bahn is probably necessary for efficient travel throughout Berlin. However, as those systems are fully integrated (see above), you can do so with only one ticket or type of ticket. Generally speaking in the east trams are more widespread while the west relies more heavily on U-Bahn, but that has been slowly changing since 1990.

Despite the name "underground", some 20% of the network is actually made up of overground stretches running over characteristic viaducts throughout the city, adding a certain flavour to Berlin's cityscape. This arrangement is similar to many older subway systems which include elevated or even at-grade sections like the Hamburg system or the M2 / M6 lines in Paris . Unlike light rail systems or the Berlin tram however, all parts of the network have their own right of way and subways don't have level crossings.

Detailed maps can be found in every U-Bahn station and on the trains. U-Bahn stations can be seen from far by their big, friendly blue U signs. Together with the S-Bahn (which is administered by Deutsche Bahn and mostly runs aboveground), the U-Bahn provides a transportation network throughout greater Berlin that is extremely efficient and fast. On weekends (Friday to Sunday), and during the Christmas and New Year holidays, all U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines (except line U4) run all night, so returning from late night outings is easy, especially given the average start time of most 'parties' in Berlin (23:00 to 01:00). During the week there is no U-Bahn or S-Bahn service from c. 01:00-04:30, but metro trams/buses and special Night Buses (parallel to the U-Bahn lines) run every half an hour 12:30-04:30. The night buses which replace U-Bahn lines are conveniently named N-1 thru N-9 after their respective U-Bahn line.

There are no turnstiles to limit access to U-Bahn station platforms; it is thus physically possible to ride (but illegal) without a ticket. If one is caught by a ticket checker you will be fined €60 (see "Validating tickets" above) so it is not worth the risk to ride without carrying a valid ticket. However, it is generally not a problem to pass through the U-bahn platforms to merely get to the other side of the street.

During the day, U-Bahn trains don't run to a schedule (or rather, their schedule is used internally by the BVG only but can be gleaned by searching departures via the app) as the headways are short enough to make the distinction whether a train is the 8:45 three minutes or the 8:50 two minutes early academic. Nearly all U- and S-Bahn stations now have electronic signs that display the expected arrival of the next train (and its direction), based on sensors along the lines.

Design-wise, U-Bahn stations are about as diverse as you'd expect for a system that started operations when the Kaiser reigned and has been expanded in phases of overflowing as well as empty municipal coffers. Quite a handful of stations built before World War II were designed by the Swedish architect Alfred Grenander (died 1931) whose designs are much lauded and who included some useful features like having each station dominated by a certain color which - where it is still visible to the untrained eye - helps in quickly recognizing a station. From the mid 1960s to mid 1990s most stations built in West Berlin were designed by Rainer G. Rümmler (1929-2004) who gave each station a much more individual look compared to Grenander who preferred to vary only small details like the color of the tiles. East Berlin relied more on trams and S-Bahn and the U5 which was mostly built above ground is the only line extended by east Berlin. The only underground U-Bahn station built by east Germany is "Tierpark" along U5. There are of course other stations, designed by other architects; for the most recent U5 extension, "Museumsinsel" station was built to impress with a rather grandiose design inspired by Prussian "star architect" Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who designed many buildings in the vicinity but was unavailable for the design of U-Bahn stations as he died more than half a century before the first U-Bahn station opened in Berlin.

By tram (streetcar) [ edit ]

The trams (Straßenbahn) are mostly found in East Berlin, as the West Berlin tram network was shut down in the 1960s in an effort to make the city more car friendly. If you don't already have a ticket, you can buy one inside the tram. Since reunification there has been a gradual "reconquista" of areas once served by trams in West-Berlin and in some parts of Mitte it is hard to tell from trams alone where the wall used to be. In outlying districts of West Berlin, however, trams are still nowhere to be found - in stark contrast to the East, where they provide much needed access to planned bedroom communities from East German times. Tram extension in the West is frequently talked about and generally enjoys the support of the left part of the political spectrum, but unfortunately various issues, including an underfunded and overworked civil service as well as nimbyism have made turning talk into action difficult.

There are two types of tram. Metrotrams usually have a 24/7 schedule as well as higher frequencies during daytimes, although stops are more spread out. Metrotrams are marked by an "M" in front of their line number (e.g., M10). "Regular" trams stop more frequently and even incorporate picturesque single-track rides through forested areas far east of the Mitte district.

Despite being called "tram" the network has almost all characteristics of light rail and new lines are almost always built with their own right of way, making travel times faster than by bus. Even compared to some other trams in other German cities, the newest generation of Berlin trams have impressive acceleration, so take care when boarding and try to get a seat or hold onto something, especially if you're not sure on your feet.

Berlin's buses are a very important form of public transportation, as they complement the light rail systems wherever they were removed (trams in the West) or remain incomplete. Due to the heavy loads and demands of narrow streets, Berlin is one of the few cities in Europe to use double-decker buses extensively - over 400 of the 1400 buses in operation in Berlin are double-deckers. A ride in a Berlin double-decker should be on the to-do list of every first-time visitor to Berlin. However, there are a couple of important things to be aware of. The double-decker buses have two staircases - by custom you go up the front staircase and down the rear one, not the other way around. Most drivers will not wait for you to descend the stairs while the bus is at the stop - unless there is a queue of people descending the stairs you should make sure you are at the exit door when the bus pulls up. Unlike other world cities, you should not flag down buses at stops in Berlin, even if there are multiple routes serving the stop. Some drivers may consider it an insult to their professionalism. A frequent problem with buses, particularly busy lines during rush hour and especially in the West (where they have to cope with levels of patronage more common for light rail lines) is bunching. As many buses come every five minutes during busy times, the first bus will get most of the passengers, meaning the bus behind catches up, which means the second bus gets even less passengers catching up even more, until finally two or three buses come a minute apart or even at the same time and then no bus comes for 15 minutes despite a nominal 5 minute headway. BVG are rather self-deprecating about the issue but aside from building new tram lines there is very little that can be done about it. Boarding fast and getting away from the door area is the best you can do to mitigate the issue.

There are various types of buses in Berlin, each indicated separately on public transit maps:

• Metro buses are meant to replace the dismantled tram lines mostly within the western part of the city (although many run into East Berlin as well to replace the severed tram connections). They are designated using the letter "M" and two digits, and are considered a separate means of transportation from the other buses, being marked orange on signage and maps just like the trams are (the orange "M" logo means "MetroBus" or MetroTram ). The MetroBuses tend to run along the main transportation corridors and are generally operated using the double-decker buses, which makes using them very attractive for tourists. MetroBuses generally run every 10 minutes from every stop they serve. Among the lines especially attractive for tourists are M19 and M29 , which run along the Kurfürstendamm and the M41 , which connects the districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln to the main station via Potsdamer Platz.
• Express bus lines connect important locations, such as airports and train stations, in a very fast fashion by skipping many stops along the way. They run every 5 minutes in the city centre using double-decker buses or articulated buses. The express lines are designated with the letter "X" and one or two digits. An express bus of particular interest to tourists is X7 from the Airport (serving both terminal 5 and terminal 1/2) to the endpoint of U-Bahn U7 at Rudow.
• Two exceptions are special sightseeing lines 100 and 200 , which run from along some of the most important tourist attractions in the city centre and are operated using double-decker buses exclusively. The 100 runs from Zoologischer Garten to Alexanderplatz through the Tiergarten park, Regierungsviertel and Unter den Linden street. The 200 diverts from that route to visit the Kulturforum, Potsdamer Platz and extend further east from Alexanderplatz to Prenzlauer Berg. Either ride is a must for any visitor to Berlin. The Berlin Start-Up "City Pirates" [dead link] offers a free audio guide for the bus 100 that automatically plays audio information about the sights along the route via GPS localization (German and English, Android und iOS ). In the summer bus 218 takes you along the scenic ride through the Grunewald forest in West Berlin, starting at the subway station Theodor-Heuss-Platz (U2) and ending near the famous Pfaueninsel in South West Berlin, where you can take a small ferry to said island and visit the park and the small castle there.
• The single-digit lines replace the metro lines in the night when the latter do not operate, stopping at the stops right atop/beside the U-Bahn stations. The numbering follows the numbering of U-Bahn lines, but uses "N" instead of "U", so that N7 is a bus line replacing the U7 U-Bahn line.
• Other double-digit night lines ( N10 through N97 ) cover other routes, but without straightforward reference to daytime route numbers

There is no difference in fares between different types of buses - even the MetroBuses, the 100 and 200 demand the same fares as regular buses. Therefore, riding the city buses is a very cost-effective way of exploring the city compared to the many privately operated "hop-on/hop-off sightseeing bus tours". There are two exceptions to this rule, but they don't actually serve any point inside Berlin's city boundaries, namely "BER1" and "BER2", airport express buses to Berlin Brandenburg Airport which charge a surcharge on top of the regular BVG fare. Check the airport article for more information on them.

Berlin has no steep hills and offers many bicycle paths ( Radwege ) throughout the city (although not all are very smooth). These include 860 km of completely separate bike paths, 60 km of bike lanes on streets, 50 km of bike lanes on pavements or sidewalks, 100 km of mixed-use pedestrian-bike paths, and 70 km of combined bus-bike lanes on streets. Bicycles are a very popular method of transportation among Berlin residents, and there is almost always a certain level of bicycle traffic. The political debate in the 2010s has swung decisively in favour of cycling, with a city-wide plebiscite causing the reigning centre/left red-red-green coalition to sign into law an extensive programme in favour of more and better cycle infrastructure, which the initiators of the plebiscite have stated to monitor closely to ensure implementation. In the course of the Covid 19 Pandemic a lot of "pop-up bike lanes" have been set up throughout the city, but especially in Bezirke dominated by greens and leftists. Media coverage and public statements by politicians indicate that most "pop-up bike lanes" will stay even after the pandemic ends.

Seeing Berlin by bicycle is unquestionably a great way to get acquainted with the big tourist sites, and the little sprees and side streets as well. Probably the most famous bicycle path is the Mauerradweg , a bike path along the former Berlin wall. Although it's good to carry your own map, you can also always check your location at any U-Bahn station and many bus stations. You can create your own bicycling maps on-line , optimised by less busy routes or fewer traffic lights or your favourite paving.

Tours and rentals [ edit ]

Traditional rental places are widespread, especially in areas frequented by tourists. Have a look around or ask at your accommodation. Most places have a rental charge of between €8 and €12 per day – they are excellent value and give you the freedom to explore the big city.

If you are not familiar with searching your own way through the city or you want more explanation of the sights you visit, you can get guided bike tours (with bike included) on Baja Bikes or Berlin Bike .

Berlin also has a bike sharing programme, LIDL-BIKE [dead link] (formerly Call a Bike) making bikes available all over the town to pick up and leave anywhere you like. The bikes are grey/green and can be found across the central districts of Berlin. Follow the instructions on the bike touchscreen or use the mobile app. Rentals cost, basic annual fee of €3, then €1 for each 30 minute up to a maximum of €15 a day. You may however prefer to pay the monthly fee of €9 or a yearly fee of €49 and get the first 30 minutes of each rental for free, even right after returning your previous bike.

Bicycles on public transport [ edit ]

You can take your bicycle on any S- and U-Bahn, trains and trams using the designated areas. Ferries usually have space for bike but can get crowded during peak times and good weather. Buses do not take bikes with the exception of night buses N1-N9 on the nights between Sunday and Monday, and Thursday and Friday (that's when there is no night service of the U-Bahn). These buses have space for one bike. Bike space on any mode of public transport is limited and you might be refused entry. Wheelchairs and buggies have priority over bikes.

You need to purchase a ticket for your bike as well. The prices are as follows:

• Single trip . Berlin AB €1.90, Berlin ABC €2.50.
• Day ticket . Berlin AB €4.80, Berlin ABC €5.40.
• Short trip (Kurzstrecke). Price: €1.20.

By e-hailing [ edit ]

Uber, Bolt and Free Now cover the city.

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxi services are easy to use and a bit less expensive than in many other big Central European cities. You can hail a cab (the yellow light on the top shows the cab is available), or find a taxi rank ( Taxistand ). Taxi drivers are in general able to speak English. Like in other big cities, many taxi drivers are immigrants or children of immigrants so some might speak the legacy language in addition to German and English. If you ask for a short trip ( Kurzstrecke ), as long as it's under 2 km and before the taxi driver starts the meter running, the trip normally is cheaper, €4. This only applies if you flag the taxi down on the street, not if you get in at a taxi rank. Here there is a taxi price calculator for Berlin .

One word to think before driving around Berlin: don't . It is usually a bad idea to rent a car to get around Berlin. Driving around Berlin can be expensive and time consuming compared to a combination of walking and public transport, but compared to other European cities with dense old towns and narrow streets, many drivers don't find the streets of Berlin to be too stressful. If you're committed to driving within the city, remember that only low-emission vehicles displaying the green certification sticker are permitted inside the low emission zone ( Umweltzone ) , which roughly matches the area inside the Ringbahn . Rental cars from agencies in Germany should already have the sticker.

On-street parking varies by neighbourhood. Most areas within the Ringbahn charge for street parking during daytime or business hours, Monday though Saturday. Some areas charge all week long; pay attention to signage or check the online map (available in German only) . Hourly rates range from €2-4 (2023), and you can pay at an electronic meter ( Parkscheinautomat ) or on an app. Outside the managed areas, you can park for free (where space is available). Most areas of the city are within a reasonable walk or short transit ride of some free parking.

Parking garages ( Parkhaus or underground Tiefgarage ) are common in busy areas. Hourly rates are comparable to surrounding street rates, but 24-hour rates can be significantly cheaper. Deutsche Bahn provides a map with details of parking facilities near train stations and throughout the city. Note that not all hotels provide parking, but they should be able to direct guests to a Parkplatz nearby. Entrances to parking structures can be tough to find; look for the standard sign (a white "P" on a blue square). Alternatively it's possible to park your car at one of the free Park and Ride (P+R) parking lots next to S-Bahn stations outside the Ringbahn .

By ferry [ edit ]

Despite not being a maritime city like Hamburg or Venice , Berlin does have usable waterways and the BVG run a couple of ferries, which can be accessed with regular BVG tickets. Most of the ferries are of local interest only, but the Ferry line F10 covers 4.4 km (2.7 mi) across the Wannsee and connects to the S-Bahn at one end. More of a tourist attraction than actual practical transportation is Ferry F24, which is the only ferry operated by a rowing boat in Berlin and the only rowing boat ferry that is part of any public transit ticketing system in Germany. In an effort to become a "greener" city some of the ferries run on electricity provided by solar panels on their roofs or land based charging stations.

In addition to those public transit ferries there are tour boats doing sight seeing trips mostly along the river Spree and mostly as circular tours. They are much more expensive than BVG tickets.

By gondola lift [ edit ]

In the course of the 2017 international gardening exhibition in Berlin/East , Berlin received its first gondola lift [dead link] , which stayed in operation after the exhibition closed. It links to Kienberg (Gärten der Welt) U-Bahn station along   U5   at one end and has all of three stations along a line length of 1,580 m (5,180 ft) which is comparable to U55. It is not part of BVG ticketing and at €6.50 per return trip, tickets are comparatively expensive.

See [ edit ]

Berlin has numerous attractions dating from its turbulent history and in part owing to the fact that it was a "double capital" for 40 years. While the upkeep of some is an ongoing headache for the treasurer, they are a delight to visitors and many locals alike.

Museums [ edit ]

Most museums charge admission for people 18 years of age or older - usually €6 to €14. Discounts (usually 50%) are available for students and disabled people with identification. Children and young people can often come in free, but do check the age restrictions in particular museums. A nice offer for museum addicts is the three-day Museums Pass for €29 (concessions: €14.50) (January 2023), which grants entrance to all the regular exhibitions of the approximately 30 state-run museums and public foundations.

Most museums are closed on Mondays - notable exceptions include the Pergamon Museum , the Neues Museum and the Deutsches Historisches Museum , which are open daily. Museumsportal Berlin , a collective web initiative, offers easy access to information on all museums, memorials, castles and collections and on current and upcoming exhibitions. Some museums offer free or steeply discounted entry once a week, once a month or during certain hours of the day. This website has daily updates on free offers in Berlin.

Every first Sunday of the month, many museums in Berlin are free of charge. Sometimes a reservation is necessary in advance. For more information, see Museums Sonntag Booking .

Remains of the Berlin Wall [ edit ]

While the Berlin Wall has long been dismantled and much of the grounds it occupied completely redeveloped, you can still find parts of the wall preserved around Berlin. This does not refer to very small pieces of the Wall sold by the East German government immediately after its dismantling, which can be found in various cafes, restaurants and hotels not only in Berlin, but to actual preserved fragments of the Wall still standing in their original locations. For large parts of the distance the wall ran in central Berlin, pavement markers show its former location.

A 160 km (99 mi) biking and walking trail along the former Berlin Wall, the Berliner Mauerweg (Berlin Wall Trail), is well sign-posted and provides alternating sections of historic importance and natural beauty.

Private art galleries [ edit ]

As Berlin is a city of art, it is quite easy to find an art gallery on your way. They provide a nice opportunity to have a look at modern artists' work in a not-so-crowded environment for free. Some gallery streets with more than about a dozen galleries are Auguststraße, Linienstraße, Torstraße, Brunnenstraße (all Mitte , north of S-Bahn station Oranienburger Straße), Zimmerstraße ( Kreuzberg , U-Bahn station Kochstraße) and Fasanenstraße ( Charlottenburg ). You can find a list of all the exhibitions and gallery openings Berlin.de exhibitions .

Tall buildings with observation decks [ edit ]

Berlin has its fair share of tall buildings and, as the city is quite expansive and does not have one single centre where all tall buildings are located, you can enjoy a nice view from most of them, even ones that are not tall by global standards.

One of the three most important historic buildings with viewing points is the Reichstagsgebäude , the building that is home to the German Parliament in Spreebogen / Regierungsviertel ), with a spectacular glass dome, that offers a great view of Berlin. The entry to the dome is free, but you need to book your place in advance . When booking a place online, please note that you will receive up to three emails in the process: the first contains a link to creating a list of members for your group (you must click on this link to continue the process); the second contains a notice that your request has been received but not yet confirmed; the third email is the confirmation itself which you should bring (either as a printout or on your phone) on the day of your visit along with government-issued photo ID (i.e. passports for foreigners).

The viewing point that is located in a different district is the Funkturm ( Radio Tower ) in Westend . It is a 150 m tall lattice tower with open-air observation deck 124 m above ground.

The only free viewing point is the one on the Reichstagsgebäude, the others range between €3-13.

Zoo [ edit ]

Pipes [ edit ].

The conspicuous pink and blue pipes that you see around Berlin are to carry groundwater from construction sites into the Spree river (or canals), and are used because the water table in Berlin is close to the surface (it is built on sandy, marshy ground). The pink ones are by Pollems , while blue ones are by Brechtel or BL Wasserbau .

Do [ edit ]

Pick up a copy of Exberliner , the English-language paper targeting expats and guests of Berlin to find out what's on, when and where. It provides good quality journalism and up-to-date listings. If you understand German, the activity planners for the city, zitty and tip , are available at every kiosk. LGBT+/Queer themed magazine and guide Siegessäule is also one of the most prominent of its kind internationally. Be prepared to choose among a huge number of options.

Explore [ edit ]

Go on a tour of Berlin. The Mitte and surrounding districts are sufficiently compact to allow a number of excellent walking tours through its history-filled streets. You'll see amazing things you would otherwise miss. Details are usually available from the reception desks of hostels and hotels.

• 52.5066 13.3328 1 Berlin Tour by public bus line 100 and 200 . The 100 and 200 bus lines are just ordinary bus lines, but they pass by many of Berlin's famous landmarks. Both run every 5–10 minutes between S+U-station Zoologischer Garten and S+U-station Alexanderplatz. All BVG tickets are accepted. €3.00 single or €8.80 day ticket . ( updated Jan 2023 )
• Original Berlin Walks . English speaking public tour operator since 1993. They offer daily half-day walking tours of the center as well as tours focusing on WW2, the Berlin Wall, Potsdam and others. €20 per adult.
• Bunker tour (self guided) . Berlin has still many bunkers from WWII spread all over the city—some are falling apart, some are used as venue and others can be visited on a private/paid tour (e.g. near Gesundbrunnen). Many are still in very good state, often covered with lots of Graffiti. They often blend into the city's architecture and are barely noticeable between regular buildings, but only when looking twice. If you want to explore some of these buildings, head over to OpenStreetMap (export), or use an app like OsmAnd and search for bunker . ( updated Sep 2020 )
• Stern und Kreisschiffahrt . By far the biggest boat company in Berlin. They offer tours on most lakes.  
• Berlin Bootsverleih . Offers the largest variety of rental boats that you can drive yourself. Houseboats and large party boats can also be rented here.
• Segway Tour Berlin . 3 hours . Offers different Segway Sightseeing Tours in Berlin. Start near Brandenburger Tor, for small groups up to 10 people. €75 .  
• Ticket B . Showing the city of Berlin on hand-picked architectural routes. Led by architects in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. Tours from the water, on land or in a helicopter are offered. They arrange your special tour on contemporary architecture in Berlin with many exclusive visits to the interiors of buildings.  
• Private Tours of Berlin . Offers private, customized tours through Berlin, led by local historians.
• Yachtcharter Werder . Offers the possibility of a long-term stay on the waterways of Berlin and the surrounding federal state Brandenburg.  

Outdoor recreation [ edit ]

Berlin has many great parks which are very popular in the summer. Green Berlin operates some of them.

Berlin's largest park is Großer Tiergarten (in Berlin/Mitte ). In the summer and on weekends you will see loads of families with their barbecues.

There are a few notable parks in Berlin/East Central . Superb panoramic views across south Berlin can be had in Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg. You'll also find a national monument by Schinkel on top of it. Mauerpark is famous for the Bearpit Karaoke taking place every second Sunday in summer, and for the large flea market. It's also a popular barbecuing spot. Görlitzer Park has barbecue area, a football ground and a minigolf company.

Adjacent to Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin/City West is Schlossgarten Charlottenburg . The green areas of the park are free, so you can go there to have a walk even if you are not interested in the palace.

A bit further afield with subway access in Berlin/East are the Gärten der Welt (World's Garden). Inside you can find a large, well-established Chinese garden, a Korean garden, a small Bali's Garden/Glasshouse, an Oriental Garden with nice fountains and a cloister and a Japanese garden which is a project by the city partnership of Berlin and Tokyo. Best time for a visit is in spring or summer. A bit further afield in the opposite direction, in Berlin/Steglitz-Zehlendorf , is the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem (Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem).

The large Treptower Park in Berlin/Treptow-Köpenick next to the Spree is nice and clean. It's famous for the Insel der Jugend (Isle of Youth) and its numerous boat rentals and boat trips.

Berlin also has quite a few lakes and beaches suitable for swimming. They quite often have one paid area with facilities, and frequent unmanaged places with free access. Some have designated areas for nude bathing (FKK). Wannsee in Berlin/Steglitz-Zehlendorf is called Berlin's "bath tub". The Strandbad Wannsee is the most famous bathing area for locals. Take the S-Bahn lines S1 or S7 to the station Nikolassee and follow the crowd! In the southeast of Berlin in Berlin/Treptow-Köpenick , you'll find the Müggelsee which is a popular swimming spot.

Festivals and annual events [ edit ]

• Ultraschall Berlin - Festival für neue Musik . In January . An annual festival begun in 1999 that is dedicated to new music featuring both world premieres and music by recent composers. Concerts take place in different venues across the city and are performed by small ensembles up to big orchestras. ( updated Jan 2018 )
• MaerzMusik . In March . A festival with contemporary music and performances on issues of our time, organised by Berliner Festspiele. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• 52.501693 13.445761 2 Open Air Gallery Oberbaumbrücke , Oberbaumbrücke between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain ( in Berlin/East Central , just under the bridge Oberbaum ). June: 10:00-22:00 . Artists are selling their works, amateur tango dancers are giving public performances and you can contribute to a collaborative painting on a very long canvas spread on the street along the festival. Free .  
• Fête de la Musique ( Worldwide Music Day ). June 21 every year . All kinds of music around the city on this day coordinating with a similar day in most French cities.  
• Lange Nacht der Museen ( Long Night of Museums ), ☏ +49 30 24749888 . End of August . A large cultural event with many museums (around 80) open until 02:00 and extra events around the city. Adults €18, concessions €12, under 12 free. Ticket includes unlimited use of the shuttle bus service and public transportation (BVG and S-Bahn). If you buy in advance the tickets are cheaper . ( updated Aug 2018 )
• Doors Open Day of the Federal Government ( Tag der offenen Tür der Bundesregierung ). Last weekend in August . For one weekend, the federal government organises doors open days where most of the Federal Ministries and other governmental institutions can be accessed. Parts of the German Chancellery are also accessible, where the current chancellor will usually show up. Free transport between the locations is provided. There are security checks and they advise to avoid bringing larger objects (such as suitcases). Bring an official ID with you. Free . ( updated Aug 2018 )
• Musikfest Berlin . End of August . A large classical music festival marking the beginning of the season. For about 2 weeks there are concerts in many of Berlin's music venues. Renowned international and German orchestras perform. Organised by Berliner Festspiele . ( updated Aug 2018 )

Parades [ edit ]

• Karneval . In late February or early March . As a lot of people in Berlin originally came from the southern or western area of Germany where Fasching , Fastnacht or Karneval is celebrated, a carnival parade was also established in Berlin. It grew bigger and bigger (about 500,000 to 1 million people watching), but the costumes and cars are rather boring and the people are not as dressed up as in the "original" big carnival parades ( Cologne , Mainz , Düsseldorf ). Since 2007 the traditional route across Kurfürstendamm was chosen. People from Berlin themselves don't care a bit about Karneval; this is mostly an event for people coming from the regions of Germany that have a Karneval. In fact, most Berliners will be laughing at you if you mention that you went to Karneval — it isn't a Berlin tradition, but a post-1990 institution.  
• Christopher Street Day . Late July . Berlin's gay pride. A well-known annual political demonstration for the rights of the gay culture organised in all major German cities. Even if you are indifferent about the issue, the Christopher Street Day is usually a worthwhile sight as many participants show up in wild costumes.  

Cultural venues [ edit ]

Berlin is arguably the live cultural centre of Germany. As it had the cultural infrastructure of two major capitals during partition, there are theatres, operas and universities galore. These are a drag on the empty municipal coffers and lead to complaints by people from other parts of Germany about subsidies, but they help keep one of the most vibrant cultural scenes in Europe alive.

A comprehensive platform that lists cultural events is offered by Berlin Bühnen on behalf of about 80 venues. Berlin's notable cultural institutions for performed arts, both classical and modern, can mostly be found in Mitte and City West . Even if you aren't going to see a play or concert, many of the venues are architecturally impressive and as such attractions in themselves.

On the theatre side, the "grand old" title might go to Deutsches Theater , a classical theatre with an impressive line up of actors and directors. Overall, however, famous theatres in Berlin tend to have a more modern character. The reputation of Berlin theaters that they go further in challenging the norms of the art form and are bolder in experimentation than those in smaller cities dates back at least to the 1920s when names like Bert Brecht created an entirely new theater-going experience. While this approach was cut tragically short by the Nazis, it is now vibrant again as it was a century ago. Theaters with a modern approach include the Berliner Ensemble , the Maxim Gorki Theater , the sometimes controversial Volksbühne am Rosa Luxemburg Platz [dead link] , the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz as well as the Theater am Kurfürstendamm with TV celebrities in modern plays. The city also has an English theatre in East Central Berlin , if you prefer performances in English. Some theatre venues are known for their musicals: the historical Theater des Westens , the Theater am Potsdamer Platz , and the Friedrichstadt-Palast , which focuses on revue type shows and offers Berlin's biggest show with over 100 artists on the biggest theatre stage in the world.

Fans of opera have several places to choose from. The main classical opera houses are Deutsche Oper , and Staatsoper Unter den Linden whose impressive building and royal history make the building alone worth a visit. For more modern operas, head to Komische Oper Berlin , Schiller Theater or Neuköllner Oper , voted several times best off-opera house and known for its modern and contemporary pieces. Mostly in German as usually relating to developments in Germany, and very creative and innovative.

Berliner Philharmoniker is a large concert hall designed by Hans Scharoun and home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra . Famous building and outstanding musicians. Reservations are recommended, but cheaper tickets are usually available 2–4 hr before the concert if not sold out. Every Tuesday (September to June) 13:00-14:00 free lunch concert; come early. In the winter, late-night concerts (22:30 or 23:00) are a bargain and often have more avant-garde or unconventional formats. The adjacent Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall) was added later and hosts smaller concerts. Other places to enjoy classical music include Konzerthaus Berlin and Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler (HfM) . The HfM ( Berlin Academy of Music ) offers many concerts by their students and other professional musicians, most of them are free.

Cinema [ edit ]

There are about a hundred cinemas in Berlin, although most of them only show movies dubbed in German, without subtitles. Listed below are some of the more important cinemas also showing movies in the original language (look for the OmU - "original with subtitles" - notation). Most movies which are dubbed into German are released a bit later in Germany. Tickets are normally €5-7. Monday to Wednesday are special cinema days with reduced admission.

There are three notable cinemas in Kreuzberg in Berlin/East Central within close proximity. Babylon Kreuzberg , a small cinema built in the 1950s, which shows non-mainstream movies. Kino Moviemento which is the oldest cinema in Germany (1907). In Berlin/Mitte near Hackesche Höfe there is Kino Central , a repertory cinema located in an ex-squat, and Filmtheater Hackesche Höfe showing a very broad range of movies. Kant Kino in Berlin/City West is one of the few old cinemas (founded 1912) left in Berlin's western city. It shows mostly non-mainstream European movies.

Sport [ edit ]

In Berlin, nearly all sports are on offer; some speculate that the lukewarm support Hertha enjoys even in times of success is due to the huge offer of other sports (similar to how Los Angeles failed to maintain an NFL team due to the diverse cultural offerings):

• Football: Berlin has two professional soccer teams.
• Berlin Handball has had a hard time competing with the north German powerhouses but these days the Füchse Berlin from Reinickendorf who play their home games in Max Schmeling Halle are a force to be reckoned with.
• 52.50577 13.443156 3 Basketball . Alba Berlin, known as The Albatross are consistently among the best basketball teams in Germany, and one of the best in Europe. Their erstwhile dominance of the German league has been challenged by the upstart Bayern Munich basketball division flush with cash from the soccer division of the same club. Expect a fierce atmosphere and a packed hall for games against Munich or their traditional rival Bamberg. With fans crazier than most in the NBA, Albatross games at the o2 World arena are an exciting way to take in one of the world's greatest sports.  
• Public swimming pools . Can be found around the city. Check out BBB for pool listings and opening times.  
• Sailing , on one of the many lakes is also popular. You can find sailing clubs and most universities have ships as well.
• Golf . You can find golf clubs all around Berlin, although for non-members Motzen has one of the best.
• 52.50577 13.443156 4 Ice hockey . The Berlin Eisbären (Polar Bears) play this fast, exciting and very physical sport during the winter. The excitement is heightened by the singing and chanting of the crowds, who are fueled by the copious quantities of wurst and beer available.  
• Floorball , is booming faster than ever before in the German capital. A sum of teams defines the cascade of the local floorball scene, whereas the decorated Bundesliga site of BAT Berlin probably embodies the most prominent one.
• American Football . The Berlin Adler (Eagles) have historically been Berlin's No. 1 team but are now playing in the German Football League 2 after being relegated in 2017. They are one of the oldest and most storied teams in Germany being a founding member of the first American Football season in 1979. Having fallen to the second division means they don't get to play either their crosstown rivals or their fiercest other rival, the Dresden Monarchs. The Berlin Rebels have since taken the mantle of "best GFL team in Berlin" and usually land in the middle of the pack of the GFL1 north but haven't penetrated deep into the playoffs thus far. Finally there is Berlin Thunder, a new addition created in 2021 for the new "European League of Football" who are named after the old NFL Europe team of bygone days. Whether they can sustain fan enthusiasm with their lackluster on-field performance remains to be seen. American Football in Germany is a very relaxed and family friendly affair and you can definitely show up in any NFL, German or no Football gear at all and have a chat with fans of either side.
• 52.513991 13.231921 5 Australian Football . The Berlin Crocodiles host regular matches in the summer.  

Learn [ edit ]

The German capital naturally has some good options for learning the language:

• 52.52477 13.40622 1 Goethe-Institut Berlin , Neue Schönhauser Str. 20 , ☏ +49 30 259063 , [email protected] . Learn the German language with a variety of courses of different durations. Certificates from this institute are globally recognised as the standard for German language ability. Should you wish to settle or work long term in Germany, a certificate of German language proficiency by the Goethe Institute may be required and it'll certainly make things easier.  

Work [ edit ]

The current economic climate is stable but to find work in Berlin is not easy. A sound level of German improves your chance as only a few multinational companies are present in Berlin. Any kind of skills (especially language) that separates you from the masses will definitely improve your chances for a job. Berlin has a lower GDP per capita than the German average, but slowly but surely new startups founded in Berlin are becoming bigger and bigger players and some companies have decided to open representative headquarters in Berlin following reunification - most notably Siemens, a company founded and intimately linked with Berlin that had most of its production and even de facto headquarters in Erlangen and Munich during partition but is to reoccupy "Siemensstadt" (a part of Berlin/Spandau ) with a railway line built in the 1920s to serve Siemens to be reactivated.

If you have an academic background then teaching English (Spanish, French and Latin are good, too) or private tutoring (e.g. math) for pupils is always a possibility as Berlin is a young city and education is in strong demand. Otherwise working in a bar might be an option but it'll be tough, because wages are low and big tips are uncommon. Chances are much better when big trade fairs (e.g. "Grüne Woche", bread & butter or ITB) or conventions take place so apply at temp and trade fair agencies. The hospitality industry and call centres are constantly hiring but wages are very low unless you can offer special skills (such as exotic languages) or background.

Berlin has a growing media, modelling and TV/movie industry. For daily soaps, telenovelas and movies most companies look for people with something specific. Apply at the bigger casting and acting agencies.

For English-language jobs, if might be worth checking out the classified ads of this monthly magazine for English-speakers, Exberliner .

Buy [ edit ]

Shopping areas [ edit ]

The main shopping areas are:

• Ku'Damm and its extension Tauentzienstraße in Berlin/City West remain the main shopping streets even now that the Wall has come down. KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) at Wittenbergplatz is a must visit just for the vast food department on the 6th floor. It's reputedly the biggest department store in Continental Europe and still has an old world charm, with very helpful and friendly staff.
• Schloßstraße in Steglitz ( Berlin/Steglitz-Zehlendorf ) with the shopping centre Schloss-Straßen-Center, Forum Steglitz, Karstadt, Boulevard Berlin, Naturkaufhaus and Das Schloss, between the subway stations U9 Walther-Schreiber-Platz and U9+S1 Rathaus Steglitz.
• Friedrichstraße in Berlin/Mitte is the upmarket shopping street in former East Berlin with Galeries Lafayette and the other Quartiers (204 to 207) as main areas to be impressed with wealthy shoppers.
• Alexanderplatz in Berlin/Mitte . The renovated Galeria Kaufhof department store is worth a visit. For alternative souvenirs go to ausberlin .

The main shopping area for the alternative, but still wealthy crowd is north of Hackescher Markt in Berlin/Mitte , especially around the Hackesche Höfe.

For some more affordable but still very fashionable shopping there is Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in Berlin/East Central with a lot of young designers opening shops, but also lots of record stores and design shops. Constant change makes it hard to recommend a place, but the area around station Eberswalder Straße in Prenzlauer Berg, around Bergmannstraße and Oranienstraße in Kreuzberg and around Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain are always great when it comes to shopping.

For souvenirs, have a look just in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche ( Berlin/City West ); these shops sell almost the same items as others, but are cheaper. However, not all members of staff speak English. You can also get cheap postcards there (from €0.30 while the average price for normal postcard is €0.50-0.80).

Markets [ edit ]

There are four market halls selling fresh produce and ready-to-eat food. Marheinecke Markthalle and Markthalle Neun are both in Kreuzberg ( Berlin/East Central ), Arminiusmarkthalle is in Moabit ( Berlin/City West ), and Markthalle Tegel is in Tegel ( Berlin/Reinickendorf and Spandau ).

You can find dozens of flea markets with different themes in Berlin (mostly on weekends), but worth checking out is the big one at Straße des 17. Juni ( between Ernst-Reuter-Haus and S-Bahn: Tiergarten ). Two other flea markets are at Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg ( Berlin/East Central ) and at Arkonaplatz ( Berlin/Mitte ), which is close to Mauerpark. Both are on Sundays, so you can combine visiting them.

Opening hours [ edit ]

Shopping hours are theoretically unlimited on weekdays. Nevertheless, many of the smaller shops still close at 20:00. Most of the bigger stores and nearly all of the malls are open until 21:00 or 22:00 from Thursday to Saturday.

Sunday opening is still limited to about a dozen weekends per year, although some supermarkets in train stations (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten (under the S-Bahn bridge), Friedrichstraße, Innsbrucker Platz (U4 in the underground) and Ostbahnhof) are open on Sundays.

Many bakeries and small food stores (called Spätkauf or colloquially "Späti") are open late at night and on Sundays in more gentrified neighbourhoods (especially Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain). Stores inside the Hauptbahnhof (central station) have long working hours (usually until about 22:00-23:00), also on Sundays.

Credit cards [ edit ]

Although credit card and VISA/Mastercard-branded debit card acceptance is becoming more common, many stores still take only cash. Most places in tourist zones will accept credit cards, but it is still a good idea to ask in advance if you intend to pay with one. Many restaurants require a minimum check amount, sometimes in excess of €30.

For Americans, Germany uses the chip-and-pin system so you may have trouble at places like unattended gas stations and automated ticket machines. Often, a cashier will be able to swipe the magnetic strip, but don't be surprised if someone refuses your credit card because it doesn't have a chip. If possible, contact your card issuer before leaving home to see if they can replace your existing card with one that has a chip.

Eat [ edit ]

Lovers of street food rejoice! Berlin has an incredibly wide variety of different styles and tastes at very affordable prices (for European wallets, that is). You can find superb food in small stalls tucked away under the tracks of elevated U-Bahn stretches for well under five euros.

A staple in Berlin is currywurst for around €3 (April 2022). It's a bratwurst covered in ketchup and curry powder. You can find them all over Berlin by street vendors. It's a must try when in Berlin. Two renowned currywurst stands are "Konnopke's Imbiss" below Eberswalder Straße U-Bahn station on line 2 and "Curry 36" opposite the Mehringdamm U-Bahn station in Kreuzberg (only two stops south of Checkpoint Charlie). Both of these offer far friendlier service than many of Berlin's more upmarket eateries.

Another famous thing to eat in Berlin is döner for around €6 (April 2023), a flat bread filled with lamb or chicken meat and vegetables, available at many Turkish stands.

Berlin may seem like carnivore heaven, but vegetarians and vegans can eat quite well. Berliners are generally environmentally conscious, and that extends to their food; most of the inner neighbourhoods have a handful of good healthy vegetarian or vegan restaurants using local ingredients, though they tend to be more expensive than the ubiquitous kebab and sausage stands. If you're a vegetarian on a limited budget, many kebab restaurants have a good selection of roasted vegetables and salads, and you can usually get falafels (fried chickpea balls, suitable for vegans) and halloumi (a type of dense cheese) in place of meat.

Eating out in Berlin is incredibly inexpensive compared to any other Western European capital or other German cities. The city is multicultural and many cultures' cuisines are represented here somewhere, although they are often modified to suit German tastes.

All prices must include VAT by law. Only upmarket restaurants may ask for a further service surcharge . It is best to ask if credit cards are accepted before you sit down—it's not that common to accept credit cards and cash is preferred. Most likely to be accepted are Visa and MasterCard; all other cards will only be accepted in some upmarket restaurants. European debit cards are not always accepted because due to debit card fraud, some processing companies stopped intra-European cards from specific countries. This does not apply to debit cards that are from German banks. Better have cash or ask the restaurant staff.

One of the main tourist areas for eating out is Hackescher Markt/Oranienburger Straße . This area has dramatically changed during the years: once full of squats and not-entirely-legal bars and restaurants, it had some real character. It is rapidly being developed and corporatised, and even the most famous squat - the former Jewish-owned proto-shopping mall "Tacheles" - has had a bit of a facelift. There are still some gems in the side streets, though, The "Assel" (Woodlouse) on Oranienburger Straße, furnished with DDR-era furniture, is still relatively authentic and worth a visit, especially on a warm summer night. Oranienburger Straße is also an area where prostitutes line up at night, but don't be put off by this. The area is actually very safe since several administrative and religious buildings are located here.

For cheap and good food (especially from Turkey and the Middle East) you should try Kreuzberg and Neukölln with their abundance of Indian, pizza and Döner Kebap restaurants. Prices start from €2 for a kebab or Turkish pizza (different from the original Italian recipe and ingredients). If you are looking for a quick meal you could try getting off at Görlitzer Bahnhof or Schlesisches Tor on the U1 line - the area is filled with inexpensive, quality restaurants.

Kastanienallee is a good choice too - but again not what it used to be since the developers moved in (much less exploited than Hackescher Markt, though). It's a popular area with artists and students and has a certain Bohemian charm. Try Imbiss W, at the corner of Zionskirchstraße and Kastanienallee, where they serve superb Indian fusion food, mostly vegetarian, at the hands of artist-chef Gordon W. Further. Up the street is the Prater Garten, Berlin's oldest beer garden and an excellent place in the summer.

All restaurant information is in the corresponding borough articles of

• Kreuzberg & Friedrichshain – Young and independent student area with a big Turkish community in Kreuzberg, slowly but surely gentrifying.
• City West – Heart of West Berlin with good quality restaurants.
• Mitte – Political and new centre of East Berlin with upmarket restaurants.
• Schöneberg – City slickers and street cafe atmosphere.
• Prenzlauer Berg – Buzzing Prenzlberg and its lively student scene.

Waiters and tipping [ edit ]

Except at very high-end restaurants, nobody will seat you . If you see an open table, just sit down. You may need to go get a menu yourself from another table or a pile near the cash register. If you sit outside, expect slightly slower service.

As in most European countries, you need to tell the waiter when you want to pay and leave. The waiter will come to you usually with a money purse, and the custom in Germany is to tell the waiter how much you're paying (including the tip) when you receive the bill — don't leave the money on the table. If there is confusion with the tip, remember to ask for your change, Wechselgeld (money back).

Add a 5-10% tip (or round up to the next Euro) to the bill if you are satisfied with the service. If you received shoddy service or are otherwise unsatisfied it is perfectly acceptable to not tip at all - waiters and waitresses have the same hourly minimum wage any other job has, so they don't depend on tips as the biggest part of their salary like in the US.

Breakfast [ edit ]

It is very common to go out for breakfast or brunch (long breakfast and lunch, all you can eat buffet, usually from 10:00-16:00, for €4-12 - sometimes including coffee, tea or juice). See the district pages of Berlin/City West#Breakfast and Berlin/East Central#Eat .

Drink [ edit ]

A word of warning: Berlin's famous laissez-faire attitude is perhaps most evident in its approach to indoor smoking. Although smoking is prohibited in all but the smallest bars, you should assume that everywhere you go out, if no food is being served, will be quite smoky. This is also the case at clubs and large concert venues. If you have any medical issues, then you should be prepared, and either change your plans or bring a well-fitting mask. If not sure, call the venue and ask.

Clubs [ edit ]

The club scene in Berlin is one of the biggest and most progressive in Europe. Even though there are some 200 clubs in the city, it's sometimes difficult to find the right club for you since the best ones are a bit off the beaten track and most bouncers will keep bigger tourist groups out. If you want to go clubbing, you will almost always have to pay an entrance fee. While admission to clubs was considered cheap for many years after the fall of the Berlin Wall compared to other German and European cities, the cover charge is €20 and more in the 2020s (usually no drink included).

The main clubbing districts are in the east: Mitte (around Alexanderplatz and Köpenicker Straße), Friedrichshain (the "techno strip" along the Spree river), and Kreuzberg (around Schlesisches Tor). In once legendary Prenzlauer Berg almost all clubs have disappeared due to gentrification since the 2000s, while it still has many trendy bars and cafés. A few mainstream clubs are also located in Charlottenburg and at Potsdamer Platz. Techno is still the biggest sound in Berlin, with lots of progressive DJs and live acts around. But there are also many clubs playing '60s beat, alternative rock and of course mainstream music. Clubbing days are Thursday, Friday and especially Saturday, but some clubs are open every day of the week. On weekends partying in Berlin starts between 22:00 and midnight and peaks around 02:00 or 03:00 in many clubs. Berlin is known for its long parties, some going on until Sunday evening, a few also until Monday evening. In regard to electronic music, you can check Resident Advisor for the best parties before you go out.

Bars [ edit ]

Berliners -especially young Berliners- love cocktails. People like to meet their friends at a cocktail bar before going clubbing. Prenzlauer Berg (Around U-Bahnhof Eberswalder Str., Helmholtzplatz, Oderberger Straße and Kastanienallee), Kreuzberg (Bergmannstraße, Oranienstraße and the area around Görlitzer Park and U-Bahnhof Schlesisches Tor), Schöneberg (Goltzstraße, Nollendorfplatz, Motzstraße for gays), and Friedrichshain (Simon-Dach-Straße and around Boxhagener Platz) are the main areas.

Some bars charge a small refundable deposit for glasses - you are given a token with your drink to return (with your glass) to the bar.

At Warschauer Straße (which you can reach via S-Bahn and U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße ) and more specifically Simon-Dach-Straße and around Boxhagener Platz you can find a wide variety of bars. It is common for locals to meet at Warschauer to go to a bar there. Also Ostkreuz ("Eastcross") and Frankfurter Allee are well known meeting points. Especially to visit the alternative ("underground-/left-szene") locations in houseprojects (so called squats), like the Supamolly at Jessnerstreet (Traveplatz), the Scharni38 (Scharnweberstreet) and so on, or clubs on the R.A.W. compound at Revaler Straße.

There are lots of Irish bars all over the city, as there are in all European cities. If you like off-the-shelf Irish bars or watching football in English then you won't be disappointed, but in a city with new cool bars opening pretty much daily and a huge range from which to choose, you'll find that these cater mostly to the Irish construction workers and Germans attracted by Irish music, which is often played in them. The Irish pub in the Europa Center at Tauentzienstraße is famous. Located in the basement of a skyscraper, you will find a big Irish pub and a rowdy crowd on the weekend. It also claims to have the longest bar in all of Berlin!

There aren't as many illegal bars as there were in the 1990s but bars open and close faster than you can keep up - check out the bar and cocktail guides in the bi-weekly magazines Tip or Zitty. For recommended bars, have a look at the district pages.

Concerts [ edit ]

There are well over 1000 rock concerts a year in Berlin. You can find concerts in the big known locations but there are also many interesting little venues. You can find a good overview of the current concerts on the Ma Baker concert page [dead link] . Every day the concerts are updated and displayed there.

Brauhäuser [ edit ]

A Brauhaus (brewery) brews and sells its own beer on the premises. There is usually a public viewing area onto the brewery. Try Gaffel Haus [dead link] , Brauhaus Georgbraeu [dead link] , Brauhaus Mitte [dead link] , Brauhaus Spandau and Brauhaus Lemke [dead link] .

Cafes [ edit ]

Cafe Einstein is one particular example of a home grown coffee chain which has nice staff, great coffee and is fairly priced. In particular, the Einstein on Unter den Linden is as far from "junk coffee" as it's possible to be.

If you want to get some tap water, ask for " Leitungswasser " (if you just say "water" ( Wasser ), you will receive mineral water.) This is common if you drink coffee. They should not charge you for it but you should order another drink as well.

Street drinking [ edit ]

Kiosks (off licences) can be found all over the city and sell bottled beers and other drinks. A kiosk will generally have a bottle opener on the counter and it is permitted to drink alcohol in the street. A refundable deposit of 8 to 25 cents per container (Pfand) is charged on plastic and glass bottles.

Sleep [ edit ]

Berlin is still witnessing a construction boom of hotels and offices since the end of the Cold War. The boom leads to a significant oversupply of hotels which results in comparatively cheap prices even in the 5 star category (off-season prices of €110 per night are not unusual). Especially for a short visit, it may be best to stay at a place in Berlin-Mitte (around Friedrichstraße), as most of the main sights are located there. Due to its history most hotels in Berlin are still located in the City West (i.e. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf), especially close to Zoo station. Alexanderplatz and Anhalter Bahnhof have clusters of 2-3 star budget hotels (i.e. Ibis, Motel One). You'll find only budget hotels (Motel One and Meininger) located directly at the new main train station but some large constructions are in progress. The (oddly named) budget hotel chain 'Motel-One' operates various 2-star hotels in the city centre. There are also many 3-4 star 'NH Hotels' offering good value. All major hotel chains are present in Berlin. A good idea to check that the hotel is close to public transport (U-Bahn or S-Bahn) to avoid too long walks.

Cheapest are youth hostels (called Jugendherbergen, only for members) and hostels (similar to youth hostels, but for everyone, mostly backpackers stay here, usually in one to 32-bed rooms). You will also find bed and breakfast offers (often private) and boarding houses (Pension, more familiar and smaller than hotels). The majority of private flats on platforms like AirBnB are offered illegally in Berlin and contribute to the ongoing housing crisis. Try to choose your accommodation responsibly!

Check the district pages for individual accommodation listings. Popular hotel districts include:

• Mitte - mostly high-end hotels in the main tourist areas and some cheap hotels and hostels on the outskirts
• Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf - the largest number of mid-range and upscale hotels can be found here, mostly grouped around the Zoologischer Garten railway station and the Ku'damm
• Prenzlauer Berg - here you will find many independent small hotels, hostels and guesthouses in the relaxed atmosphere of this district
• Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg - the centre of alternative life in Berlin offers many suitably-themed accommodation opportunities, mostly hostels and guesthouses

You may find accommodation at reasonable prices in almost any district of Berlin, but be mindful of the time it may take to get from that place to where you want to visit, as Berlin is a very large city.

Connect [ edit ]

You can find internet cafes and telephone shops all around Berlin. Do a bit of research with the telephone shops because most focus on a particular region in the world. Many bars, restaurants and cafes offer their guests free wi-fi. Customers of the ubiquitous Einstein Coffee get 30 minutes of free wifi. Metro (U-Bahn) stations offer free wi-fi to everybody: BVG Wi-Fi .

The mobile network (3G/GPRS/GSM) covers the whole city. If you are coming from a non-GSM country (e.g. the United States) check your mobile phone for GSM compatibility. United States carrier Verizon, for example, will advertise phones that work on GSM networks as "World Devices." In general, however, any iPhone model from iPhone 6s onwards will support both CDMA and GSM, and will work perfectly in Berlin.

A free wireless network covers parts of Berlin, but requires special software on your computer. More information including maps of Berlin with coverage is available online .

Stay safe [ edit ]

Berlin might be a safe place, but it is a huge city, and as such has some not-so-well maintained areas. No specific rules apply with the exception of public transportation and tourist areas where pickpockets are a problem. Watch your bags during rush hours, at larger train stations (with the central, Warschauer, and Revaler stations being notoriously sketchy at night).

The police in Berlin are competent, not corrupt; therefore, if you try to bribe them you are likely to spend at least a night behind bars to check your background. They are generally helpful to tourists. Most of the officers are able to speak English, so don't hesitate to approach them if you are frightened or lost. Police are generally more relaxed than in more conservative places like Munich and do not necessarily engage in a "zero tolerance" policy (but even then blatantly smoking a joint in front of police will land you in trouble even in Berlin). In general police will focus on crime and traffic safety rather than petty misdemeanors or drunken tourists unless things get out of hand.

The nationwide emergency numbers are

• Medical emergencies and fires , ☏ 112 .  
• Police emergency number , ☏ 110 .  

Since the 1980s, there have been localised riots on Labour Day (May 1). In general they take place in Kreuzberg around Oranienstraße/Mariannenplatz. Nowadays they usually start the night before May 1, especially in the Mauerpark (Prenzlauer Berg), at Boxhagener Platz and in Rigaer Str. (Friedrichshain) and start again in the evening of May 1 in Kreuzberg and in the mentioned areas. The violent riots have become rather small since 2005 due to the engagement of the citizens who celebrate the Labour Day with a nice "myfest" in Kreuzberg and well-planned police efforts. It is still better to stay out of these areas from 20:00 until sunrise. Vehicles should not be parked in these area as this is asking for damage!

Racially-motivated violence is rare but the risk is higher on the outskirts of East Berlin. It is recommended for non-white tourists to be attentive in areas such as Lichtenberg, Hellersdorf, Marzahn, Treptow and Köpenick in the evening/night especially if alone.

In the bordering neighbourhood of the districts Neukölln and Kreuzberg (between Hermannplatz, Schönleinstraße to Kottbusser Tor) and Wedding (Moabit and Gesundbrunnen) the risk of falling victim to robberies and assaults is higher. Tourists should visit these areas with some caution during the night as a mixture of drunken party people and poor neighbourhoods might lead to trouble.

National media and conservative politicians like to make a huge story out of certain well known drug dealing hot spots. Areas such as Görlitzer Park are well known for all sorts of illicit substances being on offer, but if you don't sell or buy this shouldn't preoccupy you. Despite media portrayals to the contrary, police do frequently raid those places and try to catch drug dealers, but only a small handful are usually caught as they have developed certain measures to evade capture. Organized criminality does exist, but in general they try to focus on less violent activity in Germany and hardly ever target outsiders.

Although harmless, panhandlers have started to beg at local tourist spots such as Pariser Platz next to the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and the Museuminsel. They are usually women accompanied by their daughters who ask if you speak English and say that they are from the new EU countries and trying to raise money to fly home. The story is false, so don't give them money, which would encourage further exploitation of the women and their kids. They also have a new tactic where they hand you a card telling their "story" and asking for money; beware that the children that they carry in their arms will search through your bags while you are reading the card. The best way to avoid this is simply to ignore them and not to respond when they ask you "Speak English?" If you feel scared, don't hesitate to contact the police, as they will help.

Prostitution [ edit ]

Prostitution is a legal business in Germany . Berlin has no major red-light district though some big brothels have been built. Berlin has no restricted areas for prostitutes (called a "Sperrbezirk" in German) so the "apartments" or brothels are spread throughout the whole city. Oranienburger Straße in Mitte is infamous for its prostitutes at night. These women are a tourist attraction and the ladies focus only on tourists to request exorbitant prices.

The proximity to Eastern Europe, relaxed visa rules, and the illegal migrant community increase the number of prostitutes. Advertisements are in the tabloids and online. Human trafficking and illegal immigration is a problem; therefore, police raids do take place and close down illegal operations. Brothels and prostitutes must register just like any other businesses, or they will be prosecuted for tax evasion. In general, police officers are not interested in the clients (especially if you stay calm and don't try to argue) but you must have a photo ID (a photocopy of your passport is fine) with you. Otherwise, you might spend a night at the police station while your background gets checked.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Berlin is home to Charité, perhaps one of the world's most famous hospitals, former workplace of medicine legends like Robert Koch, Rudolf Virchow, Emil von Behring or Emil Fischer and current place of employment of Christian Drosten, a world renowned expert on Coronaviruses.

Cope [ edit ]

Libraries [ edit ].

Berlin has a large number of public libraries throughout the city. One of the largest is the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek ( America Memorial Library ) on Blücherplatz 1.

Embassies [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

Some people from Berlin would ask you why you would ever want to leave, but there are a couple of nice places in close proximity—some even within reach of the Berlin S-Bahn. Outside a thin ring of suburbs (compared to most other European metropolises), Brandenburg is mostly rural so a short drive will get you right into picturesque nature. Berliners call this area "JWD" (pronounced yott vay day ), short for "janz weit draußen", that is "in the back of beyond". Brandenburg and Berlin cooperate in many facets of regional planning and the boundary between the two is not always easy to make out. Part of that cooperation is a plan to (in theory) focus development along a "star-shaped" net of rail lines heading towards Berlin.

The motorway Raststätte Grunewald at the S-Bahn station Nikolassee is a good spot for hitching if you're heading south or west.

• Potsdam (35 km) — the capital of the surrounding federal state of Brandenburg, not far southwest of Berlin, and makes a perfect day trip. Especially the park of Sanssouci, a world heritage site with its great famous palaces, is worth a visit. You can get there with the S-Bahn S7 or Regional-Express RE1 to the station Potsdam Hauptbahnhof or Park Sanssouci (fare zone C). It takes about half an hour from Berlin Hauptbahnhof or Friedrichstraße.
• Oranienburg (35 km) — a quiet suburb housing the remains of KZ Sachsenhausen , one of the few preserved Nazi concentration camps on German soil. There's also a small palace in the centre of Oranienburg. Half an hour by RE train.
• Spreewald (c. 85 km) — a protected UNESCO biosphere reserve. It includes low-lying areas in which the river Spree meanders in thousands of small waterways through meadows and forests. It is a beautiful, unique landscape about one hour south of Berlin and well worth a day trip or a weekend trip to relax from the buzzing city life.
• Frankfurt an der Oder (100 km) — on the Polish border, with many international students, is within easy reach. Just over an hour by RE train (half-hourly service).
• Lutherstadt Wittenberg (110 km) — about 40 minutes southeast of Berlin by ICE. Schlosskirche was the church where Martin Luther nailed his theses to the church door, starting the Protestant Reformation . Across the street from there is a visitor's centre with great information. Great city to tour and one can easily explore on foot.
• Müritz Lake Region ( Mecklenburgische Seenplatte ; c. 145 km) — a national park to the north with a few hundred lakes. Perfect for camping and canoeing close to nature.
• Leipzig (190 km) — East Germany's most vibrant and fastest-groing city, known for its creative cultural scene, sometimes pretentiously called the "New Berlin", but still a lot smaller and more relaxed than the capital; 1:15 hours by train to the south.
• Dresden (190 km) — the former royal capital of Saxony with its Baroque palaces, churches and precious art treasures; two hours by train or car to the south. Intense competition on the Dresden-Berlin route means a bus ticket (2.5 to 3 hours) can be had for as little as five Euros.
• The beautiful Baltic seashore (e.g. Usedom , Stralsund and Rügen ) is close enough for a day or weekend trip by car (2.5 to 3 hours) or train (nearly three hours to Stralsund; 3–3:45 h to Usedom).
• Hamburg (290 km) — the second-largest city in Germany, is less than 2 hours away by ICE; the IRE takes a bit longer (3 hr) but the special offer of €19.90 one way (available at all times) is hard to beat and it's still faster than the bus.
• ' Lusatian Lake District and Central German Lake District about as far to the south as the Baltic is to the north - former lignite pits turned into artificial lakes

The Polish border is just some 90 km to the east of Berlin, therefore it might be interesting to do a trip:

• Szczecin (Stettin; 150 km) — about two and a half hours by train.
• Poznań (Posen; 270 km) — three hours by train.

By air [ edit ]

Berlin has ultra-low-cost flights to many European countries, to Morocco , Georgia and Israel . (updated April 2022)

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Berlin Travel Guide

Berlin’s captivating mix of grit, glamour, and creative freedom born from repression has made it one of the world’s most dynamic cities—a place where you can find Michelin-starred restaurants, techno temples, Cold War bunkers, and Prussian palaces just a short U-Bahn ride away from each other. —Eliot Stein

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3 days in Berlin

Don't miss any top sights

You are planning your first trip to Berlin and don’t want to miss out on any of the highlights in this exciting city? Our 72-hour tour will take you to the most famous landmarks in Berlin and to its most beautiful places. Be guided through a sightseeing tour of Mitte, go shopping on Kurfürstendamm and in City West, and experience neighbourhood life in the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. With our 72-hour programme, you won’t miss out on any top sights during your first visit to Berlin.

Day 1 in Mitte: from Alexanderplatz to the Brandenburg Gate

Morning: alexanderplatz & nikolaiviertel.

Start your first day in Berlin at the World Clock at Alexanderplatz . Let the surrounding buildings take you back in time to the GDR of the 1970s, watch the lively goings-on as people pass by and look up across the S-Bahn railway tracks at the TV Tower , the first highlight on the tour. From the top you have a phenomenal panoramic view of the city - at a reduced rate with the Berlin WelcomeCard , by the way. Enjoy the view over breakfast or brunch at the restaurant sphere , which rotates on its own axis at a height of more than 200 metres.

Tickets for the TV Tower

You can continue the tour westwards, past the Rotes Rathaus (red town hall), where the Berlin mayor’s office is. Berlin’s oldest district, the Nikolaiviertel , awaits your visit by the Spree. You can stroll around the picturesque neighbourhood surrounding St. Nicholas’ Church . A bit further downstream of the river on the other side you’ll find the Berlin Cathedral with its gigantic dome – one of Berlin’s landmarks and something you most definitely should not miss.

Museum Island is not only a top Berlin attraction for art lovers. This ensemble consists of five museums that are on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites . The Altes Museum , the Neues Museum , the Pergamon Museum , the Bode Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie together form one of the most important museum complexes in the world, and you have free entrance to them with the Berlin WelcomeCard . Unfortunately, the Pergamon Museum is closed for extensive renovation work.

Buy your Berlin Welcome Card Museum Island

Afternoon: Humboldt Forum, Gendarmenmarkt, Holocaust Memorial and Brandenburg gate

Back on the magnificent boulevard Unter den Linden , you should visit Berlin's new forum for culture, art and science just opposite the Museum Island: The Humboldt Forum . Over Bebelplatz and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral which is a little hidden behind the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin State Opera), the journey continues with a short detour to Gendarmenmarkt , surely the most beautiful square in Berlin. Enjoy the harmonious ensemble of the concert house in the centre, flanked by the German and French cathedrals, from one of the many restaurants and cafés around the square.

Charlottenstraße on the western side of the square and then Behrenstraße going westwards will now lead you past the Komische Oper to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe , which is also known as the Holocaust Memorial . Walk through the memorial with its 2,711 concrete pillars and take in its contemplative atmosphere.

From here it’s just a few metres down Ebertstraße before you’ll find yourself in front of the most famous landmark of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate . Few buildings are as closely connected with the history of Berlin as the former city gate is. After the fall of the Berlin Wall it became a symbol of German unity. Following a short walk around Pariser Platz the tour continues through the gate onto the Platz des 18. März . Now you’ll be able to recognise the Siegessäule (Victory Column) in the distance, in the centre of the large Tiergarten park.

The next highlight of our tour is also a truly historic place. The Reichstag , the seat of the Deutscher Bundestag (German parliament), has not only had an eventful history since the Reichstag fire in 1933. 

At night: Enjoy the nightlife around Hackescher Markt

To finish off the tour we recommend either a drink at Capital Beach , directly on the riverbank of the Spreebogenpark with a view of the main railway station – or a beer at Zollpackhof on the other side of the Spree. From there you can also comfortably reach Hackescher Markt , where you can spend the evening at any one of the numerous restaurants, cafés and bars.

Day 2 in City West: Between Charlottenburg Palace and the Gedächtniskirche

Morning: charlottenburg palace.

Begin your second day like royalty, with a stroll around Charlottenburg Palace . Initially constructed as a summer palace, today it is the most splendid palace in Berlin, with extensive gardens. Located directly by the Spree, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the rococo period and the days of the Prussian kingdom as you stroll through the park.

Use our Day Ticket Charlottenburg+ for Charlottenburg Palace and all facilities in the Charlottenburg Palace Gardens.

Combi-Ticket Charlottenburg+

You can also visit the Käthe Kollwitz Museum in the theatre building of the palace complex.

Afternoon: Ku'damm & Zoo

A short ride from there on the U7 metro will take you directly to Adenauerplatz in the middle of the legendary Kurfürstendamm – the most famous shopping street in Berlin. Here you can peruse the latest designer fashions or simply marvel at the impressive building façades during your walk along the boulevard. The next highlight is waiting for you at the end of the Ku’damm: the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) on Breitscheidplatz. The ensemble consists of the ruins of the church destroyed in the war and a new building next to it. It is a monument for peace and reconciliation and a symbol of Berliners’ will to rebuild in the post-war period.

Today the church is encircled by several tall buildings such as the Upper West , the Zoofenster and the Europa Center, the oldest shopping centre in Berlin. You can reach Kaufhaus des Westens at Wittenbergplatz in just a few minutes via the adjacent Tauentzienstraße. KaDeWe is the most famous department store in Germany. Ansbacher Straße and Kurfürstenstraße will take you to Olof-Palme-Platz. And here waiting for you at the end of the tour are two more highlights: Zoologischer Garte n and the Aquarium Berlin , that you can gain reduced admission to with the Berlin WelcomeCard .

At night: Enjoy the nightlife of the City West

You can round off the day right next door, at the Monkey Bar in the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin. The cocktail bar with panoramic windows offers you a breathtaking view over Tiergarten and City West. Alternatively, you can retreat to the Schleusenkrug on warm summer evenings, a cosy beer garden directly on the Landwehr Canal in Tiergarten.

Day 3 in Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain: Berlin Wall and neighbourhoods

Morning: along the river spree to the east side gallery.

Enjoy an easy-going start on the third day with a late brunch the way the Berliners love them. Things taste even better when there is a view to match. So check out one of the many cafés by the Landwehr Canal or the Neuköllner Schifffahrtskanal (Neukölln Ship Canal). Afterwards, you can stroll along the Spree River by the canal. There are unique gems in the way of restaurants, bars and clubs awaiting your visit. Freischwimmer , Club der Visionäre, Badeschiff and IPSE are just four of the locations on the island that form a summertime bar biotope on the left and right of the Flutgraben channel.

Schlesische Straße and Falckensteinstraße then lead you to Oberbaumbrücke . From here you have one of the most beautiful views of Berlin in both directions – towards Alexanderplatz with the TV Tower and out of the city with the Molecule Men in the Spree.

Just around the corner from Oberbaumbrücke you’ll find the East Side Gallery stretching out before you. The longest connected piece of the former Berlin Wall is covered with many different and amazing artworks. The most famous painting is the brotherly kiss between Honecker and Brezhnev. And there are plenty more historic events depicted along the 1.3 km open air gallery.

More neighbourhood tips

You can find detailed information about all the districts, neighbourhoods and other secret tips in our Going Local app , that you can download for free at Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Also included: tours and videos. Download now .

You would like to stay a few days longer in Berlin or have less time?

Then let yourself be inspired by our suggestions for 24 hours in Berlin , for 48 hours or for a five-day stay !

Our tip for you: explore the city with the Berlin Welcome Card

We recommend the Berlin Welcome Card – Berlin’s official tourist ticket. The Berlin Welcome Card has over 200 sights and attractions as discount partners. It is also your ticket for public transport services across the entire city – and if you prefer, also includes Potsdam

Info about the Berlin Welcome Card

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Map of Berlin for tourists. Popular places, attractions, museums location on the map

Map of Berlin indicate the location of interesting for tourists objects. You can also use map search service to find the desired place.

Where is it in Berlin?

Map shows the location of the most popular tourist places in Berlin.

Attractions and places of interest.

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is the most famous symbol of Berlin, located in the central part of the city on the Pariser Platz. It was built in years1788-1791. Near the Brandenburg Gate are held many interesting events during the year. The nearest underground station is Brandenburger Tor.

The Reichstag building is one of the tourist attractions of Berlin. The building housed the German Parliament (Bundestag). The building was built in 1894. Glass dome on the building has an observation deck (the dome is open for tourists, online pre-registration required on the Bundestag web site ). Address: Deutscher Bundestag, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Platz der Republik 1, Berlin. Nearest metro station: Bundestag.

Berlin TV Tower

Television Tower (Fernsehturm) is one of Berlin's attractions, the tallest building in the city. The tower has a height of 368 meters and is visible from many parts of the city. On the tower (at a height of 203 meters) are a restaurant and an observation deck for tourists. The nearest metro station: Alexanderplatz.

Remains of the Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall is one of the sights of Berlin. This is a reminder of a time when the country was divided into parts. The wall was almost completely destroyed in 1990. Fragments of the wall are in different parts of the city. Berlin Wall memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer) is located on the Bernauer Strasse street (Bernauer Straße 119). Along this street was located part of the border between East and West Berlin. East Side Gallery is a section of the Berlin Wall, which is a unique opan air art galareey. Artists from different countries made their pictures right on the wall. It is located on the street Mühlenstraße. Nearest metro station: Warschauer straße.

Museums Island

On the northen part of Shpreeinzel island on the River Spree in Berlin are located several famous museums (Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum, National Gallery, Old Museum, the New Museum). Nearby is also the Berlin Cathedral. Nearest station: metro U6 - station Friedrichstraße, train S1, S2, S25 - station Friedrichstraße, train S5, S7, S75 - station Hackescher Mark.

Berlin Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) is one of the biggest and best zoos in Europe. At the zoo also has an aquarium with the river and marine fauna. The nearest metro station Zoologischer Garten. Zoologischer Garten Berlin AG, Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin.

Map of Berlin indicated the location of some shopping centers.

• Schloss Straßen Center. Shopping center at street Schlossstrasse, Rrimark store. Schlossstrasse - a major shopping street in Berlin.
• Potsdamer Platz Arkaden. The popular shopping center located at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.
• Galeria Kaufhof. The popular shopping center at Alexanderplatz square 9.
• Galeries Lafayette. Just three shopping centers located in the heart of the city on Friedrichstrasse: Quartier 205, Quartier 206 and Quartier 207.

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Berlin Travel Guide and Map 12+

Trip planner, offline city map, kulemba gmbh, designed for ipad.

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Offline Maps and much more! Discover new places and insider tips. Collect, save and organize them as you like. And have the best trip ever! With us, traveling got easier and even more fun. Here’s what you get – the shortest possible version: • Free offline maps – no roaming, no hustle • Insider tips and places to discover • Multifunctional lists to plan and organize your trip We let you discover new places, beautiful spots and insider tips at the touch of a button. Collect your personal best-of and save it for later. You will experience your best journeys yet with detailed offline maps and in-depth travel content on your mobile travel companion. And here’s why 5+ million travelers love our apps: CLEAR AND CONCISE MAPS Never get lost again. See your location on the map via GPS, no internet connection is required. Find streets, addresses or attractions and get pointed in the walking direction. IN-DEPTH TRAVEL CONTENT You’ll never have to buy another guide book. Our Guides features pictures as well as comprehensive and up-to-date information is available for thousands of places and attractions. SEARCH AND DISCOVER Search a specific place by name or browse by categories like attractions, restaurants, architecture, hotels, shops, bars, etc. PLAN TRIPS AND CUSTOMIZE MAPS Book the hotel for your next city tour right within the app. Remember and save all the places you would like to visit. Create new or individual ones. Mark them with different colors or add notes to them. SHARE WITH FRIENDS Create your own reviews and ratings of your favorite places. Share these tips and recommendations with friends and other travelers. SAVE ROAMING FEES Maps and guide content are stored on directly your device so you can access them at any time even without an internet connection. An internet connection is of course required for initial downloading of data or booking hotels. BACKUP AND SYNC Create a user account and login from any of your iOS devices. So all your personal content is right where you want it to be.

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Great way to not use cellular roaming data.

This app once fully downloaded allows you to use rough gps without cellular data. Actually pretty accurate. I also love the format and the articles that are downloaded.

The application is amazing. Very easy to use and very informative. It helped me in my visit to Berlin in a way that I was able to organize every place I visited. It is linked with google maps and iPhone maps. Great pictures.

Practical and works

A very practical a funktional App for offline use. I use it all the Time to navigate the city.

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New Hampshire solar eclipse maps show where and what time totality will peak

C OLEBROOK, N.H. - Heading up to New Hampshire for the 2024 total solar eclipse ? Here's what you should know about where and what time to see the show on April 8 .

New Hampshire solar eclipse path of totality map

Here are some of the New Hampshire towns that are in the "path of totality":

• Dixville Notch
• Northumberland
• Clarksville
• Stewartstown

The southern edge of the totality line passes just north of the White Mountains. Areas just a bit too far south include Jefferson, Berlin and the Route 2 area near Santa's Village.

New England's highest peak, Mount Washington, will not be in the path of totality, but scientists at the Observatory will measure the temperature change caused by incoming solar radiation at the summit. 

Coleman State Park in Stewartstown is in the path of totality and hosting a "Total Eclipse of the Parks" event.

New Hampshire total eclipse solar timeline

The entire event in New Hampshire will be two hours and 22 minutes long.

In Lancaster, the eclipse starts at 2:16 p.m. Totality begins at 3:27 p.m. and lasts a few minutes. The eclipse will end there at 4:38 p.m.  

If you're  driving through New Hampshire,  the Department of Transportation is asking people to stay on state highways, and not travel on local roads that are not designed to handle the the traffic.

New Hampshire cloud cover forecast for April 8

It is awfully tough to get a completely clear day here in New England in April. I do not think April 8 will be totally cloud-free, but I am fairly optimistic that there will not be any major storminess or cloud cover in the region.

On Monday, a warm front will stretch across the Upper Midwest and over the Great Lakes, likely bringing some high cirrus clouds. There are concerns that some of those clouds will spill into New Hampshire during the day.

Watch CBS News

Earthquake maps show where seismic activity shook the Northeast today

By Lucia Suarez Sang

Updated on: April 5, 2024 / 7:51 PM EDT / CBS News

Residents across the Northeast were rattled by a  4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook  the densely populated New York City metropolitan area and much of the surrounding region on Friday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey was quick to release maps showing the spot where the quake was centered, in New Jersey, and the area where it was felt.

The USGS reported the quake occurred about 7 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. It indicated that the quake might have been felt by more than 42 million people. There were several aftershocks later in the day, including one with a magnitude of 4.0.

People in Baltimore , Philadelphia , New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston and other areas of the Northeast reported shaking. Tremors lasting for several seconds were felt over 200 miles away near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.

The map below shows the seismic intensity of the earthquake. The map, which is mostly a lighter shade of blue, shows that the intensity was light to weak, depending on the distance from the epicenter. 

Another map released by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre on X, formerly Twitter, highlights the eyewitness reports of shaking and possible damage levels during the seismic event. 

#Earthquake 18 mi W of #Plainfield (New Jersey) 23 min ago (local time 10:23:20). Updated map - Colored dots represent local shaking & damage level reported by eyewitnesses. Share your experience via: 📱 https://t.co/IbUfG7TFOL 🌐 https://t.co/wErQf69jIn pic.twitter.com/jBjVw1ngAD — EMSC (@LastQuake) April 5, 2024

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have been briefed on the quake. 

"We're taking this extremely seriously and here's why: There's always the possibility of aftershocks. We have not felt a magnitude of this earthquake since about 2011," Hochul said. 

People across the region were startled by the rumbling of the quake. One New York City resident told CBS New York's Elijah Westbrook, "I was laying in my bed, and my whole apartment building started shaking. I started freaking out," 

It's not the first time the East Coast and New York City have been hit by an earthquake. 

A 5.0 quake was measured in New York City in 1884. 

The shaking stirred memories of the Aug. 23, 2011, earthquake that jolted tens of millions of people from Georgia to Canada. Registering magnitude 5.8, it was the strongest quake to hit the East Coast since World War II. The epicenter was in Virginia.

That earthquake left cracks in the Washington Monument, spurred the evacuation of the White House and Capitol and rattled New Yorkers three weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

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Vernworth Seeker's Token 23

This Seeker's Token is northwest of Vernworth and close to the Trevo Mine. First, travel to the location shown below.

When you get there you'll find a cave full of Saurians.

You'll find this token on a ledge on the other side of the cave.

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

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Map: 4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes New Jersey

By William B. Davis ,  Madison Dong ,  Judson Jones ,  John Keefe ,  Bea Malsky and Lazaro Gamio

Shake intensity

A light, 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck in New Jersey on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was felt across the New York City metropolitan area, and from Philadelphia to Boston.

The temblor happened at 10:23 a.m. Eastern about 4 miles north of Whitehouse Station, N.J., data from the agency shows.

As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquake's reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.

Aftershocks in the region

At 5:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, a light aftershock with a magnitude of 3.8 struck near Gladstone, New Jersey, according to U.S.G.S. (The agency initially gave the quake a preliminary magnitude of 4.0.)

An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area. Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.

Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles

Aftershocks can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake, and they can continue to affect already damaged locations.

How this quake compares

The U.S.G.S. has logged 188 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater within a 250-mile radius of New York City since 1957. In that timeframe, only seven have had a magnitude at or above 4.5. Today’s quake had the third-highest magnitude in the available data.

Today’s earthquake

Magnitude 4.8

250-mile radius

from New York City

Source: U. S.G.S.

By Lazaro Gamio

Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Eastern. Shake data is as of Friday, April 5 at 10:44 a.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Monday, April 8 at 1:53 a.m. Eastern.

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