Berlin
Temperature
2°
Time
5:00 PM
Berlin
Welcome to Berlin — the capital of Germany, which has changed drastically since the Wall came down, becoming a major destination for culture, parties and niche hipster delights. Today Berlin is a young, dynamic metropolis open to the world right in the heart of Europe, setting new trends in architecture, art and fashion. Shiny modern business centres compete for attention with nostalgic 90s grunge, and young families have brunch while club kids bike home in the late morning. Discover its diversity — enjoy Berlin! Be a Berliner. Eat a Berliner.Find your trip
It’s Berlin’s most famous landmark and became the symbol of overcoming the division of Germany. From an architectural perspective, the sandstone structure, built by Carl Gotthard Langhans, is one of the most magnificent examples of German classicism. Nowadays the Gate serves as a backdrop for festivals, big sporting events or New Year’s Eve parties.
An East German Trabant car, which appears to be breaking through the concrete. Honecker and Breschnew locked in a kiss of brotherly, socialist love. With the East Side Gallery, a segment of the Berlin Wall has been turned into the longest open air gallery in the world. The open-air East Side Gallery is located along the banks of the river Spree in Friedrichshain. At 1,316 metres, it's also the longest segment of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. Right after the fall of the Wall, this stretch was painted by 118 artists from 21 different countries. Using various techniques, the artists commented on the political events that took place in 1989 and 1990 in over 100 works of art found on the eastern side of the wall.
Once the heart of the former East Berlin, Alexanderplatz is today the largest inner-city square in Germany and has developed into a popular shopping attraction. The view from the Television Tower, its height of 368 metres making it the tallest tower in Germany, is absolutely fantastic. A perfect 360° all-round view is provided by the revolving restaurant Sphere and Bar 203, making a full turn twice an hour.
The DDR Museum is an interactive museum that takes you on a journey into the socialist past. You'll see countless iconic objects from the former East Germany, will take a simulated ride in a Trabi, dance the Lipsi and rummage around in an authentic apartment. It's an essential Berlin history trip.
Experience Berlin like a local and cover all the must-see attractions in just half a day with this highlights tour on a bicycle — ideal for cycling enthusiasts with limited time in the city. You'll be introduced to iconic landmarks such as the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, among others. You don't have to worry about navigation, as your knowledgeable guides will lead you through a carefully planned route while sharing engaging stories about Berlin's culture and history.
Not far from the Brandenburg Gate you'll the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial. It is a grid of stelae (2,711 concrete slabs) on a sloping field accessible from all sides. It serves as a central place of remembrance and admonition and is supplemented by an underground information centre, containing the names of all known victims and details on the places of horror.
One of the best ways to see any city is from the water — and Berlin is no exception. Enjoy a boat cruise along the River Spree and catch a glimpse of many city attractions, including the government district, Bellevue Palace, Berlin Cathedral, and Museum Island in just a couple of hours. Perfect plan for when your legs are already tired but you are still in the mood for adventure. Choice of morning or afternoon departure.
The five historical museum buildings on Museum Island have been part of UNESCO world heritage since 1999, and represent a collection that is unique in the world. Each museum building on the island was designed by famous architects of their time. Museum Island is home to collections in the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Bode Museum, and the Neues Museum (New Museum). The Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation until 2037 or 2043. The exhibitions cover prehistoric times, ancient history and 19th-century art.
It’s Berlin’s most famous landmark and became the symbol of overcoming the division of Germany. From an architectural perspective, the sandstone structure, built by Carl Gotthard Langhans, is one of the most magnificent examples of German classicism. Nowadays the Gate serves as a backdrop for festivals, big sporting events or New Year’s Eve parties.
An East German Trabant car, which appears to be breaking through the concrete. Honecker and Breschnew locked in a kiss of brotherly, socialist love. With the East Side Gallery, a segment of the Berlin Wall has been turned into the longest open air gallery in the world. The open-air East Side Gallery is located along the banks of the river Spree in Friedrichshain. At 1,316 metres, it's also the longest segment of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. Right after the fall of the Wall, this stretch was painted by 118 artists from 21 different countries. Using various techniques, the artists commented on the political events that took place in 1989 and 1990 in over 100 works of art found on the eastern side of the wall.
Schloßstraße in the district of Steglitz is another of Berlin’s popular shopping streets, largely due to the three shopping centres that line it: the Forum Steglitz, the Schloss-Straßen-Center on Walther-Schreiber-Platz, and Das Schloss near the Steglitz Rathaus. Another major mall called Boulevard offers over 180 shops.
Numerous shops line Friedrichstraße. There’s no need to travel to Paris to shop Les Galeries Lafayette, there’s a branch right here in Berlin, offering the best of France in its fine foods and fashion departments. Also worth a visit is Dussmann, which calls itself a department store for culture. You could spend hours here exploring the books and other media offered over several floors.
Kurfürstendamm, also called “Ku’damm” and Tauentzienstraße are Berlin’s most famous shopping streets in the western part of the city. The western end of Kurfürstendamm tends to be home to exclusive designers like Lagerfeld, Lacoste, and Tommy Hilfiger. Luxury brands such as Bulgari, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and Gucci line the boulevard between Uhlandstraße and Adenauerplatz. The quieter side streets in either direction off Uhlandstraße also offer plenty of charm, with many chic cafes and restaurants in the neighbourhood serving as perfect spots for a break.
Not far from the Museum Island and the cathedral, countless small shops are a perfect spot to take a break for some shopping. There’s something for everyone here and around the nearby Hackesche Höfe, from boutiques to designer stores and internationally known fashion chains. Local cafes are also the ideal place to sit and watch the goings-on.
The looks of true fashionistas will most likely be found in the neighbourhood around Alte Schönhauser Straße and Mulackstraße, home to many designer flagship stores and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Just the right mix to make this neighbourhood a popular destination for a shopping trip.
Striking looks and vintage finds are on offer here in Kreuzberg. Vintage stores and young, fashionable boutiques, plus a good share of junk and design shops. Bergmannstraße is anything other than your standard German shopping street. It is home to many cafes and restaurants and plenty of small shops. Oranienstraße, meanwhile, offers a creative mix of old and new.
Alexanderplatz has been a centre for shopping since the 19th century. The Galeria Kaufhof is one centrally located department store, as is Alexa, which contains a variety of shops, labels, and restaurants. Alexanderplatz offers seasonal markets and events from Oktoberfest to Christmas markets, all under the watchful eye of the TV Tower.
Ritter Sport, the famous square chocolate brand, has a colourful store in the heart of Berlin near Gendarmenmarkt. Have a tasty treat at their SchokoCafé. Explore the SchokoPfad to learn how our chocolate is created and everything else that you ever want to know about chocolate. At our SchokoKreation you can create your own personal dream bar from exceptional ingredients, such as gummy bears or pink peppercorns. You will find many other exciting gifts at the SchokoShop. Admission is free.
Schloßstraße in the district of Steglitz is another of Berlin’s popular shopping streets, largely due to the three shopping centres that line it: the Forum Steglitz, the Schloss-Straßen-Center on Walther-Schreiber-Platz, and Das Schloss near the Steglitz Rathaus. Another major mall called Boulevard offers over 180 shops.
Numerous shops line Friedrichstraße. There’s no need to travel to Paris to shop Les Galeries Lafayette, there’s a branch right here in Berlin, offering the best of France in its fine foods and fashion departments. Also worth a visit is Dussmann, which calls itself a department store for culture. You could spend hours here exploring the books and other media offered over several floors.
Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, the UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) is the only airport operating in Berlin since Tegel airport saw its last flight depart in November 2020. The new airport is well connected to the city by S-Bahn, buses and long-distance trains. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains (RE7, RB14) travel between Berlin central station and “Flughafen BER – Terminal 1-2” station several times per hour. The S9 and S45 S-Bahn trains travel every 20 minutes, serving the “Terminal 1-2” and “Terminal 5” stations.
– Is it safe in Berlin? Berlin is a hospitable and cosmopolitan city, especially in the central areas frequented by visitors. There are no no-go areas in the city and it’s safe to walk alone at night. Nonetheless, it is impossible to rule out crime completely. Should anything happen — don’t hesitate to contact the police. It’s best to avoid dark parks at night if you want to stay away from illegal “business transactions”. – Is Berlin cheap or expensive? Berlin is probably the cheapest Western European capital city. To stay within a low budget, consider getting a bike-sharing subscription and take advantage of lunch offers — there are lots of great deals! – Is English spoken in Berlin? Yes! Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city and English is its lingua franca. All restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels will have English speaking staff. Even places not catering to tourists will accommodate English speakers. – Where is the heart of Berlin? Berlin doesn’t have one clearly defined centre. Each neighbourhood has its own vibe and feel and you’ll have to find your favourite. The closest thing Berlin gets to a “city centre” is Mitte. Museum Island, the city hall Rotes Rathaus and the Altes Stadthaus, the famous TV tower, Brandenburg Gate at the end of the Unter den Linden boulevard are all located here. – What is Checkpoint Charlie? Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing during the years when Berlin was divided by the Wall. The iconic sign "You are now leaving the American Sector" is world famous.
In terms of weather, the best time to visit Berlin is May through September, when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities: sitting around in outdoor cafes and restaurants, wandering through the city and parks, biking around and staying out all night. June offers the Carnival of Cultures, July has the Pride Parade and September brings you the Berlin Art Week. Winter, on the other hand, is cold: the temperature is close to freezing during the day. Of course, winter holidays are a great time to check out the local markets and relax with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine. The Berlinale film festival also takes place in the winter.
The local public transport system allows you to get anywhere in Berlin — comfortably, safely and cheaply. The expanded transport network of S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses and trams provides you with unrestricted mobility, even at night: on Fridays and Saturdays as well as the nights before public holidays, nearly all the S-Bahn and U-Bahn network operate all through the night at 15 minute intervals. The most convenient way to buy tickets is through the official ticket purchasing app for public transport in Berlin — BVG Tickets.
When hiring a taxi in Berlin, you pay a basic charge of €4.30 plus €2.10–2.80 for each kilometre travelled. The 'Kurzstrecke' (short distance) tariff gives you a journey of up to two kilometres for €6.00 — in this case, however, you have to flag down the taxi yourself. The 'Kurzstrecke' tariff does not apply if you order a taxi or get in one at a designated taxi-waiting spot. If you think that ordering a taxi by phone is a little too retro, order one through the taxi.eu app.
You can buy stamps in post offices and at tobacconist shops. Post office opening times vary — they are normally open between 8 am and 6 pm weekdays and between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturdays. The Eckert press store with a post office on Georgenstraße, Berlin-Mitte is open every day of the week.
Beware of the German Vollkornbrot — it's delicious and healthy, but the seeds can do a number on your teeth. Follow the link to All About Berlin to see a list of English speaking dentists in Berlin
Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, the UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) is the only airport operating in Berlin since Tegel airport saw its last flight depart in November 2020. The new airport is well connected to the city by S-Bahn, buses and long-distance trains. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains (RE7, RB14) travel between Berlin central station and “Flughafen BER – Terminal 1-2” station several times per hour. The S9 and S45 S-Bahn trains travel every 20 minutes, serving the “Terminal 1-2” and “Terminal 5” stations.
