Berlin Insider Tips

Berlin is always buzzing with activity - it's no surprise that the German capital is considered one of the top travel destinations among the world's metropolises. Whether it's hands-on history, a wild nightlife, or extensive shopping, a weekend trip to vibrant, trendy Berlin is always worth it!

Since there's so much to discover and experience in Berlin, we've compiled some tips for fantastic days. Whether you're planning just a weekend in Berlin or a longer stay: To ensure you see the most important sights in a short time and enjoy a bit of the true flair of the capital, we've gathered all the information you need for the perfect Berlin vacation. In addition to the essential highlights you definitely should check out, we'll also share our insider tips for your trip - if you want to experience cool spots off the beaten path or find out what you can enjoy in Berlin for free.

All roads lead to Rome, but there are also many ways to get to Berlin: You can comfortably reach the metropolis with almost 3.85 million inhabitants by car, train, or plane. No matter where you are coming from, Berlin is easily accessible from all directions with German rail services: There are fast InterCityExpress, InterCity, EuroCity, and InterRegio trains available. The modern central station is located right in the heart of Berlin, very close to the parliamentary and government district. And especially after the introduction of the €49 ticket in May 2023, you should plan a visit to our beautiful capital, don't you think?

If you only have time for Berlin on the weekend, we recommend flying. It's usually the fastest and often quite an affordable way to travel. Even upon landing, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from above: The Berlin TV Tower on Alexanderplatz - at 368 meters, the tallest building in Berlin - welcomes you from afar. Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which has replaced Tegel and Schönefeld, is well connected to the public transportation network, allowing you to reach the city in about an hour. The S-Bahn lines S9 and S45 run every 20 minutes between the airport and downtown Berlin. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Express (FEX) or regional trains. More information on public transport connections to and from BER can be found on the airport's official website.

Berlin has so many attractions that it's really impossible to visit all of them in one weekend.

During your trip to the capital, you should definitely visit the Brandenburg Gate at Pariser Platz and the Reichstag next to it at Platz der Republik. At the Brandenburg Gate, you can enjoy views westward towards the Victory Column and eastward along the grand boulevard 'Unter den Linden.' If you want to stroll or are looking for a café - both are perfect here. Make sure to take a few steps away from the Brandenburg Gate, because at the top of this famous landmark is a magnificent Quadriga - impressive! A must-do is to enjoy the wonderful view of Berlin's city from the Reichstag's terrace. The glass dome of this historic building is also spectacular. To admire the Reichstag from the inside as well, online registration is required, where you must specify the exact date of your visit. It's best to take care of registration early, as ticket issuance can take a few weeks. When you are already in the area around the Brandenburg Gate: You should also see the Holocaust Memorial. We recommend just walking through slowly and letting everything sink in! From here, you can take a little walk to the Victory Column. On the way, you will pass the Soviet War Memorial and can learn a bit about Berlin during World War II on the information boards.

You should also plan a detour from the Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstraße, the most famous checkpoint in divided Berlin. There is nothing left of the original, but a replica of the control booth that was demolished in 1990 serves as a reminder of the former border crossing between East and West. Let yourself embark on a journey back in time with artist Yadegar Asisi: On a 900 square meter panorama of the wall, Asisi shows divided Berlin on a fictional November day in the 1980s. From a four-meter-high platform, you can immerse yourself directly into history.

There's not much left of the Berlin Wall today. One of the last remaining sections can be found between Ostbahnhof and Oberbaum Bridge in Mühlenstraße. This segment of the wall, painted in 1990 by over 100 international artists, is a massive open-air gallery: the East Side Gallery. Just hop on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Warschauer Straße or Ostbahnhof, grab a drink at the station, and stroll leisurely along the over 100 wall artworks. More about the history of the Berlin Wall can be found at the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Straße 111.

From the East Side Gallery, you can embark on a fantastic boat tour on the Spree, with many docks and providers available, and tickets are sold directly at the boat docks. If you want to ensure you get a spot on the ship of your choice at the perfect time, you can also book your tickets for the Spree boat tour in advance online. A Spree boat tour in the evening is especially recommended when Berlin is bathed in a romantic light as dusk falls.

Perhaps after your boat tour, you will disembark near Museum Island? For culture lovers among you, a visit to this complex in the center is a must. There, framed by the Spree, one museum follows another. You have a plethora of choices! Our tip for you: Check out the DDR Museum - it's anything but boring and dusty; here you experience history hands-on. One of Berlin's most popular museums is the Pergamon Museum, named after its most famous exhibit, the gigantic 35-meter-wide altar, which you must see. Due to renovations, the Pergamon Museum will be completely closed starting October 23, 2023. The north wing and the hall with the Pergamon altar are expected to reopen first to visitors in spring 2027.

If you'd like to stroll a bit more, the Hackesche Höfe (Hackesche Courtyards) are a great option. A visit to this complex with eight courtyards in the Spandauer Vorstadt (S-Bahn Hackescher Markt) is especially beautiful in the evening when the facades are illuminated. The area is tightly knit with small shops and boutiques, studios and galleries, a cinema and variety show, restaurants and nightclubs, apartments, and offices.

Do you want to explore Berlin's attractions but find a regular city tour too boring? Then we have just the thing for you: the Outdoor Escape Games from the Maranja Adventure Club. This combines sightseeing with an interactive puzzle adventure. You'll not only explore the most famous sights of our capital but also hidden places that not everyone knows about while solving tricky puzzles as a team. The optimal team size is two to six people, making it perfect for an unforgettable experience for friends, families, or couples. Your kids must be at least 16 years old for the standard tour, but there is also a kid-friendly puzzle fun starting at age 10.

We recommend the tour 'Theodor's Challenge.' You will start at Litfaß-Platz at the Hackescher Markt tram stop, from where the exciting tasks will lead you about 3 km through Berlin. You should plan about 2 hours for this. Up to 12 people can participate, and you will walk about 3 km. You can experience the puzzle tour of the most beautiful Berlin attractions starting from €35 per person.

Berlin offers a vast culinary diversity. Restaurants are seen everywhere, many of which are unique. You can find food from every country in the world here. Berlin is simply multicultural, and that's one of the things that makes the city so cool and unique. From Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap, known for having the best döner in the city, to Zsa Zsa Burger, where you can find juicy burgers, to Taleh Thai, which is definitely worth a visit if you like Thai food - and more! The list of Berlin's delicacies is too long! But one thing is extremely important: what would a visit to Berlin be without tasting a currywurst? Just follow your nose and pay attention to where the longest lines are at the sausage stand. It's bound to be delicious.

For most tourists in Berlin, a detour to KaDeWe in Schöneberg is on the agenda. You should not miss this visit; the building of the department store is a true sight in itself. However, we have an insider tip that will allow you to experience 'real Berlin' once again.

Directly at Alexanderplatz is the Alexa shopping center, the largest in the city. In addition to the shops, there's also a food court. The shopping center not only serves as a paradise for shopping and food, but it is also an entertainment oasis with leisure and entertainment spaces.

In a large city like Berlin, there are always corners and highlights that you don't really know yet. Did you know, for example, that you can relax, grill, and wander around on the grounds of a former airport before diving into the turbulent nightlife of Warschauer and Simon-Dach-Street in the trendy neighborhood of Friedrichshain? And do you already know the many cool hotspots in Berlin Mitte?

The former Tempelhof Airport is now a recreation and leisure park in the heart of the city. Covering 303 hectares, Tempelhofer Feld, also known as Tempelhofer Freiheit or Tempelhofer Park, offers plenty of space for relaxation and numerous activities like soccer, minigolf, badminton, cycling, and skating. There are three very clean and designated areas that are ideal for grilling. Here you can definitely spend a lovely summer afternoon! It's best to take the S-Bahn and get off at Tempelhof station. From there, it's just a three-minute walk to the entrance at Tempelhofer Damm. The opening hours vary by season between 6 or 7 AM and between 5 PM to 10:30 PM.

Would you prefer to stay in the classic city center of Berlin and wonder what else you can discover besides the typical attractions? There are plenty of hotspots and insider tips in Berlin Mitte waiting to be discovered by you. How about a cultural experience in Wedding, delicious street food in a market hall, or a visit to a trendy bar in the heart of the city?

Another spot we highly recommend is Haus Schwarzenberg. This listed building is a hub of Berlin culture and a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. Look forward to a unique atmosphere, street art, and cool people with whom you can sit outside in the summer sipping a cool Berliner Kindl.

Wannsee is Europe's largest inland beach and attracts numerous sunbathers and swimmers from the capital every year. There is a 1,000-meter-long sandy beach, many beach chairs for relaxation, and even a boat rental at Wannsee. Whether you come with friends, your partner, or family, there's space for everyone. It can get quite crowded, but after all, this lake is located in the middle of a metropolis and you will still be able to enjoy some lovely summer hours. The admission fee is €5.50 per person.

What was originally created in 1905 by Richard Thieme as Preußenpark has long established itself in the Berlin vernacular as 'Thaipark.' Here, for about twenty years, young and old from various cultures, including Thailand, Vietnam, China, and the Philippines, come together. Picnic blankets are spread out, colorful umbrellas are opened, cooler boxes, gas cookers, and woks are converted into a little kitchen space - what awaits you is unique street food. What began as a picnic now attracts a mixed crowd of various nationalities. Will you be one of them?

The sky darkens, the clouds grow heavier, and suddenly it starts pouring rain. The nightmare of every vacationer. But there's no reason to despair; you don't have to barricade yourself in your hotel room feeling sorry for yourself. Thanks to these eight insider tips, your Berlin trip will be absolutely unforgettable, even in the rain.

That the vibrant metropolis doesn't sleep at night is no secret anymore. Trendy spots like 'Zur letzten Instanz,' one of the oldest restaurants, tucked away at the end of Parochialstraße, and also popular clubs, such as Ritter Butzke in a large complex in Kreuzberg (Ritterstraße 24-27), can be found in almost every district of Berlin.

As an absolute heartfelt recommendation, we want to suggest Cassiopeia in Friedrichshain, near the legendary Warschauer Straße. A unique place has developed from the former train depot: Two clubs with live music, parties, and festivals promise short nights, and in the beer garden, you can chill out comfortably. Film lovers among you will find plenty to enjoy at the outdoor cinema Insel. And if you still have energy, you can choose between the skate hall or 'Kegel': In the former water tower, you can even climb.

If you still don't want to go to bed early in the morning, you can continue partying at Club Golden Gate until dawn on the weekend (S-Bahn stations: Alexanderplatz or Jannowitzbrücke)! And of course, you can't miss out on a rooftop bar, from which there are now plenty. Our favorite is the Weekend Club with its super cool rooftop bar featuring one of the best views of all of Berlin. Here you can either get in the party mood on the 15th floor or simply enjoy a relaxed evening. Even in cooler temperatures, you can linger here with an incredible view since the benches come with seat heating.

If, like us after our first trip to Berlin, you feel like going back, then simply hold it with the singer Marlene Dietrich: 'I still have a suitcase in Berlin, so we have to go there again soon.' A trip to the vibrant metropolis of Berlin is always worth it!