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  • Brandenburg-Gate-Berlin - The Brandenburg Gate in the Moabit section of Berlin is a former city gate, rebuilt in the late 1700s as a neoclassical triumphal arch. It's one of Germany's best-known landmarks.
  • Reichstag-building-Berlin - The Reichstag building in Berlin, seat of the German empire that dates back to 1894, was where Germany's reunification ceremony was held in 1990.
  • House-of-World-Cultures-Berlin - The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Berlin is Germany's national center for the presentation of international contemporary arts, with a special focus on non-European cultures and societies.
  • Germany-historic-Goslar-Town - Historic townsquare in Goslar, Germany.
  • Alte-Nationalgalerie-Berlin - Alte Nationalgalerie (Zuschnitt) or National Gallery in the Brandenburg section of Berlin.
  • Germany-Alter-market-square - View across the Stralsund town hall gables to Alter Market Square, Germany.
  • Germany-Lutherstadt-Wittenberg-square - The market square in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, on the Elbe River in Germany, in the evening.
  • Bode-Museum-Berlin - The Bode Museum boasts a large collection of sculptures and one of the world's largest numismatic collections. It's on Museum Island in Berlin, a UNESCO National Heritage Site.
  • Ishtar-Gate-at-Berlin-Museum -  Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Berlin Museum.
  • Berlin-Cathedral -  Berlin Cathedral is located on Museum Island in the Mitte borough of Berlin, Germany.
  • Charlottenburg-Palace-Berlin - Charlottenburg Palace, the largest palace in Berlin, was built in the late 1600s and is a popular tourist destination.
  • downtown-Berlin-aerial - An aerial view of Berlin's downtown.
  • Reichstag-Dome - Norman Foster's Reichstag Dome in Berlin
  • Head-of-a-statue-of-a-queen.jpg - Head of a statue of a queen, Nefertiti or Merit-Aten, dating to 1335 to 1340 B.C. at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Kneeling-figure-of-Setau.jpg - Kneeling figure of Setau, viceroy of Kush, holding a stela, during the reign of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II, 1213-1279 B.C. At the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • National-Gallery-on-Museum-Island-in-Berlin.jpg - Part of the scene on Museum Island in Berlin.
  • neues-museum-statue.jpg - A statue at the Neues Museum in Berlin, seen during a Viking Sun cruise.
  • Reliefs-in-Neues-Museum.jpg - Reliefs in the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Sarcophagus-in-Neues-Museum.jpg - Egyptian sarcophagus in the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Scribe-of-the-granary-Der-sendj.jpg - Scribe of the granary Der-sendj and his wife Nefret-ka, circa 2400 B.C. in the Egyptian collection at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Scribe-statue-of-Sobek-hotep-chief-of-the-treasury.jpg - Egyptian scribe statue of Sobek-hotep, chief of the treasury, dated to 1397-1428 B.C. at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Statue-in-Neues-Museum.jpg - A statue at the Neues Museum in Berlin, seen during a Viking Sun cruise.
  • Statue-of-Hor-sa-Tutu.jpg - Statue of Hor-sa-Tutu, commander in chief of troops in Lower Egypt, dated to 50-150 B.C., at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Temple-relief-of-falcon-headed-sungod-Aten.jpg - Temple relief of falcon-headed sungod Aten (lower left) and pharaoh Amenhotep IV, 1353 B.C.
  • Visitors-to-Neues-Museum.jpg - Visitors to the Neues Museum admire reliefs on the ceiling and walls.
  • angel-footbridge.jpg - An angel helps hold up a footbridge crossing in downtown Berlin.
  • berlin-architecture.jpg - Some of the distinctive architecture in downtown Berlin.
  • berlin-architecture3.jpg - Some of the colorful buildings in downtown Berlin.
  • berlin-wall-graffiti.jpg - The graffiti-lined Berlin Wall used to divide East and West Berlin until it came down in 1990.
  • berlin-wall-tribute.jpg - A tribute at the Berlin Wall marks the deaths of East Germans who attempted to escape to the West.
  • brandenburg-gate.jpg - The always-crowded Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument in Berlin built in the 1700s.
  • checkpoint-charlie.jpg - Now a tourist attraction, Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.
  • east-german-soldier.jpg -   Peter Leibing's 1961 photo of an East German border guard who successfully escaped but later committed suicide adorns the side of a building at the Berlin Wall.
  • french-cathedral-berlin.jpg -   The French Cathedral (Französischer Dom), or French Church of Friedrichstadt, dates to 1705 in downtown Berlin.
  • horses-chariot-eagle-atop-brandenburg-gate.jpg -   Brandenburg Gate is topped off with a statue known as the “Quadriga,” a statue of the goddess of victory driving a chariot pulled by four horses.
  • konzerthaus-berlin.jpg -   Konzerthaus Berlin is a concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt square in the central Mitte district of Berlin.
  • National-Gallery-on-Museum-Island-in-Berlin-1.jpg -   The National Gallery (Der Deutschen Kunst) building in Berlin is a museum with art of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
  • Reichstag-building.jpg -  The west portal of the Reichstag building in Berlin. The inscription across the entrance says, “The German people.”
  • pedicab-in-berlin.jpg -   A pedal-powered pedicab picks up some tourists at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
  • sightseeing-bus-berlin.jpg - A sightseeing bus in Berlin.
  • street-sign-in-downtown-berlin.jpg - A street sign in downtown Berlin.
  • altes-museum-rotunda-statue.jpg -   Classical statues in the rotunda of the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • altes-museum-rotunda-statue2.jpg -   Classical statues in the rotunda of the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Amphora-With-Palaestra-Scene.jpg -   This modern-looking work was actually created 2,500 years ago. Amphora With Palaestra Scene Signed by the Potter Andokides dates to 525-530 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • ancient-crested-helmet.jpg -   Crested helmet from the early Iron Age culture of Central Italy and Northern Italy dating from the 8th to 9th century B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Ancient-greek-busts.jpg - Ancient Greek busts in the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Archio-tombstone.jpg -   Tombstone with the inscribed name of Archio. This is how the gravestones of noblemen looked in ancient Greece (circa 500 B.C.). At the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Berlin-goddess.jpg -   This marble statue, dubbed the Berlin Goddess, dates to 560-580 B.C. and actually depicts a woman from a wealthy family appearing as the bride of the god of the underworld, Hades. At the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Bowl-women-carding-wool.jpg -   This ancient bowl depicts women carding wool in Italy, circa 470-480 B.B. It’s at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Bust-of-Pericles.jpg -   Portrait Bust of Pericles wearing Corinthian helmet, from the island of Lesbos, dates to 430 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Cinerary-Urn.jpg -   Cinerary Urn: Reclining young man dates to 440-460 B.C. in the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Clay-tablets.jpg -   Clay tablets from a tomb in Athens by Exekias, the most famous vase painter of the era, dating to 540 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Column-Sarcophagus_.jpg - Column sarcophagus shows Dionysus dancing amid the maenads, a satyr and Pan, dating to the late 100s A.D. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • cupola-rotunda-altes-museum.jpg -   Closeup of the cupola in the rotunda of the Altes Museum in Berlin, which displays ancient Greek and Etruscan artworks.
  • Fragment-from-the-Funerary-Monument.jpg -   Madonna? Not quite. The Greek marble statue Fragment from the Funerary Monument of Nikarete dates to 330 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • funerary-lion.jpg -   A funerary lion that served as a monument to a person of wealth in Greek society. The marble statue dates to 320 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Funerary-Relief-of-Sosias-and-Kephisodoros.jpg -   Funerary relief created at the end of the Peloponnesian War depicts two citizen soldiers from Athens armed with large round shields, lances and pilos helmets. It dates to 410 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Funerary-Stele-of-the-Girl-Silenis.jpg -   Funerary Stele of the Girl Silenis, Greek marble work, dates to 350 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • garland-sarcophagus.jpg -   This marble Roman garland sarcophagus dates to 40 A.D. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Grave-loutrophoros.jpg - Grave loutrophoros, a ritual vessel used to transport water for the marriage bath, dating to 500-510 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Greek-bronze-helmets_.jpg -   Greek bronze helmets from 600-700 B.C. After successful battle, helmets were sometimes bent and offered in a ceremony as an expression of gratitude to the gods. See it at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Greek-sarcophagus.jpg -   A tub-shaped clay sarcophagus from Klazomenai in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), decorated with images of fighting animals and battle scenes, circa 480-500 B.C. in the Altes Museum of Berlin.
  • griffins-on-bowl.jpg -   A clay vessel showing two griffins dates to 600-625 B.C. at the Altes Museum of Berlin.
  • Head-of-Artemis-or-Apollo.jpg -   Head of Artemis or Apollo, dating to 300-330 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Head-of-Athena.jpg -   Bust of Athena in the Velletri type, circa 400 B.C., at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Laying-out-of-a-Young-Man.jpg -   Laying Out of a Young Man in the Family Circle. The Greek clay vessel dates to 400 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Medea-Sarcophagus.jpg -   Marble relief on a sarcophagus from Rome shows four scenes from Greek myth depicting wedding and death, happiness and sorrow, dating to 140-150 A.D. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Mummy-Portraits-from-Roman-Tombs-in-Egypt.jpg -   Roman soldiers used wax and tempera to paint likenesses of the deceased, who were mummified in Egypt. All date from 60 to 150 A.D. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Neck-Amphora-Equestrian-Chorus.jpg -   Neck Amphora: Equestrian Chorus, pottery that dates to 530-540 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Relief-of-a-Closure-Slab_.jpg -   This slab covered a sarcophagus-like grave in a wall, depicting a procession with the Greek god and princess in a panther chariot led by satyrs and maenads, dating to 110-130 A.D. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Relief-with-heroes-and-worshippers.jpg -   Relief with heroes and worshippers in the Altes Museum of Berlin. It depicts deceased heroes surrounded by a throne, snake and receptacle for offerings.
  • Relief-with-procession-of-gods.jpg -   The gods Apollo, Diana and Latona approach an altar where Victoria stands in this marble relief. It dates to 20-30 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Sarcophagus-of-Arnth-Churches.jpg -   Sarcophagus of Arnth Churches at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Sphinx-shaped-finial.jpg -   Sphinx-shaped finial of a Funerary Stele dates to 400-410 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin. The winged lions with a human head were adopted by the Greeks from the Near East in the seventh century B.C.
  • statue-altes.jpg - An ancient statue at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Torso-of-an-Old-Fisherman.jpg -   Torso of an Old Fisherman, a Roman sculpture in marble, dates to 200 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Votive-relief-for-a-chariot-victor.jpg - Votive relief for a chariot victory, a marble work from north of Athens, depicts a nude warrior wearing a helmet next to his bearded charioteer. Dates to 390-400 B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • warrior-shield.jpg - Warrior shield from northern Italy that dates to the 8th to 9th century B.C. at the Altes Museum in Berlin.
  • Azamara-sculpture-Berlin-Germany.jpg - The sculpture "Berlin" can be found in the Tauentzienstraße district of western Berlin, Germany.
  • Azamara-Kaiser-Church-Berlin-Germany.jpg - Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Germany.
  • Azamara-Holocaust-Memorial-Berlin-Germany.jpg - The moving Holocaust Memorial is in Berllin near the Brandenburg Gate.
  • Azamara-Reichstag-Berlin-Germany.jpg - Detail of the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany.
  • Azamara-Reichstag-dome-Berlin-Germany.jpg - The glass dome of the Rheichstag in Berlin, which was added during reconstruction in 1997.
  • bowl-Caesar-envoy.jpg -  A bowl made in Urbino, Italy, around 1570 depicts Caesar’s envoy in the camp of Pompey the Great, a military leader of the late Roman Republic.
  • bust-of-a-king.jpg - Bust of a king, possibly Tutankhamen, dates to 1335 B.C. Seen at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • chief-steward-of-Amun.jpg - The chief steward of Amun, Sen-en-Mut, and princess Neferu-Re, dating to 1457-1479 B.C. at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Colossal-statue-of-Helios.jpg - Colossal statue of Helios, dating to 138-161 A.D., in Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Crypt-in-Neues-Museum.jpg - An ancient Egyptian crypt at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Family-group-of-Ptah-mai.jpg - Family group of Ptah-mai, chief of the Wab-priests of Ptah, during the dynasty of Ramses II, 1213-1279 B.C., at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
  • Head-of-a-statue-of-a-princess.jpg - Head of a statue of an ancient Egyptian princess at the Neues Museum in Berlin.

Berlin: Reborn, rejuvenated city of parks & museums

our guide

The vibe

The city of Berlin, built around the River Spree in Germany's Bundesland, has undergone enormous changes in the past century. Since World War II, Germany's capital has emerged from the past and undergone the biggest construction project in Europe. It’s now a thriving, modern and exciting city, welcoming both tourists and business visitors.

Much of Berlin has been rebuilt, restored or rejuvenated, and there is some wonderful architecture, both old and new, interspersed throughout the city. Mitte, the central district, boasts prominent sights such as Alexanderplatz and its signature television tower; the 13th-century Nikolaikirche and Marienkirche; and the golden-domed Neue Synagogue. To the west is Tiergarten, which refers to the parliamentary, government and diplomatic district. It hosts the city's largest and most popular inner-city park and the historic Reichstag, which received a modern glass dome in 1999.

Located 125 miles inland, Berlin does not have a seaport. The nearest port is Rostock-Warnemünde, which is about three 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 ports of Hamburg and Szczecin.

Some river cruises start or end at Berlin, using Havel, Spree and some canals for cruises to Prague or the Baltic Sea.

Top reasons to go

  • Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is an 18th-century neoclassical triumphal arch in Berlin, and one of the best-known landmarks of Germany.
  • Museum Island (Museumsinsel), a UNESCO world heritage site in the River Spree.
  • Reichstag, the German parliament building, with its large glass dome that has a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. The debating chamber of the Bundestag, the German parliament, can be seen down below.
  • The Siegessäule (Victory Column), in front of the Reichstag.
  • TV Tower (Fernsehturm) in Alexanderplatz has a great observation deck.
  • Checkpoint Charlie and remains of the Berlin Wall in various spots around the city
An aerial view of Berlin's downtown.
Michael J. Zirbes (Mijozi) / public domainAn aerial view of Berlin's downtown.

Top things to do & see

Berlin is the largest city in Germany and has a population of 4.5 million within its metropolitan area and 3.4 million from over 190 countries within the city limits. Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs, and bars, street art, and numerous museums, palaces and other sites of historic interest. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city center, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighborhoods with several attractions to explore.

Museums

If you have time, a must-see is Museum Island (Museumsinsel), a UNESCO world heritage site in the River Spree that houses five internationally significant museums: the Altes Museum, Neues Musem, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum and Pergamom Museum.The island, originally a residential area, was dedicated to art and science by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841.

Remains of the Berlin Wall

While the Berlin Wall, which divided the city from 1961-1989, has long been dismantled and much of the grounds it occupied completely redeveloped, you can still find parts of the wall preserved around Berlin. The most often visited is Checkpoint Charlie at the southern border of Mitte and Kreuzberg, which is a recreated legendary border crossing within the Friedrichstraße. You cannot see the actual wall there, but this iconic (and extremely touristy) point is on almost every visitor’s list.

Further east from there, you can find a piece of the wall lining up the Niederkirchnerstraße next to the Topography of Terror museum in Mitte. Another popular site is the East Side Gallery along the River Spree in Friedrichshain, a very long stretch of preserved wall with colorful graffiti. All of the aforementioned fragments were altered and are now tourist attractions rather than actual historic monuments. If you want a truly preserved section of the wall, head over to the northern border of Mitte and Gesundbrunnen in the street Bernauer Straße and visit the Berlin Wall Memorial, with a complete section of the wall in all its gloom.

Norman Foster's Reichstag Dome in Berlin
vxla / Creative Commons BYNorman Foster's Reichstag Dome in Berlin.

Reichstag

Open 8 am to midnight, the Reichstag is a large glass domed building with a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. The debating chamber of the Bundestag, the German parliament, can be seen from above. The dome is open to the public and can be reached by climbing two steel, spiraling ramps that are reminiscent of a double helix. Admission is free, but pre-booking is required.

Berlin Zoo

The Berlin Zoo in West Berlin is the historic zoo that was almost destroyed in World War II. It’s an oasis in the city and very popular with families and schools. The Elephant Gate (Budapester Straße) is the second entrance next to the Zoo Aquarium and a traditional photo stop for most visitors because of the architecture. The aquarium hosts an amazing variety of fish, crocodiles and more It’s one of the best places to go on a rainy day with children.

Spreewald

The Spreewald is 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 if you have the time.

Shopping

Ku'Damm and its extension, Tauentzienstraße 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 sixth floor. It’s reputedly the biggest department store in Continental Europe and still has an old-world charm, with very helpful and friendly staff.

Friedrichstraße is the upmarket shopping street in former East Berlin with Galeries Lafayette and the other Quartiers (204 to 207). The renovated Galeria Kaufhof department store at Alexanderplatz is also worth a visit. A large shopping area popular with visitors is Ehemalige Jüdische Mädchenschule.

For cheap books, a nice choice is Jokers Restseller in Friedrichstraße 148, (+49 30 20 45 84 23). For souvenirs, have a look just in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche; these shops sell almost the same items as others, but are cheaper. You can also get cheap postcards here. For alternative souvenirs (design, fashion and small stuff from Berlin designers and artists), go to ausberlin near Alexanderplatz; it's a bit hidden at the other side of Kaufhof at the Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. And for vintage items, check out Pony Hütchen at Pücklerstrasse 33 or Vintage Galore. You can also find dozens of flea markets with different themes in Berlin (mostly on weekends). A few worth checking out are Straße des 17, Mauerpark and Arkonaplatz.

Bests bet for dining

A staple in Berlin is currywurst. It’s a bratwurst covered in ketchup and curry powder. You can find them all over Berlin from street vendors. Two renowned currywurst stands are Konnopke’s Imbiss and Curry 36 — both of which offer far friendlier service than many of Berlin's more upmarket eateries.

Another famous thing to eat in Berlin is Döner, a flat bread filled with lamb or chicken meat and vegetables, available at many Turkish stands. For cheap and good food (especially from Turkey and the Middle East), you should try Kreuzberg and Neukölln. 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.

Another good choice is acht&dreissig (Oranienburger Str. 38), which serves modern German cuisine combined with contemporary interpretations and international inspirations in a modern, open setting. 

Eating out in Berlin is incredibly inexpensive compared to many other Western European capitals or other German cities. The city is multicultural and many ethnic cuisines are represented here somewhere, although it is often modified to suit German tastes. Vegetarians can eat quite well with a little bit of research and menu modification. Many kebab restaurants have a good selection of roasted vegetables and salads. Falafels are also tasty and suitable for vegetarians.

Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Berlin Museum.
Rictor Norton / Creative Commons BY 2.0Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Berlin Museum.

Nightlife

Clubs

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. The main clubbing districts are in the east: Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. Some mainstream clubs are located in Charlottenburg and at Potsdamer Platz.

Electro and techno are still the biggest in Berlin, with lots of progressive DJs and live acts around, but there are also many clubs playing classic rock, alternative rock and of course mainstream music. Partying in Berlin starts around midnight (on the weekends) and peaks around 2 am in normal clubs and a bit later in many electro/techno clubs. Berlin is famous for its long and decadent after hours. The Berghain Panorama Bar (with a cover of less than $20), in the Friedrichshain neighborhood, is one big party. A good overview about whats going on close to the place you are staying is brought to you by joinjack.de.

Bars

Berliners love to drink cocktails, and it's a main socializing point for young people. Many people like to meet their friends in a cocktail bar before clubbing. Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Schöneberg, and Friedrichshain are the main areas. At 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 very famous meeting points. There are lots of Irish bars all over the city, as there are in all European cities, catering mostly to the Irish construction workers and Germans attracted by Irish music. The Irish pub in the Europa Center at Tauentzienstraße is famous and claims to have the longest bar in all of Berlin. After a long night of partying, try the American-style big breakfast place, California Breakfast Slam, at Innstrasse 47, Wildenbruchplatz, Neukölln.

The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Berlin is Germany's national center for the presentation of international contemporary arts, with a special focus on non-European cultures and societies.
Holger Doelle / Creative Commons BY 2.0The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Berlin is Germany's national center for the presentation of international contemporary arts, with a special focus on non-European cultures and societies.

Getting around

Berlin is a beautiful city, so allow enough time to get to see the sights. A good map is highly recommended. While the public transport system is superb, it can be confusing to visitors. Signs point to city boroughs or districts rather than indicating compass directions, so it's a good idea to get to know where the various boroughs or districts lie in relation to each other. The boroughs can roughly be grouped into six districts:

  • Mitte (Mitte): The historical center of Berlin, the nucleus of the former East Berlin, and the emerging city center. Cafés, restaurants, museums, galleries and clubs are abundant throughout the district, along with many sites of historic interest.
  • City West (Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Schöneberg, Tiergarten): Ku'Damm (short for Kurfürstendamm), along with Tauentzienstraße, are the main shopping streets in former West Berlin, especially for luxury goods. Many great restaurants and hotels are here and also on the side roads. The district also contains the Schloss Charlottenburg, Tiergarten and the Olympic Stadium.
  • East Central (Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg): Associated with the left-wing youth culture, artists and Turkish immigrants, this district is somewhat noisier than most, packed with lots of cafés, bars, clubs and trendy shops, but also with some museums in Kreuzberg near the border to Mitte. These districts are undergoing gentrification, as they are popular with students, artists and media professionals alike.
  • North (Spandau, Reinickendorf, Weißensee, Pankow, Wedding): Spandau and Reinickendorf are beautiful old towns that feel much more spacious than the inner city. Pankow was once synonymous with the East German government, and the villas the East German socialist leaders inhabited still exist.
  • East (Lichtenberg, Hohenschönhausen, Marzahn, Hellersdorf): The museum at the site of the 1945 surrender to the Soviet army is of interest, as well as the former Stasi prison, an essential visit for anyone interested in East German history. Marzahn-Hellersdorf has an undeserved reputation for being a vast collection of dull high-rise apartment blocks, as it also contains the Gardens of the World, a large park where various ethnic styles of garden design are explored.
  • South (Steglitz, Zehlendorf, Tempelhof, Neukölln, Treptow, Köpenick): The South is a mixed bag of different boroughs. Zehlendorf is one of the greenest and wealthiest boroughs in Berlin, while Neukölln is one of the city's poorest. Köpenick’s swaths of forest around Berlin's largest lake, Müggelsee and the nice old town of Köpenick beg to be discovered via bikes and the S-Bahn.

To see all six districts, you should make use of the excellent bus, tram, train and underground services to get around. Taxi services are also easy to use and a bit less expensive than in many other big Central European cities. Consult the online Berlin route planner (in English) to get excellent maps and schedules for the U-Bahn, buses, S-Bahn and trams, or to print your personal journey planner.

Historic townsquare in Goslar, Germany.
Siehe Bildquelle / Courtesy of Stiftung Rammelsberg, WeltkulturerbeHistoric townsquare in Goslar, Germany.

Best time to go

Berlin has a temperate oceanic climate, meaning it has 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.

Need to know

Currency: Credit cards are becoming more common, but Germans still largely prefer euros, as well EC/Maestro cards. 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.

Language: German is the main language in Berlin but you can easily find tourist information in English and sometimes in French. Most people under 40 in Berlin are able to speak English with varying degrees of fluency.

Safety: Berlin is a safe place, but watch your bags during rush hours and at larger train stations. The police in Berlin 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. The nationwide emergency number is 112 for medical emergencies and fires, while the police emergency number is 110.

Your take

Have you been to Berlin? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight for you?

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Cruiseable team
The Cruiseable editorial team consists of award-winning travel writers, cruise bloggers and journalists.

Overheard

“Berlin has so much to experience — over 175 museums, a world-famous zoo and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,” Carol says. “The Berlin Philharmonic performs in a free-form, sweeping, gold contemporary building across the street from Sony Center with its futuristic design. Public transportation is good and easy. Bus 100 is good for sightseeing — it travels from East to West Berlin, from Alexanderplatz to the Zoological Garden.” 

San Jose Mercury News

“Reopened in 2015, the refurbished public Berlinische Galerie houses works by 20th-century artists of the Berlin Secession, Expressionist, Dada and New Objectivity movements: the haunting Weimar-era oil portraiture of Otto Dix, George Grosz’s pen-and-ink prostitutes and automatons and Hannah Höch’s radical photomontages, among other gems (entrance, 8 euros). ”

New York Times

“The paleo diet has taken hold in Berlin thanks largely to Sauvage. The restaurant serves up dishes like roasted bone marrow on rosemary-and-cassava-flour toast and paleo pancakes made with tiger nut, chestnut and cassava. Brunch is about 15 euros.”

New York Times

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