Berlin Travel Guide

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A sweeping view over Berlin, Germany at sunset with the iconic TV tower in the distance

As Germany’s capital and the largest city in the country, almost everyone who visits “The Land of Poets and Thinkers” visits Berlin. While I at first disliked the “industrial” look of the city, its gritty feel, art, history, and nightlife grew on me as I explored. Today, it’s one of my favorite cities in Europe!

Berlin has become incredibly popular with students, artists, writers, and creatives from around the world. They’ve been drawn to the city’s cheap rent and anything-goes spirit as well as Germany’s amazing “freelancer visa”.

This city is one of the most vibrant on the continent. It’s also huge, so don’t try to see it in just a couple of days. Extend your stay, take your time, rent a bike, and don’t rush. There’s a lot to see. There’s a constant sense of motion here.

This travel guide to Berlin can help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you have an amazing time in this lively metropolis.

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Berlin

The famous Brandenburg Gate without any people nearby in Berlin, Germany
1. Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

This outdoor memorial is a tribute to the millions of Jews who died during World War II. It’s made up of 2,711 large rectangular stones, which are all different sizes. They’re spread out over spread out across 19,000 square meters. You can walk between the stones and reflect on the Holocaust and the millions of lives that it claimed. There’s also an underground exhibition room with more information that’s free to enter.

2. See the Brandenburg Gate

Built in 1791, Brandenburg Gate is the city’s best-known landmark. During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate was in no man’s land behind the Berlin Wall and became a symbol of the separation between East and West. When the Wall fell, everyone came to celebrate here, and it has remained a symbol of a unified Germany ever since. There was a huge New Year’s celebration after the city was reunited, and there’s still a massive party here every New Year’s Eve.

3. See the Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral was consecrated in 1905 as a royal court church, though there’s been a cathedral on the site since the 15th century. Now it’s a museum and concert hall. It’s also where the Hohenzollern crypt is located. The family dynasty ruled Prussia and, later, Germany since the 1400s. While most visitors just stop by for photos, the ornate interior is decked in marble and onyx, with a 7,269-pipe organ and royal sarcophagi.

4. Visit the East Side Gallery

This open-air art gallery features 105 paintings by artists from all over the world on a section of the Berlin Wall in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. At 1316 meters, It’s the world’s longest open-air gallery. Most of the paintings are political in nature. Don’t miss the iconic Fraternal Kiss by Dmitri Vrubel and the Trabant Breaking through the Wall by Birgit Kinders. Signs fill in the history along the way so you can learn about the wall and art too. If you want an in-depth look at the history of the gallery and the Berlin Wall, take a guided tour.

5. Hang out in Treptower Park

This park is near an abandoned amusement park. Bike, relax in one of the beer gardens, or rent a boat and paddle down the Spree River. It’s my favorite park in the city. Visit the Inselgarten beer garden with its giant bar swings and random tango classes. Don’t miss the Insel der Jugend (Island of Youth), which you’ll reach by crossing Germany’s oldest composite steel bridge. The island is a center for cultural events and live music during the summer months.

 

Other Things to See and Do in Berlin

1. Hang out in Potsdamer Platz

In the 1920s, Potsdamer Platz was the busiest square in Europe but it was destroyed during World War II and then divided by the Berlin Wall. After German reunification, it became the largest building site in Europe. It was transformed into a showpiece for the “new Berlin,” with modern architecture like skyrises, hotels, cinemas, shopping centers, and the massive central plaza.

2. See the famous Reichstag

The seat of the German Parliament is one of Berlin’s most historic landmarks. It has a clear dome (to promote “transparency” in the government) and draws some of the biggest crowds in Berlin. You can visit the dome (it’s free), but you have to make a reservation ahead of time. From the dome, you can enjoy panoramic views over the city and learn about the parliament’s history from the interior exhibitions. (Bring your passport as it’s required for entry!).

3. Enjoy the view from Fernsehturm TV Tower in Alexanderplatz

Germany’s main city square contains the iconic 368-meter-high Fernsehturm TV Tower. You can visit the tower’s observation deck for dazzling views of the city. It’s definitely the best point for a bird’s eye view of the city. Otherwise, Alexanderplatz is an exciting hub of activity as people come to shop, eat, and hang out. There’s a lot of good bars around the area too.

4. Tour the German Historical Museum

This museum covers everything from prehistory right up to the present day. There are numerous in-depth exhibits here, so schedule a few hours to see it all. It’s one of my favorite history museums in the world because it is very, very detailed. Highlights include a 3.5-meter-tall coat of arms column from 1486, Napoleon’s hat from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and a personal computer from East Germany. Note: the permanent exhibitions are closed for renovations until 2025. Temporary exhibitions are still accessible.

5. Head to Grunewald Forest

If you are looking to escape from the city, the grand expanse of Berlin’s largest forest is the perfect destination for hiking, picnicking, and biking. On hot summer days, head to Kuhhorn Badestrand, which has a cove and beach where Berliners come to swim and lounge. In the northernmost part of the forest, you’ll find Teufelsberg, a man-made hill standing 120 meters high. You can hike up here for views over the city as well as to see the abandoned tower that was used as a listening station by the US during the Cold War. You do have to pay to visit Teufelsberg. They also offer guided tours in English every Sunday at 3pm for an additional fee.

6. Go to Zoologischer Garten and Aquarium

First opened in 1841, this is Germany’s oldest — and Europe’s most popular — zoo. There are giraffes, elephants, gorillas, and Germany’s only giant pandas, as well as nearly 1,300 other species. The aquarium is equally as impressive and is home to fish, coral, jellyfish, sharks, and more. You can pay for entrance to each one separately if you only want to visit one or get a combination ticket.

7. Visit the Deutsche Kinemathek

More commonly referred to as the Film Museum, this museum hosts festivals throughout the year. However, it’s also worth visiting for its fascinating interactive exhibits on German film. You can learn about German movie history, try out historical filmmaking instruments, explore the ins and outs of cinematic storytelling, watch Nazi propaganda films, and play your role in front of a green screen in the museum’s studio. The museum theater also offers regular showings of foreign and historic films. Admission to the museum comes with a free audio guide. Tickets to see a film is a separate fee. Entrance is free on the first Sunday of the month.

8. Check out Mauerpark’s market

This enormous flea market is held every Sunday, with vendors selling all sorts of vintage furniture, antiques, artwork, books, and more. Local artists also set up shops to sell their paintings and handicrafts, and there’s no shortage of food and beer to go around. Don’t forget to join the karaoke session in the outdoor theater.

9. Relax in Tempelhof Field

Located in the southern part of the city, this park is actually the site of an old airport that was used during the Berlin Airlift (when the Soviets tried to blockade the city). While the airport closed in 2008 and was transformed into a park, there are still a lot of plaques where you can learn about the old airport. The 951-hectare park is a favorite with Berliners, with lots of people running, working out, and cycling here. In the summer, people take over the barbecue pits. The entrances are open from sunrise to sunset.

10. See the DDR Museum

This museum focuses on life in East Berlin during Communist rule. Exhibits are interactive and divided to cover the various aspects of daily life in East Berlin. There’s even a section dedicated to how the East Germans rebelled against Communist rule by flocking to nude beaches to be “free.”

11. Visit Checkpoint Charlie

Dividing Berlin’s most well-known post-war border crossing was Checkpoint Charlie. The original border post on Friedrichstraße between former East and West Berlin remains, complete with a soldier’s post and border crossing sign. The museum has exhibits on the history of the Berlin Wall along with displays about people who attempted to escape to the West. You do have to pay to visit the museum and audio guides and photo permits are an extra fee.

12. Take a bike tour

Berlin is a great city to explore by bicycle. There are plenty of themed tours run by operators like Fat Tire Tours that showcase the city, highlighting its history, food, and culture. Prices vary depending on the tour, but it’s well worth the price to see the city on two wheels. When I ran tours to Berlin, we always did a bike tour and it was always one of the highlights for my guests!

13. Go underground with the Berliner Unterwelten-Museum

This is not a museum in the traditional sense (though there is an exhibition), but rather a guided tour into bunkers, air raid shelters, and tunnel systems beneath the city, in Gesundbrunnen U-Bahnhof. You’ll see East Germany escape tunnels, ammunition findings, and even archaeological treasures. You can also descend into the basement of the BerlinerKindl brewery and sample some of the beers after the tour.

14. Explore the Jewish History Museum

This museum traces the arrival of Jews in Germany and their contributions throughout German history, hardships faced as a people, and Jewish culture in general. Like most museums in Germany, the museum is huge and requires a few hours to properly explore. It doesn’t go into too much depth on the Holocaust, as there is a separate museum for that (The Topography of Terror). Admission is free, but there’s an extra cost to visit the temporary exhibition.

15. Visit the Topography of Terror

This museum is on the spot where the SS and the Reich Security Main Office were located during World War II. It documents the terror and horror of the Nazi regime with harrowing video interviews with survivors, historical documents, photographs, and more. It also consists of excavated prison cells that were located under a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Admission is free.

16. Relax in Tiergarten

Berlin’s “Central Park” is one of the most beautiful city parks in all of Europe. Founded in 1527 as a private hunting ground for Germany’s ruling class, Tiergarten first opened to the public in 1740. Unfortunately, the park was significantly damaged during World War II; most monuments and bridges were destroyed, thousands of trees were cut down to use for firewood, and war debris piled up. Today, the park covers 520 acres, and visitors can visit war monuments, grab a beer in the beer garden, and go out on the lakes in a pedal boat (or ice-skate in the winter).

17. Take a boat tour

The Spree River flows through Berlin, meaning there are lots of canals and waterways on which you can take a boat tour. It’s quite relaxing on a warm day and provides a new perspective of the city. Take a one-hour cruise to get a different view of the city.

18. Hang out in Friedrichshain’s Markthalle Neun

If you’ve had your fill of Berliner currywurst and döner kebap and you’re looking for more variety, this huge food hall is a cool place to hang out during the day as it carries fresh produce, deli items, and handmade bread, pasta, and more. There are also various international-themed eateries as well. The regular weekly market is open Tuesday to Sunday until 6pm. On Thursdays, they have special street food where you can get Tibetan momos, British pies, tacos, Kässpatzen (dumplings with cheese), and more. They even have a selection of craft beer, wines, coffee, and other items to drink.

19. Rent a DDR Trabant Car

At Trabiworld, you can rent one of the old DDR gear shift Trabant cars and take a spin around Berlin on a “Trabi Safari” (the cars were manufactured in East Germany). Cruise around on a planned route by the sites of the East Side Gallery part of the former Berlin Wall. Plus, you even get to keep your “Trabi license” as a souvenir at the end. Rides last 75 min.

20. Take a food tour

Berlin has an incredible food scene, from street food to Michelin-star restaurants. It’s where the doner kebab and currywurst were born. The food culture here is one of creativity and innovation. Each part of the city has its own unique flavors. Mitte is the street food center, Kreuzberg and Neukölln are known for their Turkish cuisine, and you’ll find great Chinese food in Charlottesburg. A food tour is a wonderful way to try a variety of what the city has to offer.

 

How to Stay Safe in Berlin

Berlin is pretty safe, but like all big cities, there is petty crime (such as pickpocketing). Be careful on busy public transit and around crowded tourist attractions, especially in Alexanderplatz. ATM scams are unfortunately also a problem here. Whenever possible, withdraw money from inside a bank where you know there are security cameras and/or guards.

Violent crime is rare but avoid certain areas of town like Kottbusser Tor, Görlitzer Park, Neukölln, and Volkspark Hasenheide after dark if you’re traveling alone. The area around Warschauer Straße station is a natural nightlife hub where ridiculously drunk people always end up. Be mindful of your whereabouts and your belongings, as this place is a hotspot for pickpocketing and sometimes even assault.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and follow standard safety precautions like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar, walking in unlit places alone at night, etc. If you want specific information about Berlin, there are a number of incredible solo female travel blogs that can provide tips that I can’t.

It’s no secret that drugs are big in Berlin. Much of the drug exchange happens at Kottbusser Tor – if you’re walking through here, do so with caution.

When out at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended. Additionally, never walk home alone if intoxicated, especially if leaving a club late at night.

To avoid getting scammed, read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Where to Stay in Berlin

Berlin has hostels all over the city and tons of affordable hotels, so it’s really a matter of finding a neighborhood that suits you best. These are some of my recommended places to stay in Berlin:

For more accommodation suggestions, check out this post about the best hostels in Berlin or this one with the best hotels in the city. For a list of neighborhoods to stay in, read this post I wrote.

Berlin Travel Costs

The Reichstag in Berlin, Germany as seen from the water nearby

Accommodation

  • Hostel dorms – 30-100 EUR per night
  • Hostel private rooms – 75-225 EUR per night
  • Budget hotels – 50-200 EUR per night
  • Luxury hotels – 250+ EUR per night
  • Airbnb private rooms – 50-100 EUR per night
  • Airbnb apartments – 50-200 EUR per night
  • Campsite – 10-50 EUR per night
  • Camping dorms – 25 EUR per night

Food

  • Sausage stands – 5 EUR
  • Kebab stands – 7-10 EUR
  • Sandwiches – 5-8 EUR
  • Takeaway restaurants – 12-15 EUR
  • Poke bowl – 13-16 EUR
  • Sit-down restaurants – 10-24 EUR per main dish
  • Lunch specials – 10-14 EUR
  • Beer – 4-6 EUR
  • Glass of wine – 5-10 EUR
  • Cappuccino/latte/tea – 3-5 EUR
  • Bottled water – 2-4 EUR
  • Groceries for a week – 95 EUR

Some of my favorite places to eat are Mustafa’s Gemuse Kebap, Konnopke’s Imbiss, Cocolo Ramen, Burgeramt, Markthalle Neun, MOM’S, and Nah am Wasser.

Berlin Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Berlin is an incredibly affordable city (which is why so many people try to move here from other parts of Europe), though costs have risen in the past few years. However, you can easily visit the city on a budget without doing much work. If you want to save even more money, here’s how to cut costs in Berlin:

Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Use your student card – Student ID cards can come in handy to purchase meals, drinks, accommodation, and visit museums at a discount. Always ask if there is a student discount.

Eat the street food – Berlin’s street food scene is epic. There is a currywurst stand or fast-food stall on every corner, especially around markets and parks. You can get filling sausages and burgers for just a few euros, especially at busy places like Mauerpark, Markthalle Neun, and the Turkish Market.

Eat Asian/Turkish food – You can get a kebab or falafel for as little as 3 EUR. On weekends, Thai Park (at Preußen Park) offers the best cheap Thai food outside of Thailand!

Take a free walking tour – New Europe Tours run daily walking tours that cover the main highlights. They also run tours around various historic themes (communism, Nazism, Jewish history, etc.) for great low prices, if you have a more specific interest. You can also take the Alternative Berlin tour, which showcases the artsy side of Berlin.

Get the lunch specials – There are lunchtime specials during the week in Oranienburgerstr. For example, you can get a starter and main course in very nice restaurants for around 6 EUR. It’s a great deal if you want to eat out.

Stay at a hostel that includes breakfast – If you want to cut costs, stay at one of the city’s hostels that includes breakfast. You can expect different kinds of fresh bread, müesli, cheeses, cold cuts (like ham, turkey, and salami), maybe a boiled egg, and fresh fruit and coffee. It’s filling and will save you money.

Get a transportation pass – A day ticket with unlimited travel in city center zones costs 8.80 EUR, and a week pass is 36 EUR — much cheaper than paying per ride. You can use your tickets across the train, tram, and bus network, saving you a fortune if you plan on seeing a lot of the city.

Get the Berlin Welcome Card – The Berlin Welcome Card offers free public transportation, discounts on over 200 attractions, and free entry into many of the paid museums. It can be a good deal if you’re going to a lot of museums. A two-day card is 24 EUR, while a three-day card is 39 EUR. You can get a card for up to six days for 50 EUR.

Grab a beer on the go – You can enjoy a beer just about anywhere in Berlin. Pick up a large beer from the supermarket or Späti (a corner store) for as little as 0.80 EUR and head to the park to lounge the day away.

Stay with a local – If you want to cut down your travel costs while also getting some local insight into the city, use Couchsurfing. Not only will you save money but you’ll meet locals who can help get you off the beaten path. Since Berlin is a popular city, be sure to send your requests in advance (especially in the summer!).

    How to Get Around in Berlin

    view of Berlin's rooftops and the TV tower

    Public transportation – Berlin is a sprawling city, but it’s incredibly well connected by its subway (U-Bahn) and above-ground train system (S-Bahn). You can even get to the outlying neighborhoods quickly. A single ticket is 3.50 EUR and is good for two hours. If you’re outside the AB zone, the ticket price increases. For example, a ticket to Brandenburg Airport is 4.40 EUR.

    You can purchase tickets on the platform or via the BVG app. Always keep your ticket on you as random checks on the train are common.

    A day ticket with unlimited travel in Zones AB (Berlin city proper) costs 9.90 EUR, and a week pass is 41.50 EUR. You can use your tickets across the train, tram, and bus network, but be sure to check your route ahead of time.

    There are a handful of tram lines around Berlin’s central neighborhoods, but they’re not as fast or efficient as the trains. Ticket prices are the same as the train.

    There are also over one hundred bus lines around Berlin that get you anywhere you need to go, especially on weeknights after the trains shut down. Ticket prices are the same as the trains and trams.

    Bicycle – Berlin is incredibly easy to cycle around, with well-marked bicycle lanes. Most bicycle rentals start at 15 EUR per day. Bike-sharing programs like Bolt, Nextbike, and LimeBike offer rentals for 1 EUR per 15 minutes or 15 EUR for the day.

    Taxi – Taxis are not cheap here, but you’ll rarely need to use one. The base rate is 4 EUR, and it’s an additional 2 EUR per kilometer afterward. Skip them if you can.

    Ridesharing – Uber is available in Berlin, but you shouldn’t need to use it much, if at all, as the public transportation here is fast and reliable.

    Car rental – Car rentals start at 30 EUR per day for a multi-day rental, however, you won’t need one unless you’re leaving the city. Even then, the bus and train system can likely get you where you need to go for cheaper. Renters need to be at least 21 years old.

    For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars. You can get a free quote using this widget:

    When to Go to Berlin

    Spring and summer are peak seasons in Berlin (especially May to September). The whole city comes alive as people get out to enjoy temperatures in the 30s°C (high 80s°F). This is really when Berlin’s parks and markets come alive so I’d try to visit during this time if you can. There’s a lot of outdoor beer gardens and people hang out in the river. The capital thrives during these months. My favorite month is June when the weather is great but it’s still not too crowded with visitors.

    While winters are dark and cold with temperatures dropping to 0°C (32°F), Berlin doesn’t get a lot of snowfall and the Christmas season is magical. The city has a lot of Christmas markets and lights and events. December is one of the best times to go but it does get very crowded. Otherwise, the rest of the winter is pretty devoid of tourists and prices are a lot cheaper.

    Berlin Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

    These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

    • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
    • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
    • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
    • HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
    • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
    • The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
    • Trainline – When you’re ready to book your train tickets, use this site. It streamlines the process of booking trains around Europe.
    • Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
    • FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
    • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
    • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
    • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
    • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
    • BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

    GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

    Nomadic Matt's Guide to Paris

    There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.

    While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

    I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.
    Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

    Berlin Travel Guide: Related Articles

    Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Berlin travel and continue planning your trip: