Berlin Hotels

Berlin is cool. And it always has been. From the decadent, smoke-filled, jazz-playing bars of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s to the decadent, smoke-free (times have changed in one respect) techno-thumping bars of today, Berlin has been a magnet to the hippest, trendiest teenagers and twenty-somethings from Germany and beyond.

So many people seem so intent on having a good time (every summer, a section of the Elbe is transformed into a City Beach for the residents to enjoy. They even haul in wave-making machines for the surfers!), that you even forget that little more than two decades ago, Berlin was a city divided.

You can’t visit Berlin without going to see the Berlin Wall (what remains of it, anyway) and grim reminders that the city was once the Nazi nerve centre (Hitler’s Bunker is chilling). And with the Brandenburg Gate dominating the heart of the City, you can’t ignore Germany’s imperial past.

But Berlin is a city firmly facing the future, both in attitude and ambition if not architecture. A wonderful sense of fun permeates the place (Erotic Museum, anyone?). The food and beers are to die for and the locals are both friendly and fascinating.

So get your diary out, because to get the most out of this city, you’ll have to act like a German and get organised!

Berlin's Top 10

Annapolis, Maryland

The Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region in Germany offers a wide variety of amazing tourist attractions. From the lush, green forest areas to the bustling, ever-changing cultural hubs, this is a great way to experience northeastern Germany at its finest. The remnants of the Berlin Wall are also a major focal point, as they shed light on the tumultuous past of Germany as a whole.

Berlin Attractions

• Charlottenburg Palace
• Legoland Discovery Centre
• Gendarmenmarkt of Berlin

Berlin Activities

• Climb the 285 steps to the top of the Siegessäule
• Take a stern und kreisschiffahrt (boat tour) on the surrounding lakes
• Enjoy the dulcet tones of the renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Berlin Climate

A humid continental climate is what travellers can expect from the Berlin region. Warm summers (reaching an average of 24°C) and mild winters (reaching an average of 1°C) make this a great place to visit throughout the year.

Getting There & Around

Berlin has two operational airports. Tegel International Airport is the main airport for flagship carriers, while Schönefeld deals mainly with low-cost airlines. For people travelling to Berlin via train, the Hauptbahnhof, Südkreuz and Ostbahnhof make up Berlin’s train network.

Getting around the inner city itself is relatively simple. Buses, the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, scooters, trams, taxis, bicycles and even walking are great ways to get around. Berlin’s public transport system and vehicle renting system are tailored to suit the needs of tourists and locals.

Berlin Local

Mitte

At the centre of Berlin is the landmark-studded district of Mitte (which, conveniently enough means middle). Here you’ll find cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries and clubs, as well as loads of historical sites of interest.

Visit the go-go dancers and other ladies of the night at the Friedrichstadtpalas,or if you’re into more conventional art visit the Dali Museum or the Hoffmann Collection(OK, neither of those is strictly conventional, either, but you get the point…)

Mitte is also home to the historic Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz. Those two great squares have been the centre of Berlin’s nightlife – above the line and decidedly below the belt – for centuries, and nothing has changed.

City West

City West includes Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Schöneber and the political centre Tiergarten. Hippies, trendy young families and the LGBTI community unite in this hip area.

As well as great shopping streets along Ku'Damm and Tauentzienstraße,this district also contains the Schloss Charlottenburg (the largest palace in Berlin) and the Olympic Stadium, home to the 1936 Olympics and the place where black American Jesse Owens challenged Hitler’s boasts of Aryan supremacy in the best possible way by beating every blond-haired, blue-eyed competitor he came up against.

City East

Associated with lefties and artist communities, this district is loud, boisterous and packed with clubs, bars and cafés. Explore Friedrichshain, Kreuzbergand Prenzlauerberg to check out the hidden galleries and museums.

Spend a lazy Sunday in Berliner Mauerpark or at the Mauerpark Fleamarket and discover the graffiti art down Bernauer Strasse. And when you’re all shopped out, stop by the Fassbender & Rausch chocolate café for an indulgent treat.

Berlin Eat & Drink

Berlin Events

The International Green Week (IGW) is a one-of-a-kind event for the food, agricultural, and horticultural industries. Or, just wear green during January! Why not?

The Berlinale, Berlin’s International Film Festival, struts up the red carpet in February.

Berlin's Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) based in the Kreuzberg district is a great summer festival and an unmissable street party. Comes around each June.

Friedrichstadt Palast is Berlin’s biggest show in Europe's largest and most modern Show Palace.

Christopher Street Day descends on the streets of Berlin in the traditional celebration of the LBGTI community in Germany. Bring your pride each June.

For the 20th time the musical carousel at the Classic Open Air Festival starts spinning again at Berlin Gendarmenmarkt in July.

Something you won’t get anywhere else is the Long Night of the Museums. More than 100 museums and cultural institutions leave their doors open all night to Berliners and visitors during August.

Pyronale is a spectacular two-night pyrotechnic event with OMFG fireworks. 60,000 spectators come to experience the gigantic bangs known for their beautiful compositions. Pyronale explodes in September.

September brings us The Popkomm –a combination of a trade show, international congress and music festival all in one.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the largest marathon events in the world. More than 50,000 runners and skaters come to the capital from every part of the globe to take part in the race. Watch from a balcony in September.

More than 50 famous landmarks and spaces, including the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the Radio Tower light up during the Festival of Lights in October.

If you don’t mind the crowds and the cold, the Brandenburg Gate is also the place to be as Berliners welcome in the New Year.

When To Go

In winter (December to February), Berlin looks beautiful but is very cold, with temperatures hovering around freezing. There’s also lots of snow and lots of fog.

In spring (March to May), the warmer weather brings the tourists (but in manageable quantities). Temperatures range from 4-18°C (39-64°F).

Summer (June to August) has temperatures ranging from 11-30°C (52-86°F). It’s generally sunny, which make the city beautiful but busy.

Autumn (September to November) sees some rainy periods, but temperatures are a manageable 9-13°C (38-55°F).

What To Miss

Avoid the themed bars (you know the ones: ‘American’ or ‘Irish’ or ‘Australian’. They’re over-priced and tacky and no locals hang out there).

If you’re looking for trendy bars and clubs to party in, avoid the CBD late at night.

When riding the U-Bahn or S-Bahn make sure you get a ticket or get your cash ready to pay a fine – especially to and from the airport.

Ride a Bike

Berlin is a flat city, which makes it easy to see on a bicycle. Almost all roads have a separate bike path next to them, so there is no need to dodge traffic while riding around the city. Although drinking in public is allowed (encouraged, even!), we recommend you don’t drink and ride!

General Information

Other Attractions

Other Events

More Info On Climate

More Info On Getting Around