Berlin

Travel Guide

Brandenburg Gate illuminated at dusk in Berlin, showcasing neoclassical architecture and historical significance
Brandenburg Gate illuminated at dusk in Berlin, showcasing neoclassical architecture and historical significance
Berlin which includes street scenes and a river or creek as well as a large group of people
Berlin Cathedral showing a fountain, chateau or palace and heritage architecture
Kurfuerstendamm which includes street scenes

Berlin Travel Guide Video

With the relics of its turbulent past transformed afresh through street art, chic neighborhoods and repurposed architecture, Germany’s capital embraces old and new.

Discover Berlin’s inimitable charisma when you explore the city’s lively streets. Wander through modern plazas or tree-lined cobblestone boulevards and stumble across spacious old town squares and canal-side parks. Split into 12 distinct boroughs, Berlin’s history can be read in each streetscape. See the scars of World War II and the Cold War in the city’s revered ruins and get a taste of the city’s multiculturalism in its modern cafés and restaurants.

Mitte is Berlin’s historic center and remains an important central hub. Visit this borough to see Alexanderplatz dwarfed by the iconic Fernsehturm television tower. Walk along the Spree River and check out some of Mitte’s historic landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building and the magnificent old museum buildings on Museum Island. Don’t miss seeing the medieval town of Nikolaiviertel, or be awed by the contrasting ultra-modern architecture of Potsdamer Platz. Nearby, see the historic Cold War monument, Checkpoint Charlie, or walk around the poignant Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Explore the Zoologischer Garten Berlin in spacious Tiergarten. Go shopping in streets lined with boutique and designer stores or check out independent galleries and showrooms in Mitte, Prenzlauerberg and Kreuzberg. Renowned for cultural diversity and artists’ enclaves, Kreuzberg and its neighbors, Neukölln and Friedrichshain, are exciting boroughs bursting with lively bars, clubs and cafés. Check out the street-art monument to the city’s 1989 reunification at the East Side Gallery or relax with a local pilsner on a grassy lawn in Görlitzer Park or Hasenheide. Nearby, skateboarders, cyclists and inline skaters are welcome on the repurposed tarmac at Tempelhofer Feld, the sprawling parkland of the city’s former airport. If the weather is warm, don’t miss soaking up some sunshine at one of the city’s tree-lined lakes, such as Wannsee.

Berlin is located in northeastern Germany and is serviced by several international airports. Rent a bicycle to explore the city or enjoy its fast and efficient public transit service. Visit in summer to experience the city in full swing or explore the quaint historic neighborhoods in winter to discover charming Christmas markets.

Where to stay in Berlin

Mitte which includes modern architecture and a city

Mitte

4.5/5(1,853 area reviews)

Explore the vast Großer Tiergarten park, admire modernist architecture at Kulturforum, and visit iconic sites like Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island. Easily navigate with ample public transport options.

Mitte
Kreuzberg which includes outdoor art as well as an individual femail

Kreuzberg

4/5(169 area reviews)

Gentrified and artsy, Kreuzberg boasts diverse cultural life and alternative lifestyles. Must-visit spots include the Jewish Museum Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie, and the annual Carnival of Cultures.

Kreuzberg
Friedrichshain showing outdoor art

Friedrichshain

4/5(139 area reviews)

Experience trendy Friedrichshain, home to design and media companies like MTV Central Europe. Enjoy peaceful Volkspark Friedrichshain, riverside walks, and diverse dining options, while shopping at Frankfurter Allee and Ring-Center mall.

Friedrichshain
Explore the tranquil beauty of Tiergarten in Berlin during autumn with vibrant foliage and peaceful reflections on the water

Tiergarten

4/5(2 area reviews)

Travelers love Tiergarten for its popular shops, and you can see more of Berlin by jumping on the metro at Kurfurstenstrasse U-Bahn or Bundestag U-Bahn. You might spend time checking out top sights like Potsdamer Platz and Bauhaus Archive.

Tiergarten
Schoeneberg showing a city

Schöneberg

4/5(163 area reviews)

Part of Berlin's Tempelhof-Schöneberg borough, this area boasts the historic Dorfkirche church and Rathaus Schöneberg on John-F.-Kennedy-Platz. Shop at KaDeWe, Europe's largest department store, or explore the natural park Südgelände.

Schöneberg
Prenzlauer Berg showing a city

Prenzlauer Berg

Famed for its vibrant art scene and nightlife, this centrally-located neighborhood boasts prewar architecture, trendy shopping areas, and diverse dining options. Must-see spots include Gethsemane Church, Rykestrasse Synagogue, and Mauerpark.

Prenzlauer Berg
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz

Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz

4.5 out of 5
Alexanderplatz 7 Berlin BE
The price is $115 total per night from Jan 15 to Jan 16
$115 total
per night
Jan 15 - Jan 16
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,806 reviews)
Clean good location rooms okay at best

Reviewed on Jan 13, 2026

Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals

Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals

Lützowplatz 17 Berlin BE
The price is $94 total per night from Jan 18 to Jan 19
$94 total
per night
Jan 18 - Jan 19
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,429 reviews)
Perfect room size, good location, easy and straightforward check in/ check out ! Very good parking lot, I would definitely stay there again. No doubt

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals
IntercityHotel Berlin Airport BER Terminal 1+2

IntercityHotel Berlin Airport BER Terminal 1+2

Willy-Brandt-Platz 5 Schoenefeld
The price is $126 total per night from Jan 23 to Jan 24
$126 total
per night
Jan 23 - Jan 24
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Schoenefeld. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,061 reviews)
It was so cold in the room! The air conditioner was set to 21 degrees of Celsius, but at the outside was minus 10!

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2026

IntercityHotel Berlin Airport BER Terminal 1+2
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lux 11 Berlin Mitte

Lux 11 Berlin Mitte

Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 9-13 Berlin
Book a stay at this boutique aparthotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,229 reviews)
We were very happy about our stay. We loved the hotels location next to many attractions. It felt safe and although it was new years and loud at night we found the hotel well insulated to keep out the noise and keep in the heat. The bed was comfortable and the shower’s were hot. The hotel staff was ...

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

Lux 11 Berlin Mitte
Mondrian Suites Berlin Checkpoint Charlie

Mondrian Suites Berlin Checkpoint Charlie

Markgrafenstrasse 16 - 16a Berlin BE
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,012 reviews)
Staff were very friendly, the room was always cleaned very well and the amenities were great!

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2025

Mondrian Suites Berlin Checkpoint Charlie
Limehome Berlin Luise-Henriette-Str.

Limehome Berlin Luise-Henriette-Str.

Luise-Henriette-Straße 4 Berlin BE
Stay at this aparthotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Potsdamer Platz and Brandenburg Gate are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (129 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2025

Limehome Berlin Luise-Henriette-Str.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Berlin

Berlin is best explored by public transportation, on foot and by bike. Car rental isn’t generally needed here. The S-Bahn (overground train) and U-Bahn (underground train) networks are speedy and comprehensive, taking in most of the city. There are also trams and buses, as well as miles of bike lanes. You may also prefer to travel by taxi, either by hailing one on the street or booking one in advance. Visit the Berliner VerkehrsbetriebeOpens in a new window website. Browse Berlin rental cars.

Best time to visit

Any time between May and September would be ideal for a Berlin visit. Although these are the busiest months of the year, they are also the ones with the best weather and the most to do. Find the city’s outdoor spaces filled with life during these months. Try to avoid winter unless you don’t mind the cold. Winter temperatures can be as low as 29 F (2 C), with January being the coldest month.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Berlin

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1322
5 - Excellent 63%
4 - Good
627
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
119
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
27
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
8
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Hoaddaddy

Berlin remains a jewel of Europe! Completely navigable with the Citymapper and BVG Apps; Berlin is a pedestrian-friendly city with copious bicycle and scoot rentals to get help you get around!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

My best lovely town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was wonderful and there were so many cool things to see there

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Always a great city to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Wonderful cosmopolitan city. Young and vibrant.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Get the museum pass! It is a great deal, and if you plan well, you can make it through the big museums in town

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