Berlin holidays

Reichstag Building, Berlin

City breaks to Berlin are a real mix of culture and fun – you can spend your days perusing museums and admiring street art, and dive into the city’s lively party scene come sunset.

A historical hotspot

Berlin’s turbulent 20th century has left behind a scattering of historic landmarks in the German capital. One of the most famous is the Berlin Wall – although not much of it remains, you can still visit small sections of this Cold War remnant all over the city. The Brandenburg Gate’s another must-see – this neoclassical monument was originally built as a gateway into Berlin, but it’s now seen as a symbol of peace and unity. The city’s Holocaust Memorial sits nearby – this 19,000-square-metre collection of concrete slabs offers up a place for remembrance, and an underground information centre lets you learn more about some of the victims.

Urban artwork

Famous artists from all over have left their mark on the streets of Berlin – so much so, that the city’s been dubbed the Mecca of the urban art world. The most famous street art can be found at East Side Gallery. This section of the Berlin Wall has been transformed into an open-air art exhibition, earning itself a place near the top of every visitor’s sightseeing list. Elsewhere, oversized murals and graffiti tags have become part-and-parcel of the city’s image – you’re sure to spot some of them as you’re strolling around.

Nightlife like no other

Unlike other cities in Germany, the nightclubs in Berlin have no official closing time, so there are loads of places where you can party from dusk ‘til dawn. The diverse line-up of venues covers ultra-cool techno clubs, pubs housed in derelict buildings, and open-air riverside bars. For the best choice of venues, you’ll want to head to the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts in the east of the city. Here, you’ll find a mix of legendary superclubs and quirky places with outdoor dancefloors.

Popular hotels in Berlin

Top things to see and do in Berlin

Beaches

Lakefront beaches

Despite being miles away from the sea, Berlin’s still home to a handful of waterfront beaches. Every summer, Berliners flock to the lakes in the south west of the city to swim in the clear water. Lots of the best spots are less than an hour’s drive from the city centre, so you can easily squeeze a visit into your itinerary.

The big beach

Strandbad Wannsee, on the outskirts of Berlin, is less than an hour’s drive from the city centre, but it feels worlds away. The mile-long lakeside patch of sand’s popular with families thanks to its safe swimming area, deck chair rental service and children’s playground.

The secret beach

If you’re hoping for a beach trip without the crowds, make a beeline for Sacrower See. There’s only a tiny patch of sand here, but the lake holds some of the clearest water in the Berlin area, so it makes for a great paddling spot. Plus, it’s only around 45 minutes’ drive from the city centre.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Every weekend, a scattering of flea markets pop up across Berlin. If bargain hunting’s your thing, you won’t want to miss them. One of the most popular markets is held at Marheinekeplatz – vendors offer up everything from vintage fashion to antiques. And you’ll find some tasty street food on offer, too.

Mid-range buys

The Alexa shopping mall houses hundreds of stores over its five floors, making it one of the biggest in Berlin. This is the place to go if you’re looking for high street fashion brands, book shops and restaurants all under one roof. You’ll find it near Alexanderplatz in the east of the city.

Designer buys

For designer stores, head to Kurfürstendamm – Berlin’s most famous shopping street. It’s home to the likes of Armani, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as the city’s biggest department store. Don’t forget to mooch around the side streets, too – you’ll find chic boutiques and swish shops tucked away there.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

In the summer, there’s no better place to be than in one of Berlin’s outdoor beer gardens. Prater Garten is said to be the city’s oldest, and it’s also one of the biggest – there’s room for up to 600 people here. So grab a cold drink, find a spot under the chestnut trees and enjoy a chilled-out evening.

Lively evenings

Berlin’s vibrant clubbing scene’s been dubbed as one of the best in the world. For a taste of the action, head to one of the edgy watering holes housed inside abandoned old buildings, or hit the open-air clubs along the River Spree. You’ll find most of these in the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts.

Food & drink

Currywurst

The currywurst is the ultimate German street food – it’s so popular there’s even a museum dedicated to it. Berlin’s packed with places serving up this delicious snack. It’s a grilled sausage, traditionally chopped into bite-size pieces, then topped with a combination of ketchup, Worcester sauce and curry powder.

Berliner Weisse Mit Schuss

The Berliner Weisse Mit Schuss is the local’s go-to summer drink. It’s a cloudy German wheat beer, mixed with a shot of red raspberry or green woodruff syrup to give it a burst of flavour and a splash of colour – best enjoyed in a beer garden.

Schnitzel

Schnitzel is a must-try German dish. It’s served up in restaurants all over Berlin, so you won’t have to look far to find it. It’s made up of a thin piece of meat – usually pork, chicken, or veal – breaded, then fried, and served with fries or a potato salad.

Eisbein

This Berlin speciality is a hit with locals and tourists alike. The traditional dish consists of a cured, boiled pork knuckle, served with ​sauerkraut, potatoes and mustard. Some places serve it up with a dollop of pureed peas on the side, too.

Berliner donuts

The Berliner donut, or Pfannkuchen, as the locals call it, is a German pastry made from deep-fried dough, with a jam or marmalade filling and a hefty sprinkling of sugar on top. You’ll find them in bakeries and street food stands across the city.

Average Weather in Berlin

Facts about Berlin

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
German
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
1 hour 45 minutes from Heathrow

FAQs

Where can I find the latest travel advice?

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

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