The German capital is an irresistible mix of grit and glamour, with a dark past and a bright future. Here’s your guide to enjoying all that it has to offer.
A fascinating city still bearing the remnants of Prussian decadence, two World Wars and a divided past, Berlin is a city that has always lived life to the full. Now – unified and intoxicated with new possibilities – it is arguably one of the most creative and exciting cities on the planet. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. In abundance.
Berlin Skyline (Shutterstock.com)
Where to start? Well, it really depends on what kind of Berlin experience you’re looking for. Neil Taylor’s comprehensive guide to the city is suitably Teutonic in its scope and approach and provides the perfect introduction to what Berlin has to offer and where to find it.
Katherine Price lived in the city as a student and offers a more personal approach in her Berlin Short Break guide. She also lists the 5 things she wishes she’d known about Berlin, each designed to save you both time and money.
– Neil Taylor
Short Break Berlin and Around – Katherine Price
5 things I wish I’d known about Berlin – Katherine Price
Café Life in Berlin (Shutterstock.com)
The choices of places to eat and drink in Berlin are overwhelming. Berlin has 4,650 restaurants, around 900 bars and 190 clubs and discos. It also has more doner kebab shops than Istanbul!
Thankfully, our Berlin expert Katherine Price spent her student days in Berlin wisely and has put together a list of Berlin’s top 6 authentic pubs. She also nominates the 7 best places to eat in Berlin.
Once you’ve had your fill of beer and bratwurst, you’ll probably want to work it off. Robin Ashenden suggests cycling and has created the perfect guide to cycling in Berlin. It’s a great way to see the city, he says. And lose those extra pounds.
– Katherine Price
The 7 best places to eat in Berlin – Katherine Price
A cycling jaunt in the German capital – Robin Ashenden
Trabant in front of the Berlin Wall (Shutterstock.com)
Rory Maclean worked as Assistant Director on Just A Gigolo with David Bowie in Berlin in 1977 and has since written a history of the city. So when he writes a list of 5 places you must visit in Berlin, well, you visit them. And once you ticked those off, we’ve got a list of 9 alternative things to do in Berlin too.
You will probably want to explore the city’s divided past too. Peter Moore takes you through Checkpoint Charlie and reveals the Berlin Wall’s hidden secrets.
And after you’ve spent all your money in the city’s bars, restaurants and clubs, Daisy Cropper is on hand with 10 things to do for free in Berlin.
– Rory Maclean
9 alternative things to do in Berlin – Katherine Price
The Berlin Wall’s hidden secrets – Peter Moore
10 things to do for free in Berlin – Daisy Cropper
Sun shining through Brandenberg Gate (Shutterstock.com)
Ready to start planning your trip? Our Germany Travel Guide is the place to start. Make sure you drop by our Germany Essential Info page as well, for more everyday (but equally vital) information. And we’ve rounded up the latest travel news from Germany too.
If you have a particular question about Berlin, pop over to the myWanderlust Forum where our knowledgeable community are ready to spring into action and share all that they know. Or check out the questions that have already been asked about Berlin. The answer to yours might already be there.
– Wanderlust Team
Germany Essential Info – Wanderlust Team
Latest travel news about Germany
Community content about Germany
Forum posts about Germany
U-Bahn in Berlin (Shutterstock.com)
Here’s a selection of fantastic tours offered by our partners. From privately guided historical tour to cultural adventures that take in the rest of Germany as well, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.
