Come along on this trip with me in this Berlin travel guide.
Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. It is located in the northeastern part of the country and is home to over 3.7 million people. Berlin has a rich history, having been the capital of Germany during both World War I and World War II.
However, if you do not want to take a look into the past, Berlin is still a great city to just explore, shop, and eat!
A few tips before we begin:
- Berlin felt very safe but we always recommend being careful and aware of your surroundings.
- Many people told me to only bring cash but I was able to use a card at every location.
- If you are worried about what to wear, imagine what you would wear in a large city in the States and you’re good to go.
The Ultimate Berlin Travel Guide
European Travel Alert:
Starting sometime around November 2023, US travelers between 18-70 years old will need to fill out an ETIAS visa-waiver form prior to their trip, and pay a €7 ($7.25) entry fee, to travel to European countries within the Schengen Area. It’s a quick form, and you will most likely receive instant approval—but it’s important to plan and submit ahead. Your ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Hotel Recommendations
Berlin is a HUGE city so depending on where you want to go, I would look for apartments closer to there. However, their subway systems are up-to-date and very easy to navigate if you’re looking at the signs. Due to Berlin being a very walkable city, it is easy to find places to stay right in the city. I would expect to pay a little more than a normal hotel due to the increasing number of tourists!
Note: Most homes/places in Germany do not have AC so be prepared to open windows and pack some light pajamas!
Transportation
Do not buy/rent a car!!!
There are taxis everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE. You also don’t have to worry too much about being scared (especially if you don’t speak German) because they have a calculator thingy on the front windshield.
Berlin also has an amazing subway system that allows you to get anywhere in the city. You do have to pay for a subway pass but it’s not too expensive.
(Note: Also taking the subways felt very safe here – nothing like NYC!)
Food/Restaurants
Berlin has many great options for food.
You can find common chains like Starbucks, KFC, McDonalds, Dominos, etc.
Also, most of these places are made with English speakers in mind so you can easily order food without knowing the language.
You will also find numerous restaurants all over Berlin with seating outside (yes it is VERY common to smoke at those tables). These restaurants are obviously German but you can also find Italian restaurants and so forth.
Things To Do If You Want To See The History
Brandenburg Gate: The Brandenburg Gate is one of the biggest iconic symbols of Berlin. When Berlin was a divided city by the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate stood in the no-man-land and didn’t belong to East or West Berlin. It is very easy to find and you can walk there or take a subway.
Reichstag (Parliament Building): In 1933, the building burned down and was blamed on the communists. After World War II, the Reichstag fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned until a major renovation project in the 1990s to restore the building made it the home of the German parliament once again. Visiting the Reichstag is free, but you need to book your visit in advance through the official website of the German Parliament. You will need to bring your passport with you.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews: The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern over an area of 19,000 square meters. It serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II and as a warning against the dangers of prejudice, hatred, and intolerance. An important place to visit when you are in the city.
Things To Do For Fun
Berlin is great for seeing the history but it also has a lot of activities to do when you want to do something fun.
There are hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of shopping centers in Berlin. Kim Kardashian just put a Skims location right in the city so it’s constantly growing with clothing shops. So bring your wallets and that extra large suitcase.
You can also go explore the Tiergarten. It’s a beautiful park and perfect for getting a breath of fresh air. I recommend walking toward the Soviet Memorial from where you can also see the Victory Monument in the distance.
Berlin Nightlife
Another major thing that Berlin is known for is their nightlife. As you can see from the pictures below, it is fun and very common to see a large horse as you walk through the club.
Depending on the club you go to, there will be certain rules you need to follow. The first one we went to, we literally just walked in but the next one, we had to wait in a huge line and be silent.
I saw people inside the club wearing suits, dresses, shorts, and everything else you can imagine. However, I highly recommend you pack a couple of different outfit options and stick with dark colors to wear.
And just like that, you can travel to Berlin, Germany! I hope you found this Berlin travel guide to be helpful. If you have any questions or any recommendations for how to travel to Berlin, let me know in the comments.
F&Q – Things to know when visiting Berlin, Germany:
- Is Berlin a walkable city?
- Berlin is a very walkable city! Especially in the city center. There is also a great tram system for longer distances.
- Is 2 days in Berlin enough?
- 2 days in Berlin is a good amount of time to see many of the main tourist attractions and sites! However, it’s a wonderful city and you’ll likely find yourself spending more time exploring the history.
- Is it expensive to go to Berlin?
- Berlin is expensive but you can definitely do it budget-friendly. The main expenses are the plane ride and hotel so find the cheapest if you need to save money!
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