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BERLIN

"SETTING TRENDS"

BEST TIME TO GO

A warm and mostly sunny period from May to September is considered to be the best time to visit Berlin as the outdoor activities are at their finest and promenading in the city brings real satisfaction. However, summertime is also full of tourists making their way for Fête de la Musique or Classic Open Air, so book your hotel well in advance. October brings lower prices and beautiful autumn foliage. Despite the chill, another overlooked season is November–December when the Christmas Markets cheer the city up. Winter may be piercing, but if your point is to save a couple of euros on accommodation, come from January through March. And you'll never know what will warm you better—Berlinale or warm layers you've packed.

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Berlin sets trends: Whether it’s sightseeing or hip neighbourhoods, galleries or gastronomy, music or fashion, there is always something new to discover in the German capital. Yet what is it exactly that makes Berlin so attractive? It is the capital’s diversity, contrasts and its virtually inexhaustible possibilities that excite visitors from all around the world.

TRAVEL TIPS

1. Only focusing on sights, not neighbourhoods

Don’t get us wrong. Brandenburg Gate is lovely, Museum Island is picturesque and remnants of the Berlin Wall are both fascinating and historically important. See our guide about saving at Berlin’s top 10 attractions for more information.

Still, what makes Berlin “Berlin” are its incredibly diverse neighbourhoods.

2. Not having enough cash on hand

Most restaurants and cafes still don’t accept credit cards. The same goes for many smaller shops and all street markets. Because of this, it’s important to always make sure you have enough cash on hand or ask if they accept cards before you order. And speaking of cash… be sure to also keep an eye on your wallet in touristy areas or when riding the U-Bahn. Like any major city, you should always watch out for pickpockets.

3. Tipping American style

In Berlin, tipping is seen as an extra “danke” ( “thank you”) for attentive, friendly service. If the service was lousy (sadly, this can often be the case in Berlin) it’s perfectly acceptable not to tip. Otherwise, you should always tip a maximum of 10%.

4. Not checking out the green or the blue

Berlin is one of Europe’s greenest cities. The many parks are the best place to see locals at play. You’ll find parks in every neighborhood in many different shapes and sizes. Some examples of big parks are Tiergarten and Volkspark Friedrichshain and some which are “klein aber fein” (small but nice) are Körnerpark and Viktoria-Luise Platz.

Berlin also has a lot of water: with two major rivers and a system of canals, it actually has more bridges than Venice. Be sure and take a stroll along one of the many shores or a dip in a lake during the summer, both popular pastimes for many Berliners. SchlachtenseeKrumme Lanke and Strandbad Wannsee are all easy to reach by public transportation.

5. Only eating traditional German food

Don’t get us wrong, we love a good currywurst or schnitzel. Especially when paired with a few steins of local bier at a lovely beer garden.

But Berlin also has a thriving scene filled with affordable cuisine from around the world. To get a taste of what locals eat in modern Berlin, you need to expand your palate and dive into the local restaurant scene. From hip vegetarian eateries to Asian restaurants, Berlin has a lot to offer.

KEY ATTRACTIONS AND 
ACTIVITIES

HOW TO GET AROUND

  • Reichstag

  • Brandenburg Gate
     

  • Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm)

  • Gendarmenmarkt

  • Berlin Cathedral

  • Kurfürstendamm

  • Charlottenburg Palace

  • Museum Island

  • The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre

  • Potsdamer Platz
     

The best way to get around Berlin is via the U-Bahn underground trains or S-Bahn regional, elevated trains, which are both a part of the city's extensive BVG public transportation system.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BERLIN

  • Berlin has more bridges than Venice – around 1,700 of them. It is also said that Berlin has more waterways than Amsterdam, Stockholm and Venice COMBINED. The most famous and instagrammed bridge is the Oberbaumbrücke between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

  • Berlin has its own beer specialty, the Berliner Weiße. It has definitely slightly bitter and sour notes and is made from wheat. For the longest time, this beer sort was forgotten, however it has recently had a comeback. There are quite a few local and regional brewers embrassing it again. I love it! 

  • Berlin is home to 3 world class and active Opera Houses, which can accommodate over 4,400 opera attendees. No other city in the world comes close to that. On top of that, Berlin has over 150 theaters and halls for every type of event.

  • The Berlin Zoo is not only the most visited Zoo in Europe but also hosts 1,380 different animal species and over 18,662 animals. The Zoo is said to have the largest stock of animals in the world. 

  • The Fersehturm, or Tv Tower around Alexanderplatz is the tallest structure in Germany at 368 meters high. We are all obsessed with it and love to take pictures of it and “from” it.  Actually, you can book a table at its revolving restaurant (Sphere) all the way up there and have a memorable brunch overlooking the whole city.

  • The city we love has over 180 kilometres of navigable waterways within city limits. If you’d like, you can spend hours and hours going around town by boat. We love it! Have you tried?

LUXURY HOTELS TO STAY

get $50* off when booking hotel with 

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SO/ Berlin Das Stue

The boutique hotel SO/Berlin Das Stue is located in the middle of the embassy district, in the immediate vicinity of the Berlin Zoo. It has a fixed view of the Tiergarten, the zoo and of the Berlin's western and eastern skyline. The listed building of the former Royal Danish Embassy was built in the late 1930s by KaDeWe architect Johann Emil Schaudt.

Experience our luxury hotel's unique flair. Located in the center of Berlin, the SO/ Berlin Das Stue offers a stylish retreat with a view of the city's greenery. The quiet, individual atmosphere of the hotel will make you feel like you are among friends. The classicist building in the embassy district was once home to the Royal Danish Embassy. Sensitively renovated, SO/Berlin Das Stue welcomes you in elegant, modern rooms.

Max Brown Ku'Damm

Max Brown Ku'Damm

For those of you wanting to stay in an area of Berlin that’s a little more charming and laidback but close to all of the city’s sights, look no further than Max Brown Ku’damm. The hotel is on the border between the Wilmersdorf District and Charlottenburg, a relaxed, residential neighbourhood that’s hard not to get caught up in. Walking in the hotel’s front doors, you’re greeted by the scent of fresh bread from Benedict, our in-house bakery and breakfast restaurant open 24 hours a day. Inside you’ll find all of the Max Brown essentials—great coffee and bread, free WiFi and the most comfortable bed around.

Sir Savigny

Sir Savigny

Situated in Charlottenburg, Berlin’s literary quarter, in a building constructed in 1893, Sir Savigny is ideal for those seeking out inspired culture and eclectic style. We know you’ll find it at the nearby Paris Bar, Stilwerk, Bücherbogen and Kurfürstendamm. Our little Charlottenburg neighbourhood has always been an arts and culture center. Notable thinkers and artists were regulars at the neighbourhood’s Romanisches Café in the 1920s, and their creative energy remains today. Come soak it up.

HOTTEST RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW

$$$$ 

Fine dining restaurant

Part of the Grill Royal gourmet empire, Kin Dee has proven a worthy successor to Thai-Berliner institution Edd’s. Head chef and owner Dalad Kambhu strays into similar fusion territory, serving creative fine Thai cuisine with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. With its set menu of small plates, excellent vegetarian options and a well-chosen wine list, Kin Dee has already won over the locals – and was awarded its first Michelin star in 2019. This makes Kambhu the youngest woman ever to receive the honour in Germany.

 

 

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Fine dining restaurant

Monsieur Vuong offers you specially selected, elaborate Vietnamese dishesBe inspired by the varied aromas from the tropical gardens and rivers of the Mekong Delta in south Vietnam.Savour the aroma of curry, lemongrass and roasted sesame.Or why not try one of our fruity shakes?All our aromatic and delicious dishes are prepared according tooriginal recipes using only the freshest ingredients.

 

 

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Tim Raue

$$$$ 

Fine dining restaurant

He who wants to do what he has to do, is free……That’s our guiding principle, an idea that has shaped us and drives us every day. It is the basis of everything we create and was therefore also the inspiration for our logo, the HUMMINGBIRD.

We associate the hummingbird with aspects such as creativity, uniqueness, and freedom – attributes that also inspired the design of our restaurant, as well as our cuisine and our service.

 

 

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day tours to book before to leave 

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Private Berlin Complete History All Day Tour

Join our expert guide on this one of a kind Berlin in a Day Tour. This tour is designed for guests who want to visit many of Berlin’s most notable sights, landmarks, and historical areas. We packed this tour with history and local Berlin.

This one of a kind tour encompasses many of Berlin’s most historical landmarks. Delves into the vast history of the city from its beginnings to the modern day. This tour is the best way to see everything most people see on their whole Berlin trip in one tour.

From:

$174

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Explore the best of the city with the Berlin Welcome card and enjoy discounts at 200 highlights and attractions. Choose from 10 different ticket types that also include public transportation throughout the city from anywhere between two and six days from the time of validation. Discounts range from 25 to 50 percent and includes sites such as the TV Tower, Sanssouci Palace, and a number of tours and museums.

Berlin Welcome Card

From:

$38 

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Skip-the-Line Pergamon and New Museum Guided Tour in Berlin including Museum Island Day Pass

Ensuring you see the best of Berlin’s Museumsinsel’s (Museum Island’s) vast collection can be a daunting task. Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Pergamon Museum’s and the Neues Museum's (New Museum's)  highlights on a guided tour and enjoy skip-the-line entry to both museums on this cultural experience, which includes entry to all five of Museumsinsel’s museums. Travel back in time to the age of Enlightenment and admire classic artefacts including The Bust of Nefertiti, Market Gate of Miletus, and the Ishtar Gate. Receive personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

From:

$98

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