Berlin

Germany

Berlin combines the culture of New York, the complex but efficient transit of Tokyo, the nature of Seattle and the historical treasures of, well, Berlin.

Berlin is always evolving. It saw the destruction of World War II and the Cold War division of East and West. Berlin has been the fastest-changing city in Europe since the wall came down in the late 80's. It is the capital of Germany and the country's largest city. Tourists around the world know Berlin for many things. These include its historical past as the German capital before the war, internationalism and tolerance, and lively nightlife. Don't forget the city's bustling cafes, large parks, street art, galleries, palaces, and historical sights. There are many distinct neighborhoods to explore in Berlin. Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Neukolln are cool and bohemian, while Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, and Charlottenburg are more affluent.

From the Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin's landmarks are impressive. Berlin is a sprawling destination, and many of its major sights are spread throughout the city. You'll find yourself taking advantage of its extensive, efficient public transport network. Berlin provides a very multicultural and diverse experience. You can expect anything but the traditional. This also goes for the cuisine in Berlin. You'll find more international restaurants than those serving German fare. But you can certainly enjoy a tasty brew and a mouthwatering sausage in Berlin. It's still part of Germany, after all!

What we love about Berlin

Igor

Krakow City Host & Central Europe Destination Expert

Where do I even start? The retro vibe that distinguishes this big hub from all other places in Germany is very noticeable. You can think of it as a sort of nutshell for all the 20th century's important events, but of course there is much more history there beyond this recent period of time. You may find that visiting for just a few days isn't sufficient to get to know the city, but that just means you should return again sometime. It's no surprise to me that so many expats have left their homes in order to organize their lives around this distinctive capital.

Judit

Budapest City Host & Central Europe Destination Expert

What a melting pot! People say, if you cannot find something in Berlin, that it doesn't exist. I can affirm this statement. But let me guide you now to Nikolaiviertel, my favorite setting. Well, yes, it is a setting on and around the only medieval remains in Berlin. For some reason mostly frequented by locals and filled with traditional German restaurants. The Spree gently flows at the edge of this tiny quarter where a dramatic view opens to the Berlin Cathedral. This is my place of pilgrimage. There is a small bar, Zille-Destille, where I always go for a shot and a beer, then head to any of the restaurants around and order a good spaetzle.

Bettina

Central Europe Team Leader

Berlin is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe when it comes to culture, art, music scenes (Berlin is very famous for excellent electro music). The locals are more open to new ideas and creative things, and the whole city has a great vibe. It's very easygoing! I really enjoy exploring some hidden districts and visiting some alternative shops and galleries. It's a fun city!

Where to stay in Berlin

We've hand-picked our Berlin accommodation choices, covering both a range of comfort levels and locations, and can confidently say that you'll have the pick of Berlin's best hotels at every price level. Most are to be found in Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte, with some around the modern Potsdamer Platz, close to the Tiergarten and the Brandenburg Gate. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Modern design

This solid hotel is within walking distance to some of Berlin's best sights. The property is stylish with a touch of luxury woven throughout.

Historical Building

Vintage British style seems odd for a German hotel, but this boutique is one of our best value 4-star properties. Close to Museum Island

Stylish, contemporary design-led, colorful hotel with on-site archeological finds!

Unique, creative design hotel in the heart of Berlin on Museum Island. Offers every comfort that today's travelers need.

Things to do in Berlin

With a city as rich in history as Berlin just wandering around is an education in itself and the impressive museums on and around Museum Island are packed with exhibitions covering many periods and subjects but to truly get to grips with the city's history nothing beats a guided tour. For anyone interested in the history of the Berlin Wall, we suggest a trip to the Berlin Wall Memorial visitor center, and the memorials and rebuilt wall section nearby. We also offer a range of private and group tours in and around Berlin. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider adding later.

Berlin Food Crawl Private Tour

Bunkers, Subways, and the Cold War Private Tour

Gardens and Palaces of Potsdam Bike Group Tour

Beer and Brewing Private Tour

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Private Tour

Spreewald Day Trip

East Meets West Food and History Small Group Tour

Jewish Berlin Group Walking Tour

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Berlin

Spend some time in Berlin on a tour that takes in other cities in Germany and neighboring countries. Our vacation packages including Berlin and other destinations make traveling in Central & Eastern Europe hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

History and Culture in Prague and East Germany

Berlin, Dresden, Prague

10 Days

Contrasting Lands: Bavaria and Eastern Germany

Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich

11 Days

Central Europe's High Culture Highlights

Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin

14 Days

The Central European Grand Tour

Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow

15 Days

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

4.8 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of our Berlin vacation packages

Based on 20 reviews

Tami & Joseph

Wisconsin

I highly recommend using JayWay Travel! It made our customized trip planning extremely easy! Martina was very helpful and had great suggestions and good info.

Year : 2019
Visited : Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Berlin, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2019
Visited : Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Berlin, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Brenda & Natalie

Colorado

JayWay Travel was perfect. They gave a structure to our trip which catered to exactly what we wanted without being part of a group, but also provided the economies that we would have gotten from being in a group.

Year : 2018
Visited : Germany
Itinerary : Berlin
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2018
Visited : Germany
Itinerary : Berlin
Rating :

5 / 5

Maria & Gus

South Carolina

JayWay Travel is a first class experience! We were taken care of throughout the entire process (planning phase and the travel phase) A kind of boutique concierge service. I love the effort & detail JayWay Travel puts into their guest page, it's filled with so much valuable information.

Year : 2018
Visited : Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2018
Visited : Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Berlin

How can I get around Berlin?

Berlin's public transportation is fast, cheap, and efficient. The city is serviced by the U-Bahn (subways) and S-Bahn (light rail), as well as buses, streetcars, and ferries. There's even a man in a rowboat, which is just as much of an official vehicle as the subways. There are three transit zones, with A and B covering the city, and C covering neighboring areas, such as Potsdam. A stamped ticket is good for a 2-hour trip in one direction using any form of transportation, so if you plan to make more than one round-trip, buy a day ticket. You can also use Uber.

How many days should I spend in Berlin?

As a massive capital city, Berlin has plenty to offer. We recommend at least three nights, to visit the city's main sights, delve further into its WWII history, learn about life on either side of the Wall, and enjoy the capital's vibrant new life. There are a number of excellent day trips possible, from Potsdam and its palaces, to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, or the Spreewald, a sort of forested rural Venice. The city's cosmopolitan food scene is also worth some time!

Is Berlin safe?

Like any German city, Berlin is quite safe, with no dangerous areas to avoid. As with any large cities, keep an eye out for your belongings. Visitors sometimes don't notice the city's sidewalk bike lanes, which are often marked with a single line, or the use of differently colored paving stones, so keep an eye out for bikers and avoid walking too close to the street if you can't see a bike path (Berlin's sidewalks are very wide, especially in the eastern part, so this shouldn't be a problem).

When's the best time to visit Berlin?

Berlin is a destination that can be visited all year round. Christmas time and traditional markets has it own atmosphere while in warmer months you can take advantage of Berlin's vast parks and other green areas. Having said that, it might be very cold in winter and crowded in summer, especially in July and August. To enjoy the city at its best we recommend spring and early autumn time.

Berlin can be visited year-round, but is pretty quiet from January until late March. July and August can be hot, and the winters are grey (if illuminated and warmed by December's Christmas markets), so we recommend visiting from April to June, or early September to mid-October.

Can I pay by card?

While Germany isn't the cash-only economy it used to be, it's still a very good idea to have cash on hand, especially if you're eating out. Avoid using the blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs, and if an ATM asks if you want to be charged in Euros or your own currency, select Euros to avoid paying a useless fee. We recommend asking accommodations staff for recommended places to exchange money, although the larger train stations all have exchange places.

How can I visit the Reichstag building?

The Reichstag building may bear the scars and Soviet graffiti of the Nazi era, but it's a must-see sight, thanks in part to its rooftop glass cupola and winning views, of both the city and the active parliamentary chambers. Visits are free, but as with the TV Tower, be sure to book tickets online well in advance.

What are Berlin's options for people with dietary restrictions?

There are few cities on Earth with more vegan/vegetarian restaurants and options ranging from gluten-free to raw or paleo, not to mention restaurants specializing in vegetarian-friendly cuisines, such as Vietnamese. We're happy to give recommendations for restaurants, bars, stores, and bakeries.