Germany’s capital, with traces of division and reunification everywhere and a wide museum and arts scene; at Christmas, markets open in many districts.
The square fills with a Christmas market and the city glows with lights — the reason to come in winter (see the Christmas market section).
May–September
Parks, open-air bars and life along the Spree.
Weather: Berlin’s tourism board recommends May–September for milder weather and outdoor sightseeing; 2026 Christmas markets open from around 23 November, varying by venue. source
Weather varies from year to year; check the forecast before you go.
Berlin Christmas market
Berlin Christmas Markets Markets run at venues across the city, including Gendarmenmarkt; check each market’s page for admission and hours.
Where
Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace and more
Dates
Varies by market (2026: Gendarmenmarkt 23 November–31 December; Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church 23 November–3 January 2027)
Dates shift a little each year; check this year’s schedule at: www.visitberlin.de
Don't miss in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate The neoclassical gate that symbolises Germany’s division and reunification. source
Museum Island A UNESCO-listed island in the Spree with five major museums. source
East Side Gallery Murals painted on the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall. source
Reichstag dome Climb the glass dome for city views; advance registration is required. source
Where to stay in Berlin
Mitte
Close to the main sights and Museum Island.
Prenzlauer Berg / Kreuzberg
Neighbourhoods full of cafés and restaurants.
What to eat in Berlin
Currywurst — Sausage with curry ketchup — Berlin’s favourite street food
Döner kebab — A German-Turkish fusion classic rooted in Berlin’s Turkish community
Berliner Pfannkuchen — Jam-filled doughnuts sold in many varieties at Berlin bakeries
Eisbein — Cured, boiled pork knuckle served with sauerkraut, a Berlin classic
Berlin tips and things to watch out for
Berlin travel tips
Sights are spread across several districts, so group each day by area and pick the right ticket from BVG’s official guide. source
Most regular shops close on Sundays, so plan shopping for Saturday or earlier. source
Good to know in Germany
Cards are spreading, but small eateries and bakeries can be cash-only. source
Return bottles and cans to supermarket machines to get the deposit (Pfand). source
No gates, but tickets are checked; unvalidated tickets are fined. source
General advice for the whole country. Check official government travel advice for entry rules and safety before you go.
Restaurant prices for Berlin are still being collected, so food and transport use official prices from other cities in Germany (prices within one country do not differ much).
Berlin attraction & theme park tickets
Official sellers’ prices for one adult admission. Select attractions in the calculator to add them to your budget.
Neues Museum: €14.00
DDR Museum: €13.90 · child €8.50
German Historical Museum combined ticket: €10.00 · child €0.00