Is Berlin worth visiting? And everything else you have wanted to know

If you are thinking of planning a trip to Germany you might be wondering ‘Is Berlin worth visiting’? The German capital certainly isn’t for everyone, but you will find a great mix of culture, nightlife, and history if you do decide to visit. In this guide we answer all the hard hitting questions like ‘Is Berlin expensive’, and ‘what is there to do in Berlin’, to help you decide if you should visit.

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Before we answer the question ‘Is Berlin worth visiting’ here is some background

Berlin is the capital of Germany, and home to the parliament of Germany otherwise known as the Reichstag. Despite it being the biggest city in Germany, it is also the greenest, with about 30% of the city consisting of open woodland and green spaces.

Berlin was once a city divided by the Berlin wall, which not only saw a division in terms of geography but also in terms of ideologies. When the wall was knocked down in 1989, it took about a year for the German capital to move from Bonn to Berlin.

These days the city is thriving, and is fast becoming one of the coolest and most influential cities in Europe.

Is Berlin expensive?

Berlin is actually a pretty affordable city (for tourists anyway- rent and living costs are a whole different ball game). In fact Berlin is often said to be one of the cheapest Western European capitals. It’s easy to plan a Berlin itinerary on the cheap, particularly as a lot of the cities main attractions are either free or affordable. Accommodation in Berlin is also quite affordable, particularly if you book well in advance.

You probably want to budget around the €100 per person per day for a mid-range trip to Berlin. This includes visiting tourist attractions, public transport, and food and drink.

Do I need cash in Berlin?

If you are planning your trip to Berlin we highly recommend you have cash with you at all times. Despite a lot of other European cities moving more towards card payments – Berlin still values cash. There were a few bars and restaurants that we went to where we realised that it was cash only. This involved one of us having to stay whilst the other ran around trying to find an ATM. Don’t get caught out like we did. Also in case you didn’t know Berlin, and Germany as a whole use Euros.

What language do they speak in Berlin?

German is of course the main language in Berlin, but you might be pleased to know that the vast majority of people also speak English. It’s always good to know some basic German like the following:

Hello/ Good day: Guten Tag

Please: Bitte

Thank you: Danke

Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen

Particularly the younger generation tend to learn English in school so you absolutely can get by in Berlin just speaking English. I think it is just polite to learn a few basic words in the local language.

Is Berlin easy to get to?

Getting to Berlin is relatively easy, and several European cities have direct flights to Berlin. If you are travelling from the UK like us you can easily fly to Berlin from airports such as Manchester, London Airports, Edinburgh and much more.

The main airport in Berlin is Berlin Brandenburg Airport which opened in 2020. The airport is well connected to Berlin itself, and you can get the Airport Express into Berlin Central station in 30 minutes.

How long should I spend in Berlin?

You might be wondering what the perfect amount of time is to spend in Berlin. This obviously will depend on what it is you want to do. We would recommend a minimum of 3 days in Berlin, and a maximum of 5.

Berlin is very spread out so if you have less than 3 days it might be hard to see everything you want to see. But that being said unless you want to spend days exploring the many museums you probably won’t need more than 5 days to visit Berlin.

Is Berlin safe?

Apart from wondering ‘Is Berlin worth visiting’, you might also be wondering ‘is Berlin safe’? From our experience we found it to be quite average in terms of safety. What we mean by that is that it is the same as any other European city. There are parts of the city that can feel a bit sketchy particularly at night, but on average it’s pretty safe. You do need to keep your wits about you, like you would anywhere though. Try to avoid looking lost or like a tourist, as you may get targeted for things like pickpocketing or petty theft.

Is Berlin worth visiting compared to other German cities?

I think the answer to this question very much depends on what you are expecting on your trip. Munich and other Bavarian cities are where you should go for your stereotypical beer halls, and bratwurst style German break. If you are expecting this in Berlin you will be disappointed.

On the other hand you have places like Hamburg which is a harbour city, so again the experience in Berlin will be different to what you might have here. Hamburg also has more of an old world European vibe which is completely different to Berlin.

So is Berlin worth visiting compared to other German cities? In a nutshell yes, as long as you know what to expect.

If you are deciding between Hamburg and Berlin here is a helpful guide.

Is Berlin worth visiting compared to other European capitals?

If you are weighing up whether you should visit Berlin instead of say Paris, or Amsterdam, the answer to this will again depend on what you want out of your trip. In our opinion Berlin is unlike any other European capital we have visited. It has this very chic, and uber modern vibe. For that reason we highly recommend visiting Berlin to see it for yourself.

Trying to decide between Paris or Berlin here is a helpful guide.

Can I use public transport in Berlin?

Berlin has a very reliable public transport network. Which is definitely good news, considering how spread out it is. The U-Bahn is probably going to be your main port of call when it comes to getting around in the city. It operates 10 different lines and takes you to almost every corner of the city.

Buses and trams are also a good way to get around the city, although we recommend using these alongside Googlemaps to help you work out where you need to get off. Buses are found all over Berlin, whereas trams are only found in the eastern part.

You can purchase single tickets on public transport or purchase a 24 hour, or 7 day ticket. Tickets are valid on all forms of public transport – just make sure you have paid for the right amount of zones.

What is there to do in Berlin?

You might be wondering is Berlin worth visiting in terms of attractions. This one is a resounding yes! There is so much to see and do in Berlin, we can only scratch the surface in this post. Here are some of the top things to see in Berlin.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is an unmissable attraction in Berlin. It’s the seat of the German Parliament, and is actually open to the public. You do need to book a ticket online in advance but this is free, and very much worth the effort.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is one the most recognisable structures in Berlin, so we do recommend making the effort to visit.

East Side Gallery

Not only is the East Side Gallery the world’s largest open air gallery, but it is also the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall that exists today. Here you will see all those famous cartoons and political drawings that you may now associate with the wall. It’s also a very Instagrammable place in Berlin.

Berliner Dom

This is one of the more European style buildings in the city. It’s a striking cathedral located right by Museum Island, and certainly worth visiting during your trip to Berlin.

TV Tower

For some of the best views of Berlin you should visit the TV Tower. It’s a striking part of the city skyline as you can see the TV Tower from most parts of the city. It is also the tallest building in Germany.

It sits at a height of 368 metres, although that includes the antenna. The observation deck is 203 metres above ground.

Alternatively if you want some cool photos with the TV Tower in it, head to the Park Inn Hotel. Here you can pay a small fee (around 6 Euros) to get a lift up to the top of the hotel and admire the view.

Checkpoint Charlie

Ok admittedly Checkpoint Charlie is a slightly overrated tourist attraction, but still an important part of history and worth a visit in Berlin. And in case you weren’t aware, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most well known crossing points between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

Museum Island

This one is a must for museum lovers. Berlin’s Museum Island is a UNESCO world heritage site, with some pretty impressive architecture. There are 5 large museums here, that you can visit, although you will need to set quite a bit of time aside to see everything here.

Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror is located in a former Gestapo Headquarters, and is a museum that gives a very raw account into the rise and fall of the nazi party. It’s difficult at times, but that is why you should go.

DDR Museum

For an interactive experience on life in East Berlin visit the DDR museum. It provides a fascinating insight and you can sit in a Trabant.

Charlottenburg Palace

Berlin has over 30 palaces but the most popular is Charlottenburg Palace. It is free to explore the gardens but you do need to pay for entry if you want to see the inside.

Is Berlin worth visiting for foodies?

Wondering is Berlin worth visiting for foodies? Well, wonder no more. We think Berlin is an incredible foodie city. It’s incredibly multicultural which means that there is a lot of different food to try. One thing we would say though is- don’t come here expecting your schnitzel and your pork knuckles. Yes you can find these dishes in Berlin, but the real charm of Berlin lies within the street food scene.

Make sure you try some currywurst (pictured below), as well as Doner Kebabs. I know what you might be thinking Doner Kebabs don’t sound very German, but due to immigration this is actually one of the more popular dishes in the city.

Is Berlin worth visiting for the nightlife?

I think it is safe to say that partying is almost a cultural norm in Berlin. Nightclubs here are a huge deal, but don’t expect the fun to start early. Berlin is all about late night entertainment.

We aren’t big clubbers, so the thing we loved about Berlin was the cocktail bars. We stumbled upon some of the most innovative and quirky cocktail bars. The prices aren’t too bad either. You will pretty much find a bar or club to suit any taste, so make sure you enjoy it.

Is Berlin worth visiting for nature lovers?

There is a lot of green space in and around Berlin, so nature lovers will find somewhere to relax amidst the hustle and bustle. We found that a lot of the green spaces we visited were very much about nature reclaiming the spaces. One example is the Natur-Park Südgelände, which is a park that was once a railway yard. Nature has since taken over and it has become the perfect example of nature taking back its space.

Is Berlin worth visiting for history buffs?

Berlin is definitely a must for history buffs. The city has such a deep and fascinating history from the days of Prussian royalty, to Nazi Germany, and of course the divide with East Berlin. These days though the city is a cultural, social, and economic powerhouse.

Is Berlin worth visiting for culture lovers?

Spend a day in Berlin, and you won’t be surprised to learn that the city is a hotspot for artists, musicians, and fans of culture. You can almost feel the creativity wafting through the air as you walk the streets. There are also a number of museums where you can learn about the world, and history.

Is Berlin worth visiting in the summer?

Berlin is absolutely worth visiting in the summer. Not only does the city come to life with a number of festivals and events, but you can almost feel a buzz of excitement in the air.

The weather in the city is pretty mild, averaging between 15 – 22 degrees Celsius, and it is a great time to take advantage of those bright days. Admittedly summer (particularly August) happens to be peak season so if you do visit expect longer queues for tourist attractions, and higher accommodation prices.

Is Berlin worth visiting in the winter?

So we have established Berlin is great in the summer, but is Berlin worth visiting in the winter? We think Berlin is very much worth visiting in the winter. For starters you have the Christmas Markets that take over the city in December, brining mulled wine and gingerbread.

In January and February despite the colder weather, there is still a lot to do. As mentioned above there are so many different museums you can visit, as well as getting cosy in a cafe or bookstore. I fact you can still visit all the same tourist attractions as long as you dress appropriately.

Winter in Berlin averages between minus 5 to 4 degrees Celsius. You also tend to get a dusting of snow at times too, which makes the city even more beautiful.

What to pack when visiting Berlin?

Berlin is a pretty laid back city, so in terms of a packing list, you won’t need anything too out there. Black and neutral colours tend to be popular in Berlin, and people don’t really get dressed to the nines to go out. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes, because chances are you will do a lot of walking in the city.

What should I know before visiting Berlin?

Here are some final tips on things we think you should know before visiting Berlin:

• A lot of places in Berlin only accept cash, so make sure you have some on you during your trip.
• Explore the neighbourhoods.
• Don’t expect traditional German food, branch out and enjoy the multiculturalism of the city.
• Bars open up late in Berlin so check opening times before you go.
• Make use of the public transport system.

So Is Berlin worth visiting?

Well done if you have read everything and made it to the end of this article. Here we answer the ultimate question ‘Is Berlin worth visiting?’. We do happen to think Berlin is worth visiting. It’s a fascinating city when it comes to history, and culture. There is a lot to see and do, and we can honestly say you will not be bored in Berlin.

We found Berlin didn’t have as much of a European feel like other German cities or other European capitals. It’s probably not surprising due to it’s tumultuous history. If you are looking for the stereotypical German style bratwurst and beer experience you might be a little bit disappointed in Berlin. But, if you go expecting a modern city, with an incredible nightlife, and lots to do, you will not regret going.

So Is Berlin worth visiting? Absolutely!