Berlin

Canal markets, street art & underground nights

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Berlin is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Maybachufer, Graffiti Wall of Fame and Stroll Along the Spree. Food lovers should not miss Mama Bar and Konnopke's Imbiss. Below you will find 49 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Berlin at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Maybachufer and Graffiti Wall of Fame
Where to stay: Neukolln and Mitte
Local picks: 49 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Berlin

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Berlin: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Berlin? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from central Mitte and foodie Kreuzberg to charming…

Local tips3 Days in Berlin: The Perfect First-Timer’s ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Berlin itinerary: Museum Island and the Reichstag, the Wall and Kreuzberg food, plus parks, street art…

Local tipsVintage Shopping in Berlin Like a LocalKilo stores, Humana's five-floor flagship and the best secondhand streets in Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte and Kreuzberg…

Where to stay in Berlin

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Friedrichshain

Michelberger Hotel

A witty, design-your-own-adventure indie hotel in Friedrichshain, beloved by the creative crowd, with a buzzy courtyard, great food and its own record label energy. Quintessential east Berlin cool.

★ 4.5

Kreuzberg

Mustafa’s Gemuse Kebap

The most famous kebab in Berlin – a doner piled with grilled vegetables, feta and herbs that draws a permanent queue on Mehringdamm. Worth the wait once; go off-peak if you can.

★ 4.5

Museum Island

Neues Museum

A beautifully restored museum on Museum Island whose star is the 3,000-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti, alongside a superb Egyptian and prehistory collection. The David-Chipperfield restoration is a marvel in itself.

★ 4.6

Prenzlauer Berg

Nouri

A standout Levantine restaurant where the kitchen lifts family recipes with modern fermentation – vivid mezze, charcoal-grilled plates and clever vegetables. Refined but warm; book ahead.

★ 4.7

Friedrichshain

Oberbaum Bridge

The double-decker brick bridge over the Spree linking Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain – once a border crossing, now a symbol of the reunited districts, best at sunset with the U-Bahn rattling across the top.

★ 4.6

Museum Island

Pergamon Museum

The star of Museum Island, home to monumental ancient reconstructions like the Ishtar Gate and Market Gate of Miletus. It’s under a long phased renovation, so check which wings are open before you book.

★ 4.6

Day trip

Potsdam & Sanssouci Day Trip

A short hop from Berlin to Potsdam, the Prussian royal seat, and the rococo palace and vine-terraced gardens of Sanssouci – the “Versailles of Germany.” Guided day trips cover the highlights and the history.

★ 4.7

Mitte

Reichstag Dome

Norman Foster’s glass dome crowning the German parliament, with a spiralling ramp and a 360-degree view over the city. Entry is free but you must register online in advance – do it early, especially for sunset slots.

★ 4.7

Mitte

Reichstag Dome Guided Visit

A guided visit into the German parliament and up Norman Foster’s glass dome, with the story of German democracy and reunification and a great view over the government quarter. Registration is required in advance.

★ 4.6

Day trip

Sachsenhausen Memorial Day Trip

A profound half-day guided trip to the Sachsenhausen memorial just north of Berlin, one of the first Nazi concentration camps. A difficult but important visit, handled with sensitivity by experienced guides.

★ 4.8

Prenzlauer Berg

Sathutu

A warm neighbourhood favourite in the Kollwitzkiez doing modern Sri Lankan comfort food – black dhal, Colombo fried chicken and jackfruit – with a few playful Berlin twists. Book for the Thursday feast menu.

★ 4.6

Charlottenburg

Schwarzes Café

Charlottenburg

Sir Savigny

A handsome, library-lounge boutique on Kantstrasse in the elegant west of the city, with a great in-house restaurant and a warm, residential feel. A refined base away from the tourist churn.

★ 4.5

Mitte

Soho House Berlin

A Bauhaus-era former department store turned members’ club and hotel, with handsome rooms, a rooftop pool and a see-and-be-seen crowd. Rooms are open to non-members – a stylish Mitte stay.

★ 4.5

$$$

Mitte

Spree River Cruise

A relaxed boat cruise along the Spree, gliding past Museum Island, the government quarter and the modern skyline – a restful way to see central Berlin from the water. Day and evening options.

★ 4.5

Mitte

Stroll Along the Spree

A relaxing ~5 km riverside walk through central Berlin, with a shifting panorama of grand buildings and green space. Easy to reach and leave via S-Bahn, with plenty of places to rest, eat and drink – S-Bahnhof Tiergarten and Friedrichstrasse bookend the route.

★ 4.4

Tempelhof

Tempelhofer Feld

The runways and apron of a decommissioned airport, now a vast, gloriously flat free park where Berliners cycle, skate, kite-surf and barbecue where planes once landed. Wonderfully, weirdly Berlin.

★ 4.7

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Book your trip to Berlin

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Berlin travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Berlin?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Berlin at a relaxed pace. See our Berlin itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Berlin?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Berlin guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Berlin?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Berlin?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Berlin is worth visiting year-round.