Berlin Germany Guide

Berlin, Germany, is the third most visited place in Europe, and it fascinates young and old, history buffs and art lovers, architecture aficionados and underground clubbers alike. Wherever you go, you experience the pulsating life of Berlin: in over 170 museums and art galleries, in 300 clubs and 7,000 bars and restaurants - many of which are open around the clock.

When you walk through the city, you'll be struck by the variety of architectural styles, ranging from palaces, to the remnants of socialist buildings and modern skyscrapers.

• 3.4 million inhabitants
• Divided into 12 districts
• Almost 500,000 residents are of foreign nationality, with 14,000 Americans living in Berlin
• Situated in eastern Germany, about 44 miles west of the border to Poland

By plane: Berlin's three airports are all very well connected to the city:

• Berlin-Tegel
• Berlin-Schönefeld
• Berlin Tempelhof

Check flight information and timetables for all three airports here.

By train: Reach Berlin from all directions by using the fast Intercity Express, Intercity, Euro City and Interregional Trains. Berlin's main train stations are:

• Hauptbahnhof
• Ostbahnhof
• Zoologischer Garten

Read more about the German train system, online ticketing, and journey planning in our Guide to Train Travel in Germany.

Public Transportation: You don't need a car in Berlin – in fact, the city has the least cars per capita for all of Europe. Berlin's public transport system (known as “BVG”) is fantastic.
Tickets are 2.10 Euro for a two-hour pass, and 5.80 Euro for an unlimited day pass. With one ticket, you can use the:

• Subway (U-Bahn)
• Tram (Strassen Bahn)
• Rapid transit (S-Bahn)
• Bus

Bike: A great way to get around Berlin is by bike; the city is known for its highly developed bike lane system. You can rent a bike and explore Berlin on your own, or take part in a guided bike tour .

Berlin has a moderate climate; the warmest months are June, July and August, with daily temperatures ranging from 23-24 °C (72°F). The coldest months are December, January and February, with clear, frosty days, and temperatures often below zero.
At any time of the year, it's always a good idea to bring an umbrella.

Check the weather in Berlin today .

From budget hostels, to boutiques, and luxury hotels, you'll find lots of great places in Berlin. Check out these links to find great options in Berlin that fit your budget:

• The Best Berlin Hostels
• The Top 10 Berlin Hotels
• Rental Apartments
• Sublets or apartment swap

Berlin offers a great array of hearty and traditional German dishes, such as Bratwurst, dumplings or Schnitzel, but you'll also find great vegetarian and international cuisine here.
Check out the best Berlin restaurants.

If you want something good on-the-go, try:

• Döner Kebab, rotisserie lamb or chicken, carved thin and packed in a toasted Turkish bread with salad, tomatoes, and a sauce of your choice (3 Euro)
• Curry Wurst, a Berlin original: hot pork sausage, cut into slices and seasoned with curry sauce (2 Euro)

• Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Berlin

• Take our Berlin Walking Tour that leads you to the most famous landmarks of the city.

• Visit the Brandenburg Gate, the national symbol of Germany.
  Enjoy five world-class museums on an island in the heart of Berlin - Museum Island.

• See the East Side Gallery, the colorful monument of the Berlin Wall

• Take the public double-decker bus #100 from Alexander Platz; it will help you get the lay of the land and it drives past a lot of interesting sights.

Berlin is the capital of German nightlife and has a vibrant and ever changing club scene; check out our guide to Berlin Nightlife and our top-picks The Best 5 Clubs in Berlin.

Berlin is also on our list Germany's Top 10 Cities - Best Spots for City Breaks in Germany.