Berlin

Good to know

1. 1The Berlin Wall divided the city from 1961 until 1989, and you can still follow its route through the streets, where a double line of cobblestones marks where it stood.
2. 2Museum Island, in the middle of the Spree river, holds several major museums on a single site and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. 3Berlin has a well-known street food tradition, and the currywurst, a sausage with curry-spiced ketchup, and the doner kebab are both closely linked with the city.
4. 4The city has a huge number of parks and lakes, and Tiergarten, right in the middle, was once a royal hunting ground.
5. 5German is the main language, but English is widely spoken in the centre, especially among younger people and in the hospitality trade.
6. 6Germany uses the euro, and although cards are common, plenty of smaller places have long preferred cash.

Tips for a first visit

• Buy a public transport ticket before you ride and validate it if the ticket requires it, because inspectors do check and fines are real.
• Carry some cash, since a number of cafes, bars and small shops either do not take cards or only take certain ones.
• Try a currywurst at a stand, a doner, and a bakery breakfast with fresh rolls, which is an easy and cheap way to eat like a local.
• Do not walk or stand in the red cycle lanes on the pavement, as cyclists move fast and do not expect pedestrians there.
• Wait for the green figure at a crossing even when the street looks empty, as people here tend to follow the signal.
• Allow plenty of time for the larger sights, because the city is wide and moving between districts takes longer than the map suggests.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn is the easiest time, with long days, outdoor seating, and the parks and lakes at their best. Summer can be warm, while winter is cold, grey and short on daylight, though Christmas markets make December pleasant. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter, and a good choice if you plan to spend most of your time in museums and on foot.

From the airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) lies to the south of the city and is linked to the centre by regional trains and the S-Bahn, which take roughly half an hour to reach the main central stations. Buses and taxis also run from the airport, but the train is usually the simplest option and avoids road traffic.