Berlin holidays

Popular holidays

City breaks to Berlin offer up everything from era-defining history to adrenaline-pumping techno clubs.

City breaks to Berlin

There’s something about Germany’s capital that makes it hard to pigeonhole. Berlin is steeped in history, with wartime relics, museums and memorials that keep the past at the forefront of every visit. But its quirky desire to embrace the unusual has nurtured an art, music and club scene, that draws some of Europe’s trendiest travellers. The resulting concoction makes for one of the most varied city breaks you can imagine.

History on tap

Berlin’s never been one to avoid the spotlight when you flick through the pages of Germany’s history book. Remnants of the graffiti-daubed Berlin Wall are spottable around the city and Checkpoint Charlie still signifies the old East-West divide. The Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood hosts buildings that survived the destruction of the Second World War. Elsewhere, the centre boasts iconic sites like the Brandenburg Gate and cathedral-flanked Gendarmenmarkt square. And on the outskirts of the city, you can stroll through the grounds of the opulent Charlottenburg Palace.

Cool customer

When you’re not swotting up on Berlin’s past, there’s a huge art and culture scene to get your teeth into. Street food markets, gritty music venues and edgy galleries are the flavour in the Friedrichshain area. Vintage stores and pop-up art installations are Neukolln’s vibe, and you’ll be in your hipster element if you make tracks for one-time punk aficionado Kreuzberg.

Clubs calling

It’s important to save a bit of energy when you’re done pounding Berlin’s pavements – the city’s nightlife ranks among the best in Europe. Big-name nightclubs rule the roost in Oranienstrasse, cool cocktail joints are on the cards in City West, and music bars that the locals love are in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

Popular hotels in Berlin

Top things to see and do in Berlin

Shopping

Bargain buys

Flea markets crop up all around Berlin, but one of the best of the bunch is the Mauerpark event. It takes place every Sunday afternoon in the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood, and has everything from vintage clothes to antiques on sale.

Mid-range buys

Make tracks for the city’s best-known square, Potsdamer Platz, and you’ll come across the Mall of Berlin. This whopping retail spot is home to more than 250 stores on multiple levels, so you’re sure to find plenty of recognisable high street names.

Designer buys

Big-ticket items are in good supply along Kurfurstendamm street, which is considered the most famous and luxury shopping avenue in Berlin. You’ll see a few familiar names at the eastern end, but as you follow it west you’ll start to spot Chanel, Armani, Louis Vuitton and Gucci stores.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Auguststrasse is a great place to start your night out in Berlin – this neighbourhood has a Mediterranean feel thanks to pavement cafés and open-air terraces. There are dance bars and art galleries where you can switch things up, too.

Lively evenings

Lots of areas in Berlin claim to be the nightlife hub, but the title’s just about clinched by Oranienstrasse. It’s crammed with trendy bars, and the clubbing scene is first class.

Food & drink

Spätzle

This dish is like a cross between pasta and dumplings. Spaghetti-like strands or little parcels are gently boiled, before being topped with lashings of cheesy sauce and a side of tangy red cabbage.

Currywurst

Visiting Berlin and not having a currywurst is practically unforgiveable – you’ll see them all around Germany, but the best ones are here. Chunky bockwurst sausages are sliced into portions, before being drenched in sweet curry sauce and served on a bed of skinny fries.

Pfannkuchen

You might think you know a good doughnut, but pfannkuchen change the game. These Berlin favourites aren't a million miles away from the classic jam doughnut, but come with a light powdered sugar topping instead of a granulated coating.

Senfeier

This eggy dish is a real local fave, despite sounding a little rogue. Boiled eggs are sliced in half and simmered in a creamy mustard sauce, and then dolloped on top of a mound of mashed potatoes.

Schnitzel

Schnitzel aren’t necessarily a Berlin staple, but they’re definitely one of the dishes you’re likely to see in a lot of restaurants. Thin cuts of chicken, pork or veal are coated in breadcrumbs, and are deep-fried until golden and crispy.