Travel to Berlin with travel insurance from Essential Travel

click here for an annual travel insurance quotation

Information on Berlin

Set on both sides of the Spree River and dating from the 13th century, the German metropolis of Berlin is a dynamic city with a fascinating history. Divided for almost half a century, Berlin is today a reunited modern city with only a sprinkling of preserved buildings. It features magnificent public buildings, good museums and theatres, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and lively nightclubs and bars. ' '

Key Attractions

There are many famous historic sights in Berlin and perhaps the best known is the infamous Brandenburg Gate, built in 1791 and symbolising a divided Cold War Germany. It is located on the site of the long gone Berlin Wall, and here you will also find the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

One of the only remaining historic buildings, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche was reconstructed after being hit by bombs during WWII. A more modern sight is the Kulturforum, a group of excellent museums and concert venues, including: the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall and the smaller Chamber Music Hall.

Berlin is a city with a strong tradition of art and design, there are a number of excellent art museums with regular international exhibitions.

Out and about

There is much to see in the areas surrounding Berlin, including the charming city of Potsdam, home to German socialites from the 17th century onwards. Schloss Sanssouci (castle) is a major sight here. It was commissioned by Friedrich the Great in the mid-18th century and shows off the French grandeur of the time.

An intriguing suburb of Berlin, Kreuzberg lies southwest of the centre. Originally the haven of punks and neo-nazis, Kreuzberg is today quite trendy, boasting interesting coffee shops, book stores and kebab shops. Farther afield, Leipzig and Weimar are two interesting towns.

Leisure options

For an escape from the city, head to Tiergarten, an enormous park lying in the centre of Berlin. It is bisected by a grand boulevard used for gatherings of all kinds. Here you can laze by the many ponds, or run or rollerblade along the tracks. One of the founder schools of design can also be found here, the Bauhaus school and a visit to their archives is well worth the journey to see some of the modern classics in their archive. Hitler’s infamous bunker is nearby and worth investigating.

A fascinating city, with a recognisable divide still separating East from West, the city is well worth exploring by foot taking in the architectural, cultural and religous differences that demonstrate its turbulent history. With fabulous restaurants and nightlife, recent investment into the city has resulted in a plethora of quality accommodation options.

Safety

Be alert for pickpockets when visiting Berlin, especially at night around the busy bar areas. Tourists are always more susceptible when in an unfamiliar environment. Driving is also a potential hazard and travellers should remain vigilant. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.

Weather in Berlin

The weather in Berlin varies widely and you have to be ready to face any type of climate. May to October are the most reliable months to visit as the climate is quite varied, and a perfect time for a shortbreak! This is also the peak season for tourists with the bonus of the spring flowers and the leaf colour in autumn. ' '

Berlin Travel Partners & Resources

' ' '

City Guide Berlin
Let us show you the famous places and secrets of Berlin in over 20 languages. Our specialist guides can arrange both walking tours and tours by unusual vehicle, such as by bicycle, VIP- limousine, old-timer, solar- catamaran, Dragon boat, Viking boat, yacht charter, hot balloon, or on the legendary “Raisinbomber” DC 3. Reservations of fine hotels, resorts and apartment can also be arranged at a reasonable rate. Please ask our qualified guides for reservation of tested restaurants in Berlin and Brandenburg and tickets to the theatre, musicals and variete.

'

back to city guides