Germany’s largest city is a cosmopolitan, multicultural gem.
Berlin’s fascinating history, contemporary architecture and rich cultural scene are ripe for exploring, making it the ideal destination for a weekend away or longer.
Flying to Berlin from London CityÂ
Flying direct to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from London City Airport (LCY) takes one hour and 45 mins, landing you around 16 miles (27km) from the city centre. Â
The comprehensive, well-run BVG public transport system is the most efficient way to get around town. It includes the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (light rail), buses and trams – plus there are plenty of e-scooter, bike rental and car-sharing options available.Â
There can be several direct flights between London City Airport (LCY) and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) via British Airways each week, so whatever your travel plans, here's what you need to know about getting there. Â
Key Stats
Language
German
Time Difference
1 hr ahead of GMT
Currency
Euro
Berlin Travel Guide
To visit Berlin is to discover a city that’s evolved hugely since reunification, growing into a fun, gritty mix of culture, restaurants, politics and art with an endless supply of interesting things to do. Browse our Berlin travel guide for the essential sights to see, the city’s vibrant nightlife, food and drink scene, plus events worth checking out.
Essential Sights
For business
Berlin houses central business districts across the city. In the West, stroll along the Champs Elysees-style boulevard Kurfürstendamm to shop fashion houses, car showrooms and upmarket stores. The lively square Alexanderplatz is the nucleus of East Berlin, with shops, restaurants and attractions galore. And the dazzling skyscrapers of buzzing Potsdamer Platz in the heart of the city earn its name as Berlin’s Times Square.Â
For sightseeing
An essential stop while sightseeing in Berlin is the bustling Mitte district, located in the heart of the city. This colourful, cosmopolitan area is jam-packed with sights, including the vast impossible-to-miss Brandenburg Gate and the striking Reichstag building. Make time to visit the Kulturforum – a popular collection of some of the world’s best art museums in central Tiergarten park.Â
For local life
Across Kreuzberg park in West Berlin, Bergmannkiez is a pretty neighbourhood of café-lined cobbled streets with a historic market square. Seek out the vast Markheineke Markthalle (market hall) on Bergmannstrasse, dating from 1891, which sells books, fresh seasonal produce and artworks.
The Berlin Wall
Only remnants remain of the wall that once separated East and West Berlin. An outdoor memorial extends for almost a mile along Bernauer Strasse, and includes an original wall section, vestiges of escape tunnels, border installations and even a chapel.  Â
The Reichstag
One of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks and modern home of the German parliament. This 19th-century building has been burned, bombed and rebuilt, and now sports a giant glass dome with 360-degree views of the city which are well worth getting the lift up to see.Â
Checkpoint Charlie
This former border crossing is an important historical monument – and the setting for some great spy thrillers including James Bond hit Octopussy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. An open-air exhibition tells the gripping stories of those who succeeded and failed in their bids to escape East Berlin. 
Brandenburg Gate
A symbol of division during the Cold War, this elegant neo-classical gate was inspired by Athen’s Acropolis and completed in 1791. Constructed on the site of an ancient city gate, it’s now an iconic marker of Berlin’s reunification.Â
Holocaust Memorial
Visit this moving memorial, consisting of a dark maze of blocks with an underground information centre beneath, where it carefully relates of victims of the Holocaust.Â
Nightlife
When you’re going out in Berlin, you should know it genuinely is a city that never sleeps. From basement jazz clubs to old-school corner pubs, in Berlin you’ll find somewhere to let your hair down anytime.  Â
A well-known global techno capital, Berlin has a multitude of clubs pounding out beats until the early hours, from sleek hedonistic bars to industrial mega-venues. There’s no closing time and the buses and trains run all night, so no worries about getting home late (or very early). Berlin’s LGBTQ+ scene has a reputation as one of Europe’s best and the city has a long history of inclusion, running a lively Pride Month and CSD Berlin, when thousands of people parade through the city.Â
There’s a huge range of performing arts on offer here, including contemporary dance, drama, musicals, live bands and circus acts. The city also has a thriving dance scene, championing styles from tango and salsa to ballroom. Â
Food & Drink
In a city the size of Berlin, the food scene is varied and ever-developing. You can sample traditional hearty meat-and-potato dishes and explore plenty of other culinary influences from Euro-wide to Asian. Â
Traditional tastes
If you’re keen to get your teeth round some German favourites, you must try schnitzel (crispy fried cutlet), sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) or the famous currywurst (sausage with tomato curry sauce) invented here in Berlin.
Food markets
Make a point of heading to Markthalle Neun on Eisenbahnstrasse in Kreuzberg. This listed covered market serves up heritage vegetables and locally sourced meats, and you can refresh yourself with excellent beers from the onsite microbrewery. It’s also a community hub for culture, craft and meet-ups. The owners host regular themed events such as the hugely popular Cheese Berlin and Street Food Thursdays.
Foodie neighbourhoods
Tourist-heavy Mitte has quite a few great food spots offering a range of cuisines, with plenty of Asian fusion and Turkish dishes on the menu. The rotating Restaurant Sphere at the top of the TV tower – one of Europe’s tallest structures – offers fabulous views of the city.  
Events
Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale)February
This festival is one of the world’s largest public film festivals and a key annual event for the global film community. Since 1951 international performers and moviemakers have flocked to Berlin for a packed programme of screenings, premieres, workshops and talks.
Berlin Carnival of CultureMay - June
This explosion of entertainment arrives each spring to celebrate the diversity of Berlin culture. It’s a wonderful time to experience the capital due to its colourful street parties, theatre, market stalls and a show-stopping float parade with dance, music and acrobatics.
Pride Month BerlinJune - July
This huge queer event unfolds across weeks of panel talks, parties, workshops and community events, including the Christopher Street Day (CSD) march in which over a million people usually take part.
The Long Night of MuseumsAugust
This annual event sees most of Berlin’s museums and cultural institutions open their doors from 6 pm until 2 am, welcoming visitors in for an intimate evening of tours, workshops, concerts, artist talks and performances.
Berlin Beer WeekSeptember
Although not as renowned for beery celebrations as Munich, Berlin hosts its own annual celebration of craft beer culture featuring parties, tap takeovers, food/beer pairings and live bands.
OktoberfestSeptember - October
Bringing the party to venues, beer gardens and breweries across the city, this free festive Bavarian celebration features beer tents, rides, parades and – naturally – excellent beer.
Christmas MarketsNovember - December
Colder days and longer nights mean it’s time for Berlin’s streets to light up in a blaze of twinkly fairy lights. You can shop festive gifts galore at these iconic Christmas markets found at over 100 locations across the city.