Berlin holidays

How to reach Berlin

Berlin is served by Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), the city's only commercial airport since the closure of Tegel in 2020. For Irish travellers, direct flights are available from Dublin, with occasional seasonal routes from Cork and Shannon.

• Flight time: Direct flights from Dublin to Berlin take around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

• Transfer to the city centre:

  • The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains (RE7, RB14) take about 30 minutes to reach central Berlin, with a one-way fare of approximately €3.60 (valid for zones ABC).

  • A taxi from BER to the city centre takes around 30–45 minutes, costing between €40 and €60 depending on traffic.

• Other transport options: Berlin’s public transport system is excellent. Single tickets for U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses cost €3.00 for zones AB. A 24-hour ticket is €8.80, with weekly passes also available.

Best time to visit Berlin

Each season in Berlin brings its own appeal, depending on your preferences.

• Spring (March to May): Ideal for strolling through parks and museums with fewer crowds. Temperatures range from 2°C in early March to 18°C by May. Expect 6 to 9 hours of daylight and occasional rain.

• Summer (June to August): Peak season with long days (up to 16 hours of daylight), outdoor festivals, open-air cinemas and beer gardens. Temperatures average 14°C to 24°C. Be prepared for busier attractions and higher hotel prices.

• Autumn (September to November): Temperatures range from 19°C in early September down to 3°C by November. The trees in Tiergarten and other parks turn golden, and it’s a quieter time to explore the city's cultural offerings.

• Winter (December to February): Cold, festive and atmospheric. Temperatures hover between -2°C and 3°C, and snow isn’t uncommon. Visit for the Christmas markets and winter light installations, but pack warm layers.

Practical information for Berlin holidays

• Spoken languages: German is the official language. English is widely spoken in most tourist venues, shops and restaurants.

• Local habits and customs: Berliners are friendly but value efficiency and punctuality. Jaywalking is frowned upon, and recycling rules are taken seriously.

• Tips: Not always included, so rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is customary in restaurants and cafes.

• Security: Berlin is generally safe, but it’s wise to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy areas like Alexanderplatz and on public transport.

• Health: Tap water is safe to drink. Pharmacies are easily recognisable by the red “A” symbol and are well stocked.

• Currency: Germany uses the Euro. ATMs are plentiful, and most places accept cards, but some smaller eateries or markets might prefer cash.

• Getting around: The BVG transport network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses and trams) is fast and reliable. A Berlin WelcomeCard gives unlimited travel and discounts at major attractions.

• Electricity and plug types: Germany uses 230V with type F plugs. Irish travellers will need a standard European two-pin adapter.

• Time zone: Berlin is on Central European Time (CET), 1 hour ahead of Irish time.

Best things to do in Berlin

Energetic and irreverent, the German capital has some of the most important archaeological collections in Europe, as well as an impressive range of galleries and museums, and an exuberant, cutting-edge nightlife.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Reichstag: The view from the Reichstag's glass cupola provides a great handle on the city.

• Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm): Iconic landmark whose 203m-high observation platform and revolving café offer unbeatable views.

The best districts

• Mitte: Extending from the leafy boulevard of Unter den Linden to the bustling area of restaurants, shops and bars around Hackescher Markt a short walk northeast, this is the city's beating heart.

• Kreuzberg: Soak up Berlin's alternative spirit and bohemian vibe in Kreuzberg, full of street art, quirky cafés and lively markets.

• Prenzlauer Berg: Once a popular counter-cultural centre, this leafy district is now known for its cafés, indie boutiques and family-friendly atmosphere. It's also home to Mauerpark, a popular spot for flea markets and open-air karaoke on Sundays.

Museums

• Museum Berggruen: Unmissable for fans of 20th-century art and specifically Picasso. Most of the 120 Picassos here have rarely been seen and steal the show – highlights include the richly textured Cubist The Yellow Sweater and large-scale Reclining Nude.

• Jüdisches Museum: An architectural burst of light in a bland residential part of Kreuzberg, the Jewish Museum Berlin tackles the difficult topic of the history and culture of German Jewry.

Parks and gardens

• Tiergarten: A huge swathe of peaceful green parkland smack in the middle of Berlin, the Tiergarten was originally designed by Peter Lenné as a hunting ground for Elector Friedrich III, but now provides a great antidote to city noise and bustle.

• Tempelhofer Feld: This former airport turned public park is a vast, open space ideal for cycling and rollerblading among other things - you can even explore the former runways!

Historical monuments

• The Berlin Wall Memorial: Stretching 2km along Bernauer Strasse, this forms the most rewarding Wall-related sight in Berlin. Start at the visitor centre and take in the excellent introductory film.

• The Olympic Stadium: One of Berlin's few remaining Fascist-era buildings, this huge neoclassical construction is hugely impressive, despite being tainted by its past.

• Brandenburg Gate: Once marking the division between East and West Berlin, this grand neoclassical monument now stands as a symbol of peace and unity.

Day trips in the area

• Potsdam: Just a short train ride from Berlin, Potsdam is an easy day out from Berlin, harbouring several fine palaces, including the fabled park Sanssouci.

• Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp: The former concentration camp operated by both the Nazis and Soviets makes for a sobering but rewarding day trip from Berlin.

Activities for families in Berlin

Few cities in Germany, or Europe for that matter, can match Berlin for the sheer variety of family-friendly activities.

• Zoos and aquariums: One of Europe's most important zoos, Zoologischer Garten is a pleasantly landscaped place whose highlight is the nocturnal Nachttierhaus, featuring a bat cave, a large glass-sided hippo-pool and Germany's only pandas. The zoo's aquarium is fantastic and an excellent rainy-day option.

• Interactive museums: The Story of Berlin contains an excellent and inventive multimedia exhibition that's great for kids, with film clips, noises, flashing lights, smoke and smells, which illustrate the trawl through the city's turbulent past. More scarily, the Berlin Dungeon does hour-long tours using actors who try to scare and amuse with tales of torture, serial killings, plagues and the like. No access to children under 8; those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Parks and playgrounds: Tiergarten offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play, while Mauerpark is a fun spot to explore, with its flea market and Sunday karaoke. For younger children, Berlin's numerous adventure playgrounds are a hit.

Free things to do in Berlin

Finding free things to do in Berlin is easy, whether that's exploring the local art scene, soaking up the myriad festivals or just enjoying the city's many green spaces.

• Free guided tours: New Berlin Tours offer a free city-centre tour, though tips are expected.

• Parks and outdoor spaces: Berlin's many parks, including Tiergarten and Tempelhofer Feld, are perfect for a day of free outdoor exploration.

• Contemporary art: Investigate the local scene for free courtesy of Berlin's estimated 5,000 artists-in-residence, who regularly open their studios for visitors.

• Berlin Wall East Side Gallery: This open-air gallery, painted on a section of the Berlin Wall, features over 100 murals by artists from around the world.

Nature and outdoor activities in Berlin

For such a large urban centre, there are a surprising number of ways in which you can get physically active on your Berlin holidays.

• Cycling: An extensive bike-path network makes cycling an enjoyable urban activity; one good bike-rental company is Fahrradstation, while there are two public bicycle-sharing initiatives: Call a Bike and NextBike.

• Boat tours: Boats cruise Berlin's numerous city-centre canals and suburban lakes regularly in summer. Usually, you can just turn up at quayside stops around the Spreeinsel and buy a ticket on the spot.

• Hiking: Berlin's large parks, notably Grunewald Forest and Treptower Park, offer opportunities for urban walking: Grunewald, for example, has trails leading to the Teufelsberg, a not insubstantial hill offering unencumbered views over the city.

The best beaches in Berlin

While Berlin is landlocked, the city and its surrounding areas offer several lovely beach spots along lakes and riverbanks, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the outdoors during the warmer months.

• Public Beaches: Strandbad Wannsee is one of Berlin's most popular and traditional public beaches, with fine sand and a wide range of facilities, including changing rooms, showers, and a children's play area. Another favourite is Strandbad Müggelsee, located on Berlin's largest lake, offering a natural beach setting.

• Private Beaches with Charges: Badeschiff is a unique floating pool in the River Spree, offering an urban beach vibe with sunbeds, a bar, and panoramic city views. An entrance fee is charged for access to the pool and beach area. Another is BeachMitte, which, despite its central location, offers beach volleyball courts, a beach bar, and sun loungers, creating a vibrant beach atmosphere in the heart of the city.

• Beaches with Sunbeds and Facilities: Several lake beaches around Berlin, such as the Strandbad Tegeler See and Strandbad Orankesee, provide sunbeds, umbrellas, and other amenities for a small fee, along with cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a snack.

Nearest beaches to Berlin

While Berlin itself offers several beach-like experiences, those willing to travel a bit can find genuine beach atmosphere in nearby areas:

• Strandbad Grünau on the Dahme River offers a more secluded environment with clear waters and fine sand, ideal for those looking to escape the city's hustle.

• Liegewiese am Schlachtensee is a grassy area by the Schlachtensee lake, favoured for its calm waters and beautiful surroundings, offering a more natural lake beach experience without the typical beach facilities but with the charm of a serene getaway.

• For a Baltic Sea experience, the beaches of Warnemünde and the island of Rügen are within a few hours' drive or train ride from Berlin, offering expansive sandy beaches, seaside resorts, and the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea.

These beach spots provide Berliners and visitors with delightful options for relaxation, swimming, and sunbathing, making the city's summers lively and enjoyable despite its distance from the sea.

Local dishes in Berlin

Berlin has all the restaurants and cafés you'd expect from a major European capital, with virtually every imaginable type of food represented; indeed, national food generally takes a back seat to Greek, Turkish, Balkan, Indian, Italian and – most recently – Syrian specialities.

Some typical dishes

• Currywurst: A Berlin icon invented, they say, in 1949 by a bored Imbiss stall-holder. Basically a Wiener sliced, smothered in ketchup, then dusted with curry powder.

• Eisbein: A slow-cooked pork knuckle served with sauerkraut and potatoes, it's especially popular in the colder months and pairs well with a glass of German beer.

Street food

• Döner kebab: Invented in Berlin, the Döner is served in a pita with meat, salad and various sauces.

• Bouletten: Quite simply, meatballs served in sandwich form with a big dollop of mustard.

Meat dishes

• Wurst: Part of the national cuisine since the Middle Ages, sausages are taken seriously in their home nation, and feature pork (and sometimes beef or veal), spices and peppercorns.

• Schnitzel: A breaded and fried cutlet of pork or veal served with potato salad or fries.

• Berliner Leber: A local speciality, this dish consists of sautéed liver, usually from veal, served with onions, apple slices and mashed potatoes.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Labskaus: A filling mash of beef, pork, salted herring, potato, beetroot and gherkin, topped with a fried egg.

• Matjes: Especially popular in northern Germany and Berlin, this is a pickled herring served with onions, sour cream and boiled potatoes.

Sweets and desserts

• Berliner Pfannkuchen: Known simply as "Berliner", these fluffy doughnuts are dusted with powdered sugar and come with a variety of fillings, including classic raspberry jam, chocolate and custard.

• Rote Grütze: A classic dessert made from red berries, thickened with cornstarch and served with vanilla sauce or cream.

Local drinks

• Berliner Weisse: A sour wheat beer, Berliner Weisse is often served with a shot of flavoured syrup, such as raspberry or woodruff, to balance its tartness.

• Schnapps: A strong distilled spirit usually made from fruits like apples, cherries or plums, in Berlin the most popular version is Doppelkorn (corn Schnapps), traditionally knocked back with a knuckle of pork.