About Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the highest population within its city limits of any city in the European Union (EU). The metropolis is also one of the states of Germany, being the third-smallest state in the country by area. Berlin is surrounded by the state of Brandenburg, bordering Brandenburg's capital Potsdam to the southwest. The urban area of Berlin has a population of 4.5 million, making it the second most populous in Germany after the Ruhr. The Berlin-Brandenburg capital region has around 6.2 million inhabitants and is Germany's second-largest metropolitan region after the Rhine-Ruhr region, as well as the fifth-biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the EU. Berlin is a global city of culture, politics, media and science.
Cheap flights to Berlin
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $607 from Toronto, travelling 1 Dec – 8 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- NYC New York to Berlin16 Nov – 1 Dec · BER from$860
- YYZ Toronto to Berlin1 Dec – 8 Dec · BER from$607
- LAX Los Angeles to Berlin11 Nov – 25 Nov · BER from$896
- BOS Boston to Berlin12 Apr – 28 Apr · BER from$944
- ORD Chicago to Berlin18 Nov – 25 Nov · BER from$887
- IAD Washington to Berlin30 Nov – 8 Dec · BER from$897
- SFO San Francisco to Berlin1 Dec – 15 Dec · BER from$907
- YVR Vancouver to Berlin22 Oct – 5 Nov · BER from$686
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines, ITA Airways, Air Canada, TAP Air Portugal, Swiss International Air Lines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to BerlinPlaces to visit in Berlin
-
Brandenburg Gate
LandmarkThe neoclassical gate topped by a chariot sculpture once stood beside the Berlin Wall and is now a symbol of reunification. It marks the start of Unter den Linden boulevard.
-
Reichstag Building
LandmarkSeat of the German parliament, crowned by a glass dome with a spiral ramp that offers views over the government quarter. Visiting the dome requires free advance registration.
-
Museum Island
MuseumA cluster of major museums on an island in the Spree, including the Pergamon complex, the Neues Museum with the bust of Nefertiti, and the Alte Nationalgalerie. Berlin Cathedral stands alongside.
-
Berlin Wall Memorial
Historic · 1 mi from centreAlong Bernauer Strasse, a preserved section of the wall, the former death strip and a watchtower explain how the city was divided. The visitor center viewing platform shows the full border layout.
-
East Side Gallery
LandmarkThe longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, covered in murals by international artists, runs along the Spree in Friedrichshain. It is an easy, free walk with the Oberbaum Bridge at one end.
-
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
HistoricA field of concrete slabs of varying heights near the Brandenburg Gate creates a disorienting space for reflection. The underground information center tells the personal stories of victims.
-
Tiergarten
ParkBerlin's large central park offers wooded paths, lakes and beer gardens between the government district and Charlottenburg. The Victory Column in the middle can be climbed for views.
-
Checkpoint Charlie
HistoricThe best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War, marked by a replica guardhouse. Nearby outdoor panels and museums explain escape attempts and the standoff of the era.
Things to do in Berlin by type
54 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
City tours 37 experiences Berlin Christmas Market Private Walking Tour -
Art & culture 17 experiences Berlin Sightseeing - Private tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 7 experiences Berlin Icebar -
Gastronomy & nightlife 6 experiences Berlin Mitte Culinary – The Food Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Bike Rental - with Optional E-bike Upgrade -
Day Trips & Excursions 4 experiences Discover Berlin -
Tour & activities 2 experiences City Circle Hop-on Hop-off Tour - The Best of Berlin with a Boat Trip
- 3-6 hours 8
- 1-3 hours 4
- Flexible 2
- Over 6 hours 1
- Youth 6
- Couples 6
- Families 6
- Senior 6
- Private 19
- Small group 3
- Wheelchair accessible 2
- Skip the line 1
Top experiences in Berlin
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 54 available.
Big Bus Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $33 per adult
Discover Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens - Private Tour
From $293 per adult
Boat Cruise and Berlin’s Old Town Guided Tour - Skip the line Ticket
From $205 per adult
Friedrichstadt Palast Berlin - BLINDED by DELIGHT Grand Show
From $40 per adult
Special Discount Offer: City Sightseeing Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $34 per adult
Berlin Icebar
From $24 per adult
Berlin WelcomeCard - Save up to 50%
From $33 per adult
Berlin Wine Tasting and Winery Tour with a Wine Expert
From $304 per adult
Highlights of Berlin - Bike Tour
From $35 per adult
Discover Berlin
From $290 per adult
Hard Rock Cafe Berlin – Skip the Line
From $28 per adult
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - Private Tour
From $834 per adult
Where to stay in Berlin
Popular hotels in Berlin, out of 790 properties you can book.
NH Berlin Alexanderplatz
From $185 per night
Leonardo Hotel Berlin
From $87 per night
NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse
From $172 per night
NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie
From $113 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie
From $131 per night
nhow Berlin
From $533 per night
Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
From $353 per night
Scandic Berlin Kurfürstendamm
From $103 per night
Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte
From $116 per night
Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz
From $152 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt
From $138 per night
The Posthouse Berlin – Leonardo Limited Edition
From $116 per night
Best time to visit Berlin
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Berlin is May and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 68–78°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Berlin weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 61° 49° 73%
- Thu 22 Oct 54° 47° 80%
- Fri 23 Oct 56° 42° 40%
- Sat 24 Oct 58° 44° 28%
- Sun 25 Oct 50° 43° 55%
- Mon 26 Oct 49° 43° 44%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- German
- Calling code
- +49
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/BerlinUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Germany
- Christmas DayErster Weihnachtstag
- St. Stephen's DayZweiter Weihnachtstag
- New Year's DayNeujahr
- Good FridayKarfreitag
- Easter MondayOstermontag
- Labour DayTag der Arbeit
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Berlin
These are the airports closest to central Berlin. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- THF Berlin-Tempelhof Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
- TXL Berlin-Tegel Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
- SXF Berlin Schönefeld Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
- BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre
Getting around Berlin
Pedestrians should be careful not to walk in the designated bike lanes.
By public transport
As Berlin is a major metropolis with pretty decent public transit, you should take buses, trains and trams whenever possible as those cover most of the city and are often the fastest way to get to places. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) list all their fares on their website.
Tickets
The public transport system in Berlin (U-, S-Bahn, bus, tram, regional rail) uses a common ticket system based on zones (zone A, B and C). You are unlikely to go beyond zone A and B, except on trips to Potsdam or to the airport (BER). The border between zones A and B is the S-Bahn Ring (see below). Zone C includes trips to and within Potsdam.
Purchasing tickets
Tickets can be purchased in several ways. Upon arrival at the different Berlin airports, some tickets can be purchased at the tourist desk. All tickets are available at vending machines at the airports, U- and S-Bahn platforms, and passengers may also use the vending machines operated by DB at long-distance and regional railway stations to purchase the same. English and other European languages are available. Payment is mostly by local bank cards, coins and banknotes.
Berlin travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Berlin?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Berlin is May and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 68–78°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Berlin?
August is usually the warmest month in Berlin, with average highs of 78°F (26°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 34°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 91 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Berlin?
Berlin-Tempelhof Airport (THF) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Berlin. Other nearby airports include Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL, 5 mi) and Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF, 11 mi).
How much are flights to Berlin?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Berlin in the last 30 days was $607 from Toronto, travelling 1 Dec – 8 Dec. October is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $607.
What currency is used in Berlin?
Berlin uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Berlin in?
Berlin uses the Europe/Berlin time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Berlin?
Pedestrians should be careful not to walk in the designated bike lanes.
What are the best places to visit in Berlin?
Top sights in Berlin include Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, Museum Island and Berlin Wall Memorial. The neoclassical gate topped by a chariot sculpture once stood beside the Berlin Wall and is now a symbol of reunification. It marks the start of Unter den Linden boulevard.
What are the top things to do in Berlin?
Popular experiences you can book in Berlin include Big Bus Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Discover Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens - Private Tour and Boat Cruise and Berlin’s Old Town Guided Tour - Skip the line Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 54 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Berlin?
The most popular types of experiences in Berlin are city tours (37), art & culture (17), tickets & attraction passes (7) and gastronomy & nightlife (6). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Berlin?
Popular areas for hotels in Berlin include Prenzlauer Berg, Charlottenburg and Mitte. Well-reviewed options include NH Berlin Alexanderplatz and Leonardo Hotel Berlin.
How many hotels can I book in Berlin?
Destina Holidays currently lists 790 properties in and around Berlin, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
