Tips From Our Berlin Guides

Staying on-budget

Hotels in the capital often roll out great deals, so when searching for accommodation online, don't limit yourself to non-luxury! Sometimes even 4- or 5-star hotels end up cheaper than 3-stars.

The public transport in Berlin is fantastic, which comes in handy for a city of this size. If you're coming for 3-7 days, save by finding a cheaper hotel outside the city centre and getting a Berlin WelcomeCard, which offers tons of discounts and free public transport.

Street food is super popular in Germany! So you'll find foodie spots with free tasters everywhere you go. What's more, every supermarket stocks great takeaway items; Lidl and Penny even have machines dispensing coffee for €1. Our suggestion? Get a nice salad, fresh bread, sausage, and cheese, and head for a picnic in the park!

Check out the following museums and churches – they're free!

• - Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church: A symbol of western Berlin. It's up there with the world's top 30 most architecturally exciting churches.
• - St. Mary's: The oldest operating church in Berlin with a beautiful pulpit, organ, and font.
• - St. Hedwig's: A Neoclassical Roman Catholic cathedral with an intriguing copy of Michelangelo's Pietà.
• - East Side Gallery: The wall that once separated East and West Berlin, now one of the world's largest open-air art displays.
• - Topography of Terror at the former Gestapo headquarters.
• - And, of course, the Reichstag. Book online at least a month in advance.

Packing for the weather

Berlin is the sunniest city in Germany! There are fewer rainy days here than there are museums. (No, really.)

That said, it does get windy, and the incredibly flat, wide streets don't offer much by way of shelter. Quite the opposite: they tunnel gusts of wind into the centre, sweeping people off their feet in more ways than one. What's more, Berlin was built on very boggy ground, and now there are many ponds and green spaces – this makes for some intense humidity! Summers are sticky, and the winter cold can creep into your bones.

Our top tip: when looking at the weather forecast between October and March, subtract the temperature by 5°С, and pack whatever's suitable. If you're debating bringing a puffer jacket – do it.

If you're coming between April and September, a T-shirt and a light jacket will do you fine.

Only bring an umbrella if the forecast is rain, rain, rain. But that's a rarity! If you'd rather not bring it, you can just grab a cheap one in a souvenir store.

Choosing souvenirs

Souvenirs should always be authentic! We recommend getting something that either tastes good, or you can use every day.

Tastes good:

• A bar of Berliner-branded chocolate:
  - Raush – the official supplier of the former emperor himself. Instead of a generic store, they have a wonderful café overlooking Gendarmenmarkt square.
  - Sarotti – the legendary and hugely popular brand founded in the late 19th century. It miraculously survived all the hardships thrown its way since and is now stocked in major supermarkets (e.g., Real, Kaufland, Edeka, and Rewe).
  - Sawade – a lovely little store in the Hackesche Höfe. They also used to supply the royal family.
• Berliner Luft Liquor: A favourite among the city's youngsters, perfect for making a Berlin mojito.
• Schnapps by Preussische Spirituosen: A former favourite of Emperor Wilhelm I that now continues to operate as a factory, shop, and museum.

Useable:

• - Glass straws by Halm: Germany is an environmentally conscious nation! Now, the best restaurants in the city use these glass straws, bringing the Berlin-founded manufacturer huge success.
• - Thermos: Yep, thermoses were invented here in Berlin! They're high-quality and never get old.

Nearby day trip

Potsdam is a beautiful city on the outskirts of Berlin. Many even prefer it over the busy capital!

We run two tours around Potsdam every day, which you can book separately or as a package:

- Historical centre: 10:00 - 12:30.
- Sanssouci Park: 12:30 - 15:00.

Tours last 2.5 hours, including a 30-minute break for coffee, beers, souvenirs, and to pop to the toilet.

Price per person:
One tour: €20,
Both tours: €35.

Meet us outside Potsdam station at 10:00, and we'll set off together in search of the city's historical centre. We'll explore Friendship Island, the palace on Old Market Square, the town hall, St. Nicholas' Church, New Market Square, and the Dutch Quarter. Then we'll weave through Potsdam's charming courtyards and alleyways to Nauentor and Jägertor before we reach the Brandenburg Gate. That's where the second tour begins.

At 12:30, we set off from Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate towards Sanssouci Park, where we'll wander the charming Marlygarten, the romantic Church of Peace, the delightful grotto of Neptune, and the art gallery. Then, we'll climb the vineyards of Weinbergterrassen up to the beautiful Baroque Sanssouci Palace. There, we'll take a 30-minute break.

Then, we'll wander onwards to the Historic Mill, New Chambers, Orangery Palace, and some fine-looking armour before heading down to the Chinese House and, finally the posh New Palace.

Booking is required! We will tell you exactly where to find us and how to get here.