The 30 best Hotels in Berlin

About Berlin

You may not know it but in Berlin you can enjoy the beach. There's sand, bars that enliven the atmosphere with their music and lounge chairs for sunbathing. It's hard to believe that you're in the German capital and not in a town by the sea. Berlin concentrates art in all its forms with numerous plays, concerts, festivals, opera... It's logical that more and more artists and entrepreneurs are seeking their place in Berlin. In this capital, you will always have the chance to choose what to do. There's so many choices that you can also choose which city center you want to go to, because it has several. It is also the capital of design, which is reflected in the large number of agencies, studios, workshops, etc. that have settled here. The cultural and leisure offer is such that there is no excuse to stay in the hotel. The troubled past of the capital is still reflected in many of its corners but in Berlin there's place for all the trends and ways of thinking, it's a city of contrasts. Before coming here, organize a movie marathon and enjoy with films like Good bye, Lenin!, The Lives of Others or The Girl of Your Dreams to soak up some history in a fun and interesting way.

Moving around

With the great Berlin's public transportation network, you can reach all parts of town either by subway, bus, train... On the other hand, there are numerous bike lanes in the city's main arteries that will allow you to discover the city at your own pace. And, even if there's no bike lane, don't worry, you can ride on the road, drivers are friendly and they're used to bikes. With the "Call a Bike" system, you can rent a bicycle at any time with a simple phone call. S-Bahn trains have no underground section so you can admire the city as you move from one place to another. On the other hand, the central station of Berlin Hauptbahnhof is one of the most impressive buildings of the city and it's worth seeing.

Out & About

If you cross the magnificent avenue Unter den Linden, you can admire some of the sights of Berlin on your way. From Alexanderplatz, the largest square in Germany, to the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the unity of Germany after the wall fell, without forgetting the Cathedral (from the top of the dome, you can admire the whole city) or Bebelplatz, one of the most beautiful squares. You also cannot miss the Museum Island, an artistic compound that brings together five internationally renowned museums: the Altes Museum, the New Museum (Neues Museum), the Old National Gallery (Alte Nationgalerie), the Pergamon Museum (Pergamonmuseum) and the Bode Museum (Bode-Museum). In this compound you will find unique treasures of the past such as the bust of Nefertiti. In the west zone, you'll find the German parliament building, the Reichstag whose dome was designed by Norman Foster. The beach of Berlin is this area and it has everything you need to spend a perfect day under the sun: sand, deck chairs, bars... At night, it becomes one of the key places to dance. In fact, night owls and dance fans will enjoy the legendary nightlife of Berlin. Not far from here, you'll find Potsdamer Platz, the ancient heart of the city and venue of the Berlinale. The Mitte district is the center of the life in Berlin. Much of the tourist attractions are located here. Friedrichstraße is one of the main arteries of the city and it concentrates design buildings, shops, restaurants and landmarks such as Check Point Charlie, next to the Wall Museum (Mauermuseum). Speaking of the wall, the East Side Gallery is the largest piece that is preserved and it has become an art gallery outdoors. The building of the Jewish Museum is one of the best representations of the modern architecture of the city. It includes the Holocaust Tower and the Garden of Exile, which is on a slope. Kurfürstendamm Street or Kudamm was the meeting place of intellectuals in the 20's. Currently, it's the perfect place to observe the mixture between the antique and the new architecture. In Oranienburgerstraße, you'll find the New Synagogue of Berlin, one of the most important places for the Jewish community, and also Tacheles, a cultural center located in the abandoned building of a department store, occupied in 1990. In the Radio Tower, inspired in the Eiffel Tower, you can eat in the restaurant located at the top with the city at your feet.

What's going on in

In February, we celebrate the Berlinale, the largest cultural event in the city and one of the most important film festivals worldwide. It takes place in Potsdamer Platz. The Carnival of Cultures is held every year on the weekend of Pentecost. Many festivals and parades are organized filling the city with color and rhythm. During the Berlin Beer Festival, you can try more than 2000 different beers from around the world. The Berlin A & P Summer Rave is a great party where you won't be able to stop dancing to electronic music. Köpernicker Blues & Jazz Festival "Jazz in Town" is held during the months of July and August. Perhaps one of the best known festivals is the Oktoberfest, held from mid-September to early October.

Shopping

As the capital of design, you will find numerous stores that sell clothing, furniture, etc. You'll be pleased to know that Berlin is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe, you'll find everything from used items to luxury items. Alexanderplatz is, besides being one of the most famous squares, the perfect place to shop. The charming medieval Altstadt Spandau is an added value to the wide range of shops in this zone. In addition, there's a farmers market with fresh products. In Friedrichstraße you'll find the Galeries Lafayette. It's worth taking a look around them even if it's only to admire the building in which they are located. The paradise for shopping is Kudamm, one of the main streets full of shops. The most important international fashion brands are in Kurfürstendamm while in Kreuzberg, the Turkish quarter, the markets and stores are the stars.

What's cooking?

You cannot leave Berlin without trying one of their most representative dishes, the Currywurst. Berlin is a city with a large variety of breakfasts, there are all kinds and for all tastes. Some bars serve them even 24 hours. With the Berlin WelcomeCard you will enjoy discounts on a wide variety of restaurants. Other typical dishes of Berlin, along with the aforementioned currywurst, are pork with puréed peas, Eisbein, and meatballs, Bulette.

Weather

Berlin has a continental climate so the temperature differences between winter and summer are remarkable. In summer, the thermometer can exceed 30 degrees while in winter it drops below 0º. Between April and October is the perfect time to visit the city because there are greater opportunities to enjoy sunny days.

Practical information

The Museumspass card will open the doors of the museums, both large ones and other smaller and less known. With the card Berlin WelcomeCard, you will enjoy various benefits such as in the use of transportation, travel tips and discounts in associates companies. On the other hand, if you have the Student Card, do not leave it home because you can get discounts and even free tickets. In Bluespot points you can connect to the Internet for free to check what you need or to make some phone calls. The tip is included in the prices of restaurants and other services but it's advisable leaving some extra tip if you are happy with the service. If you have a dog, Berlin is the perfect city as long as you keep it well tied. In terms of language, if you speak English, you shouldn't have communication problems but it's always advisable to carry a small list of useful words and expressions. EU citizens can freely enter the country while nonmembers will need a valid passport.

So...

Berlin is a cosmopolitan and interesting capital, with a great cultural appeal and an international projection. You can't leave the city without crossing the street beside the Ampelmännchen.