Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Tourist Information Office is an excellent resource for finding out more about Berlin, providing a wealth of practical information and useful links.
Get in
As the city was divided into two during the Cold War, many major parts of Berlin’s infrastructure — such as airports — were built on both the east and west side. After the demolition of the Wall the challenge has been to merge these formerly independent systems into one that serves all people in the metropolitan Berlin area.
By air
Berlin has three airports:
- Tegel International Airport (ICAO: EDDT, IATA: TXL) – located in the north-west of the city; the main airport for the flagcarriers (Lufthansa, BA, Air France, KLM, Delta etc) and hub for domestic flights as well as those from western Europe and the USA. Buses from Tegel operate to S+U Alexanderplatz (bus TXL) and S+U Zoologischer Garten (buses X9 and 109) for the standard ticket fare.
- Sch̦nefeld (ICAO: EDDB, IATA: SXF) Рsoutheast of the city centre; increasingly the focus for low-cost airlines (e.g. Ryanair, Easyjet and GermanWings) and charter flights in addition to traffic from Asia and eastern Europe. The airport is served by the S-Bahn: the line S9 will take you conveniently to (and through) the city centre via such major stations as U Ostbahnhof, S+U Alexanderplatz, S Hauptbahnhof and S+U Zoologischer Garten.
- Tempelhof (ICAO: EDDI, IATA: THF) – a small relic of the pre-war era due for closure in March 2007, Tempelhof is located immediately south of the city centre but has only a small number of connections serviced mainly by domestic and european flights (Eurowings, DBA, Windrose Air, SN Brussels and numerous minor business carriers).
Construction of the new Airport Berlin Brandenburg International has started at Schönefeld and the new airport is scheduled for opening in 2011. After this, all air traffic in the Berlin-Brandenburg region will be bundled at BBI, and other airports in the region closed down.
Various airlines, such as Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France have direct flight connections between Berlin and major German and European cities. Lufthansa, the German flag carrier airline, has several own counters in Tegel. It can be difficult to find a direct flight to Berlin from outside of Europe. Most airlines will fly to their major hub airports such as Frankfurt and Munich and offer connecting (or code-share) flights to Berlin.
Since end of 2005 Delta and Continental Airlines have established daily direct flights from New York (JFK and Newark).
By bus
As with all major cities, many bus companies offer connections to Berlin, both national and international, from over 350 destinations in Europe. Long distance buses arrive at Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (Central Bus Terminal) in Charlottenburg.
By train
Berlin is served by IC, ICE, EuroCity and InterRegio trains. The German train corporation Deutsche Bahn (DB) offers ICE connections between Berlin and other major German cities. If you arrive in Berlin on a national (non-regional) DB trip, you are entitled to use your ticket to travel by S-Bahn (local commuter trains), but not U-Bahn (the city’s underground system), to your destination as the S-Bahn is operated by the DB.
Several night trains from/to Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich and Vienna travel every day. They are popular with backpackers so reservations are recommended. Long-haul trains to Eastern European cities (Warsaw, Kaliningrad and Moscow) mostly use the Bahnhof Lichtenberg in Eastern Berlin. Make sure you have a reservation because these lines are also very popular.
During the times of its division, Berlin had two main train stations: Zoologischer Garten (Bahnhof Zoo for short) in the West, and Hauptbahnhof in the East. After the fall of the wall the former Hauptbahnhof has been renamed Ostbahnhof.
From 28 May 2006 onwards Berlin has a new train station concept for national and international train connections. The brand new (the building, not the station) Hauptbahnhof (central station), the Südkreuz (southern cross) and the Ostbahnhof (eastern station) -plus minor Gesundbrunnen in the north and Spandau in the north west- are the backbone of all connections. All are connected to either S- or U-Bahn (planned is both). All trains travel through central station and a second major hub (depending on the destination you travel to or arrive from). Trains in the regional area (Berlin and Brandenburg) mostly use these stations. Regional trains stop at several stations within Berlin.
By car
All main roads and motorways join the Berliner Ring, or the A10, from which you can access the inner city. The city motorway is usually very crowded during rush hour.
Get around
Berlin’s city centers (in East and West) are compact and most of the major sights and venues can be accessed easily enough on foot. Even so, a traveller can make use of the excellent bus, tram, train and underground services to get around. Taxi services are also easy to use and less expensive than in most European cities. You can hail a cab (the yellow light on the top shows the cab is free), or find a taxi rank (Taxistand). Be sure you get the driver’s attention before you get in at a taxi stand, he or she may be asleep. Taxi drivers are in general able to speak English.
A standard ticket is valid on all the different types of transportation with unlimited changes. Berlin uses a zone system, but you are unlikely to need to go beyond zone A & B, except on trips to Potsdam. This is a very large area, even including Schönefeld airport. If you’re going to be traveling a lot by public transport, consider getting a Tageskarte day card (€5.80 for zone A & B) or the Berlin WelcomeCard , which gets you unlimited travel in zones A, B and C for €16/22 for 2/3 days plus discounts at many of Berlin’s tourist attractions. Weekly passes for all kind of public transport valid inside zone A and B are available for €25,40. (Most of the interesting places reported here are in the A zone, some in the B zone and only Potsdam is in the C zone)
There are vending machines selling all ticket types on the platforms at every station of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. They offer instructions in many languages including English, but if you need assistance most larger stations have staffed ticket counters where you can ask questions and buy tickets. Before you get on the train you need to validate your ticket using the yellow machines on the platform (or in the bus). You will most likely need to pay a €60 fine if you are caught with an unvalidated ticket.
If you don’t know how to get somewhere, or how to get home at night call 030 (for Berlin) 19449, the Customer Service of the BVG. There are also facilities in most U-Bahn stations to contact the Customer Service directly. In 2005 the BVG introduced Metro lines (buses and tram) that will run from June 2006 onwards 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All lines are marked with a big orange plate and a white M.
In some places like Zoologischer Garten and Eberswalderstrasse people will try to sell used tickets to you. It is not legal, but generally safe to use (check the validation stamp and be careful as this could also be a pickpocket trick) and widely accepted. Don’t pay more than half the price. You might as well want to give your used tickets as a present to those who are going to buy them from the machine instead of encouraging illegal transactions.
It’s also worth noting that the house numbers do not necessarily run in one direction (up or down). On a lot of streets, the numbers ascend on one side and descend on the other. Especially on long streets check the numbering scheme first: you can find the name of the street and the numbers on that block at nearly every street corner.
By train
The Berlin U-Bahn (subway/metro) is something to behold; it is so charmingly precise! There are no turnstiles to limit access, so it is technically possible to ride without a ticket, but this can lead to a fine of more than €80. (Most residents claim to see ticket checkers once a month; if you’re determined to scam, the morning papers print the lines with controllers for the day – but this is not really helpful as a lot of “undercover” patrols check other lines as well.) All U-bahn stations now have electronic signs that give the time of the next train, and its direction based on sensors along the lines.
Detailed maps can be found in every U-bahn station on the trains. Don’t be confused by the alternative tram maps. U-Bahn stations can be seen from far by their big, friendly blue U signs. Together with the S-Bahn (which is administered by Deutsche Bahn and mostly runs aboveground), the U-Bahn provides a transportation network throughout greater Berlin that is extremely efficient and fast. On weekend, as well as during the Christmas and New Year holidays, all U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines (except line U4) run all night, so returning from late night outings is easy, especially given the average start time of most ‘parties’ in Berlin (10-11 p.m.). Some U- and S-Bahn lines now run 24 hours seven days a week to give the party people a convenient way home. Please check with staff which lines it will be, because the concept has just started.
For a single journey you can buy a cheap Kurzstrecke for €1.20, but this is only for travelling 3 stops. For a longer single journey you must pay €2.10, which is valid for anywhere in zone A & B for two hours after validating.
By tram
The trams are mostly in East Berlin, as in the West the tram lines were removed to facilitate more vehicular traffic. If you don’t have a ticket already, you can buy one inside the tram.
Two types of tram service are available. Metrotrams are similar to what English-speakers call Light Rail, with stops spaced farther apart than on local access routes, and with traffic priority measures. Tram routes not so identified stop more frequently and may even include picturesque single-track rides through forested areas far east of the Mitte Bezirk (borough).
Perhaps the most picturesque line in the city, known to transit system officials as “the most beloved tram line in Germany” due to its customers’ passionate opposition to reducing service, is Line 68. In off-seasons it has more scenery than people, but when hot weather comes its lakeshore meanderings and the tiny, gemütlich village of Alt-Schmöckwitz at the line’s outer terminal draw so many customers that extra trams are pressed into service. Line 68 may be best accessed at the Berlin-Grünau S-Bahn station, where all types of convenience food and shopping are available.
Beyond the village center and tram terminal, a large forested area of lakefront parkland offers hiking and bicycling possibilities. This was once the home neighborhood for expatriate American, international music and film star Dean Reed. The Line 68 tram itself had one brief moment of glory, in 1936. In its former incarnation as Line 86 it was the best route to the Olympic rowing events and some structures, street names, etc. still reflect that high point.
By bus
Buses are the easiest way to see the city.
The most famous bus line is 100, which leaves from Zoo Station (“Berlin Zoologischer Garten”) or U-Bahn station Alexanderplatz, and crosses most of historic Berlin, including many of the sites listed here. For the price of a city bus ticket or daily pass it’s possible to see much of the city from one of these double-decker tour buses. Sit up top as it’s easier to see the Reichstag, as well as the many historic buildings on Unter den Linden. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the legendary bus-driver who delivers a commentary (in Berlin-accented German) on the trip. New bus line 200 takes nearly the same route, but through Potsdamer Platz. Either ride is a must do on any trip to Berlin.
By cycle
Bicycle is another great way to tour Berlin. Berlin offers many bicycle paths (Radwege) throughout the city (although not all are very smooth), and has very few steep hills. Bicycles are a very popular method of transportation among Berlin residents, and there is almost always a certain level of bicycle traffic. Bicycle rentals are available in the city, although the prices vary (usually from €7.50 per day). In addition, the Deutsche Bahn (DB) placed many public bicycles [8] throughout the city in 2003. These can be unlocked by calling a number on the bicycle with a cellphone (called a “handy” in German). Seeing Berlin by bicycle is unquestionably a great way, that will acquaint the traveler with the big tourist sites, and the little Sprees and side streets as well. Although it’s good to carry your own map, you can also always check your location at any U-Bahn station and many Bus Stations. Individual arranged cycling maps you can create online, optimized by less busy routes or fewer traffic lights or your favorite paving [9].
See
museums
Berlin is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles. Please help sort them out if you are familiar with this city.Berlin has a vast array of museums. Most museums and galleries charge admission – usually around €6 for an adult, discounts available (students are required to have a card with photo from their university). However, some of the state run museums, including some of the ones below, are free on the first Sunday of each month, but ask before as this is not a general rule. Some museums also grant free entrance four hours before closing every Thursday.
- Lange Nacht der Museen – a large cultural event in August with museums open until 2 a.m. and extra events around the city. For details refer to the website[10] or call the InfoLine 90 26 99 444
- Museuminsel. Literally “Museum Island”, this district is best known for the vast Pergamonmuseum, which houses an extensive collection of ancient Greek, ancient Middle-Eastern and Islamic art and architecture. As of August 2006, the monumental market door of Milet is under restoration, but it is still possible to see large parts of it Others museums which belong to the Museum Island are the Egyptian Museum, The Antique Museum, The Byzantic Museum and the sculptures collection. All of these (and others) need to wander about according to current state of the massive renovations underway, so do consult the website before your visit [11]. There are also passes available (for a single day or three days.
- Alte Nationalgalerie, Bodestraße 1-3, tel. 2090 5577. Art up to the 19th century with some masterpieces by Adolph von Menzel, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne. Although part of the Museum Island, no renovation works are planned.
- Deutsches Historisches Museum, Unter den Linden 2, tel. 20 30 40. German historical museum.
- Jüdisches Museum, Lindenstraße 9-14, tel. +39 30 25993 300. 10AM-8PM. Jewish Museum. Learn about the history of jews in Berlin. Exhibitions of art and impressive modern architecture by Liebeskind.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. A recently opened abstract artwork covering an entire block near the Brandenburg Gate, including an underground museum with extensive details on the Holocaust and the Jews who died during it. 3.5 million visitors in the first year make it one of the most visited memorials in Berlin.
- Brücke-Museum, Bussardsteig 9, tel. 831 2029. Works from the Dresden art collaborative called “Die Brücke”.
- Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz, tel. 266 2951. About 2700 European paintings from the 13th to the 18th century. Works from Dürer, Raffael, Tizian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Rubens.
- Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Straße 50, tel. 266 2951. Art from the 20th Century; hosts very interesting temporary exibitions. As of August 2006 the permanent collection is temporarily elsewhere
- Hamburger Bahnhof, Invalidenstraße 50-51, tel. 3978 3439. Modern Art in a very nice building. Currently also included is the Christian Flick collection.
- Museum für Verkehr und Technik, Trebbiner Straße 9. Interesting museum for science and technology with many interesting objects. The Museum für Verkehr und Technik also has an outdoor area with a windmill.
- Museum für Naturkunde. Interesting museum with a big collection of fossils and minerals.
- Museum für Post und Kommunikation. Museum for telecommunication and post with many interesting historical objects.
- Berlinische Galerie, Alte Jakobstraße 124-128. Collection of modern artists nicely organized and well selected, you cannot miss it if you like or are courious about modern art. Note the “Happy Monday” fare: on the first Monday of the month there’s a discounted daily ticket for only €2,00.
- Museum Berggruen, Schlossstraße 1. Near Charlottenburg Palace. Also known as “Picasso und sein Zeit”, this not so large but precious museum hosts a very good collection of paintings and sculptures signed by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, Giacometti, and others from the first decades of the XX century. The ticket is also valid on the same day at the “Museum fuer Fotografie” (aka Helmuth Newton Stiftung), Aegyptische Museum, Museum fuer Vor- und Fruehgeschicte (Pre- and Protohistory museum).
- Museum für Fotografie, Jebenstrasse 2 (just out the Zoologischer Garten Bahnhof). This museum is dedicated to Helmut Newton ans usually hosts his works in a temporary exibition.
- Deutsche Guggenheim, Unter den Linden 13-15 (U6 Franzoische Strasse), tel. 030 20 20 93, [26]. Compared to New York, Bilbao and Venezia it is a relatively small exhibition place. It usually hosts a temporary exibition and is free on ;onday, with a free guided tour starting at 18:00. Since the place is small and the name “Guggenheim” a very famous one, the place is often very crowded.
- Museum Scharf-Gerstenberg A museum dedicated to surrealist art. Will be reopened near Charlottenburg Palace in 2008.
- Museum of Prehistoty and Early History.At the Charlottenburg Palace. Most known for its Trojan collection excavated by the famous discoveror of Troy, Schliemann.
- Museum of European Cultures.The biggest of its sort in Europe. At the museum district of Dahlem.
- Ethnological Museum. Again one of the world’s most comprehensive ones. At the museum district of Dahlem.
- Museum of Asian Art. At the Dahlem museum district. Includes East Asian as well as Indian sections.
- Gropius House (Bauhaus Museum)
- Kolbe Museum. A museum dedicated to the Berliner sculpturor.
- Zille Museum. A museum dedicated to the Berliner artist.
- Kollwitz Museum. A museum dedicated to the Berliner artist.
- Museum of Applied Arts divided between two sites – the Culture Forum (together with the Picture Gallery) and Koepenick Castle.
- Allied Museum. A museum showing the Western side of the Cold War.
- Anti-War Museum
- House of the Wannsee Conference. A museum documenting the end of WW II.
- The Story of Berlin. A museum documenting Berlin’s history. You can also visit an underground bunker with place for more than 3000 people.
- German-Russian Museum. This museum describes the history of the DDR-Russian relationship during the Cold War.
- Museum at Checkpoint Charlie. This museum is situated at the most famous historical checkpoint between the two Germanies.
- Topography of Terror. This museum documents the terror applied by the Nazi regime.
- DDR Museum. A museum dedicated to every day life at the DDR time.
- Museum of Forbidden Art. A special museum situated on a guard tower on the historical Berlin Wall.
- Documentation Centre of the Berlin Wall.
- Stasi (Secret Police) Museum. This museum describes the procidures applied by the DDR secret police.
Dedicated to art nouvau. Near Charlottenburg Palace.
Private art galleries
Berlin is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles. Please help sort them out if you are familiar with this city.
As Berlin is a city of art it is quite easy to find an art gallery on your way. They provide a nice opportunity to have a look at modern artists’ work in a not so crowded environment, for free. Moreover, most of the times, these private art galleries are set in very beatiful places.
- Art Center Berlin Friedrichstraße, Friedrichstraße 134, tel. 030 27 87 90 20. Four floors of exibitions with a relatively good variety of genres and artists. A very nice oasis of calm from the busy Friedrichstrasse.
Churches
- Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche – Highly symbolic church, dating back to 1891-95, with two completely new buildings aside the ruins of the World War II. In the square you should easily find crews of punks, people playing percussions and tourist enjoing these shows.
- Marienkirche – Located near Alexanderplatz, this is not only the highest church tower in Berlin (90 m), but also one of the oldest churches left in the (once) historical center of berlin. Entrance is free and inside the church are many treasures from the old days.
- Nikolaikirche – The oldest church in Berlin, dating back to the beginning of 13th century (at least the stones next to the ground…). Changing exhibitions inside, entrance free.
- St. Hedwigs Kathedrale Domed Church – located at Bebelplatz/Unter den Linden, the oldest (mid 18th century) and one of the biggest catholic churches in Berlin, interior was redesigned in a modern style in the 1950s – but still many treasure chambers in the basement.
- Berliner Dom – Easily the biggest and most impressive church, built at the turn of the century (19th/20th) as an expression of imperial power. Located next to the museum island. Entrance normally 5 Euro.
- Friedrichswerdersche Kirche – Nice church located near Unter den Linden/Museum Island, finished 1830 by Schinkel – english neogothic style. Nice Exhibition inside (neoclassical statues and an exhibition about Schinkel’s life and work upstairs), entrance free!
While Berlin has relatively few high-rise buildings, there are several monuments with observation decks. Of special interest is the Fernsehturm, the tallest tower in Germany and second largest in Europe, which has a rotating café at the top spinning 360 degrees in just 30 minutes! 40 seconds is all it takes to reach the top by lift. Another, the Funkturm, is an old lattice steel tower which is the only observation tower standing on insulators. Another famous landmark with observation deck is the victory column (Siegessäule). The Siegessäule is a historic momument and therefore it has no elevator but the beautiful view on the Tiergarten and the historic center is worth climbing up.
- Reichstag – the German parliament near the Brandenburg gate building has a large glass construction on top with a great view of Berlin. Be prepared for long lines and an extensive security check. Free entrance.
- Berliner Funkturm – 150 meter high lattice tower, with open-air observation deck 124 meter above ground. Only observation tower on insulators! Located in the Western fair district, out of city center.
- Berliner Fernsehturm on the Alexanderplatz – Germany’s tallest construction, 368 meters high. Observation deck 204 metres above ground.
- Park Inn Alexanderplatz – the tallest multistory building in Berlin at 132 meters. There is a panorama restaurant in the upmost floor.
- Siegessäule (Victory Column) – An old (1865-1873), 60 meters high monument with panoramic view in the very center of the city. Unfortunately no elevator so be prepared for 285 steps. The statue of Victoria on the top is the place where the angels congregate in the famous film “Der Himmel über Berlin” by Wim Wenders. It has also become something of a symbol for the annual Love Parade techno music festival.
- Grunewaldturm – historic observation tower.
- Glockenturm Olympic stadium.
- Bierpinsel – a small tower restaurant in Berlin-Steglitz.
- Müggelturm – an observation tower without elevator in Southeast Berlin, from which you can see that there is a great deal of forest around Berlin