Anna Geary-Meyer

If you’re ready to take on Berlin, you’re ready to take on its restaurants. And we don’t just mean eating your bodyweight in currywurst, schnitzel and salty pretzels (though they’re mighty delicious, trust us). Berlin’s diverse population lends itself to a global food scene, and it’s become as well known for its Italian, Turkish and Japanese joints as it is for those side-of-the-road sausages. And if you’re vegan, you’re in luck - Berlin is one of the cities leading the movement, with more plant-based options then you can shake a stick at. So whether you’re in Berlin to hit the clubs, indulge in its culture or browse one of its magical christmas markets, make sure you hit the best foodie spots in the capital along the way. Late night snacking n’ all. RECOMMENDED:🥑 The best places to get brunch in Berlin🍷 The best bars in Berlin📍 The best things to do in Berlin🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin This piece was recently updated by Berlin-based writer and critic Nathan Ma. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Is there anything Berlin can’t do? The German capital was the city of the twentieth century and has carried that momentum into the twenty-first. What are the best things to do in Berlin? The diversity at the heart of the city makes it a ‘something for everyone’ sort of place, with museums and galleries for the culture vultures next to 72-hour parties for the buzz-chasing, erm, buzzards. Not the best analogy, clearly, but you see the point.If you want it, you’ll find it in Berlin. And that’s how we’ve curated our list the way we have: to show off each element of this fabulous city. In any case, a plan is a must, as this modern metropolis fills every inch of its territory with interest, so follow our guide to the best things to do in Berlin and get planning. You are in for one incredible trip. One can easily spend weeks (or months) in this city, but if you’re only in town for a couple of days, check out our ultimate itinerary for a weekend in Berlin. RECOMMENDED:🪩 The best clubs in Berlin🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Berlin🛏 The best hotels in Berlin Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

If you’re in Berlin, it’s likely you’re here for at least a bit of a good time. After all, you’re literally in the party capital of Europe, so even if you’re not cut out for the clubs, a bit of partying is mandatory. Luckily, there’s a middle ground before you have to queue eight hours for Berghain (and likely not get in anyway). And that’s one of Berlin’s many, many bars.  From glitzy cocktail bars to grotty dive pubs, Berlin is a hub for the strange, the wonderful and a little bit of the ordinary too. Of course, a whole lot of them are found in Mitte, one of Berlin’s trendiest neighbourhoods, but there’s plenty across Kreuzberg, Neukölln and more. The nightlife here is unmatched, so you’re guaranteed to love these great bars in Berlin.  RECOMMENDED:🪩 The best clubs in Berlin💃 The best nightlife spots in Berlin🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Berlin: The city’s best gay bars🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

It’s no secret that Berlin is a hotspot for all things culture. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it’s one of the greatest art cities on the planet, with a never-ending run of fantastic galleries and exhibitions popping up seemingly every week. It’s no surprise, then, that artists and creative types flock here in their masses, and visitors barely know where to start.  And what makes the art scene here so magical? It’s the sheer diversity of what’s on offer. Berlin has it all, all the way from the grimy experimental stuff to the high-end fine art stuff. This is where new ideas are born – you just have to know the right places to look. If you’re even slightly into art, you’re going to love it here. Trust us. Here’s our guide to the best art museums and galleries in Berlin.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Berlin🪩 The best clubs in Berlin🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Berlin

While we’ve managed to keep this collection of the best attractions in Berlin to a concise 16, the German capital is a never-ending source of fascination, excitement and entertainment. Berlin is one of the modern world’s most important cities, a place whose reputation routinely sees it top bucket lists and best-ofs alike, as people from all over the world head here to see the famous buildings, explore the incredible museums and overindulge in Europe’s most exciting nightlife. Berlin is a city that does it all and does it in an undeniably unique manner. This is Berlin, and don’t you forget. The restaurant scene is dizzyingly diverse, and shopping here is a white-knuckle experience all in itself. Here to guide you through it all is Berlin local Anna Geary-Meyer. It can be easy to find yourself making plans to move to Berlin, but don’t forget to embrace your inner tourist and experience the classic attractions that this place has to offer. RECOMMENDED: 📍 Full guide to the best things to do in Berlin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Berlin🛏 The best hotels in Berlin This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Given that so many Christmas traditions originate in Germany, it’s no surprise that the land of the Tannenbaum boasts such magical winters. Advent calendars, gingerbread (Lebkuchen), Sankt Nikolaus himself and, of course, the Christmas market all have German roots.  Travelling around Germany in December is a must-do: nearly every German town puts on its own yearly Weihnachtsmarkt, while the major cities positively brim with them. In a country with notoriously grey winters, German Christmas markets sort of make sense: they’re central locations where people can embrace the season rather than cower indoors. Here neighbours can eat, drink and be merry – all under the glow of festive lights. Market themes may differ, but you’ll always find certain staples: wooden stalls selling mulled wine (Glühwein), sizzling Bratwurst from the grill, candied almonds and roasted chestnuts, plus an array of local craftspeople selling their finest handmade wares. Whether you’re planning to ski in the Bavarian Alps or immerse yourself in the Berlin clubbing scene, don’t miss the chance to catch even the frostiest of Deutsche in the Christmas spirit. Here are our top 12 Christmas markets in Germany.  RECOMMENDED: 🇩🇪 Full guide to the best things to do in Germany🎄 The best Christmas markets to visit in Europe this winter🎅 The best Christmas markets in the world

This city sure knows how to have fun – and the very best annual events in Berlin reflect that. From kitsch carnivals to international film celebrations, there’s always something big, bright and brash going on in this madcap town. While it’s true the German capital has typically forgone high-profile happenings for more DIY efforts, in recent years Berlin has warmed to the idea of international recognition. Contemporary art festivals like Transmediale and Berlin Art Week now draw appreciative crowds from Europe and beyond. And ever heard of the Berlinale? If drinking in the sunshine among over-excited crowds isn’t your bag, you may well want to avoid the city between May and August, when there seems to be some kind of street festival every weekend. But if it is? Then alongside the endless succession of excellent bars, restaurants and attractions, this city’s going to spoil you. So go ahead and coincide your trip with one of these brilliant events… then come straight back for the next.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Berlin

Cuando visites Berlín en los meses de verano, es fácil pasar todo el tiempo en la calle, ya sea haciendo un pícnic en alguno de los numerosos parques de la ciudad, descansando junto a los lagos de los alrededores o tomando una cerveza fría. Pero eso no significa que el invierno sea un mal momento para visitar la ciudad. De hecho, te sentirás mucho más atraído por el rico paisaje cultural de Berlín, desde los pilares de la Isla de los Museos hasta la Berlinale, sin olvidar los mercados locales y los museos. Y si está oscuro la mitad del día de todos modos, no hay nada de malo en quedarse en Berghain, el mejor club de la ciudad, hasta el día siguiente. ¿Tal vez reservar dos viajes? Es posible que lo necesites una vez que hayas leído nuestra lista de las mejores cosas que hacer en Berlín. ¿Has hecho algo en esta lista y te ha encantado? Compártelo con el hashtag #TimeOutDoList y etiqueta @TimeOutEverywhere. También, descubre cómo selecciona Time Out las mejores cosas para hacer en todo el mundo.

Somehow, when it comes to accommodations, Berlin remains one of the most affordable European cities, with the average room price just over one hundred euro per night. Especially with advance booking, it’s possible to score a perfectly lovely and well-located hotel room below this average. While hugely popular nowadays, apartment sharing isn’t as cheap as it once was, and you could find yourself negotiating recycling laws with the neighbors in broken German. You might want to skip the party hostels, too—there’s plenty of that in places where you aren’t trying to sleep—and opt to recharge your batteries after a day of graffiti-gazing in a cheerful room of your very own at the very best cheap hotels in Berlin. What to do with all that extra cash? Plenty: eat traditional German foods at the best restaurants town, meet the locals at neighbourhood bars, tour the city’s top attractions properly and more