Kate Bettes

There are a million and one brilliant hotels (and Airbnbs) in Berlin, even with some of the world’s most strict restrictions on Airbnbs and other vacation rentals. Hotels are literally everywhere here, but fear not; we’ve done the hard yards and collated some of the best into one handy guide. These are the city’s top places to stay, from an iconic historic jazz institution to. Whatever you’re searching for, here are our top hotels in Berlin. Happy travels.  April 2026 update: We’ve just added five brand-new reviews to this list, based in Charlottenburg, Mitte and more. Oh, and we’ve crowned an all-new number one – that’s ridiculously affordable. Read on to see what it is.  ➡️ Discover our guide to the best hotels in Berlin Berlin’s best hotels at a glance 💸 Best budget: Michelberger Hotel 🏛️ Best for sightseeing: Hotel de Rome 🎀 Best boutique: Wilmina Berlin 📍 Best in Mitte: Château Royal Berlin 🥂 Best luxury: Das Stue How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have personally reviewed most of the hotels featured below, but any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Berlin in 2025: The city’s go-hard-or-go-home mentality – so familiar on the all-night and all-day dancefloor – bursts outside as soon as the sun peeks through. Tops come off, spritzes come out, and speakers boom across parks and canalsides. As the city blossoms, so too does the calendar, packed with open-air parties, gigs, art shows and festivals, filling Berlin’s streets with (free) live music and a whole lot more. Welcome to summer in Berlin – it doesn’t get better than this.  Artists, philosophers, and oddballs alike are drawn to the German capital. Why? Because here, anything goes. One moment you’re squinting up at the Brandenberg Gate, the next you’re swaying with strangers under the strobes of a club dance floor. She might be a tough one to crack at first, but with a bit of insider knowledge, this city will embrace you with open arms. What can’t I miss in Berlin as a first timer? Kick off with a currywurst – Curry 36 in Mehringdamm is probably the most famous, serving both classic and vegan versions (size depending on how wild your night was). Then get your bearings fast on the city’s history with a Cold War or WWII walking tour. When the sun’s out, do as the locals do: sprawl on the grass in Tiergarten, with an optional pint from the leafy Biergarten. East-side? Volkspark Friedrichshain or Treptower Park are closer. 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to things to do in Berlin  Can you do Berlin in three days? As always, more time = more fun, but 72 hours is enough to hit

Right now, it feels like a great time to celebrate our cities. What cities do best is bring people together – everything we love about urban life, from the galleries and bars to the neighbourhood parks, exists thanks to the communities that make it all happen.  That’s why, every year, we raise a toast to the city with our definitive annual ranking, created on the back of a comprehensive survey of city-dwellers worldwide. Our survey asks not only what people love about their cities – the food scene and nightlife, the shops and museums, the parks and people – but also how it feels to live there. We asked you about happiness, affordability and quality of life, among a variety of other criteria. And, in order to dig deeper into the everyday lives of locals, this year we expanded our survey to cover aspects like love, romance and community feel. Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel spotlights the destinations that offer the best of both worlds: an endlessly exciting catalogue of reasons to visit, as well as all the good stuff that makes a place feel like home. The 50 cities that made the list this year did so thanks to the insights of more than 24,000 people across 150 cities worldwide. To determine the final Best Cities ranking for 2026, we combined their thousands of responses with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts. Then we tapped up our network of local writers to tell us exactly what makes their city worth a visit right now. The result? A rundown of the m

There’s never been a better – or more important – time to celebrate cinemas. They’re the places we go to dream, focal points of our communities, and an all-round great escape. Yet movie theatres are faced with challenges that even lovelty popcorn holders can’t help with. But they’ve survived the advent of TV, Hollywood strikes, a couple of pandemics, and so far, they’re holding firm against streaming and surging costs – and there’s reasons for optimism, too: younger, Letterboxd-savvy audiences are embracing the big-screen experience like never before, and filmmakers like Ryan Coogler, Christopher Nolan and Chloé Zhao are championing it at every opportunity. Just try booking an IMAX ticket for The Odyssey. With that in mind, Time Out’s local experts have collaborated on a celebration of the best cinemas from across the globe. From cult Tokyo cinemas and grand Parisian film temples to beloved Sydney picturehouses and LA film dream palaces, from a Berlin kino with its own nuclear bunker to a Canadian cinema with only 12 seats, we’ve pointed the spotlight on a hundred magnificent movie palaces that all movie lovers should know about – and visit.  NB We’ve gone almost entirely with single-use cinemas rather than venues that double up as theatres or gig venues.  Greatest cinemas at a glance: 🍿 The greatest cinema in the world: TCL Chinese Theatre, LA 🌔 The world’s best outdoor cinema: Cine Paris, Athens 📽️ The coolest cult cinema in the world: The New Beverly, LA Jump to list

If you really want to experience local life at its most authentic when exploring a new city, the best thing you can do is take to the streets. And no, not that one major thoroughfare with the samey high street megastores and generic coffee shops. We’re talking about the neighbourhood backstreets and lively avenues that locals love; the places packed with independent shops and creative people, where a brand-new hi-fi listening bar will share the space with an old-school grocer or a centuries-old pub.  This year, to create our annual ranking of the world’s coolest streets, we asked our global network of local editors and experts to nominate the street that epitomises the very best of their city. Time Out’s global travel team then narrowed down the list and ranked each street against criteria including food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit.  From Saturday samba sessions in Rio de Janeiro to a shapeshifting shopping street in Osaka, every avenue, alleyway and side street on this year’s ranking is unique to its hometown. Walking their length is like taking a stroll through the city in miniature, getting a taste of what makes life there brilliant – from food and culture to shopping and nightlife.  Did your favourite street make the list? Read on to find out. RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2025🌆 The world’s best cities in 2025 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for the latest travel news and the best stuff happening a

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most ex

Berlin, Berlin! Land of a thousand döner stalls and even more places to rest your head. Berlin is a city full of contrasts – so why should its accommodation be any different? From apartments in the thick of the party to tucked-away hideouts on cherry tree-lined streets, she’s got it all. Whether you’re here to rave, wander or simply kick back, I’ll use my local know-how to get you sorted with a stay. Which area of Berlin is best to stay in? But first things first: where should you make camp? For wild nights, buzzing days and recovering with the cool kids, Kreuzberg’s got the goods. Want history and sightseeing? Mitte is central and full of big hitters like the Brandenburg Gate. After something quieter? Charlottenburg brings charm and café culture. Pick your vibe. Berlin has a Kiez for every mood. Airbnbs in Berlin at a glance 💗Best for couples: The cozy houseboat on the Spree 💶Most affordable stay: A modern studio apartment in Schöneberg 👯‍♀️Best for a group holiday: The water tower penthouse in Charlottenberg 🏰Most extraordinary stay: The castle loft in Wandlitz 👶Best for families:  The well-connected studio in Prenzlauer Berg 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels, Airbnbs and more in Berlin Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see ou

When you picture a classic Christmas market, it’s likely you’re thinking of Germany. In fact many of our Christmas traditions are actually German (including the Christmas market itself), as well as advent calendars, gingerbread houses and even ol’ Sankt Nikolaus. Every German city has its own yearly Weihnachtsmarkt, while bigger cities like Berlin have multiple pop up all over the place. But all of them are very special places to be, specialising in food, drink or local bits for gifting. Wherever you’re based this Christmas, here’s the full lowdown on Germany’s festive markets. Ho ho ho! Germany’s best Christmas markets at a glance 🔔 Most traditional: Striezelmarkt, Dresden 🎠 Most unique: Santa Pauli, Hamburg 🎅 Most famous: Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg 🎡 Most special features: Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin 📍 RECOMMENDED: Discover the best Christmas markets in Europe 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

For first-timers, Berlin’s food scene might conjure visions of currywurst, beer, and late-night döner. But the city’s culinary landscape is as daring and diverse as Berlin itself. Experimental fine dining by world-famous chefs competes with the cult street food stalls where patrons queue in kink wear. Plant-based options outshine their meaty counterparts, Michelin-starred establishments push the boundaries of traditional German cuisine, and blow-out restaurants are dedicated to desserts alone. Like the city, its best eateries serve a story with each meal. You can dine at a high-end restaurant near Checkpoint Charlie, grab a burger in a former men’s toilet, or feast in a historic ballroom reborn for the modern age. Here, every bite is a hearty helping of history. RECOMMENDED:🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin🏨 The best hotels in Berlin This guide was recently updated by Berlin-based writer Kate Bettes. 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.  🍴 Ultimate guide to restaurants in Berlin

Visitors flock to the German capital year-round to dive into its cutting-edge contemporary art, the worldly flavours of its culinary scene and its seemingly endless array of parties. But where are the best areas to stay?  Berlin is divided into twelve boroughs (or Bezirke) made up of nearly 100 neighbourhoods (or kiez), each with its own distinct feel, pace, and attractions. Each offers a different way to experience the once-divided city. If you’re on the lookout for the best place to stay in Berlin, here are the neighbourhoods you need to know about – whether you’re after old-world tranquillity or a weekend hitting some of Europe’s best clubs. RECOMMENDED: 🏨 Ultimate guide to hotels in Berlin This guide was recently updated by Berlin-based writer Kate Bettes. 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Down south lies the heart and soul of modern Berlin. Neukölln is working-class and multicultural, experimental and artistic, with a fierce community spirit – and just enough Michelin sparkle to suggest a galaxy in waiting. This neighbourhood was once known for being one of the world’s busiest transport hubs, has undergone a total transformation since Tempelhof airport closed way back in 2008. Now, it’s home to many of our favourite spots in the city. Cross the Landwehrkanal and you could be kiteboarding across one of the world’s biggest inner-city parks, sipping rum cocktails in Germany’s best bar, joining artistic debates in old breweries, or whiling away the afternoon in a queer bookstore. Whatever your vibe, there’s something for you in this eclectic neighbourhood. Here’s our ultimate local’s guide to Neukölln, written by a local.  🏘️ Full guide to where to stay in Berlin🏨 Ultimate guide to hotels in Berlin

Notorious, hedonistic, relentless. Berlin’s clubbing scene is legendary. Lose yourself to pounding techno in a disused power plant, discover yourself on risqué dance floors, sweat it out at basement raves – here, parties start late and don’t stop until Monday morning and beyond. Berlin’s clubs are for everyone Why is Berlin’s clubbing scene under threat? Berlin still knows how to party – but change is on the horizon. Despite the city’s techno scene gaining UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024, organisations like the Clubcommission have warned that rising costs, gentrification, and stricter regulations are putting Berlin’s world-famous nightlife under pressure. Iconic venues like Watergate have already shut their doors, and Salon zur Wilden Renate is set to follow in 2025. But if there’s one thing Berlin does best, it’s fight for its right to party. Clubs like Berghain, Tresor and KitKat are going strong. The clubbing community is pushing back, determined to keep the scene alive and well beyond kicking. RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🍷 The best bars in Berlin🪩 The best nightlife spots in Berlin🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin🏨 Check out the best hotels in Berlin This guide has been updated by Kate Bettes. 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. 

What’s the vibe?  In Charlottenburg, the moody, low-lit dining room of Lovis awaits. The setting? A former women’s prison. West Berlin’s well-heeled crowd is all over this place right now. Pull on your most fashionable glad rags to sip the Jerusalem artichoke–scented No. 94 at the bar before diving into the avant-garde amuse-bouches that kick off the menu. What should I order? On this menu you’ll find seasonal, vegetarian-forward fine dining with serious flair and inventive, umami-rich twists. Think sticky miso-glazed kohlrabi or oyster mushroom schnitzel stacked with pickled vegetables, plus playful palate cleansers to keep it fresh. Decision fatigue? Dodge it. The ever-changing set menu always wins. What are prices like? Prices here are blowout, but that’s to be expected. The menu is €85 for four courses, €99 for six. Alcoholic drinks pairings are €48/€60 and alcohol-free pairings are €36/€45. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Berlin

What’s the vibe?  Clärchens has been a Berlin institution since 1913, and is one of the city’s last surviving ballrooms from the era. Upstairs, the floor still shakes with salsa, swing, tango and disco, from lessons to free-form nights. Head downstairs, and the Luna D’Oro restaurant spins traditional German nostalgia into dining. Why is it worth it? Surrounded by faded murals, dark navy walls and dulled gold trim, its diners share comfort-food classics as a glittering disco ball dapples their faces. Here, bon vivants tumble happily into hedonism: a cocktail sloshing dangerously in one hand, the other dunking one last fried Spreewald pickle into dill dip. What should I order? Order Luna’s Party Platter. Trust us: it’s a total showstopper for anyone who loves the spotlight.   What are the prices like? Pretty average for these parts. Starters and shared plates come in at €4-38, cocktails €10-14, larger dishes at €15-30 and desserts €4-8. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Berlin

Historical architecture meets Berlin’s music scene at Hotel Orania, a luxury boutique stay in Oranienstraße in Kreuzberg. By night, the hotel lures in both locals and visitors with its ever-changing lineup of live performances and a highly creative restaurant: all showcased through towering windows that reveal the warm, India-inspired decor, glowing softly against those Berlin nights. At the Orania, the focus is on personalisation and blending seamlessly with the community. The bathrooms are stocked with high-quality Berlin-based skincare products. The restaurant uses produce sourced directly from regional farmers and producers. The hotel’s in-house artistic director, Matti Klein, curates free live performances Tuesday through Sunday at the Orania.Bar, which is home to a Steinway piano once owned by the Berlin Philharmonic. The cost for these? Absolutely free. Even the building itself is an ode to the area's cultural history. Originally constructed in 1913 as Café Oranienpalast, it was a hotspot for cabaret, jazz, and artist events. After years as a store and a brief jaunt as offices, the space was reborn as a boutique hotel. You’ll still find traces of this history in a graffitied name on the original staircase, from its department store days, and columns that echo the original Palast café. Book a table for the in-house restaurant’s famed ‘X-Berg Duck’ experience. Run by a former Michelin-starred chef, the fusion menu melds German, Italian, and Asian flavours, with the five-

What’s the vibe? At the House of Small Wonder, greenery climbs inside and out on the patio and reclaimed wood interiors adding to the clean forest feel. An inspired fusion of Japanese-American cuisine, this Mitte breakfast-to-dinner restaurant will be a win for anyone looking for a ‘different’ approach to their brunch. What should I order? Crowd favourites include the French toast croissants with whipped cream, maple syrup, and a refreshing burst of seasonal fruit salad; avocado on toast that gets a serious upgrade with sprouts, wakame seaweed, and shichimi spice; and American yoghurt biscuits with poached eggs and wasabi hollandaise sauce. Of course you’ll find classics too, like Croque Madame and ricotta hotcakes smeared in raspberry jam. Plus, did we mention that brunch is served all the way until 5pm? An excellent plus if you’ve spent the night out in the clubs. What are the prices like? Expect to pay €15-22 for brunch and a coffee What’s worth visiting nearby? With a location that is smack bang in the centre of Berlin, there is no shortage of things to do nearby. Our pick is Museum Island, which is close at hand. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to museums such as Altes Museum (Old Museum), Neues Museum (New Museum), and the Bode Museum, which houses an impressive collection of Byzantine art. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Berlin

What’s the vibe?   Fashionable, buzzing, and featuring a colourful mise-en-scène. Deep shades of aqua, delicate pink flowers, draped green plants, bright yellow artworks, and brass-coloured features adorn the space. Patrons perch at the bar, sipping mimosas and cocktails.   What should I order? Berlin’s first Michelin-starred brunch spot, this restaurant is completely vegetarian and meat-free. But – although this has become a stereotype to point out – carnivores will not be missing out on flavour, texture, or how tight their clothes begin to feel at this Michelin-starred brunch and dinner restaurant. Some absolute top performers include poached eggs with miso hollandaise, spinach and wild herbs, Turkish cocktails with fragrant fairy floss and deep-fried oyster mushrooms with kimchi on milk bread with lemon cream. Come with at least one other friend so you can try as many plates as possible. A dinner tasting menu is available in the evening. What are the prices like? While the drinks are on the pricier side, the cost of a brunch here is a veritable steal for a Michelin-starred joint: €16-18 for breakfast plate and around €15 for a cocktail.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  Bonvivant is in the western district of Schöneberg. The LGBTQI+ Schwules Museum is a 20-minute walk away, as is the weekend flea market at Rathaus Schöneberg. But the best thing to do? Just go for a stroll. The streets here are very picturesque. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Berlin

What’s the vibe? Moodily lit with drinks featuring flavour combinations you’ve never even imagined, deep in the heart of Neukölln. With Sam Orrock, recently of Scout London fame, on the team and an awards shelf that includes Best New Bar of the Year, Best Bar in Germany, one of The World’s 50 Best Bars, and Bartender of the Year, it’s safe to say the high expectations will be met. What should I order? Wax On Berlin operates with a careful balance of creatively interpreted classics and completely original cocktails. As every single bartender worth their margarita salt will tell you, your choice of drink should depend on your taste. That being said, here are a few highlights that may or may not be on the list when you visit: Go Apes is a crowd favourite, with clarified banana, rum, coffee distillate, and soda, while cherry Paloma with grapefruit, black cardamom, and soda offers a deliciously light touch. A recent special included a hazelnut, toasted sesame, and honey-coffee Old Fashioned. In short, prepare to be surprised. Not a fan of cocktails, or alcohol? There is a selection of natural wines and beers available, as well as some funky non-alcoholic tall mocktails. What are the prices like? Considering the fame and hype around Wax On Berlin, the €11 cocktails are shockingly well-priced. Alternatively, tap beers are around €4.50 and natural wines come in at around €8. What’s worth visiting nearby? The pretty and popular canalside street of Maybachufer is just around the corner

What is it? This surprisingly fun and interactive space was founded to teach younger generations about the German or Deutschland Democratic Republic AKA East Germany. Is it worth visiting? Very much so. The GDR/DDR Museum has an unusual style that sees visitors being immersed in the recent chunk of German history, meaning you understand it better as a visitor to Berlin. It is the largest, most interactive and diverse exhibition on the subject. The focus is predominantly on the everyday life of the GDR. So take a Communist blast from the past. Rifle through the draws and cupboards of a GDR-era prefabricated apartment, take a spin in the Trabi car driving simulation and look at memorials of those persecuted by the menacing Stasi secret police.  How much does it cost? Time slots need to be booked ahead of time on the website. Entry is €13.50 with reduced prices available. Tours, queue-jump tickets and more are available on GetYourGuide.  The permanent exhibition is accessible at the main entrance, and barrier free bathroom is on site. Note that if you take the route from Liebknecht Bridge down to the Spreepromenade for the entrance, there is a steep ramp and stairs. If you would prefer to visit with fewer visitors, the museum recommends that you visit after 5 pm (it is open till 9 pm). Service and guide dogs are allowed onsite, with proof of this status needed. Where’s good to eat nearby? The GDR Museum is on the River Spree near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island i

What is the Jüdisches Museum and why is it important? A celebration of Jewish history and culture in a world-famous museum that is housed across a zigzagging glass building and an 18th-century college. Is it worth visiting? While Jewish history conjures the dark years of persecution under the Third Reich for many visitors to Berlin, there is more of the German-Jewish experience to learn among the extensively researched exhibits at the Jüdisches Museum.  Its permanent exhibition on ‘Jewish History and Present in Germany’ documents life from migration of early communities in the Middle Ages, persecution under National Socialist rule, and the diversity of Jewish life up to today. There is also the ‘childrens world’ of Anoha, complete with a Noah’s ark with 150 animal sculptures for kids to discover. Is it free to enter? The Kreuzberg-based Jüdisches Museum Berlin is open daily from 10am-6pm. Tickets to the permanent exhibition are free of charge, and temporary exhibition tickets are €10 or a reduced rate of €4. Those under 18 can enter temporary exhibits for free. Tours and queue-jump tickets can be booked on GetYourGuide. We recommend booking in advance.  Guidance including for those with dementia and their companions is available. There are also facilities for those who are audibly or visually impaired, it is wheelchair accessible and has a suitable bathroom for those in wheelchairs, as well as parking for those with disabilities. There is some equipment to support those with

What is it? An illuminating museum that celebrates and memorialises the lives of the German LGBTQIA+ community across four exhibition spaces. What is the history of the Schwules Museum? Also known as ‘The Gay Museum’, the Schwules Museum in Schöneberg has been running since 1985, and is internationally renowned for its collection. Schwules opens windows into the LGBTQIA+ past, as well as exploring current topics, like fetish and sex-positivity, contemporary queer artists, and sex education. Looking to get even deeper on your trip? There are 25,000 titles here, covering everything from rare porn to art history, as well as films, cassettes, records and more, which you can check out.  How do I book? Tickets to the Schwules Museum should be booked online and are €9 or €3 reduced. Public tours run every Thursday at 6pm and Saturday at 4pm. No registration is needed, but there is a limit of 25 participants.  On specific dates, tours are offered in German Sign Language. There is hearing support, such as information accessible in text, and hearing aid devices.  There is no barrier-free parking nearby, but public transport options are available. The main entrance has a small number of steps, and there is a barrier-free entrance via the courtyard. There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on site, and most of the exhibits are designed to be able to be seen while sitting. Assistance dogs are allowed in all rooms, and toilets are all-gender. For more information, check its website.  Wher

What’s the vibe? Clubbing beats meet avant-garde artistic expression at this oh-so-cool alternative Berlin art space that hosts semi-regular pop-up events. Why should I go? Anomalie in Prenzlauer Berg hosts events, including techno nights, film screenings and art exhibitions. The best way to keep track of this smorgasbord of happenings is to follow is Instagram page.  While not all events are ticketed, check ahead at Resident Advisor to see if there are any specific events on that evening, and to check if you can book in advance to save yourself the trouble of buying on the night. Pace yourself. Anomalie is open some Fridays from 11 pm to Saturdays at 10 am when special events are on. Cost depends on the event in question but expect around the €20 mark. Compared to some other Berlin clubs (we see you, Berghain), the door policy here is relatively easygoing. What should I wear? Like the door policy, Anomalies' dress code is laid back. Go in whatever makes you feel comfortable, but don’t rock up in something like sportswear - unless you’ve jazzed it up with some Berlin-esque touches, of course.  A word of warning. Sometimes Anomalie dishes up specific events with a very particular dress code in mind. Again, check their Instagram page or event description on Resident Advisor before you head out, and you will be swell.  Where’s good to eat/drink nearby?  Come summer, take your pick from the summer beer gardens to the west in Prenzlauer Berg, before heading over to Anomalie. Summe

What’s the vibe? A cross between an art centre, performance space, club and music expression, there is something for everyone at Trauma Bar Und Kino.  Why should I go? Trauma Bar Und Kino was created as an inclusive alternative to the traditional Berlin clubbing scene, with an eclectic mix of one-off performances, screenings and music onsite. As a result, prices range massively. You’ll find regular electro-techno nights or art performances that are totally free, while some nights will cost €20 or more. There are subsidised tickets (including for those with low income).  Opening times vary depending on what events are on, so check its website for more info.  What should I wear? The door and dress policy of Trauma Bar Und Kino embraces everyone, as long as you’re good vibes and respectful. Where’s good to drink nearby? Trauma Bar is found near Europacity on Heidestrasse, in an old building on a quiet stretch. Of course, the club itself is anything but quiet, and it’s very near the main station of Berlin Hauptbahnhof, meaning getting here from pre-game bars and restaurants is a cinch. Hop on the S-Bahn or U-Bahn that takes less than ten minutes to Alexanderplatz, or the U-Bahn to the bars and restaurants of Hackesher Mart - like the oh-so-cool Haus Schwarzenberg, an ex-communal space turned bar with shared benches underneath fluttering colourful flags. 🪩 Discover more of the best bars in Berlin

What’s the vibe?  Azzam is unassuming and unpretentious. The only sign that it has some of the best Levantine cuisine in town is the would-be patrons waiting for a table. What are the prices like?  Very cheap for what you get. Expect to pay €1-10 at brunch time (plus the tea is free). What should I order?  Where to start? Azzam has a mix of vegetarian and meat dishes and is renowned for its huge plates of Hummus and Tahini, as well as warm dishes of whole chickpea Musalaha served with pita bread. You’ve also got plates of pickles and falafel, Shawarma and Kafta.  If that is enough to get your mouthwatering, round up a group of friends. It’s by far the best way to share a little bit of everything. What’s worth visiting nearby? Azzam is on Sonnenallee – widely considered to be the heart of Berlin’s Middle Eastern community. As a result, there are more Levantine restaurants here than you could hope to visit in just one trip. (But you can certainly try once you've gone to Azzam.) Being in the centre of the borough of Neukölln, Volkspark Hasenheide is nearby, as is Tempelhofer Feld. You can also explore the neighbourhood by renting a bike and cycling up the canalside Maybachufer road. 📍 Discover the best things to do in Berlin

I’ve had mixed experiences with night trains.  I’ve click-clacked between Nice and Paris in First Class, stretching out on squishy linen as I’ve watched the sun set over Saint Tropez. I also took the same route, this time starting at Marseille, on a hard couchette, complete with broken air conditioning at 31C, a train breakdown and a panic attack. Most recently, I’ve taken a 54-person carriage across Central Asia with a rate of cleanliness, comfort and friendliness you can only dream of for 12 euros. RECOMMENDED: I tried the brand-new sleeper bus set to transform European travel – is it worth the €160 price tag? Result? I was in no way pushing rose-coloured glasses up my nose as I waited for the train at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, for European Sleeper’s brand-new overnight route bound for Paris via Brussels. This is the inaugural run of a revived overnight route between the German and French capitals, after the popular Nightjet service was axed at the end of 2025. Belgian-Dutch rail operator European Sleeper re-established the service on March 26. European Sleeper’s route takes a little longer to reach Paris than the Nightjet service did – over 16 hours, instead of around 13 – and takes a different route, travelling through Liège, Brussels, Mons, Aulnoye and Aymeries, before arriving at Paris Gare du Nord. There are also plans to add a stop in Hamburg later this year.    Photograph: European Sleeper   None of this technical detail was on my mind as I waited for the European Slee

Originally opened in 1963 as the German Democratic Republic’s flagship cinema, Berlin’s historic Kino International has officially reopened after a massive refurbishment. Berlin’s favourite Communist-era cinema is back. After an 18-month closure, Kino International reopened officially on February 26, 2026, restoring the 1963 GDR showpiece on Karl-Marx-Allee to its former, concrete-clad glory… but with a few 21st-century upgrades snuck in behind the scenes. Built between 1961 and 1963, as the Berlin Wall was freshly slicing the city in half, Kino International was designed by urban architect Josef Kaiser as the premiere film palace of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It opened on November 15, 1963 with the Soviet revolutionary epic An Optimistic Tragedy, and for more than 25 years served as the grand stage for premieres from the country’s state-run film industry. (Ironically, the first GDR film to deal with homosexuality, Coming Out, premiered here on November 9, 1989 – the night the Wall fell.) Photograph: Daniel Horn/Kino International In its GDR heyday, eight rows were reserved for senior party functionaries, and a bunker and private elevator were later added so apparatchiks could shelter in the event of a NATO attack. In a loss for Soviet-era history buffs, those spaces remain off limits. While the world around it has changed, visiting Kino International is a slice of the past. The broad thoroughfare outside, Karl-Marx-Allee, feels as Stalinist as ever. The cinema’

ストックホルムやタリン、ニューヨークに拠点を持つ写真美術館、「フォトグラフィスカ (Fotografiska）」が2023年9月、ベルリンのミッテに新しい美術館をオープンした。 2010年にスウェーデンで誕生した同美術館は、投入型の展示や多彩なイベントプログラム、そして印象的な建築環境を組み合わせた革新的なアプローチで知られる。 「ベルリン・アート・ウィーク」期間中の9月14日には、美術館の開業を祝うグランドオープニングが開催。記念すべき第1回目となるエキシビションのオープニングだけでなく、DJによるパフォーマンスやエレクトロパンクの代名詞、ピーチによるライブ演奏などが行われた。 フォトグラフィスカの運営チームは、「世界一流の写真と多彩なプログラム、ラグジュアリーな食事、そして驚くような新しい視点」を提供していくとコメント。国内外から、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ芸術家の才能を支持することを目指す、と意気込みを見せている。 Photograph: Saxon Baird 館内には6フロアにわたる巨大な展示スペースを展開するほか、ベーカリーやバー、ラグジュアリーレストランを併設。南アフリカ人アーティスト、キャンディス・ブレイツ（Candice Breitz）の「Whiteface」（12月4日（日）まで）や、女性のアイデンティフィケーションを取り扱う写真シリーズ「NUDE」（2024年1月14日（日）まで）、ビジュアルアーティストでDJのジュリアナ・ハックステーブル（Juliana Huxtable）の個展「USSYPHILIA」（1月21日（日）まで）などの展示が開催されている。 しかしミッテに誕生した巨大ギャラリーは、多くのベルリン市民の間で物議を醸し出しているのも事実。ジェントリフィケーションによって急速に高級化するベルリンにおける「アートウォッシュ」だと、議論が巻き起こっているのだ。 美術館が開業したのは、もともと歴史ある百貨店だったという立派な建造物。ベルリンの壁崩壊直後から2010年代初頭までは、スクワット運動（空き家となった建物を占拠し、生活環境を自治的に作り上げる運動）を行うアーティストたちの拠点だったことでも知られる。 彼らは「Kunsthaus Tacheles」や「Art House Tacheles」というアートセンターを自治的に運営しながら活動していたが、2012年に強制立ち退きが執行された。 ベルリンのアートシーン、そして社会運動の歴史を語る上では欠かせない重要な場所に誕生した、フォトグラフィスカ。Instagramの、「コミュニティーと文化交流のための宮殿」といううたい文句に反論する市民も出てきている。きらびやかな美術館誕生の背景に、ジェントリフィケーションの波によって追いやられたアーティスト達の歴史があることを忘れてはいけない。 「フォトグラフィスカ ベルリン」についての詳細は、公式ウェブサイトを確認してほしい。 関連記事 『Berlin just got a massive new art museum（原文）』 『ベルリン、文化施設へ巨額投資の一方でクラブが閉鎖危機に』 『ヨーロッパで最も混雑している観光スポットトップ10』 『パリで電動キックボードのシェアリングサービスが禁止に』 『フランスが観光客を削減していく方針を発表』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

Fotografiska, a contemporary photography museum with outposts in Stockholm, Tallinn and New York City, has just opened the doors of its new Berlin gallery.   The grand opening was held last week on September 14, during Berlin Art Week. At its new Berlin-Mitte property, the gallery launched its inaugural exhibitions, which were accompanied by talks, DJ sets and live music, as well as a performance from iconic electro-punk musician Peaches. An offshoot of the original Swedish photography museum, the Fotografiska team says Berlin’s latest gallery will showcase ‘world-class photography, eclectic programming, elevated dining and surprising new perspectives,’ while seeking to champion artistic talent from diverse backgrounds, both locally and internationally.  The exhibitions form part of a wider complex in the former Berlin department store, whose facilities include a bakery, bars and fine dining, and exhibition rooms across its six floors.    Photograph: Saxon Baird   Current exhibitions include ‘Whiteface’ by South African artist Candice Breitz (until December 4), ‘NUDE’, a photographic series by female-identifying artists (until January 14), and ‘USSYPHILIA’, a solo show from American visual artists and DJ Juliana Huxtable (until January 21). But the opening of the Mitte gallery has not been without controversy, sparking debate on art-washing in a rapidly gentrifying city. The building that now hosts Fotografiska was once a squat and artist residence known as Kunsthaus Tachel