There are dramatic contrasts in Berlin, and there are several reminders of the city’s troubled past on the other side. The town is nine times the size of Paris, but it’s also a modern megalopolis with intriguing new attractions and an underlying subversion. You won’t find anything like it anywhere else.
As a result, the biggest challenge for most visitors visiting Germany’s once-war-torn city is how to manage both the past and the present simultaneously. To understand the city’s history, one must address its darker parts. As a result, a trip to Berlin isn’t a one-stop-shop for memorials and museums. (It’s worth noting, though, that you should make sure you have enough time to do all of this.) The present-day aspect of the situation merits close examination as well.
Berlin has turned the last remnants of the Berlin Wall, which once separated the city, into an open-air museum. The city is a veritable arts mecca, with countless galleries and oddball installations.
The city’s vibrant nightlife is another facet of this huge metropolis. Swanky speakeasies and anything-goes clubs where people party for 48 hours nonstop are just a few of the hedonistic drinking dens in the city. Additionally, the city’s cuisine industry has recently gained international recognition. Its zoo is among the best globally, and its residents have developed a sophisticated sense of style, as evidenced by the success of indigenous designers who have become household names worldwide.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Berlin is from May through October. This time of year is ideal for taking strolls through the city’s various parks and historic buildings and dining al fresco, thanks to the generally mild temperatures. Winter isn’t a popular time for travelers because of the colder temperatures. However, the renowned Christmas markets are a bright light in the midst of what may feel like a long, dark few months.
Weather
In the spring, things begin to warm up. The weather gets hotter as the months go by. Summers are generally warm, but they are rarely oppressively so. Pack a lightweight jacket, and be prepared to add more layers as the season changes. You can expect rain, sleet, and snow during the winter months.
Get Where You’re Going
The U-Bahn, or subway system, is the most convenient and efficient method to get around Berlin, with ten lines and 173 stations. Every five minutes during the day, the yellow U-Bahn trains depart, and they leave every ten minutes at night. The S-Bahn, buses, and trams operated by the Transport Association Berlin-Brandenburg VBB are also covered by the same tickets.
In addition to 15 lines and almost 170 stations, the S-Bahn is a network of suburban trains. Most of it is on the surface in the city’s core.
Buses: The M11 to M85 Metro buses run around the clock. Passengers can take day bus lines 100 through 399 to get around town. All-day bus and U-Bahn routes are covered by night buses designated with an N.
Trams and Metrotrams: More than 20 tram routes extend the U-Bahn network in eastern Berlin. A major difference between trams and metro trams is that the metro trams operate more frequently than the trams do.
Public transportation in Berlin is excellent, and we recommend using a taxi. But if you prefer to take a taxi, you can do so, and there are plenty of options.