Berlin

Berlin is gritty, creative, and totally different from the rest of Germany. The history is heavy, the nightlife is legendary, and the vibe is young and artistic. It’s cheaper than most European capitals and way more interesting. You could spend weeks here and not get bored.

The history sites are intense. Brandenburg Gate is the iconic shot. The Berlin Wall remnants at East Side Gallery have murals and graffiti. Checkpoint Charlie is touristy but worth seeing. Holocaust Memorial is powerful and unsettling. Museum Island has world class museums if you’re into that.

The neighborhoods are what make Berlin special. Kreuzberg is Turkish and alternative with great food and street art. Friedrichshain has the best nightlife and bars. Prenzlauer Berg is hip with cafes and young families. Neukölln is more rough around the edges and cheaper. Each area feels like a different city.

The club scene is insane. Berghain is the famous one but the door policy is brutal. Watergate, Tresor, Sisyphos are all great. Clubs go all weekend. Sunday morning is peak time. Dress in black and don’t take photos inside.

Food is cheap and diverse. Doner kebabs everywhere and they’re delicious. Vietnamese food in the east. Turkish breakfast spreads. Currywurst is the Berlin street food. Markets on weekends have food stalls. Beer gardens in summer are packed.

Getting around is easy. U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains cover everything. Bikes are everywhere and the city is flat. Trams in the east. Everything runs late for the nightlife scene.

Money goes far here. Berlin is one of the cheaper capitals. Meals are affordable, beer is cheap, clubs have cover but drinks aren’t crazy. Cards work but bring cash for smaller spots.

Best time is May to September when weather is decent and beer gardens are open.