Anna Geary-Meyer

Is there anything Berlin can’t do? The German capital was the city of the 20th century and has carried that momentum into the 21st. 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. 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. And if you are looking for somewhere to stay? Check out Berlin's best Airbnb properties and Berlin's best hotels. 

The best bars in Berlin are among the best bars found anywhere on the planet. There, we said it. Can we go out now? Let’s go! Berlin is one of the world’s great nightlife cities, a hedonistic haven of thrilling diversity and parties that never quit. Whether you want glitzy cocktail bars or dive pubs that haven’t changed in decades, you’ll find them. You’ll love it.Berlin is a city that lives up to its hype. The restaurant scene is second to none, the galleries are elite, and the markets are magnificent. The bars? Every bit as awesome as you assume. You’ll struggle to find a bad bar in Berlin, but these deserve extra attention.

You don’t need to be an art aficionado to know that Berlin is one of the great art cities on the planet. Creative types have been flocking to the German capital for decades, eager to tap into the intangible something that makes the place special. This is a thrilling city (a night out here proves that), and that excitement extends into the best art museums and galleries in Berlin.From high-end masterpieces to grimy experimental work, Berlin’s art scene touches on every possible approach. Heck, more often than not, new ideas are born here. A trip to a gallery in Berlin might introduce you to the next big thing in the world of art, or it could simply re-introduce you to the masters. Either way, it is a win. Get ready to be inspired.

We don’t want to complain, but it is almost as if there is too much choice for good food in Berlin. Separating the good from the great takes a little digging, but your taste buds will be forever grateful. After all, who wants decent when you can find delicious? The grittier elements of the German capital kept culinary connoisseurs away for a while, but the range and quality of the best restaurants in Berlin show that those days are well and truly over. Here you’ll find a dizzyingly diverse range of food from Thai to Turkish, with plenty of innovative takes on traditional German dishes in there for good measure. Berlin is a complete city on most levels (check out its attractions and nightlife for more evidence), and its restaurants are no different. 

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. 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 This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

There’s something magical about a German winter, which isn’t surprising when you consider how many Christmas traditions originate in the land of the Tannenbaum: the advent calendar, gingerbread (Lebkuchen), Sankt Nikolaus himself and, of course, the Christmas market. In fact, nearly every German town puts on its own Weihnachtsmarkt each year, and the major cities positively brim with them.   In a country where Decembers are notoriously grey, the German Christmas market makes perfect sense: a central location where neighbours can eat, drink and be merry under the glow of festive lights, embracing the winter rather than cowering indoors. 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 – surely among the very best things to do in Germany – don’t miss the chance to catch even the frostiest of Deutsche in the Christmas spirit.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Germany

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