Short Breaks to Berlin | European City Breaks

Berlin at a glance

Berlin is Germany’s largest city, brimming with a unique, creative and youthful vibe that makes it an ideal destination for a fun-packed short break. Though Berlin’s past is consciously ever present, the city continues to prove its vibrancy. Eight times the size of Paris, there is a never ceasing mix of things to do and see. Home to recognised landmarks, creative industries and a wealth of museums, galleries and performing art – Berlin is truly larger than life.

The notorious Cold War era found the East and West sections of Berlin divided. Though the wall came down in 1989, much of the city today bears testimony to the history of East and West Berlin, with remnants of the Berlin wall still visible, along with landmarks turned tourist destinations, such as Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin is a sumptuous cultural feast full of nostalgia and free spirited zeal. An engaging city, it’s hard to resist Berlin’s buzz and eclectic appeal. With a profusion of sights and sounds to suit every taste, Berlin continues to prove itself to be a fantastic short break destination.

Berlin’s nightlife is one of the most diverse and progressive in Europe, but if dancing till dawn isn’t for you, there are still plenty of cultural hot spots to visit as the city comes alive at night with a vast array of concerts, chic dining experiences and a plethora of cafés and bars to enjoy.

Perfect if you’re looking for:

Historic attractions
Art and culture
Vibrant nightlife

Getting around

Berlin is extensive with sites spread throughout different quarters of the city. Luckily Berlin’s transportation system is easy to use and efficient with buses, trams, the U-Bahn (underground) and the S-Bahn (local trains) available to take you wherever you need to go.

Berlin is divided into three zones – A, B and C. Visitors will find most sites are located within zones A and B. Transportation tickets are valid for all public transport systems, making it easy to jump from one transport link to another.

Dining in Berlin

Berlin’s cultural vibrancy makes for an exciting and varied dining experience easily suited to please every budget and taste.

While traditional German cuisine such as bratwurst and pork knuckles can easily be found, a variety of dishes from around the world, including Thailand, France and Japan, are also becoming popular in the city.

Must-try local dishes:

Currywurst – a smoked and boiled sausage with a thick curry flavoured ketchup.
Doner kebab – the fast food version of this Middle-Eastern flatbread and grilled meat staple was invented in Berlin.
Leber Berliner Art – Berlin style calf liver served with fried apple slices and onion.

Shopping in Berlin

Berlin is filled with endless shopping possibilities, there’s plenty of international designer brands, unique finds and bargains. The largest department store, and one of the top places to visit is the KaDeWe where shops span a total of six floors, here you will find second-hand vintage pieces and outlet stores. Also, there are shops located on the Kurfurstendamm and malls at the Potsdamer Platz, and the individual boutiques are set in Mitte.

Osprey Holidays top tips

Find time for the Jewish memorial and the Reichstag and we’d highly recommend the tourist bus for a little taste of everything.

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break to Berlin designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

All travel and transfers on days of your choice
Accommodation from our handpicked range of Berlin hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.

Important information

Population	3,500,000
Languages	German
Currency	Euro
Visa Information	No visa required for UK citizens

Average temperatures

(monthly highs °C)

Interesting facts: Explore the streets leading off the bustling Kurfurstendamm, for a huge variety of shops and good bargains.

Featured accommodation

Distance from airports

Tegel	8km
Schönefeld	18km

Railway stations

Hauptbahnhof

Things to do in Berlin

Botanischer Garten and Museum: One of the largest botanic gardens in Europe.
Brandenburg Gate: This once stood between East and West Germany, but now symbolises unification.
Checkpoint Charlie Museum: An interesting museum which displays the unusual escape methods used to get from East to West.
Gemäldegalerie: This famous art gallery houses European art from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Raphael, Vermeer and Botticelli.
The Reichstag: Home to the German Parliament, it was destroyed by arson in 1933 but transformed in the 1990s by British architect Sir Norman Foster.
Tiergarten: The oldest and largest park in Berlin and home to the fantastic Berlin Zoo.
Potsdamer Platz: Soaring walls of glass and steelspun towers mark the soldering of the East-West divide with shiny atriums and cinema complexes
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche: One of Berlin's most famous landmarks. The damaged tower was left as a reminder of the destruction of war and symbol of Berlin’s resolve to rebuild.
Museum Island: Berlin’s Museum Island, comprising of five museums and designed to be "a sanctuary of art and science", was granted UNESCO National Heritage Site status in 1999.

Tours and Excursions

Discover Berlin Walking Tour

On this guided walking tour you will delve into the fascinating history of Berlin including the periods under the Prussian kings, during Hitler’s Third Reich and the Cold War. Stroll along the elegant Unter den Linden boulevard to the Brandenburg Gate and pass by many more iconic sites including the Berlin Wall, Museum Island, the Reichstag with its magnificent Norman Foster Dome, Bebelplatz and Checkpoint Charlie.

Berlin Bike Tour

The perfect orientation for this fascinating city, your local guide will lead you on a leisurely cycle whilst you learn how Berlin grew from humble beginnings to the Berlin of today. From the Prussians, Weimar Republic, the Third Reich and the Cold War, Berlin has a complex and interesting history. See all the important sights including the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the Reichstag and cruise through picturesque parks.

Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tours

Choose from two routes; the Blue Route that takes you to the fashionable districts of East Berlin where you’ll have the opportunity to see the East Side Gallery and Karl-Marx-Allee, or the Red Route that takes in the iconic sights in the east and west sides of the city, including Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Get on and off as you please and choose from one or two days..

Potsdam Half Day Walking Tour

Meet your guide in Berlin and take the train to Potsdam, a picturesque town just 30 minutes from Berlin. This half-day tour with a local guide gives you the opportunity to explore this former Prussian residence, including Bildergalerie, Potsdam Friedenskirche and Sanssouci Park. The tour ends at Sanssouci Palace and you are free to accompany your guide back to Berlin or purchase an entry ticket for the Palace and explore independently. Please note train tickets are not included and can be purchased at the meeting point.

Berlin Street Food Tour

Discover Berlin’s street food scene as your guide takes you through the trendy Prenzlauer Berg district. You’ll learn about the history of the area and how multiculturalism has influenced the local cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to admire the famous street art before sampling a few culinary delights including flatbreads, tacos and some lesser known local snacks as well as a German beer or two!

We would be happy to arrange an excursion for you. To discuss options with a member of our knowledgeable team or to book, please contact us on 0131 243 8098.