Germany
Berlin
Germany
Berlin
Updated Tue, Jan 13, 2026
Overview
Berlinis known for its gritty authenticity and artistic soul. Beyond Brandenburg Gate, discover abandoned buildings turned galleries, secret speakeasies in former bunkers, and neighborhoods where locals gather at corner spätkaufs for late-night conversations.
Best time to visit. May through September offers warm weather for exploring outdoor beer gardens and street festivals. Winter brings cozy Christmas markets and cheaper accommodation rates.
City stats
Population
3,748,000
Land area
344 sq. mi.
Currency
Euro
Year founded
1237 CE
Official language
German
English speaking
Somewhat spoken, esp. in hospitality
State/Province
Berlin
Timezone
Central European (UTC+1)
Driving side
right
Website
Google Maps link
Quick links
How to get there
Neighborhoods
Getting around
Where to stay
Day trips
Cities within 8 hours
Active pursuits
Leisure activities
Bars, pubs and nightlife
Breakfast and brunch
Lunch and snacks
Dinner restaurants
Laptop friendly places
Where to stay for work trips
Work trip activities
Average weather
Country holidays
Major annual events
Cultural tips
Map
City details
Hotels
Nearby
Nearby
Things to do
Food & restaurants
Work friendly
| Month | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F - 28°F | 32°F - 21°F | Cloudy | 8:15 am | 4:18 pm | 12 days 1.7 in | 8 days 4.9 in | 9 mph |
| February | 41°F - 30°F | 36°F - 24°F | Partly Cloudy | 7:32 am | 5:26 pm | 9 days 1.3 in | 6 days 3.4 in | 9 mph |
| March | 48°F - 35°F | 45°F - 30°F | Partly Cloudy | 6:25 am | 6:28 pm | 10 days 1.6 in | 3 days 1.1 in | 9 mph |
| April | 57°F - 42°F | 56°F - 40°F | Partly Cloudy | 6:05 am | 7:34 pm | 9 days 1.5 in | 1 days 0.1 in | 7 mph |
| May | 68°F - 51°F | 68°F - 51°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:10 am | 8:32 pm | 10 days 2.1 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| June | 73°F - 57°F | 75°F - 58°F | Partly Cloudy | 4:47 am | 9:12 pm | 11 days 2.7 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| July | 77°F - 61°F | 80°F - 63°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:04 am | 8:59 pm | 12 days 2.3 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| August | 75°F - 59°F | 78°F - 61°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:50 am | 8:04 pm | 11 days 2.3 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| September | 66°F - 52°F | 67°F - 52°F | Partly Cloudy | 6:47 am | 6:53 pm | 9 days 1.8 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| October | 55°F - 43°F | 53°F - 40°F | Cloudy | 7:44 am | 5:43 pm | 8 days 1.5 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| November | 45°F - 36°F | 41°F - 31°F | Cloudy | 7:35 am | 4:24 pm | 10 days 1.7 in | 2 days 0.7 in | 9 mph |
| December | 39°F - 30°F | 34°F - 24°F | Cloudy | 8:14 am | 3:53 pm | 12 days 2.2 in | 7 days 3.7 in | 9 mph |
| Name | Date | Description | Travel rating | Closure rating | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Germans celebrate the start of the new year with fireworks, parties, and toasts. | Avoid travel; most places closed. | ||
| Good Friday | Friday before Easter Sunday | Christian holiday commemorating Jesus' crucifixion. Many Germans attend church. | Limited services; plan accordingly. | ||
| Easter Sunday | First Sunday after first full moon of spring | Christians celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Families gather for meals and egg hunts. | Family-oriented; some closures. | ||
| Easter Monday | Day after Easter Sunday | Public holiday extending Easter celebrations. Many enjoy outdoor activities. | Extended holiday; plan for closures. | ||
| Labor Day | May 1 | Workers' rights celebration with parades and demonstrations across Germany. | Expect closures and demonstrations. | ||
| Ascension Day | 40 days after Easter | Christian holiday marking Jesus' ascension to heaven. Often a long weekend. | Long weekend; some services limited. | ||
| Whit Monday | 50 days after Easter | Christian holiday celebrating the Holy Spirit. Many enjoy outdoor activities. | Public holiday; plan for closures. | ||
| Corpus Christi | 60 days after Easter | Catholic celebration of the Eucharist. Public holiday in some German states. | Regional holiday; check local impact. | ||
| Day of German Unity | October 3 | Commemorates German reunification in 1990. Celebrations across the country. | National holiday; expect closures. | ||
| Reformation Day | October 31 | Protestant holiday marking Martin Luther's Reformation. Regional observance. | Regional holiday; minor disruptions. | ||
| All Saints' Day | November 1 | Catholic holiday honoring saints. Public holiday in some German states. | Regional holiday; check local impact. | ||
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | Main Christmas celebration in Germany. Families gather for dinner and gifts. | Evening closures; festive atmosphere. | ||
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Public holiday celebrating Christmas. Quiet day for family gatherings. | Avoid travel; widespread closures. | ||
| Second Christmas Day | December 26 | Extension of Christmas celebrations. Many visit family or enjoy leisure. | Public holiday; limited services. | ||
| New Year's Eve | December 31 | Celebrations marking the end of the year. Fireworks and parties nationwide. | Festive but busy; early closures. |
| Name | Date | Description | Travel rating | Closure rating | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) | February 15-25 | Major international film festival showcasing world cinema premieres and competitions. | Busy period with higher prices and crowds. | ||
| Gallery Weekend Berlin | late April/early May | Contemporary art galleries open special exhibitions across the city simultaneously. | Great time for art lovers, minimal impact. | ||
| Karneval der Kulturen | May/June (Pentecost weekend) | Multicultural street festival celebrating Berlin's diversity with parades and music. | Vibrant atmosphere but crowded streets. | ||
| Christopher Street Day | late July | Berlin's Pride parade and festival celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and community. | Festive atmosphere with street closures. | ||
| Berlin Music Week | early September | Electronic music festival and conference featuring clubs and venues citywide. | Perfect for music fans, normal operations. | ||
| Festival of Lights | October | Buildings and monuments illuminated with artistic light installations citywide. | Crowded tourist areas but magical experience. | ||
| Berlin Art Week | mid-September | Contemporary art events across galleries, museums, and alternative spaces. | Excellent for art enthusiasts, no disruption. | ||
| Christmas Markets | late November - December 23 | Traditional German Christmas markets selling crafts, food, and mulled wine. | Tourist crowds but festive holiday atmosphere. |
1 | Germans value punctuality. Arrive on time for appointments and reservations. Being late is considered rude and disrespectful. Plan ahead and allow extra time for transportation. |
2 | Learn basic German phrases like 'Bitte' (please) and 'Danke' (thank you). Locals appreciate when tourists make an effort to speak their language, even if it's just a few words. |
3 | Shops and businesses are often closed on Sundays. Plan ahead for groceries and shopping needs. Some restaurants and tourist attractions may remain open, but hours can be limited. |
4 | Recycling is taken seriously. Follow local recycling guidelines in your accommodation. Separate glass, paper, and plastic. Look for designated bins in public areas to dispose of waste properly. |
5 | Cash is king in Germany. Many small businesses and restaurants don't accept credit cards. Always carry some cash with you, especially when visiting smaller towns or rural areas. |
6 | Public transportation is efficient and widely used. Buy and validate your ticket before boarding trains or buses. Riding without a valid ticket can result in hefty fines. |
7 | Greet people formally unless invited to use first names. Use 'Herr' for men and 'Frau' for women, followed by their surname. Wait for Germans to initiate a more casual form of address. |
8 | Respect quiet hours, known as 'Ruhezeit'. Avoid loud noises in residential areas between 10 PM and 6 AM, and on Sundays and holidays. This includes loud conversations and music. |
Brainstorm ideas, plan your way, then navigate on the ground with personalized recommendations that adapt in real time.
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