Berlin’s history is tragic, but its future as Germany’s cultural heartbeat remains full of light. Today’s Berlin is graced with grand museums, superb theaters, trendy restaurants and cafés, packed pubs and stylish boutiques. Travelers heading to Germany on Berlin flights will be captivated by the city’s revival, but immersed in the memory of its ever-present past.
Berlin was the battleground of the Cold War and the base for Hitler’s Nazi army. As Berlin makes important strides to move forward into the 21st century, it remains steadfast on remembering the past. Museums celebrating the lives lost during World War II, and memorials recalling the impact of the rise and fall of Berlin Wall stand alongside the city’s glass skyscrapers and modern buildings. Travelers to Berlin have a wealth of options to explore in this city. Find a cheap flight to Berlin and step into this city’s rich history and rousing future.
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July and August are the wettest and warmest months when temperatures can reach the mid-80s (F). September and October is the most pleasant time of year, highlighted by the fall foliage. The cold and damp winter is from November to March and is marked with overcast skies and temperatures that often drop below freezing. December to February are the coldest months. In May and June the trees are in bloom and the outdoor café season starts.
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Peak Season:
Berlin is interesting to visit any time of year and with a little planning, cheap flights to Berlin can be found. Major holidays and events pack the city, such as Easter, Christmas, New Year, Green Week (January), the radio-TV fair (August and September of odd-numbered years) and the Love Parade (July). Throughout the year Berlin also hosts trade shows which can fill the hotels. If you're traveling to Berlin for a festival, book Berlin flights and hotel rooms far in advance for the best prices and availability.
Off Season:
March to May and October to early November have pleasant weather and fewer tourists. The fewest visitors are here November to March; lines are shorter, and you can focus on cultural events.
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The most convenient and cost effective way to get to and from the airport is by bus. They connect with the subway and overground train stations. Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal, they take around 20 minutes to the city center.
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Berlin has one of the most efficient public-transportation systems in Europe with buses, trams, underground (U-Bahn) and elevated (S-Bahn) trains. Service is available from early morning to past midnight with the exception of some all night services.
The historic center is compact and best explored on foot. During the day, walking in the central city is safe, even in large parks. But Berlin is a large city, so be careful walking at night.
Berlin is bicycle friendly, with bike lanes marked nearly everywhere. The crush of traffic can make biking unappealing, but it is a fun way to explore the outlying parks and forests. During specific hours, you can take a bike on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn for an additional fee.
Taxis cruise the streets, and it is cheaper to flag a cab than call one.
Driving is possible but why bother when the public transportation is so good. Dealing with the driving habits of Berliners, who are known for their recklessness, and construction and detours makes driving aggravating. Plus, daytime parking is hard to find. (If you park in a German garage, pay when you return to retrieve your car, not when driving out.)
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- The Fernsehturm, or TV Tower, soars above Berlin’s skyline. At 1,207ft, it’s the third-largest structure in Europe. The visitor platform and rotating restaurant at 669ft both offer stunning views of the city – on a clear day you can see for 25 miles. Incredibly fast lifts speed you up for a cost of €8.50. As with most major tourist attractions, however, be prepared for a long wait. Arrive early in the morning for the shortest queues, or bring a good book to read.
- If you’re in the city in the run up to Christmas, you can’t avoid the Christmas markets. Springing up in the December the weekends, the Wiehnachtsmarkts take place in the squares and streets of Berlin (as in much of Germany) and are a wonderful place to buy presents, eat from the open air stalls, drink some gluhwein and generally enjoy the atmosphere. One of the best is in the Spandua region, a suburb in Western Berlin. The market here has been running for more than 30 years and is guaranteed to get anyone in the Christmas mood.
- Festivals and events take place throughout the year in this cultural city. One of the most popular of recent years is the summer Love Parade. Originating in Berlin in 1989 (just four months before the wall came down) the festival has now spread worldwide, though Berliners believe theirs is still the biggest and best. If you’re planning on visiting the city at this time, make sure you have a hotel booked well in advance. It’s a hugely popular event and the entire city can become booked up.
- Beer and sausages are the staple food and drink throughout Germany. Berlin specialities are the currywurst (curry sausage) and the Berliner Weisse (white beer). Pick them up in most restaurants, bars or from street vendors.
- Berlin is home to two city zoos. The older is the Zoologischer Garten Berlin (zoological garden of Berlin) which has been open since 1844 and is the oldest zoo in Germany. Opened with a donation of animals from Frederick William IV, King of Prussia, today the zoo has more species of animals than any other, including giant pandas and polar bears.
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