Partying and going out

01 Clubs und Techno · Nachtleben

For many, a night in a club is the reason for the trip. Berlin techno culture has been on Germany’s national inventory of intangible cultural heritage since 2024, and there is no general closing time. How the door works and how to make your first night a good one is in Clubs in Berlin.

02 Bars und Kneipen · Nachtleben

From the corner pub with draught pilsner to the cocktail bar serving classics from the 1920s. Three evenings the publisher likes are in Bars and pubs in Berlin.

History and culture

03 Mauer und Kalter Krieg · Geschichte

Few cities tell the 20th century so densely. Where to understand the Wall best is in Instead of X, try Y, and what became of the old prisons in Behind bars.

04 Film, Musik und berühmte Bewohner · Kultur

From Run Lola Run to Babylon Berlin, it was filmed here; the locations are in Film locations in Berlin and Potsdam. Where David Bowie, Marlene Dietrich and Albert Einstein lived is in Where famous people lived in Berlin.

Experiencing the city

05 Kieze · Stadt

Berlin is made of many small worlds, each with its own market, its own pub and its own pace. Our Kiez guide rates neighbourhoods in all twelve districts, and Neighborhoods nobody has on their list yet helps away from the well-known corners.

06 Essen · Stadt

Doner, currywurst and cuisines from all over the world, often at prices rare in other capitals. Where Berliners themselves go is in Where Berliners really eat.

07 Grün und Wasser · Stadt

Lakes, rivers, canals and large parks are part of everyday life. Crossing a lake by ferry is in Berlin from the water, quiet corners are in the Secret gardens, and how Berliners spend the summer is in Berlin in summer.

08 Feste und Sport · Durchs Jahr

Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve at the Brandenburg Gate, the marathon in September and two Bundesliga clubs. The calendar is in Best time to visit Berlin, plus Football in Berlin and Running in Berlin.

09 Ausflüge · Umland

Potsdam is one S-Bahn ride away. What most people miss there is in Babelsberg.

Staying

10 Studieren · Leben in Berlin

In the 2025/26 winter semester, according to the statistics office, around 206,000 students were enrolled in Berlin (provisional figures). Which universities there are in Berlin and Potsdam and how to find a room is in Studying in Berlin and Potsdam.

11 Familie · Leben in Berlin

In Berlin, parents have paid no daycare fees since August 2018. What else to know about the daycare voucher, the school ticket and green neighbourhoods is in Living in Berlin with children.

12 Wohnung kaufen · Leben in Berlin

If you want to buy, you need to know about the 82 milieu protection areas, where renovations and conversions need a permit. The essentials are in Buying a flat in Berlin: what milieu protection means.

For your first visit

If it is your first time, start with A weekend in Berlin and Where to stay in Berlin. Buses and trains are explained in BVG in 10 minutes, the unwritten rules are in Berlin for beginners, and what the numbers say about safety is in Is Berlin dangerous?.