Berlin Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

With its fascinating history and cosmopolitan culture, Berlin has rapidly become one of the most popular cities to visit in Western Europe. The largest and capital city of Germany, the area that's now Berlin has been inhabited for thousands of years. Berlin was famously split in two following the Second World War, with the Berlin Wall separating the city between East and West Germany.

Following reunification, Berlin has become one of the most forward-thinking countries in Europe, focusing on international relations and renewable energy. With a thriving art scene, world-famous historical sights, and lots of fun for families, it's easy to see why Berlin is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. Book a Berlin storage locker today, and discover the best of Berlin.

A weekend in Berlin

13 best ways to experience Berlin in 2024

The German capital of Berlin has had an outsized impact on world history. And the city has no shortage of famous monuments and attractions, plus cultural treasures for you to visit. But once you’ve seen the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, and the Reichstag, you may be ready to go a little deeper and see a lesser-known side of Berlin. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do that. Drop off your belongings at a Bounce luggage storage in Berlin and then pick a tour or activity from one of these companies. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Best local guide — Berlin Local Guide

Being a tourist’s fine, but there’s nothing like getting to know a city through the eyes of a local. That’s what Berlin Local Guide offers. Ricard is a local with an in-depth knowledge of both the city’s past and is present, and is a perfect guide to learn more about the city. Whether you want to learn more about the Berlin Wall, explore the Jewish District, or delve into the dark history of the Third Reich, Ricard can help. Contact him at info@berlinlocalguide.com or 49 174 9886603.

Best Bike Tour — I Love Berlin Tours

With its flat landscape and well-developed road system, Berlin is a great place to explore on two wheels. Biking around the city lets you cover more ground while still stopping at the most interesting spots. I Love Berlin will take you on a guided ride through the city to learn more about its turbulent history. For something different, they also offer Segway tours for those who prefer something more motorized. Alternatively, they rent bikes so that you can explore at your own pace. Contact them at booking@iloveberlintours.com or 49 163 5120124.

Best Cultural Tour — Berlin Ganz Nah Tours

Berlin is known for its fascinating history. But it’s also a very modern city. You can explore the more modern metropolis of Berlin with Ganz Nah tours. Led by an art historian, these tours examine the present and future of this vibrant city, and also explore the cultural treasures the city houses. Take a tour of Museum Island or see some of Berlin’s most striking modern architecture. Alternatively, you could explore the Berlin fashion industry or take a crime tour to hear tales of some of the city’s most notorious former residents.

Contact Ganz Nah at info@berlinganznah.de or 49 176 43073657.

Best Sub-culture Tour — Berlin Side Stories

Berlin has long been a hotbed of activism and counterculture. Berlin’s artistic heritage doesn’t belong only to the museums, but also to the streets of this once-divided city. You can learn more about this lesser-known history with a subculture and art tour from Berlin Side Stories. See punk bars, underground clubs, and artist studios, and you’ll be seeing a side of Berlin that very few tourists ever experience. Contact Berlin Side Stories at info@berlinsidestories.de or 4917699585058.

Best Food Tour — Zahi Berlin

“Forget everything you thought you knew about hummus,” boasts this unique tour. Focusing on the Arabic culinary scene of Germany’s capital city, the tour explores Sonnenallee and its many restaurants. Try the best authentic recipes from local businesses and learn more about the history of Arab immigration to Berlin on this fascinating three-hour tour. Contact Zahi at info@zahiberlin.com or 49 1577 7866062.

Best Tour for Foodies Experience - History Bites

Not sure what a multi-sensual experience might look like? In this case, it’s a unique tour of Berlin from History Bites. This company offers food tours that also incorporate Berlin’s rich history to feed both your mind and your stomach at the same time. Take a hummus walk, try currywurst at the Brandenburg Gate, or explore vegan food in Friedrichshain. Book a tour at hummuswalk@gmail.com or 4917643473297.

Best Private Tour — Private Tour Berlin

In a crowded city like Berlin, it can be nice to have some space yourself. And a private tour allows you to more fully understand what makes the city so special. Plus, private tours can be customized exactly to your interests so that you see more of what you’re interested in and less of what you don’t. If you feel like treating yourself, customize a tour based around your interests, whether it’s history, food, culture, music, or any other facet of Berlin. Contact Private Tour Berlin at info@your-berlin-city-guide.de or 49 177 3781863.

Best boat tour –Yaja Boat Experience

Berlin lies on the River spree, and getting out on the water is a great way to see the city from another angle. The boat holds up to 10 people and has everything you need for a day on the water. Not only will you get to explore the city, but you can kayak, swim, take a ride in an inflatable tube, and enjoy a barbecue on the water. You’ll feel a long way from the city in the best possible way on this unique tour. Contact Yaja at yajaboat@gmail.com or 49 176 45884245.

Best Jewish tour - Nirit Ben-Joseph

Berlin has been home to a Jewish community for hundreds of years. While the history of Berlin’s Jews contains great tragedy, it’s also an inspiring example of human resilience. Explore the past and present of the Jewish population of Berlin with a tour by Nirit Ben-Joseph. This knowledgeable guide will explain the stories behind some of the cities famous and lesser-known sites and give you a deeper understanding of Berlin’s past. Contact Nirit Ben-Joseph at nirit@snafu.de or 49 177 7973892.

Best neighborhood tour – Berlinade Tours

Mitte, Berlin’s city center, is a must-visit on any trip to the German capital. But no matter how well you think you know Mitte, you’ve never seen it like this. These unique tours explore the history of Berlin’s development and the gentrification of the former working-class area that many of the city’s activists fought against. The tour concludes with lunch and a drink in one of the area’s best restaurants, where you can hang out with other visitors and chat more informally about the city. Contact Berlinade at contact@berlinadetours.com or 49 176 70720810.

Best short tour — Espresso Tours

If you’re short on time but still want to see the highlights of Berlin, this is the tour for you. This condensed tour promises a shot of history in only an hour and a half. It’s a great way to get to grips with the broad strokes of the forces that shaped Berlin, and don’t worry – coffee is included. There’s no quicker way to get an understanding of Berlin than with this short but information-packed tour. Contact Espresso Tours at info@espressotours.com or 49 1512 2258681.

Best architecture tour — Humboldt Tours

Thanks to its turbulent history and legacy of almost constant expansion, Berlin is blessed with impressive architecture from many different periods of history and artistic styles. Get to grips with this history on an architecture tour from Humboldt that will take you to some of the most impressive buildings in Berlin. From neoclassical to brutalist to ultramodern, you’ll see hundreds of years of architectural innovation represented on this tour. Contact Humboldt at info@humboldttoursberlin.com or 49 162 4726502.

Best kids tour — Guides of Berlin

Touring a city can be tough on kids, and historical monuments and museums are rarely a hit. Luckily, Guides of Berlin offers a tour that will please all members of the family. You’ll see the city’s major sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag, but there’ll be fun and games to keep the kids happy while you do it. The tour concludes with a visit to the ever-popular chocolate shop that is guaranteed to please everyone. Contact Guides of Berlin at info@guidesofberlin.com or 49 176 57716372.

Berlin is the ideal spot to whisk you and your family off for a quick weekend getaway. How can you make the most of your time in the German capital with so much to do in the city? Drop your bags off at a Berlin luggage storage service and add some of these sites to your weekend itinerary.

• Snap a family pic at Brandenburg Gate. One of Berlin's most famous landmarks, this neoclassical monument dates back to the 18th century and is the site of many of the most famous moments in German history.
• Take a stroll along the Berlin Wall Memorial. This 200-foot stretch of the Berlin Wall is one of the wall's few remaining parts and features memorials and open-air art exhibitions.  
• Grab a local bite at one of the exceptional restaurants dotted across the city. Popular eateries include Hackethals, Clubrestaurant am Wannsee, and Happies.
• Plan a tour of the Reichstag Building. The German parliament building is open to visitors, who can take a self-guided tour and learn important information on Germany's government and history. You can also visit the roof terrace and glass dome, which sits atop the main debating chamber. 

Berlin lockers

Berlin is an easy city to explore on foot; however, it does have one of the highest crime rates in the country. If you're worried about lugging around your valuables while touring the German capital, swing by a Berlin suitcase storage facility. Bounce affords the best luggage storage services in Berlin, with secure facilities dotted across the metro area. These services are quick and easy to book via the Bounce app and are among the most affordable storage lockers in Berlin. Hop online now, and find a Berlin luggage locker that suits you.

Off the beaten path in Berlin

Trying to avoid tourist hotspots? Or just fancy getting out of the city and exploring the German countryside? Berlin is ideal for escaping the crowds, with plenty of nearby parks and hidden gems, where you can step off the beaten path. Book yourself a Berlin luggage locker and pay a visit to one of these lesser-known attractions.

• Avoid the bustling streets without straying from the city at Grosser Tiergarten. Berlin's main urban park is among the largest of its kind in Germany, covering around 520 acres of dense woodlands and lush fields. The park is ideal for picnicking, jogging, and a soccer match.
• Make a splash at Tegeler See. The second largest lake in Berlin, Tegeler See tends to be less popular than Müggelsee and is perfect for a lakeside run or a relaxing boat ride.
• Go undercover at the Stasi Museum. Generally quieter than Berlin's leading museums, the Stasi Museum documents East Germany's secret police and boasts intriguing artifacts and exhibits, including the office of former East German official, Erich Mielke.

What to do alone in Berlin

Whether you're backpacking across Europe or you're in Berlin on businesses, it's tough to decide what the best activities are for individual explorers. Consider checking in at a Berlin luggage locker, and then check out some of these excursions for solo sightseers.

• Spend the day discovering Museum Island. This small island on the Spree is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to five of Berlin's best museums, including the historic Altes Museum and Bolde Museum. 
• Enjoy dizzying city views from the Berliner Fernsehturm. Also known as the Berlin TV Tower, this huge building stands at over 1,200 feet high and boasts some of the best panoramas of Berlin. There's also a restaurant in case you fancy a sky-high snack.
• Splash some cash at the Mall of Berlin. Berlin's main shopping mall contains dozens of stores, restaurants, and amenities. Popular stores include Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and Wrangler.

The best souvenirs in Berlin

You'll find plenty of souvenirs to pick up while in Berlin, ranging from local nicknacks to delicious delicacies for folks to try back home. If you're looking to pick up some food or drink, consider purchasing some locally produced wheat beer, chocolate, or currywurst.

While food is always a tempting memento, it's unlikely to last long. Tourists looking to pick up a nicknack to remember Berlin won't be disappointed. You can buy small chunks of the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, an adorable Buddy Bear from KaDeWe, or an ornate cuckoo clock from Berlin Deluxe.