podtour
At a glance
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- Berlin, both city and federal state
- Language
- German. Hello: hallo or guten Tag. Thank you: danke.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Population
- Close to four million people
- Sockets
- Types C and F, 230 V; bring an adaptor for a British plug.
- Emergencies
- 112
- Tap water
- Yes, safe to drink; bring a refillable bottle.
- Card payments
- Widely accepted, though some cash can be useful; check before ordering.
- Tipping
- Optional; it’s usual to state the total you wish to pay when settling the bill.
- Driving side
- right
When to go
| Season | Approximate temperature | Rain | Daylight | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Roughly 3–20 °C | Variable, with showers. | Rapidly lengthening days. | Parks and outdoor tables come back to life. |
| Summer | Roughly 13–27 °C; hotter spells occur. | Showers and thunderstorms possible. | Long afternoons. | Outdoor life and lively neighbourhoods. |
| Autumn | Roughly 4–20 °C | Damp increases through the season. | Shortening afternoons. | Colourful parks and gradually warmer clothes. |
| Winter | Roughly −3–7 °C | Cold rain, snow or ice possible. | Short days. | Indoor breaks; standing still feels cold. |
- Late spring and summer offer more daylight to spread out walks and rest between them.
- February brings film audiences for the Berlinale. In December, Christmas markets animate various squares.
- Plan shorter days in winter: listening while standing still is colder than walking.
Walking the city
- Gradient. Most central routes are fairly level. Accumulated distance is usually the challenge.
- Underfoot. Broad pavements, cobbles and uneven surfaces; small wheels don’t find every street easy.
- Weather on foot. Wind catches open squares and avenues. Dress for standing and listening, particularly in winter.
- Distances. Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain don’t make a tiny centre. Group neighbouring routes and use transport between sectors.
- Crossings. Traffic keeps right. Distinguish cycle lanes from pavement and check before crossing tram tracks.
- Daily rhythm. Make time for dinner; nightlife doesn’t mean every kitchen serves late.
Getting there and around
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport has train, bus and taxi links. Choose a connection for the neighbourhood where you’re staying.
- Hauptbahnhof, the main station, connects with urban rail, underground, trams and buses. Other stations also receive long-distance trains.
- Underground, S-Bahn, trams and buses link the routes. Check the destination and platform, not just the colour on a map.
- Distances between landmarks can be deceptive. Save your legs for the route and use transport for long connections.
The neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | What it's like | Who it suits | Our routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitte: Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate | Open spaces around parliament and the gate. | A first visit and city symbols. | The Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial Free |
| Museum Island and Nikolaiviertel | River, museums and historic central squares. | A walk paired with an interior. | Museum Island, the Palace and the Nikolaiviertel |
| Alexanderplatz | Broad square, transport connections and eastern architecture. | Orientation and another urban scale. | Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower: Legends of East Berlin |
| Spandauer Vorstadt | Courtyards and streets around Hackescher Markt. | Jewish history and attentive walks. | Berlin's Jewish Quarter: from Rosenstraße to the New Synagogue |
| Bernauer Straße | A street shaped by the memory of division. | Understanding the Wall through people. | The Wall on Bernauer Straße: the street split in two |
| Prenzlauer Berg | Residential streets, squares and trees. | Neighbourhood life. | Prenzlauer Berg: the Kollwitzkiez |
| Kreuzberg | Shops, cultural variety and everyday activity. | Leaving the monumental axis. | Kreuzberg SO 36: from Kottbusser Tor to the Wall |
| Friedrichshain beside the Spree | Waterfront, murals and a bridge between districts. | Walking by the water. | The East Side Gallery and the Oberbaum Bridge |
What to try
| Dish or drink | What it is |
|---|---|
| Currywurst | Sausage with tomato sauce and curry powder. |
| Döner kebab | Roast meat, salad and sauces in bread; combinations vary. |
| Falafel | Fried pulse balls in plates or sandwiches with salad. |
| Eisbein | Boiled pork knuckle, substantial in texture and size. |
| Kartoffelsalat | Potato salad, made in various ways. |
| Bulette | A minced-meat patty. |
| Brezel | A savoury dough knot for a short pause. |
| Berlin Pfannkuchen | A filled doughnut; the local name can be surprising. |
| Apfelstrudel | Thin pastry with apple and spices, sometimes with a creamy accompaniment. |
| Berliner Weiße | A light, tart wheat beer, sometimes served with syrup. |
What to pack
- Comfortable shoes for long connections and cobbled streets.
- Layers and a windproof jacket; coat, hat and gloves in winter.
- Water, sun protection and a light waterproof in summer.
- A small rucksack, convenient on transport and in courtyards.
- An adaptor for a British plug; sockets use types C and F.
- Download your chosen route: Podtour works offline.
For the trip
Customs and common mistakes
- Hallo or guten Tag on arrival and danke when leaving work well.
- Respect pedestrian signals and keep cycle lanes clear.
- Let people leave public transport, then move away from the doorway.
- Lower your voice at memorials and avoid treating them as photo sets.
- Don’t climb monuments or memorial slabs for a photograph.
- Courtyards may contain homes or workplaces; respect signs and access.
- If tipping, tell the person serving you the total you want to pay.
- Carry some cash and ask about payment before ordering.
- Many bottles carry a deposit and can be returned at the supermarket. If you’ll not return yours, leave it beside the bin rather than inside so someone else can collect it.
If it rains (or it's very hot)
- Museum Island, the Palace and the Nikolaiviertel can be combined with a separate museum visit. Don’t plan on seeing every museum in a single break.
- On From Wilhelmstrasse to Checkpoint Charlie: from Nazi power to the Wall, the Topography of Terror has an indoor exhibition to visit separately.
- The Wall on Bernauer Straße: the street split in two and The East Side Gallery and the Oberbaum Bridge include exposed spaces. Take breaks when wind, cold or heat is strong.
- Find park shade in summer and somewhere warm in winter. A broad avenue gives little shelter.
Itineraries with Podtour
Leave room for breaks and visits inside: these plans suggest no more than two routes each day.
Days Plan
1 day
Day 1: start with the free The Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial Free. Follow with From Wilhelmstrasse to Checkpoint Charlie: from Nazi power to the Wall in the nearby southern sector, allowing a break and connecting walk.
2 days
Day 1: The Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial Free and From Wilhelmstrasse to Checkpoint Charlie: from Nazi power to the Wall. Day 2: Museum Island, the Palace and the Nikolaiviertel and Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower: Legends of East Berlin, neighbouring parts of the eastern centre.
3 days
Days 1 and 2: follow the plan above. Day 3: Berlin's Jewish Quarter: from Rosenstraße to the New Synagogue and The Wall on Bernauer Straße: the street split in two, towards northern Mitte; use transport between them if you want to save energy.
What to see with Podtour
marks stops on the free route. Listening outside doesn’t include admission to the building.