Is Berlin Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Berlin is one of the most famous cities in Germany, and for good reason. That said, I’ll be honest: I’ve always thought Berlin is actually a bit ugly.

It doesn’t have the cozy charm of Cologne’s Old Town or the picture-perfect upscale vibe of Munich. But what Berlin does have is history, culture, and plenty to see and do, so I completely get why most people put it first on their Germany itinerary (I would for sure do the same).

I didn’t grow up anywhere near Berlin (it’s about six hours from where I’m from), so I wouldn’t call myself a local by any means. But I’ve been here plenty of times, on many school trips as a teenager, weekend visits as an adult, and most recently a Christmas trip with my partner.

So, is Berlin worth visiting? In this article, I’ll share what I personally like about the city, what I don’t like so much, and a few tips that might help you plan your own trip.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Berlin Germany

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Boutique Hotel Chateau Royal – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Locke at East Side Gallery – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Sly Berlin – Click here for rates & availability

Is Berlin Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Is Berlin Worth Visiting – My Experience & Quick Answer

Yes, 100% Berlin is worth visiting. I’ve been to Berlin plenty of times over the years. I still remember going on multiple school trips as a teenager and it was a pretty big deal for us Germans at the time to learn about our own history in the capital. Back then, we visited lots of museums and, of course, the Reichstag (the German parliament building).

As a teenager, I’ll be honest, I didn’t care all that much. But later, in my mid-twenties, I made the effort to go back to Berlin and basically revisit all the same places. And this time, I actually paid attention. If I can recommend one thing, it’s to really take your time with Berlin’s history. Some of it is shocking, much of it is sad, but all of it is incredibly important and interesting.

Most recently, I visited Berlin on a cozy little Christmas trip. The whole city was lit up with trees and fairy lights, I hopped between several Christmas markets in Berlin, and I drank far too much mulled wine. That trip was less about museums and more about enjoying Christmas in Berlin.

So, with all those different experiences, I feel like I’m in a good spot to give you my honest opinion about Berlin. I’m not a local Berliner, so this won’t be a “hidden gems from someone who grew up here” type guide. Think of it more as a tourist-to-tourist perspective, what’s worth seeing, what’s not, and what I’d do differently next time.

What I Really Like About Berlin

Berlin’s history: As a German, I grew up learning a lot about the past 100 years in Germany, so visiting WWII museums, DDR sites, and historic landmarks is always super interesting to me. Even though I’ve been to most of them already, I’d happily go again, it’s just such an important and fascinating part of Berlin.

Culture in Berlin: Berlin is definitely the most international city in Germany. I usually notice it right away: it’s open-minded, accepting, and full of quirky, interesting people. It feels very different from most other German cities in that way.

Food in Berlin: Honestly, Germany doesn’t always shine when it comes to international food, but Berlin is the big exception. It’s probably the only place in Germany where I’d say you can find proper food from all around the world.

Day trips from Berlin: There are some really powerful day trips. A while back I went to Sachsenhausen concentration camp and it was definitely heavy and difficult to experience, but also very meaningful and worth doing.

Nightlife in Berlin: Berlin is alive at night. From restaurants, beer gardens, and bars to its world-famous clubbing scene (which, I’ll admit, I’ve never personally done, I know, boring), there’s no shortage of ways to stay out late.

Practicality: For Germany’s most popular city, Berlin is surprisingly easy to visit. Accommodation can still be found at decent prices if you plan ahead, and once you’re there, the subway makes getting around simple and cheap.

What I Don’t Like About Berlin

Berlin is ugly: Okay, hear me out. I know a lot of people love the gritty and edgy vibe of Berlin, but personally, I don’t think Berlin is very pretty. Yes, there are a few stunning old buildings and some lovely corners, but for the most part you’ll see a lot of concrete, graffiti, and general mess.

Sketchy areas: Most of Berlin is perfectly safe, but there are definitely neighborhoods I wouldn’t want to wander around at night as a tourist. It’s not dangerous in the sense of “don’t go,” but you do notice some rough edges compared to other German cities.

It’s huge and spread out: Berlin is massive. Visiting the big sights often means hopping between subway lines, and sometimes it feels like you spend half the day underground just getting across town. For a weekend trip especially, it can be a bit exhausting.

The weather doesn’t help: Berlin winters are cold, grey, and often rainy. Even in summer you can get unlucky and find yourself stuck under gloomy skies.

These Are My Top Things to Do in Berlin

Things to Do in Berlin Germany

Museums in Berlin: Berlin has some of the best museums in Germany. My personal top picks are the Topography of Terror (very heavy, but incredibly important), the German History Museum, the Pergamon Museum, and the Neues Museum. Each one gives you such a different look into German and European history, and I’ve happily revisited some of them multiple times.
Berlin’s landmarks: There are so many, and even if you don’t consider yourself a “landmark person,” they’re worth it. The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and the East Side Gallery are must-sees. I usually wander around on my own, but I’ve also done a guided tour before, which really helped and is probably better for first time visitors.
Day trips from Berlin: I highly recommend squeezing in a day trip if you have the time. The Sachsenhausen concentration camp is a difficult but very important visit. On a lighter note, Potsdam makes for a fantastic day trip with its palaces, gardens, and relaxed vibe, it feels worlds away from Berlin’s intensity.

Where to Stay in Berlin Germany

When it comes to where to stay in Berlin, there are quite a few neighborhoods worth considering. Berlin is massive compared to other German cities, so while parts of it are walkable, I usually end up on the subway at some point when visiting Berlin.

That’s why, unlike in Cologne where I always try to stay as central as possible, in Berlin I don’t stress too much about walking distance to every sight. I know I’ll be hopping on the U-Bahn (subway) sooner or later anyway.

Instead, I usually pick a spot that has a good vibe, somewhere with a couple of nice cafés or bars nearby, since that’s where I’ll actually spend my downtime.

For first-timers, Berlin Mitte is a pretty good choice. It’s the big central area of the city and puts you close to plenty of the major landmarks, museums, and shopping streets. If you want something with more grit and character though, I also really like Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. It’s younger, artsier, and generally more “Berlin” with street art, quirky bars, and late-night food spots.

At the end of the day, I usually let the hotel itself decide for me. If I find a place I love, I’ll book it, even if the neighborhood isn’t necessarily “the best.”

Here are a few hotels in Berlin that I’d personally recommend checking out for your trip:

Book Here: Boutique Hotel Chateau Royal

Book Here: Locke at East Side Gallery

Book Here: Sly Berlin

FAQs About Is Berlin Worth Visiting

When is the best time to visit Berlin?

For me, Berlin is all about culture, history, and exploring, and luckily a lot of that happens indoors. That being said, wandering Berlin in the rain isn’t exactly fun either, so I’d say spring and summer are probably the best times to visit. That’s when I love to sit in beer gardens, and explore the streets without freezing.

Why visit Berlin?

Why not? Berlin is absolutely packed with history and culture. If you have even the slightest interest in World War II or modern European history, it’s one of the most fascinating places I have ever visited. On top, it’s got a super quirky, edgy vibe that makes it stand out from other German cities.

Is Berlin safe?

For the most part, yes. I’ve never had a bad experience in Berlin. Like any big city, there are areas that are a little rough around the edges, but nothing out of the ordinary. As long as you use common sense, you’ll be fine.

Is Berlin expensive to visit?

Honestly, no. At least not compared to places like the USA or Australia, where I’ve spent a lot of time recently. In Germany, museums, activities, and accommodation are all still pretty affordable. Of course, Berlin has some pricey spots, but overall I think it’s good value for what you get.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Berlin, Germany

So, is Berlin worth visiting? Absolutely. From my perspective, as someone who is basically a tourist every time I go, I really think Berlin offers the most out of all the German cities. The amount of things to do, the museums, the history, the culture, it’s endless.

I love Berlin’s museums, I love its culture, and yes, I even love its edginess (even if I don’t think I could ever live there full-time). It’s not the prettiest city, but it makes up for that in character.

I hope this little guide on is Berlin worth visiting helps give you a clearer picture of what to expect, straight from the perspective of a tourist who’s been back plenty of times.