Visiting Berlin on a budget
Berlin is one of the most affordable big cities. Be it for sightseeing, cultural activities, or eating out, the world city on the Spree is a true paradise for people looking to have a good time on the cheap. We have the best tips to help you experience Berlin without breaking the bank.
Low budget with the Berlin Welcome Card
Berlin spans almost 900 square kilometres and is a city that is rather difficult to explore on foot. Many of the sights and attractions are located far away from the centre, so it’s hard to avoid travelling with public transport. The Berlin Welcome Card is available in different price categories and for several different areas – sightseeing tour included, free of charge. This is because on some routes, such as the 100 or 200 bus routes, you will cross right through Berlin, passing the Zoo, the Reichstag, the Victory Column, and plenty of other sights on your way.
Discover Berlin for (almost) nothing
The capital city has some attractions that can be visited for free. These include the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (known locally as the “Gedächtniskirche”) at Kurfürstendamm, the Holocaust Memorial, and the exhibitions in the Säulensaal at the Roten Rathaus or the East Side Gallery. Admission to the Reichstag dome is also free of charge. To visit it, you must register at the service centre at the Reichstag building, next to the Berlin Pavillon.
Additionally, a guide from Sandemans New Berlin offers a daily tour of the centre of the capital city.
The tours begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Brandenburg Gate. The tour is free of charge, but you are welcome to give the guide a tip.
Day trip to the Teufelsberg
Located somewhat outside of the city, in Berlin’s Grunewald forest, you can find a former US military communications intercept station. In addition to interesting tours and torch-lit hikes at night, there is also plenty of street art to discover here. At 8 euros, the admission isn’t cheap, but it’s certainly acceptable. For that price, you can spend a whole day on the premises, which always have something new to discover. In summer, visitors can look forward to a diverse programme of cultural events.
Cheap dining in Berlin
When it comes to culinary delights, Berlin has a lot to offer for those travelling on a budget, too. Countless snack bars and street food stands offer cheap meals for on the go. At Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap at Mehringdamm, you can get what is probably the most famous döner kebab in the country. On Sundays in Berlin, brunch is a highlight. For example at Datsche in Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauerberg, you can enjoy brunch for just 13 euros per person.
Here you can find our hotels in the most central locations of Berlin.
