July 30, 2025, 6:35 am | Read time: 5 minutes

In 2023, Berlin had about 29.6 million overnight stays from domestic and international guests. However, while the German capital seems to raise high expectations among travelers, these are often not met. In a poll where TRAVELBOOK asked about the world’s most disappointing metropolis, Berlin was chosen 2,600 times by nearly 20,000 participants—more than any of the 20 cities available for selection. We’ve pondered why this is the case and compiled tips to ensure your first visit to Berlin isn’t a letdown.

7 Tips for Your First Visit to Berlin

1. Don’t Start Your Day Too Early

If you’re spending your vacation in Berlin not just on weekends but also on weekdays, it’s wise not to start your day before 10 a.m. Before then, half of Berlin is on the move, squeezing into buses, subways, and trams or racing through the city on bikes to get to work. Tourists do themselves and Berliners a favor by letting this rush pass. Everyone will be more relaxed afterward.

2. Don’t Expect a City Center in Berlin

Sure, there’s the Berlin-Mitte district. However, many visitors automatically assume this is the center of Berlin—but that’s only partially true. It’s the center of East Berlin with the old core. There’s also City West, which was the most important business center of West Berlin during the German division. And then Berlin has numerous districts with their own centers, known as “Kieze.” Keeping this in mind makes sightseeing much more relaxed.

3. Don’t Think You Can Walk Everywhere

Point 2 of our Berlin tips leads almost automatically to Point 3: Due to Berlin’s turbulent history, the sights are spread across the entire city, so you can never reach everything on foot. Rental bikes are a good idea, but to reach certain places, you’ll need public transportation or a taxi. Coming to Berlin with your own car or a rental car is not a good idea—the traffic is already chaotic enough with professional drivers, sightseeing buses, beer bikes, and e-scooters.

4. Don’t Come to Berlin Without a Plan

Berlin tourists often wander around somewhat confused, not really knowing where they are or where they want to go next. This is probably due to the size of the capital, which simply overwhelms visitors. Berlin-Mitte alone, where the most interesting sights for a first visit to Berlin, such as the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz with the TV Tower, or Museum Island, are located, is huge.

Therefore, you should inform yourself in advance about what you absolutely want to see, write down these places, and then plan a route. Above all, you should abandon the idea of seeing EVERYTHING in one weekend. And a little tip: Even if you don’t immediately know which direction to go when you emerge from the subway, just start walking. There are few things Berliners hate more than tourists who stop on the landing and block traffic. Which brings us to the next point …

5. Don’t Mistake the Berliner Schnauze for Rudeness

In the aforementioned workday hustle, you might encounter a grumpy face or hear a frustrated word. Otherwise, Berliners are primarily one thing: honest and quick-witted. And that should not be mistaken for rudeness. Also, don’t be surprised if you’re immediately addressed informally in Berlin. Those who live here longer are more surprised when they’re suddenly addressed formally.

Also interesting: Not unfriendly! Why Berliners are completely misunderstood

6. Don’t Only Go Where Everyone Else Goes

Having a plan is good. But nothing is better than letting yourself drift and discovering one or two quirky bars or unique shops off the beaten tourist paths. This is wonderfully possible in the many “Kieze” of the city. If you prefer something more refined, you should make a detour to Prenzlauer Berg or Schöneberg; it’s a bit wilder and more multicultural in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, and if you love nature and water, you’ll find it in Spandau or Köpenick.

One of the most important tips for Berlin is: The best view of the city is not from the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, but from the Victory Column in Tiergarten. The climb costs only a few euros—and above all, you have a view of Berlin WITH the TV Tower, probably its most prominent landmark (see large photo above). Alternatively, the rooftop terrace of the Humboldt Forum offers a view where you stand amidst Berlin’s landmarks, including Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Cathedral, and St. Mary’s Church.

7. Don’t Have Too High Expectations for Certain Landmarks

In photos, the Brandenburg Gate looks much larger than it actually is. When standing in front of it, you might be disappointed, especially since there are almost only souvenir shops and overpriced cafes and restaurants around it. It’s similar at Checkpoint Charlie: At the former border crossing that connected the Soviet and American sectors, there’s now only a reconstructed guardhouse. Disappointed faces can also be seen at the East Side Gallery: Those who make the journey there have to walk along a noisy street, and taking photos of the Wall with the artworks on it is difficult due to the many cars.

Nevertheless, these and many other places in Berlin are of great historical significance. Keeping this in mind and taking a moment to pause, instead of frantically taking photos, ensures you won’t be disappointed.