Flights to Berlin

Planning a city break to the German capital? With cheap flights from the UK taking you to the heart of this historic German city, there has never been a better time to visit Berlin. This bustling metropolis is steeped in rich history and is packed to the rafters with things to do and places to see.

Whether it's strolling around Museum Island, getting up close and personal with the Berlin wall, or admiring the city in all its glory from atop the Television Tower, Berlin is a sightseeing haven for culture vultures. Search and compare your flights to Berlin online with Airinme.com to snap up a great deal and discover all this breathtaking city has to offer.

Things to do in Berlin

1)            Start your day with a traditional German breakfast at the Literaturhaus Café in Charlottenburg which offers a delicious spread of hams, cheeses and breads to boot. For those with a sweet tooth, no visit would be complete without sampling their delectable selection of Kaffee und Kuechen (coffee and cake) - a German culinary institution.

2)            After you have refuelled, it's time to hit some cultural hot spots starting with Museum Island. This UNESCO-listed world heritage site nestled in the middle of the River Spree is not only home to spectacular architecture, it also houses five of Berlin's most popular museums.

3)            Next stop is the Fernsehturm (television tower) - the perfect way to get your bearings and fully appreciate the expanse of the city stretching as far as the eye can see. Look out for famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and the seat of the German Parliament, the Reichstag.

4)            No visit to Berlin would be complete without a walk along the Berlin Wall. Once dividing the East and West, the wall has now become a symbol of freedom and an expressive canvas for mural artists from around the world.

5)            To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, take a relaxed stroll or cycle through the Tiergarten in Berlin Mitte. This leafy park is an inner-city sanctuary and is also Berlin's largest and most popular park. Covering an area of more than 5 kilometres, finding a quiet spot to have a picnic is a breeze.

6)            Whilst at the Tiergarten, it is worth stopping by the Zoologischer Garten & Aquarium. This is the oldest zoo in Germany and the most popular in Europe, housing more than 19,000 animals and 1,500 different species.

7)            From here, jump on the S-Bahn and let it whisk you away to the outskirts of Berlin and the breathtaking gardens and palaces of Potsdam. This historic town was once the royal seat of Prussia and now boasts spectacular UNESCO world heritage sites.

8)            If all of that sightseeing has left you feeling hot under the collar, why not take a dip in the Badeschiff? This public swimming pool floating weightlessly on the River Spree was converted from the hull of an old vessel as part of an art project in 2004.

9)            For a traditional Berlin culinary experience, stop by the family-run Konnopke's Imbiss who have been selling Currywurst delights since 1930. This combination of sliced pork sausage served with a bread roll or chips and a spicy sauce are a local favourite not to be missed.

10)          Round off your day by catching a film at Berlin's open air cinema in Kreuzberg. This outdoor cinema runs throughout the summer months and is particularly recommended for non-German speakers as English-language films are screened in the original language with German subtitles. Expect a wide range of films from small independents to Hollywood blockbusters and cult classics.

Shopping in Berlin

KaDeWe Berlin

Berlin is home to the largest department store in Europe, the Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe). This huge store is stocked with all of the best-known brands and an impressive range of designer stores. No visit to this department store would be complete without paying a visit to the impressive food hall on the top floor.

Vintage shops Berlin

Berlin is also a haven for vintage and second-hand shopping and is dotted with boutique vintage clothes shops. The trendy Prenzlauer Berg district in eastern Berlin is home to some of the best of these shops. Local favourites include Cache Coeur and Garments Vintage.

Hackescher Markt

This lively part of town is brimming with trendy shops and designer boutiques and is the perfect place to go for some retail therapy. Be sure to weave your way down the surrounding streets of Weinmeisterstrasse, Alte Schoenhauser Strasse and Rosenthaler Strasser to uncover more hidden treasures.

Eating in Berlin

Like any other bustling capital city, Berlin's food culture is characterised by variety and boasts a range of culinary specialities from its diverse ethnic communities.

Kebabs

Berlin is home to one of the world's largest Turkish populations outside of Turkey. The result? Probably the most delicious kebabs you have ever tasted packed with super fine cuts of meat and an abundance of tasty sauce and salad. Head to Kreuzberg and Neukölln to sample the most authentic Turkish cuisine in town.

Hoppelpoppel

This traditional German country breakfast is sure to warm the cockles. Made from meat, potatoes, eggs, and onions fried together in the style of an omelette, this is a great choice if you want a hearty breakfast or post-shopping brunch.

Insider's tips

The emergency phone number in Germany is 112.

Buses 100 and 200 pass most of the tourist attractions in the city and are a quick and easy way of getting around.

Berlin has a number of free walking and bike tours to choose from including Sandemans Berlin Tours.

Berlin's Mauerpark is home to the city's most famous flea market where you can pick up everything from vintage clothes, food and furniture on a Sunday.

Many of Berlin's corner shops keep their doors open 24 hours a day.

For using public transport in Berlin, your best option is to purchase a Berlin Welcome Card which also offers a discount on more than 200 tourist attractions.

Getting from Berlin Airport

There are three public transport options available to get from Berlin's Schönefeld Airport into Berlin city centre: the regional train, the S-Bahn and the bus.

•             For regional trains, take the RE7, RB14 or RB22.

•             For the S-Bahn, take the S45 or S9.

•             Buses 171, 162, N46 and N60 stop directly outside the airport building, and buses 163, 736, N46 and N60 stop at 'Flughafen Schönefeld' railway station.

For more information, visit http://www.berlin-airport.de.