About Germany

Germany is known for its rich history, diverse cultural heritage, and excellent infrastructure. Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is a cosmopolitan metropolis full of life and dynamism. Situated on the banks of the River Spree, Berlin is the center of political, cultural, and economic activity.

Germany is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, from the sandy beaches of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to the mountainous regions of Bavaria and Swabia. Geographically located in Central Europe, Germany boasts diverse topography and varying climatic conditions.

Name: Federal Republic of Germany
Capital City: Berlin
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time Zone: UTC +1 (Central European Time)

About Berlin

Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is one of the most significant cities in Europe. Situated on the banks of the River Spree, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Berlin is a cosmopolitan metropolis full of historical landmarks, modern architecture, and vibrant cultural life.

Berlin is also known for its rich array of museums, galleries, and theaters. Major tourist attractions include the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, and the Berlin Wall, which was once a symbol of the city’s division and is now a symbol of unity.

It is an important economic and commercial center with many international companies and institutions.

Visa Information

The citizens of the Schengen member states can travel visa‑free throughout the territory.
The short‑stay Schengen visa allows its holders to enter and reside in Germany for a maximum period of 90 days (3 months) within a 180‑day period. However, you are not entitled to engage in a paid activity during this time.

How to Obtain a German Tourist/Visitor Visa?
1. Collect the required documents.
2. Figure out where you need to apply (e.g., the German embassy/consulate/visa centre in your home country).
3. Appoint an interview (online or in person).
4. Pay the visa fee.
5. Attend the interview (approximately 20 minutes).
6. Wait for a response on your application.

Where to Apply: Depending on local regulations, you may need to apply at the German embassy, consulate, or visa centre.
When to Apply: The processing time is typically between 3 and 6 weeks.
Visa Fees: As of 2024, the Schengen visa fee is €80 (exemptions or reduced fees may apply).

Ease of Access

Getting to Berlin is relatively easy as it is a major transportation hub in Europe. Berlin is served by international airports, well‑connected train stations such as Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and several long‑distance bus terminals. Driving is also an option, though traffic and parking in the city center can be challenging.

More information about public transportation is available here
and additional travel information can be found at Visit Berlin.

Currency

Official currency: Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents.
Coins are available in 1 and 2 Euro denominations as well as in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Cent coins.
Banknotes are issued in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Euro denominations.

Currency exchange services are offered by banks and exchange offices, and card usage is widely accepted (though American Express may be refused in some places). ATMs are available all over Berlin.

Weather Conditions (September)

In September, Berlin generally experiences mild weather with average temperatures ranging from about 12°C (54°F) to 20°C (68°F). Expect a mix of sunny days with occasional overcast conditions. Rainfall averages around 40mm over roughly 10 days, and there are approximately 4–5 hours of sunshine each day.

Recommendations for Day Trips

City sightseeing tours and walking tours can be a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Explore historical sites such as the Berlin Wall memorial, guided tours around Third Reich sites like the Reichstag Building and Brandenburg Gate, or join a food walking tour and river cruise with a tour guide.

Restaurants (Fine Dining)

Recommended fine dining options include:
Skykitchen: TripAdvisor
Restaurant Facil: TripAdvisor
Restaurant Bieberbau: TripAdvisor
Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer: TripAdvisor
Heising: TripAdvisor
Golden Rice: TripAdvisor
Dae Mon: TripAdvisor
Belmondo Restaurant: TripAdvisor
Restaurant Tim Raue: TripAdvisor
VOLT: TripAdvisor
India Club: TripAdvisor

City Tours

Consider the following tours:
Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour
Berlin City Highlights Walking Tour
Explore Berlin’s Top Attractions 3-hour English Walking Tour
Berlin Food Walking Tour With Secret Food Tours
River Cruise with Tour Guide in Berlin

Airport Transfers

Public Transport: Berlin’s public transport network includes the Airport Express (FEX), S-Bahn, Regional and Intercity trains, and express buses (X7, X71, BER2) linking the airport with the city center.

Taxi: Taxis from Brandenburg Berlin Airport start at €3.90 with an incremental per‑kilometer charge (2.30€ for the first 7 km, then 1.65€/km). A typical 27km transfer to downtown Berlin costs around €49 and takes about 45 minutes. Payments can be made by credit card (minimum of three major cards accepted) or cash.

Book a taxi at:
berlin-airport-brandenburg.com
transfeero.com
welcomepickups.com
taxi2airport.com

Recommended Hotels

TITANIC Chaussee Berlin – Chausseestraße 30, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(More details available on Booking.com.)

INNSiDE by Meliá Berlin Mitte – 33, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(More details available on Booking.com.)

Garden Boutique Hotel – 122, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.

Garden Living – Boutique Hotel – Invalidenstraße 101, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(Website: Honigmond.)

Downtown Apartments Mitte – Invalidenstrasse 129, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(Website: downtownapartments.de/en.)

Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Mitte – Platz vor dem Neuen Tor 6, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(Website: Adina Hotels.)

Honigmond Boutique Hotel – Tieckstraße 11, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(Website: Honigmond.)

ADELANTE Boutique Hotel – 1, Mitte, 10115 Berlin.
(Website: Adelante Boutique Hotel.)

Restaurants (Fine Dining)

Recommended fine dining options include:

City Tours

Consider these tours:
Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour,
Berlin City Highlights Walking Tour,
Explore Berlin’s Top Attractions 3-hour English Walking Tour,
Berlin Food Walking Tour With Secret Food Tours,
River Cruise with Tour Guide in Berlin.

Airport Transfers

Public Transport: Berlin’s public transport includes the Airport Express (FEX), S-Bahn, and regional trains linking the airport to Berlin Central Station, along with express buses (X7, X71, BER2).

Taxi: Taxis start at €3.90 with per‑kilometer charges (2.30€ for the first 7 km, then 1.65€/km). A 27km ride typically costs about €49 and takes roughly 45 minutes. Credit cards (minimum of three major cards) and cash are accepted.

Book a taxi at:
berlin-airport-brandenburg.com,
transfeero.com,
welcomepickups.com,
taxi2airport.com.

Weather Conditions (September)

In September, Berlin generally experiences mild weather with average temperatures ranging from about 12°C (54°F) to 20°C (68°F). Expect a mix of sunny days and occasional overcast conditions, with rainfall averaging around 40mm over roughly 10 days and approximately 4–5 hours of sunshine per day.

People & Culture

With an estimated total population of 83 million, Germany is one of the most populous and culturally diverse countries in Europe. Berlin is the cultural epicenter, home to a vibrant community of artists, musicians, actors, and designers.