In Germany tourists must carry their passports with them at all times as the German police have the right to see identification.

History

Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of its 16 states. Berlin, one of the world cities, is well known for its culture and science.

Since the Berlin Wall came down, this city has metamorphosed into one of the happening cities in the world. Today the barren border which divided West Berlin from East Berlin, the backdrop to a thousand cold war spy thriller, has a vibrant shopping, entertainment and nightlife,

What to see

Berlin has a large number of museums and art galleries for you to see. There are also many iconic structures, such as the Brandenburg gate, the Rotes Rathaus or city hall with the Neptunbrunnen in front that you can’t miss.

The five boroughs that most visitors head towards are Charlotteburg-Wilmersdorf in the west of the city, the Tiergarten, Kreuzberg-Friedrichhain, Mitte and the Prenzlauer Berg.

Also of interest is the AquaDom and the Sea Life Berlin. If you are travelling with children don’t forget to visit the Zoologischer Garten.

When to visit

Berlin weather can be tricky. Fall and winter see some bad weather and storms. The best time to visit Berlin is from May to early September. The end of July and the beginning of August can get quite hot. Its best to avoid the winter in Berlin as the temperature drops to freezing point and there is sleet, winds and rain. You should also get the Berlin Welcome Card which will give you some lovely discounts at the major tourist sites.

Where to stay

Hotel tariff in Berlin is lower than other European cities. But make your bookings early to be safe. You can also look at the pensions in the districts like Wilmersdorf, Charlottenburg and Schoneber and at hostels which have double rooms. These rooms can be availed off through a rooming service. Americans on a budget can look at these rooming services.

Where to shop

Shoppers will find that there is shopping in most areas. One of the favored areas for fashionable clothes is Charlottenburg. There are also boutiques in the side streets, so don’t miss those. The other shopping localities are Friedrichstrasse and Kurfurstendamm.

What to eat

There are 12 restaurants in Berlin which are on the Michelin list. The local food has evolved from north Germany and has many rustic dishes with goose, pork and fish. You can also get some fusion Mediterranean food, thanks to the influx of the Arab and Turkish immigrants.

What to wear

Make sure you pack your light woolens even in summer, as it gets quite cool at night. Winters can be hard, so layer up.

Local transport

Air: Berlin’s Tegel Airport will be operational until the new international airport opens some time in 2011.

Transfers: Berlin’s Tegel Airport is 6 km from the city center. There is an airport bus which will drop you of the Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten. You can connect by bus, rail or subway from there.

Money changing

The legislation on cash controls states that a person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare cash if they are carrying 10,000 Euros or more. This includes checks, traveler’s checks and money orders.

You can find ATMs in Berlin, but please remember to let your bank know that you are travelling overseas. You might also be charged for withdrawals. It’s best you change your money before arrival.

A word of warning: please exchange currency only at banks or authorized Bureaux de Change as many unwary people have been arrested for the possession of counterfeit currency.

Pharmacy and Hospitals

There are pharmacies in the airport. If you’re a tourist in Germany, most hospitals and doctors will have to be paid in cash for their services. In most cases, credit cards are not accepted. You should make sure that you carry only the medicine that you will use, along with the prescription.

Tourist office contact

You can get all the information on the city at www.visitberlin.de/en. There are also call centers with English speaking personnel. Please dial 0049 (0)30 25 00 25 for information on hotels, events and the Berlin Welcome Card.

Visa

You will need a Schengen visa to enter Germany. US citizens can enter Germany for business or tourism purposes for 90 days without a visa. Please contact the German Embassy for further details.

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