Nathan Ma

Berlin has never been particularly interested in behaving herself. This is a city  that turns abandoned airfields into playgrounds, a trip to the shops into a free open air street party, a lake trip into naked frolicking, and an innocent beer at a cornershop into clubbing among strobe lights and smoke. Then there are the flea markets,  galleries, cinemas and more history than you could hope to get your head around in three decades – let alone on a three-day trip.   But while she might be a tough one to crack at first, that’s where the insider knowledge comes in. From the obvious must-dos to the places Berliners spend their weekends, here’s how to get lost in the city where anything goes.   The best things to do in Berlin, at a glance: 👨🏾‍👩🏾‍👧🏾‍👦🏾 Best for families: Postdam 🍛 Best for foodies: Thaipark 📚 Best for history buffs: Reichstag 😎 Best for solo travellers: Guided tours 🧘 Best for relaxation: Vabali Spa 👯 Best for friend groups: Street festivals 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to things to do in Berlin  This guide was updated by Berlin-based writer Kate Bettes. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Berlin has earned its stripes as one of the great gay capitals of the world, with a huge LGBTQ+ community, one-of-a-kind queer bars and an attitude to life that encourages inhabitants to be whoever they please. Over time, this has lent itself to a ton of fantastic club nights, bars and saunas, and new venues are popping up all the time.  Berlin is a city that is always moving forward, often at a lightning pace. Things move so quickly, it can be hard to keep up with. But we’ve got you covered. Our Berlin writer Nathan Ma knows this city like the back of his hand, and has handpicked the best LGBTQ+ spots all over the city for cocktails, dancing and a lot of queer joy. Here’s our picks of the best. Berlin's best LGBTQ+ bars, clubs and saunas, at a glance: 💗 Best for date nights: Neues Ufer Café Bar 💃 Best for dancing: Kreuzwerk 🫦 Best for all-night mischief: Ficken 3000 🍻 Best for beer lovers: Möbel Olfe 💆 Best for relaxation: Der Boiler This guide was recently updated by Berlin-based writer Nathan Ma. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

This list is from 2024. Read our 2025 ranking or check out our latest ranking for 2026 here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality.

Notorious, hedonistic, relentless. Berlin’s clubbing scene is legendary. Lose yourself to pounding techno in a disused power plant, discover yourself on risqué dance floors, sweat it out at basement raves – here, parties start late and don’t stop until Monday morning and beyond. Berlin’s clubs are for everyone Why is Berlin’s clubbing scene under threat? Berlin still knows how to party – but change is on the horizon. Despite the city’s techno scene gaining UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024, organisations like the Clubcommission have warned that rising costs, gentrification, and stricter regulations are putting Berlin’s world-famous nightlife under pressure. Iconic venues like Watergate have already shut their doors, and Salon zur Wilden Renate is set to follow in 2025. But if there’s one thing Berlin does best, it’s fight for its right to party. Clubs like Berghain, Tresor and KitKat are going strong. The clubbing community is pushing back, determined to keep the scene alive and well beyond kicking. RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🍷 The best bars in Berlin🪩 The best nightlife spots in Berlin🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin🏨 Check out the best hotels in Berlin This guide has been updated by Kate Bettes. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Visitors flock to the German capital year-round to dive into its cutting-edge contemporary art, the worldly flavours of its culinary scene and its seemingly endless array of parties. But where are the best areas to stay?  Berlin is divided into twelve boroughs (or Bezirke) made up of nearly 100 neighbourhoods (or kiez), each with its own distinct feel, pace, and attractions. Each offers a different way to experience the once-divided city. If you’re on the lookout for the best place to stay in Berlin, here are the neighbourhoods you need to know about – whether you’re after old-world tranquillity or a weekend hitting some of Europe’s best clubs. RECOMMENDED: 🏨 Ultimate guide to hotels in Berlin This guide was recently updated by Berlin-based writer Kate Bettes. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Keen to visit Berlin for a whirlwind weekend? You’re not alone. The German capital is one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations, pulling in visitors from around the world eager to enjoy its world-class art scene, weekend-long parties, tasty bites and even tastier beverages.  The key to enjoying Berlin is in understanding its recent past as a cultural and clubbing hotspot while also understanding its pace, which is far slower than you might think. So if you want to get to know the real Berlin – while still exploring all its best bits – we’ve got the weekend itinerary for you. From first-time visitor essentials to real hidden gems and insider recommendations (including the city’s more low-key nightlife spots), this is how to spend 48 hours in Europe’s coolest capital – according to Berlin local Nathan Ma. Find out more on where to stay in Berlin.RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Berlin🍳 The best Berlin brunches🍲 The best restaurants in Berlin🖼 The best museums in Berlin🛏 The best Airbnbs in Berlin🚶‍♀️ The best tours in Berlin Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Culture vultures, listen up: Berlin is one of the best cities in Europe for culture. Its museums display everything from fascinating history to immersive exhibitions – the only hard thing is choosing which ones to visit. My advice, as someone who loves the city’s museums? Don’t pack too much in. Some of it is as harrowing as it is inspiring. The idea of combining an emotional day followed by Berlin’s nightlife scene makes me physically and mentally exhausted – so at least take a nap in between! Here are Berlin’s best museums and monuments, from the city’s most famous to its lesser-known spots.  RECOMMENDED:🎨 More of an art person? Here’s the best galleries in Berlin📍 The best things to do in Berlin🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Berlin🏨 The best cheap hotels in Berlin This guide and its introduction were recently updated by Berlin-based writer Kate Bettes. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

So, you’re in Berlin for the weekend, and you’ve just experienced its nightlife scene for the very first time. Chances are you’re feeling a little worse for wear, and you’re in desperate need of some buttery eggs, some innocuous protein and of course, some avocado. Yep, you’re in need of some brunch. And lucky for you, Berlin has it in buckets.  From Insta-worthy vegan doughnuts to Lebanese spreads, there’s a million and one different places to get your fix in the city, but only a selection of them are really, really great. So we’ve picked the best brunch spots in town that are worth the trip (and your hard-earned cash). So put on those sunnies, find a spot in the sun and get that flat white down ya. You’ll feel better in no time.  RECOMMENDED: 🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin📍 The best things to do in Berlin 🎨 The best art galleries in Berlin🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin This guide was recently updated by Kate Bettes, a writer based in Berlin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

There are 101 ways to party in Berlin, and we’re not just talking about clubbing. At any given time of the day (or night), there’s a party somewhere in this glorious capital – you’ve just got to know the right places to look.  So if you’re looking to hit the clubs, go and check out our list of the best clubs in Berlin (yes, there’s Berghain on there). But if you’re looking for something more alternative, you’re in the right place. For everything from queer parties and 24-hour bars to reggaeton, jazz and hip-hop, here are the best nightlife spots in Berlin. RECOMMENDED:🍷 The best bars in Berlin🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Berlin: The city’s best gay bars🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Berlin Nathan Ma is a writer based in Berlin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Sure, Berlin’s known for its two-day-long parties, its smoky clubs and its ridiculously cool fashion scene, but put away your stereotypes of Germany’s capital. Berlin actually does do wholesome – you’ve just got to know where to look.  And one of the best places for it? Come Saturday and Sunday, this city is alive with all kinds of bustling markets, from fresh fruit and veg and street food to flea markets and local art lining the canal. Whatever you’re after, here are the best markets in Berlin.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Berlin🥑 The best brunch in Berlin📍 The best things to do in Berlin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Berlin Nathan Ma is a writer based in Berlin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

What’s the deal with Wedding? Berlin is a city that’s expanding quickly and forever changing: recent influxes of venture funding and start-up money have given the once-grubby capital a cosmopolitan facelift, complete with cookie-cutter housing complexes and urban excess. In Wedding, however, old habits die hard – stroll up Müllerstrasse and down Seestrasse and you can see the city’s history spelled out in cheap rent, cheaper eats, and local hotspots all too often overlooked in favour of the bright lights and tourist traps of Kreuzberg or Neukölln. This neighbourhood in north-west Berlin feels warm and inviting, with street markets and sprawling public parks frequented by young families and long-time residents alike. Striking Weimar-era architecture contrasts with the harsh lines of former factories – a hangover from Wedding’s history as a working-class district in West Berlin. The area remains largely residential, far removed from the fast-paced developments of Silicon Allee, and therein lies its charm: real and rustic, Wedding is a reminder of why so many have flocked to Berlin since the fall of the Wall. RECOMMENDED: 😎 Full guide to the 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world If you only do one thing... Photograph: Doris Antony Head to the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates for a first-hand look at Bauhaus buildings designed by some of the movement’s top architects. Built between 1919 and 1934, these social housing complexes survived the Second World War and were listed as a

Nueva normalidad. Probablemente hayas escuchado mucho esa frase durante los últimos 18 meses. Cuando la pandemia golpeó el año pasado, la humanidad entró en una nueva era. Y la vida cotidiana de los habitantes de la ciudad, tan acostumbrados al aspecto social de la vida urbana, cambió con ella. Pero ahora, muchos de nosotros hemos logrado deshacernos de esos grilletes. Las restricciones fronterizas se están aflojando. Se reabren bares, restaurantes e incluso clubes. Y mientras la pandemia aún continúa, todos estamos tratando de llegar tentativamente a algo que se asemeja a una mejor normalidad. Entonces, ¿qué es eso exactamente? Para averiguarlo, debes mirar lo que sucede a tu alrededor, en la calle, en el parque, en tu patio trasero. A lo largo de 2020 y 2021, nuestras ciudades han prosperado. Contra todo pronóstico, las comunidades se unieron, pasaron el rato, hicieron cosas. Mostraron la misma energía, resistencia e ingenio de base que les permitió surgir en primer lugar. Ellos sobrevivieron. Y ahora llegamos a nuestra clasificación anual de los vecindarios más geniales del mundo. Este año, no pudimos evitar cambiar nuestras prioridades. Comida, bebida, vida nocturna, cultura: importante. Espíritu de comunidad, resiliencia, sostenibilidad; igual de importante, especialmente si vamos a salir de esta pandemia con cosas de las que podemos estar orgullosos y contarle al resto del mundo. Al igual que lo hemos hecho durante los últimos tres años, llevamos los resultados de nue