Shlomit’s Guide to Berlin

Whether you're visiting Berlin for the first time or returning after many years, you might have questions about where to stay, how to get around, and the best places to eat, shop, and explore. You may also want to know more about the services I offer.

To make things easier, I've put together a guide with answers to the most common questions I receive. After you’ve booked your tour, you’ll also receive a more detailed guide with personalized recommendations for sites, restaurants, and experiences tailored to your interests.

🇩🇪 “Where should I stay in Berlin?”

  • Important notes (read first):

    While I can recommend certain areas and hotels, please note that as a local, I haven’t personally stayed at most of them. My suggestions are based on feedback from guests, travel agents, friends, and family.

    Also, keep in mind that in Germany, hotel bookings usually do not include breakfast by default. If you’d like to have breakfast at your hotel, be sure to select it when you make your reservation.

  • Mitte (near Museum Island & major sights)

    Why stay here: Central, walkable to top museums/sights.
    Good for: First-timers, short stays, culture.

    Hotel picks:
    5★: Hotel de Rome; Adlon Kempinski
    4★: Melia; NH Collection Friedrichstraße; Mandala Suites; Leonardo Mitte
    Apts/3★: Apartments am Brandenburger Tor

  • Mitte – “Jewish Quarter” / Hackescher Markt

    Why stay here: Historic heart + galleries, boutiques, cafés, Jewish heritage.
    Good for: Culturally curious travelers.

    Hotel picks:
    4★: Adina Apartment Hotel Hackescher Markt; Circus Hotel; Berlin Gorki Luxury Apartments
    3★: Amano (rooms & apartments, Auguststraße); Motel One Hackescher Markt
    Budget/Hostels: Circus Hostel; Generator Hostel

  • Potsdamer Platz

    Why stay here: Modern hub with easy transport; many landmarks nearby.
    Heads-up: Businessy; fewer “local neighborhood” vibes.

    Hotel picks:
    5★: Ritz; Hyatt; Marriott; Mandala Hotel
    4★: Scandic

  • Charlottenburg (Ku’damm & culture)

    Why stay here: Elegant, classic West Berlin; shopping, opera, galleries.
    Good for: Shoppers, classic hotel feel.

    Hotel picks:
    5★: Hotel Zoo; Waldorf Astoria; Das Stue (in Tiergarten by the park; serene boutique)
    4★: Crowne Plaza Ku’damm; Hotel Indigo Berlin; 25hours
    3★: Motel One Ku’damm

  • Prenzlauer Berg

    Why stay here: Leafy, residential, family-friendly; 15–20 min to center; great markets & cafés.
    Good for: Families, longer stays, local feel.

    Hotel picks:
    5★: Soho House (PB meets Mitte; creative/media crowd)
    4★: Hotel Oderberger (historic bathhouse & pool); Myer’s Hotel (quiet courtyard)
    3★: Hotel Kastanienhof

  • Schöneberg – Nollendorfplatz

    Why stay here: Historic center of LGBTQ+ life; diverse, lively.
    Good for: LGBTQ+ travelers and allies wanting nightlife + cafés.

  • Friedrichshain (East Side Gallery area)

    Why stay here: Younger vibe; alternative scene and nightlife.
    Good for: Night owls, street-art fans.

  • Kreuzberg

    Why stay here: Two flavors!
    1) Bergmannkiez: Calm, charming, leafy streets & cafés
    2) Kotti/Görli: Edgier, raw, great food & nightlife
    Good for: Foodies, creative travelers, mixed-vibe seekers.

🛍️ “Where can I shop in Berlin?”

  • Kurfürstendamm (Ku’damm), Charlottenburg

    Berlin’s classic shopping boulevard, home to international luxury brands and flagship stores. Don’t miss KaDeWe, Germany’s iconic department store, famous for its gourmet food hall on the sixth floor.

  • Hackescher Markt & Alte Schönhauser Straße, Mitte

    A hotspot for stylish boutiques, upscale local designers, and concept stores.

  • Friedrichstraße, Mitte

    Nearly two miles of shopping, from upscale brands to everyday favorites. Stop by Dussmann, a cultural department store with distinctive souvenirs and a wonderful English-language book section.

  • Alexanderplatz & Alexa Mall

    A lively area with high-street brands, affordable fashion, electronics shops, and Galeria Kaufhof for a more traditional department store experience.

  • Mall of Berlin, Leipziger Platz (Mitte)

    A large, modern mall with over 200 shops, offering a mix of high-street and upscale international brands.

  • Are stores open on Sundays?

    Most stores in Germany are closed on Sundays, except for shops located inside major train stations such as Hauptbahnhof (Central Station).

🚇 Getting Around Berlin

  • Is public transport easy?

    Yes! Berlin’s U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams all use the same ticket system. Buy tickets at machines or in the BVG app (available in English), and don’t forget to validate paper tickets—the fine is €60 if you don’t

  • Which ticket do I need?

    An AB ticket covers most of the city; use ABC for the airport or Potsdam. Single tickets are valid for two hours one way. If you’ll ride often, get a 24-hour AB pass or a Small Group Day Ticket (up to five people). The Berlin WelcomeCard includes transport plus attraction discounts—choose the Museum Island version if it fits your plans.

  • What about taxis or Uber?

    Both are reliable. Use Taxi.eu for licensed cabs or Uber. Tip by rounding up or adding about 10%.

  • How do I visit the Reichstag dome?

    It’s free, but online registration is required and books out weeks ahead.

  • What websites do you recommend for events, dining, and culture?

    The Berliner – Berlin’s leading English-language culture and reportage magazine, with excellent recommendations for food, music, stage, fashion, and all things Berlin.
    Visit Berlin – Event Calendar – The official city website with up-to-date listings of exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events.
    Berlin Food Stories – A curated directory of Berlin’s best restaurants, cafés, and hidden dining gems.

    Once you confirm your tour with me, I’ll also share my personal PDF of favorite restaurants, sightseeing tips, and itinerary ideas for your own independent exploration of the city.

💶 Money & Payments

  • Is Berlin still a cash city?

    Yes, somewhat. Many small cafés and shops still prefer cash, so keep some euros handy. Visa and Mastercard are common; Amex and Diners less so. Always choose to pay in euros, not your home currency, to avoid extra fees.

  • How much should I tip in restaurants?

    Add 5–10% at sit-down restaurants; just round up at casual places. Tell the server the total you want to pay and don’t leave cash on the table. Not all card machines have a tip option, so a few coins help.

  • What’s the best way to get euros?

    Use ATMs at major banks for the best rates. Avoid stand-alone machines and exchange kiosks. Let your bank know you’re traveling and make sure your card has a 4-digit PIN.

    Exchange offices exist at main stations like Alexanderplatz and Hauptbahnhof but usually offer poorer rates.

📅 Tours with Shlomit

  • How do I book a tour with you?

    Please email me the dates you’d like to tour, along with a few notes about your interests. I’ll respond within 24–48 hours with my availability and some personalized suggestions.

  • Can I combine two or more tours?

    Absolutely! We can mix and match different tours to create a personalized experience based on your interests and the sites you’d most like to see.

  • Where do tours start?

    Usually, I’ll meet you in your hotel lobby for a short introduction before we head out. If you prefer, we can also meet at a central landmark or another location that’s convenient for you.

  • Do you arrange car or van services?

    Yes. If you’d prefer to tour by car, I can arrange this for an additional cost. For safety reasons, guides in Berlin need a special license to drive tourists, so I work with professional, locally licensed drivers. This allows me to focus entirely on guiding and your experience.

  • Is your tour accessible for travelers with limited mobility?

    I can absolutely accommodate a gentler pace and adapt the route as needed. Berlin’s public transport is officially accessible, though elevators and escalators don’t always work reliably. For more comfort—or to cover more ground—I can arrange a private van service.

  • Can we add friends or family at the last minute?

    Of course! It’s your private tour, and you’re welcome to invite others to join. Up to 10 participants, my hourly rate remains the same.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    Life can be unpredictable, even for the best planners. Please let me know at least 14 days in advance to avoid a fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the tour require full compensation. I accept PayPal or bank transfers for cancellations from outside the EU and am happy to offer a generous discount for a future tour.

  • How can I pay for the tour?

    As a small business, I don’t accept credit card payments due to high fees. Payment in euros (cash) at the end of the tour is preferred. If you have an EU bank account or EU PayPal account, I’ll gladly accept a transfer—just please cover any transaction fees. An invoice will be provided upon request.

  • Do you offer public walking tours?

    I no longer offer regular public walking tours due to the administrative work they require. I now focus on private tours and host two open public tours each year as charity fundraisers. You can also gather a group of friends or colleagues to share the cost of a private tour!

⚓ Cruise Guests

  • Can you organize tours for cruise passengers?

    Yes! Many travelers enjoy spending 6–7 hours exploring Berlin while their ship is docked at Warnemünde. If you’re arriving by the bus or train arranged by your cruise line, I’ll meet you at the designated drop-off point and make sure you’re back there on time at the end of the tour.

  • Can you help with transportation from the port?

    Absolutely. I can arrange a private van service based in Warnemünde, which offers a more comfortable and flexible alternative to the cruise ship’s group transportation. The company I work with will pick you up directly from the port, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.

  • How does the tour day work?

    You’ll meet me in Berlin, where the driver will take us around the city throughout the day. We’ll make the most of your time in the capital, and you’ll be returned safely to your ship before departure. Because Berlin is large and spread out, having a private vehicle allows us to see far more within your limited time.

  • Can we share the van or tour with others?

    Yes, the van comfortably accommodates up to six people, so you should consider connecting with other passengers through your cruise forum to share the experience (and the cost!).

✡️ Jewish Life & Services in Berlin

  • How can I attend Friday night or Shabbat services in Berlin?

    Most of Berlin’s synagogues offer services on Friday evenings, Shabbat, and Jewish holidays. Apart from the Neue Synagogue, which also operates as a museum, Berlin’s synagogues are not tourist sites and are under strict security protection.

    Please book your visit in advance through the Jewish community’s official website.

  • Are there liberal, conservative, or orthodox options?

    Yes—Berlin has a variety of congregations representing different traditions:

    • Liberal: Synagogue Pestalozzistraße (Pestalozzistraße 14, Charlottenburg)
    • Egalitarian: Neue Synagogue (Oranienburger Str. 28–30, Mitte)
    • Conservative: Rykestraße Synagogue (Rykestraße 53, Prenzlauer Berg) and Fraenkelufer Synagogue (Fraenkelufer 10, Kreuzberg)
    • Orthodox: Central Orthodox Synagogue (Joachimstaler Str. 13, Charlottenburg)

  • Can I visit the Neue Synagogue during the week?

    Yes. The Neue Synagogue can be visited as a museum and cultural site outside of prayer times, but all other synagogues require advance registration and are open to worshippers only.