Berlin City Breaks 2013

This charming family-run hotel is located along a quiet street in Berlin just a short walk away from several public transport options. The Alfa Hotel is made up of 34 spacious rooms each offering high standard amenities including a modern bathroom and flat screen satellite TV. There is a breakfast-restaurant within the hotel serving a rich buffet breakfast and the adjoining Alfa Sports bar provides the perfect place in which to enjoy a drink whilst watching a match. This hotel makes a great choice for families and couples looking for a comfortable place to stay within easy reach of Berlin's top attractions.

This hotel is found in the heart of Berlin just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Kurfuerstendamm, with excellent transport links to the rest of the city also nearby, sightseeing on your Berlin city break is easy. With a total of 150 rooms each decorated in a modern style and fully-equipped with a private bathroom with shower and WC. There is also a breakfast room in-house serving a daily breakfast buffet. The Ivbergs Premium hotel makes an ideal choice for those seeking a bit of luxury on a city break to Berlin.

There are plenty of things to do in Berlin, with an endless choice of museums it is ideal for those looking to learn out more about this charming city. Top picks include; the Berlin Wall Memorial located in the centre of the city, with free admission and Museumsinsel, translated as Museum Island, where visitors will find a huge collection of art and architecture.

Shopping in Berlin is a shopoholic's heaven! The main shopping streets include Ku’Damm and Tauentzienstrasse. For designer wear and high-end boutiques head to upmarket Friedrichstrasse in former East Berlin. At the other end of the spectrum, there are lots of markets that spring up at the weekends; a particularly large flea market being at Strasse around 17th June.

The Berlin Beer Festival takes place on the first weekend of August, in the longest beer garden in the world. Over 300 breweries showcase their specialty beers, including the famous Berliner Kindl. The festival is free of charge, and the many stalls and samples keep the one million annual visitors busy all weekend. It’s a fun way to spend some time in the city on a group holiday.

Like London, Berlin is divided into many boroughs, each with their own characteristics and reputations. Mitte is right in the centre of the city, and is home to many places of historical interest. East Central is a young, trendy area packed with bars and clubs, and is becoming increasingly popular with artists and students. A little more relaxed is City West, with plenty of good shops and restaurants; ideal for a weekend break. Although Berlin is a very large city, the transport systems have an excellent reputation so you can be sure to get around the city with ease.