Why You Must Visit Berlin in Your 20s
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After returning from our third trip to Berlin a few weeks ago, we came to one overarching and obvious conclusion: Berlin isn’t like the rest of Germany. And quite frankly, it’s not like anywhere else, either.
With over 3.5 million residents, representing 180 countries, Germany’s capital city is eclectic, interesting, wild, and a little bit raunchy. So the saying goes, Berlin is poor, but sexy.
One thing that sets Berlin apart from other cities is its ability to attract young people. With its liberal drinking laws, cheap but delicious food, and great partying, the list of Berlin’s temptations never ends. So indulge a little bit, won’t you? Berlin in your 20s is like no other city in the world.
Why visit Berlin in your 20s?
1. The food in Berlin is cheap and awesome.
Berlin is home to many different ethnicities, so of course, there are endless cuisines to go along with them! You’re bound to try some tasty food in Berlin, whether it’s in the hipster neighborhoods Kreuzberg and Neukolln, the historic Mitte district, or in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg area. From the fast food likes of dรถner, shawarma, and currywurst, to the various German, Indian, Polish, and Vietnamese restaurants, feel free to feast in Berlin without totally emptying your wallet.
2. German beers are famous for a reason.
The amount of top-of-the-line craft beers found in Berlin might seem overwhelming, but that’s because Berlin and beer go hand in hand! And anyway, what are your 20s for, if not for drinking beer? With all of the incredible beers, breweries, and bars so accessible, your 20s in Berlin might, and should, consist of a lot of good beer. Some of the best microbreweries in the city include Eschenbrรคu, Schoppe Brรคu, and Brauhaus Sรผdstern.
3. If there’s anyone you’d want to hang out with in your 20s, it’d be a Berliner.
Berlin is home to the adventurous, artistic, independent, awesome people of Europe. Thanks to them, Berlin is known for its eccentric street art, straightforward attitude, and partying habits. Berliners all want a little more out of life; they’re not all about working. They’d rather figure out what the good life is, and embrace it. One of the best aspects of visiting (or living in) Berlin in your 20s is that you won’t be judged. If nothing else, Berliners have learned that humans deserve the freedom to do what makes them happy!
4. Berlin is filled to the brim with history, museums, and culture.
Berlin might be one Europe’s newer capitals, yet it’s packed with history and culture. The city is something of a cultural capital actually, housing around 140 different museums and over 400 art galleries of prestige. Of this impressive bunch, Museum Island is a highlight, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Berlin will do its best to culture you in your 20s, so take it all in.
Arena, Berlin-Kreuzberg ยฉ visitBerlin, Picture: Philip Koschel
5. Berlin’s nightlife is unrivaled throughout the world.
Visiting Berlin in your 20s means that you’ll get to experience an ongoing party that nowhere else comes close to. There’s a huge underground party scene Berlin. If you’re looking to party on a Tuesday, that won’t be an issue. You’ll find warehouse parties, awesome local bars, tourists partying near Alexanderplatz, multiple-story clubs, and other events sprinkled throughout the city on any day of the week. Just make sure to start early and end late, like a true Berliner!
6. Student life in Berlin is the good life.
Studying in Berlin in your 20s is especially awesome because Berlin is just one big student city. And to make things easier, everyone speaks English. Some attend school until their late twenties, mid-thirties even, because of such great student perks. Going to university for free, paying super cheap rent, and going to awesome restaurants, museums, bars, and clubs daily sounds like the good life to me.
Gendarmenmarkt ยฉ visitBerlin, Picture: Wolfgang Scholvien
7. But non-student life isn’t too shabby either.
No matter what your interests are, there’s something for you in Berlin, student or not!ย Enjoying the city’s endless greenery in the warmer months,ย partying atย Berlin’s festivals,ย clubbing for 24 hours straight, eating delicious currywurst, lighting fireworks on New Year’s Eve, taking in the street art, and biking through the city are some of the experiences to enjoy in Berlin in your 20s. If only for a few days, weeks, or months, enjoy living life as a Berliner.
Friedrichstrasse ยฉ visitBerlin, Foto: Wolfgang Scholvien
8. In Berlin, you probably won’t be rich, but you won’t be poor either. Hello, 20s!
Everything in Berlin comes at a price. Just like everywhere else, no? But the prices are relatively cheaper than other places in Europe. Whether a tourist or a local, you can find a way to support yourself in Berlin. From lower hotel and apartment rates to affordable dining options, you can make it work. Plus, Berlin’s unemployment rate has steadily dropped each year, for 24 years – pretty good for a city that endured split ownership not too long ago, right?
Rotes Rathaus | Berlin city hall ยฉ visitBerlin, Picture: Wolfgang Scholvien
If you haven’t arrived in your 20s yet, or if your 20s are long gone, it’s going to be okay. Berlin doesn’t discriminate. There’s something for everyone in the city.
But of course, there’s just that special something about visiting Berlin in your 20s that you can’t deny. You might not be able to put your finger on it, but there’s just something about Berlin in your 20s that feels right.
It might be the beer, or the endless waves of creativity. It could be the city’s rich history, the hipster vibes, or the inspiring street art. Who knows?
Whatever it is, it’s so good to be a 20-something in Berlin.
What to Pack for Germany
Remember that the season of your visit to Germany will help determine what you need to pack!
Of course, summer is warmer, and you can dress as you would in this part of Europe. But as expected the winter is very cold. Always bring a beautiful coat in winter!
Here are a few top tips of what to wear in Germany:
- Wool coat: During the colder months a beautiful wool coat is essential for style and practicality. You will fit in with the locals with this one.
- Comfortable boots: As expected, you’ll walk a lot, so opt for a comfortable but stylish boot that you’ve worn in. You can’t go wrong with a smart Chelsea boot, like these.
- Floaty dress: In the summer opt for a long floaty dress so you stay cool, and bring a light scarf so you are always prepared to enter religious sites and cover your shoulders.
- Sunscreen: Nothing spoils your trip (and your photos!) more than sunburn. Remember to prepare with a good, natural sunscreen and stay protected.
- Reusable water bottle: Remember to keep hydrated during your adventures; it can’t all be wine and coffee all the time! Bring a reusable water bottle so you can keep topped up.
- Umbrella: There is always a risk of rain! Pack a travel sized umbrella so you don’t get caught short
- Travel insurance: As with any trip, you should ALWAYS purchase travel insurance in case anything goes wrong. I’ve had my fair share of travel mishaps!
Quick Germany Tips
- HOTEL: I use this website for scoring amazing deals on accommodation worldwide. Find great hotels in Germany here.
- HOSTELWORLD: If you’re traveling on a budget, this is the best website to score cheap hostel deals.
- VACATION RENTAL: I use this site for finding the perfect vacation rental for an unforgettable getaway.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Never go on a trip without travel insurance! If you are a remote worker and/or traveling regularly, SafetyWing has an awesome monthly subscription for digital nomad insurance (I currently use SafetyWing).
- GUIDED TOURS & EXCURSIONS: Many of the tours I recommend are hosted with Viator, which also works with local tour operators. Search them all here.
- CHEAP FLIGHTS: Get great deals on flights using my favorite flight fare aggregator.
- TRAVEL GEAR: A collection of all of my must-have travel gear are all listed here. Most important to remember is comfortable shoes and a scarf to use when visiting religious sites.
- CAR RENTAL: If you need to rent a car book car rental in advance here for the best deals.
Over to you! Have you visited Berlin before? Are you (or were you) in your 20s at the time? Did the city leave you feeling free and inspired?
Berlin is definitely on my list! I love street art and meeting people who enjoy the little things in life. Work and school is great, but there definitely is much more to life than just those things. I feel like too many Americans fall into one mold (it’s easy to do) and never break free from the strains and standards a mass society puts on everyone.
Glad you are loving it there. Enjoy the rest of your trip and all the others that you are going on after this one ;)
The more I read about Berlin, the more I’m dying to visit! I’m trying to swing a stop there on my way home later this spring — we’ll see what happens :) Either way, this got me excited all over again!
Same! I had never really had much interest in Germany, but these lil Travel Alphas have me convinced :)
I’ve never visited Berlin before, but I’ve always wanted to do a road trip through Bavaria, but then swing on up to Berlin afterwards. I love learning more about the city’s history and think it would be amazing to visit. But clearly this trip would be best in my 20sโฆI better get to it ;)
I love Berlin! Sadly I’m not in my 20’s any more but I still feel like it sometimes and I still love the city, such a cool place!
OK …. this is a total shame but I must admit : I lived in Germany for a year but NEVER went to Berlin ………..
Great article though I feel the food is cheaper in the whole country and German people definitely know how to party !!!!
Glad you enjoyed this country as much as I did. :)
Kenza from https://travelwithkenza.blogspot.fr/
Great post Maddy! I still haven’t been to Berlin, but I’m even more determined to get there soon now! The street art looks amazing, and it sounds like there are so many things to do!
This is such a well-written post! It really makes me want to visit Berlin! I’ve heard so many nice things about this place, looks like a beautiful city! Thanks for sharing :)
https://www.mintnotion.com
I lived all over Germany before I visited it last year and absolutely fell in love. Four weeks were not enough and I definitely plan to head back.
Berlin is the best city to visit to study. Thanks for sharing beautiful places in Berlin.