Rick Steves Berlin

by Rick Steves, Cameron Hewitt (Primary Contributor), Gene Openshaw (Primary Contributor)

Marvel at the Brandenburg Gate, climb the Reichstag's dome, and check out Checkpoint Charlie with Rick Steves Berlin! Inside you'll find:

Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Berlin

Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites

Top sights and hidden gems, from the colorful East Side Gallery and the Memorial of the Berlin Wall to cozy corner biergartens

How toconnect with local culture: Raise a pint with the locals and sample schnitzel, stroll through hip Prenzlauer Berg, or cruise down the Spree River

Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight

The best places to eat, sleep, and relax

Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums

Detailed neighborhood maps for exploring on the go

Useful resources including a packing list, a German phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading

Updated to reflect changes that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic up to the date of publication

Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down

Complete, up-to-date information on every neighborhood in Berlin, as well as day trips to Potsdam, Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, and Wittenberg

Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Berlin.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

479 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2021

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Jeff Kamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dream of the 1990s is alive and well in Berlin and Rick helped us see things we would have missed on our own.

[Vanessa Ellermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick’s guides are the best!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough guidebook.

[Carlos Mock · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of you who, like me travel on my own and don't like to "tour" a city, Rick Steve has a sensible useful guide for Berlin. It divides the city into sections and creates easy to follow "walks" that will enhance your experience. Although he likes to be on the cheaper side of what I like to do, you can take is recommendations and decide for yourself if you want to go that way or spend some more. I loved the fact that when you eat in a restaurant that he recommends if you show his guide to the owner you will either get a discount or a nice chat.

[Dave S · Rating 5 out of 5]

7th time in Europe but First time I used a Rick Steves guide. It was excellent. Reading his descriptions of an area before going let me find all the special gems I would have otherwise missed. His free phone App also had a great one hour walking tour that I loved. For neighborhood walks I just tore out the 3 or 4 pages with their detailed maps. There was a great profile of him in The NY Times a few months ago. Globalism is GOOD, get out and meet other people in Their countries. Nationalism is the first step towards Facism.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Rick Steves, for once again bringing me the best of - without overloading info. I trust your highlights and recommendations. Your tips on avoiding crowds are great! I enjoy some humor popping through. Your packing list is fantastic - one bag - no checked luggage.
Definitely a memorable trip after the first Berlin visit in 1975.

[Brian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good comprehensive guide to Berlin, once you get the hang of how it's organized. There's a bias toward public transit and mingling with locals, so some high end hotels are not covered. It's easy to carry around with you.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read sections, skimmed others. Nice to get an overall sense of the many possibilities of a trip to Berlin.

[Juanita Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Guide Book

During our 5 day visit to Berlin this past April, it was the only Guidebook we used. We used public transportation to get around and took a couple of the walking tours described in the book. Also took a day trip to Potsdam.