Berlin

Mitte is the answer for a first visit. It’s the historic centre with Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz all within walking distance, plus the U-Bahn and S-Bahn links that make the rest of the city easy. Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are the picks for nightlife and street art, both a short train ride away. Our two Berlin hostels sit in Mitte and at Alexanderplatz, putting you at the centre of the map with everything else a few stops out.

Berlin remains one of the most affordable capitals in western Europe. Budget travellers should plan for €60 to €80 per day covering a hostel bed, food, transport and an attraction or two. Dorm beds typically run €25 to €45 a night, kebabs and currywurst keep meals under €6, and big hitters like the Reichstag dome and the East Side Gallery cost nothing at all.

The BVG network of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses covers the entire city and runs 24 hours at weekends. A single AB zone ticket costs €3.80 and a day ticket pays for itself after three rides. Berlin is too spread out to walk everywhere, so base yourself near a station and let the trains do the work. From the airport, the FEX and S-Bahn run direct to Alexanderplatz and the centre in around 30 to 40 minutes.

Shops and supermarkets, yes, almost all of them, so stock up on Saturday. Everything else comes alive. Sundays are when Berlin does flea markets and karaoke at Mauerpark, brunches that stretch into the afternoon and museums in full swing. Spätis, the corner shops on most streets, stay open for essentials and cold drinks. Plan your shopping around it and Sunday becomes the best day of the week here.

Yes, Berlin is consistently rated among the safest major cities in Europe for solo travel, and travelling alone is completely normal here. Use the standard big-city awareness around busy stations late at night and keep an eye on your belongings on packed trains. Solo women can book female-only dorms at our Berlin hostels, and a busy bar downstairs means your first night comes with company built in.