Berlin is a city at the forefront of sustainable travel, where eco-conscious living and green initiatives are integrated into everyday life. From green-certified hotels and sustainable fashion to eco-friendly transport and farm-to-fork dining, Berlin provides an abundance of experiences that minimise your environmental impact. Choose from cycling along the Spree, enjoy zero-waste meals, or support local businesses, the city makes it easy to explore responsibly.
This sustainable travel guide to Berlin highlights how you can enjoy your visit while contributing to the city’s dedication to sustainability and helping preserve its distinctive, eclectic vibes. Berlin is a city that constantly surprises visitors at every turn, and its innovative and responsible initiatives will continue to evolve, shaping a more sustainable future.
The Trabant mural by Birgit Kinder, East Side Gallery
How sustainable is Berlin?
Berlin is recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable cities, ranking 8th in the 2024 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Cities Index by Arcadis. This ranking reflects Berlin’s strong commitment to sustainable urban planning, environmental policies, and social equity.
A core focus of Berlin’s sustainability strategy is reducing CO₂ emissions. The city has set an ambitious target to be climate-neutral by 2045, planning a 70% emissions reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. To achieve this, Berlin is transitioning to renewable energy, promoting energy-efficient buildings, and implementing green infrastructure projects.
Urban mobility is another key area. Berlin’s efficient public transport network, extensive cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly zones encourage residents and visitors to use low-emission transport options. Berlin is also expanding electric vehicle charging points to support eco-friendly driving. Through these initiatives and continued public engagement, Berlin is well-positioned to meet its sustainability goals, setting an example for cities worldwide.
The ‘Sustainable Berlin’ program by VisitBerlin promotes sustainable tourism by guiding tourism partners, hotels, venues, and event agencies toward greener practices. Green-certified hotels in Berlin have more than doubled, and the city embraces the “15-minute city” concept, encouraging visitors to explore the local attractions within a short 15-minute walk or bike ride from their accommodations.
Berlin champions sustainable urban living with eco-friendly fashion, farm-to-fork restaurants, and growing urban gardening and beekeeping. Public water fountains and discounts for reusable coffee cups reduce waste, while the city’s Pfand system incentivises recycling through refundable deposits on bottles, supporting Berlin’s circular economy and green initiatives.
How to visit Berlin sustainably
Choose Sustainable Accommodation in Berlin
Vienna House Andel’s Berlin (£££)
Vienna House Andel’s Berlin is Green Globe certified, reflecting its commitment to sustainability. The hotel uses green electricity, LED lighting, and offers parking for e-cars. Employees participate in the Stadtbäume Berlin campaign by collecting kilometres (and funds) via a bike app. Dining options are sourced locally, with some ingredients even grown in the hotel’s own farm garden in Berlin-Ahrensfelde. | CHECK PRICES for Vienna House Andel’s Berlin
Michelin-star SkyKitchen at Vienna House Andel’s Berlin
A+O Hauptbahnhof (£)
a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof is centrally located near the main train station, perfect for exploring Berlin’s attractions. Committed to sustainability, the hostel aims to be climate-neutral by 2025 and earned the Green Plus award in 2021. Due to its size, it’s a popular choice for school groups and large parties, making the common areas lively and noisy at times. | CHECK PRICES for A+O Hauptbahnhof
Berlin Homestay (£-££)
Have you considered connecting with the locals in Berlin by opting for a homestay? It’s an easy way to learn about German culture, enjoy a personal alternative to traditional hotels and avoid tourism leakage. Check out the options for Berlin homestays.
How to reach Berlin sustainably
Reaching Berlin sustainably is easy thanks to the city’s excellent connectivity and eco-conscious travel options. One of the greenest ways is by train, with efficient rail networks like European Sleeper or Deutsche Bahn offering direct routes from major European cities. I took European Sleeper which travels from Brussels via Amsterdam and Berlin to Prague.
If travelling by car, consider ride-sharing services or renting an electric vehicle. For long-distance travel, companies like FlixBus operate low-emission fleets, making road travel more sustainable. For my trip to Hamburg from Berlin, I used FlixBus and FlixTrain which came with free WiFi.
For international flights, choose airlines with carbon offset programs and fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which aims to reduce its environmental impact.
|| YOU MAY LIKE TO READ MY SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL GUIDE TO PRAGUE
How to get around Berlin sustainably
Walking in Berlin
Walking is, of course, a low-impact and enjoyable option for exploring Berlin’s neighbourhoods and parks. By using these green transportation methods, you can minimise your environmental footprint while getting around the city. There are 20 Green Walks in and around Berlin for people of all walking abilities, some further out of the city will require public transport to start the trail.
Public Transport in Berlin
Getting around Berlin sustainably is easy due to its excellent eco-friendly transport options. The city’s public transportation network, which includes buses, trams, trains (S-Bahn), and the underground (U-Bahn), is highly efficient and runs on electricity, making it a green choice for exploring the city. There is a large fleet of battery-powered Solaris Urbino buses in Berlin, with new state-of-the-art buses being rolled out in 2024-25.
|| TOP TIP: The Berlin Welcome Card is a worthwhile purchase. It includes unlimited access to public transport and discounts on admission to attractions across the city. Otherwise, use the BVG app to plan your routes and purchase tickets, including day passes for unlimited travel.
Cycling in Berlin
Cycling is another popular and sustainable way to navigate Berlin. The city has extensive bike lanes and numerous bike-sharing services like Dott, Nextbike and LimeBike. You can rent electric scooters with Bolt which are widely available across the city for short trips.
Car Sharing in Berlin
For those who prefer driving, electric car-sharing services such as WeShare and SHARE NOW offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional car rentals.
Eco-Boat Tours in Berlin
For an eco-friendly way to enjoy the River Spree, there are options more sustainable and peaceful options. Take in Berlin’s waterfront views and scenic landscapes by exploring by on a canoe tour or a spot of luxury on a small electric yacht.
Rental bikes at East Side Gallery
Best time to visit Berlin – Off-Peak and Shoulder Season
The best time to visit Berlin during off-peak and shoulder seasons is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These months bring mild weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable accommodations, making it easy to enjoy the city’s attractions comfortably.
In spring, Berlin’s parks and gardens bloom, adding colour to the city, while autumn brings a cosy ambience with seasonal festivals and crimson foliage. Popular sites like Museum Island and Brandenburg Gate are less crowded, providing a more relaxed experience, though the DDR Museum remained busy when I visited in October.
Summer (July to August) draws many visitors with its long, sunny days, outdoor festivals and street markets, but crowds are pretty much guaranteed. Winter (December to February) can be chilly; while Christmas markets add a magical touch, they also contribute to over-tourism.
Berlin Wall Memorial in February
Best Things To Do in Berlin
Dine in Sustainable Eateries in Berlin
Berlin is a city at the forefront of sustainable dining, with an increasing number of eateries committed to eco-friendly practices. From organic, locally sourced ingredients to waste-reduction initiatives and plant-based menus, Berlin’s sustainable restaurants leave conscious diners spoiled for choice.
My top three recommendations for sustainable places to eat in Berlin are:
Cookies Cream Berlin – Vegetarian and vegan Michelin-star restaurant in Mitte
HAPPA Restaurant – Vegan Alpine Bavarian-inspired dishes in Kreuzberg
FREA Bakery & Cafe – A fully plant-based and zero-waste bakery in Mitte
|| READ MY Guide to Sustainable Cafes and Restaurants in Berlin with a handy map
Seaweed Caviar at Cookies Cream Berlin
Explore Berlin’s green spaces
Berlin is known for its abundance of green spaces to escape from the
Tiergarten is one of the largest and most famous parks in Berlin, close to Brandenburg Gate. Originally a hunting ground for Prussian royalty, it now serves as a peaceful retreat with woodland walking paths, ponds, and lawns. There are numerous statues dotted around the park, including the Soviet War Memorial
Treptower Park along the River Spree dates back to the end of the 18th century. With a mix of manicured gardens and leafy forest, it is home to a huge Soviet War Memorial commemorating those fallen in the Battle of Berlin.
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin’s oldest public park, features two beautiful lakes and contains the Kleine Berliner Mauer, a small section of the Berlin Wall.
Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned public park. This sprawling area offers open fields, cycling paths, and spaces for picnics and sports.
Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World) in the Marzahn district features Japanese, Chinese, and Korean gardens amongst other botanical creations.
The Berlin Botanic Garden features over 20,000 plant species across 126 acres. Highlights include the Tropical Greenhouse and themed gardens showcasing diverse ecosystems.
Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten
Discover the history of Berlin
Berlin has numerous sites that provide a deep understanding of its pivotal historical events, including World War II, the Holocaust, the Cold War, and reunification. Here are some places to visit:
Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer) – This site preserves sections of the Berlin Wall, along with exhibits that document its rise, division, and eventual fall in 1989. The open-air exhibition and Visitor Center offer poignant stories of the people affected.
DDR Museum – An interactive museum that provides a glimpse into life in East Germany (GDR) during the Cold War, showcasing everyday life, politics, and the surveillance state.
Berlin Story Bunker – WWII air raid shelter housing immersive exhibits on Berlin’s history and Hitler’s rise and fall. This is a recreation of the infamous Führerbunker, where Adolf Hitler committed suicide in 1945.
Topography of Terror – Located on the former grounds of the SS and Gestapo headquarters, this museum details the atrocities committed during the Nazi regime. It offers in-depth information on the Third Reich’s operations and its impact on Germany and Europe.
The Reichstag Building – A visit to this historic parliamentary building is essential. Its glass dome offers stunning views of Berlin and serves as a symbol of transparency in government. Guided tours also delve into Germany’s political history.
Jewish Museum Berlin – This museum tells the story of Jewish life in Germany over two millennia, including the Holocaust, and is renowned for its striking architectural design by Daniel Libeskind.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – Located near Brandenburg Gate, this vast Holocaust memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs, with an underground information centre that provides context on the Holocaust and individual stories of its victims.
Checkpoint Charlie Museum – One of the most famous Cold War landmarks, this museum covers the history of Berlin’s division, the Wall, and stories of escape attempts.
|| TOP TIP: Grab a Berlin Welcome Card for museum discounts and inclusive public transport
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Explore Street Art in Berlin
Berlin’s street art scene is an integral part of the city’s cultural identity, blending history with artistic expression. After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the city became a blank canvas for artists from around the world, using street art as a means of expressing freedom and creativity. Here are some places you must visit to see street art in Berlin;
The East Side Gallery, a preserved section of the Wall covered in murals, is one of the best-known street art spots, featuring powerful artworks about unity and freedom.
Friedrichshain’s RAW-Gelände is a former industrial complex turned cultural centre and flea market featuring numerous murals, graffiti, and art installations.
Urban Nation is a unique museum dedicated to urban contemporary art and showcases rotating exhibitions of street art, graffiti, and murals from renowned international artists in a dynamic setting.
Kreuzberg is a neighbourhood renowned for its politically charged graffiti and striking murals, especially around Oranienstraße and Görlitzer Park.
Haus Schwarzenberg, is a must-visit in the Hackescher Markt area. This alternative cultural centre and mural-clad courtyard houses a bar, art-house cinema, and two museums highlighting the Jewish plight during the Third Reich.
|| GUIDED URBAN ART TOURS | Berlin Street Art Tours | Alternative Berlin Tour
Street art by Kaser at Minimalistix Coffee Gallery, Berlin.
Experience the Capital of Culture
Berlin’s culture extends far beyond historical sites and street art; it boasts over 440 galleries and countless events celebrating diversity, music and the arts. The city is truly a creative paradise with endless inspiration and opportunities for artistic expression.
Art Galleries
Berlin’s art scene includes notable galleries like the Nationalgalerie and Berlinische Galerie, which feature contemporary works by local and global artists. Unique spaces like König Galerie, housed in a former Brutalist church, present cutting-edge exhibitions. Smaller spaces like Galerie Eigen + Art and Sprüth Magers feature emerging and established artists, reflecting Berlin’s dynamic art scene.
Cultural Events
Annual events like Berlin Art Week and the Berlinale Film Festival celebrate diverse artistic expressions. The Carnival of Cultures celebrates Berlin’s diversity through colourful street parades and performances from around the world, while Jazzfest Berlin and Fête de la Musique fill the city with live music.
Nationalgalerie Berlin
Shop Sustainably in Berlin
Farmers Markets & Local Produce
Berlin has a great selection of organic shops and farmers markets that sell fresh, local produce and a connection to the city’s sustainable food culture.
Eco-friendly food stores: LPG BioMarkt, Original Unverpackt, Veganz, Der Sache Wegen
Farmer’s Markets: Havelländischen Land- und Bauernmarkt (Midweek), Karl-August-Platz Market (Wednesday + Saturday), Neuer Markt at Südstern (Saturday)
Organic Markets: Hansaviertel (Friday), Nordbahnhof (Wednesday), Thusnelda-Allee (Wednesday) and Akazienstraße (Thursday).
Flea Markets
Berlin’s flea markets are treasure troves of vintage finds, local art, and second-hand goods, and if you are up for some strategic rummaging, you can find one-of-a-kind pieces.
For Sunday markets in Berlin, Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain, music and book lovers can browse an impressive selection of second-hand records and literature. Nearby, the RAW Flea Market, located in an industrial complex known for its eclectic offerings, is where you can find everything your heart desires amid the backdrop of hip bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Weekend flea markets are equally enticing for vintage enthusiasts. The Marheinekeplatz market in Kreuzberg offers an array of retro household goods, fashion, toys, and bicycles. Schöneberg Rathaus features mixed goods, from clothing to gadgets, giving visitors an authentic local shopping experience. Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg is perhaps the most famous, with a lively mix of vintage items, crafts, and street performances.
Sustainable Fashion
Fast fashion’s environmental impact is significant; it’s the second-largest consumer of water and contributes nearly 10% of global carbon emissions. Berlin has emerged as a leader in circular economy innovations, with a focus on vintage shops, thrift stores, and upcycling studios that promote eco-friendly style.
With Berlin Fashion Week now introducing sustainability requirements, the city is taking an impactful next step. In neighbourhoods like Neukölln, Schillerkiez, and Kreuzberg, fast fashion is certainly hard to spot in favour of independent boutiques that repurpose second-hand clothing, upcycle deadstock fabric, and experiment with sustainable textiles.
|| BOOK a Sustainable Fashion Guided Tour of Berlin
Kimonos seen on Berlin Fashion Tour
Sustainability Education in Berlin
Sustainability tour with ID22 will give you a different perspective of the city. As you explore the Spreefeld community, you’ll discover concepts like co-housing, urban development, edible landscapes, and the idea of living within a collaborative, self-managed society.
ABOUT BERLIN App – Digital city guide with Inspiring stories and background information on over 300 selected places.
Explore beyond Berlin
Venturing beyond Berlin offers a chance to explore diverse German cities and landscapes while easing congestion in the capital. Nearby Potsdam is celebrated for its beautiful palaces and gardens, including Sanssouci Palace. Dresden draws in visitors with Baroque architecture and remarkable museums, while Leipzig is known for its inspiring arts scene and historic landmarks. Hamburg, a bustling port city with the lively St. Pauli district and the iconic Elbphilharmonie, makes for an exciting escape from Berlin.
PIN Sustainable Travel Guide to Berlin
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