Rick Steves Berlin

by Rick Steves, Cameron Hewitt (primary_contributor), Gene Openshaw (primary_contributor)

Get the Most out of Every Day and Every Dollar

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Berlin.

With the self-guided tours in this book, you'll walk through the Brandenburg Gate, climb the Reichstag's dome, and flash back to the city's turbulent past at Checkpoint Charlie. Cruise the Spree River and explore art and antiquities on Museum Island. End the day with a walk through hip Prenzlauer Berg before raising a mug at a classic beer garden.

Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. He'll help you plan where to go and what to see, depending on the length of your trip. You'll learn which sights are worth your time and money, and how to get around by bus, train, taxi, and bicycle. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

432 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

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.