9 things to know before visiting Berlin, from a former resident — weather advisories, how to behave at memorials, and more

• If you're planning a trip to Berlin, there are certain etiquette and cultural expectations to know.
• Always be respectful at memorials and historic sites — don't run, yell, or take inappropriate photos.

I used to live in Berlin and return frequently to catch up with old friends, visit my favorite museums, and stock up on my favorite German snacks. Despite being very familiar with the German capital, I still always plan ahead to make sure my visit goes smoothly, especially when it comes to preparing for the city's somewhat erratic weather.

Due to the city's complicated history, there are also particular cultural norms tourists should be aware of, like how to conduct yourself respectfully at the many memorial sites.

Here's the important need-to-know info that will help make your Berlin trip a success.

COVID-19

As of June 2022, it's no longer necessary to present proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative test result for entry into Germany. In Berlin, you no longer need to show any of the above to enter restaurants, museums, or shops, and the city has dropped all mask requirements, with the exception of on public transport, where a medical (FFP2 or KN95/N95) face mask is required. A mask is also recommended in taxis.

Weather

There are many wonderful things about Berlin, but unfortunately, the weather isn't one of them. It's often cloudy and rains frequently, especially in late spring, early summer, and winter. August and early fall are the best times to visit; it's drier, warmer, and the sun doesn't set until late in the evening. If you're going to Berlin in the winter, know that you'll have short days, gray skies, and frigid temperatures that hover around 33 degrees Fahrenheit. On the plus side, there's the magic of Berlin's many Christmas markets, which run from mid-November into early January.

No matter what time of year you visit, be sure to pack a rainproof jacket, scarf, and layers because even summer nights can be chilly.

Store hours

All stores, including supermarkets and most pharmacies, are closed on Sundays. The exceptions are corner stores, known as Spätkaufs, or more familiarly, Spätis, and some souvenir shops. Plan ahead since only pharmacies sell medicine and common over-the-counter painkillers.

Payment methods

Cash is king in Berlin. Many restaurants, bars, and smaller shops won't accept credit or bank cards. This can even hold true at some pricey eateries, though hotels and hotel restaurants take cards. I recommend keeping a fair amount of cash on hand for food and shopping throughout the day; ATMs, called Geldautomat, can be found all over the city.

Tipping

Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's customary to tip around 10% of the bill at restaurants (though you can tip less at bars). Even if you're paying by credit or bank card, try to leave the tip in cash. In Germany, you'll pay your bill directly to the server, so calculate the tip beforehand — don't leave it on the table. In taxis, round up the fare to the nearest euro for short trips, and add a euro or two for longer journeys.

Language

German is the official language of Berlin, but as a capital city and international destination, you'll find English used in many parts of the city, especially in tourist areas. That means signs, menus, and tourist attraction information are often printed in English. At major transportation hubs such as Alexanderplatz, Zoologischer Garten, and Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central train station), English is also used for train announcements. Most Berliners (and Germans in general) speak English well.

Smoking

Friends and family who have visited me in Berlin were surprised by how many bars and nightclubs in Berlin allow cigarette smoking indoors. While some have designated smoking areas or air-filtration systems, the vast majority do not, so as the night wears on, the indoor air quality gets even worse and can leave your clothes and hair reeking of cigarettes. However, most hotel bars do not allow indoor smoking and it's forbidden in establishments where food is being served.

How to behave at memorial sites and monuments

Berlin has a vast number of memorials and monuments that address its difficult history, stretching from WWII to the Cold War era. When visiting such sites, it's important to be respectful. Don't eat, drink, smoke, run, yell, or laugh loudly. You are allowed to take photos, but if you must take selfies, consider how you pose — avoid smiling, jumping, and making peace signs or other gestures that are inappropriate when taking into account the location's history. For example, I've witnessed tourists pretending to climb the East Side Gallery wall, one of many existing sections of the Berlin Wall where people were shot trying to escape East Berlin.

One of the city's most popular monuments, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, commemorates the victims of the Holocaust in the form of 2,711 concrete pillars. It's extremely tempting, especially for children, to run around and climb on these slabs, but keep in mind that this is a place of remembrance, and conduct yourself accordingly.

How to save on museums

If you plan to pack in a lot of museum visits, consider buying a three-day Museum Pass for 29 euros. With this, you get three consecutive days of free entry to 30 museums in Berlin, including the five museums of Museum Island, the Neue Nationalgalerie, and the Nikolaikirche — all of which I highly recommend.

Purchased separately, the Museum Island ticket is 19 euro, the Neue Nationalgalerie is 10 euro, and the Nikolaikirche is 5 euro. I got this card for my visiting aunt who liked the convenience, though even with the card, she had to pre-book a time slot online for the Pergamon Museum on Museum Island.

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Berlin.