Like most major cities around the world, there is a multitude of sights to see and things to do in Berlin. Whether you want to visit the vibrant art galleries, look around the fantastic museums or sample the local cuisine, there is something for everyone who is looking at weekend breaks in Berlin.

If you want to avoid tourist traps, an interesting alternative to hotels or youth hostels is private holiday lettings. Websites like wimdu.co.uk offer rooms, apartments or entire houses that are available to rent for short or longer breaks. This accommodation is often run by local people who can advise guests on attractions and restaurants to visit that do not appear in tourist guidebooks.

If you want to explore the political side of Berlin, your first port of call should be the Reichstag; the building that houses the German parliament. You can find information on tours and opening times of the roof garden restaurant, where you can dine while enjoying exquisite views of the Berlin sky line, on the building’s official website.

The Holocaust Memorial, situated just one block away from Brandenburg Gate is open day and night (the museum that accompanies it has more limited opening hours) and serves as a constant reminder of the atrocities committed in Germany during the Third Reich.

For those looking to explore the city’s more recent history, there are still remnants of the Berlin Wall to be found. The path the wall took is clearly marked out, with sections still standing to serve as a reminder for tourists and locals alike of how different Berlin would have been to visit as recently as twenty-five years ago.

There is so much going on in Berlin that one weekend break will simply not be enough. With such an extensive history and vibrant creative community, Berlin is a city that will continue to amaze and surprise travellers, every time they visit.