Berlin City Town Guide Berlin is an uninhibited city that is proud to show off its new face, resolutely turned toward the 21st century, without hiding the chaos of its history. The former Imperial city has many different facets to offer those who love to wander through quiet districts and parks. Everywhere are powerful reminders of the cultural life of a city that continually embraces the avant-garde. Berlin is one of Europe's great cities, and it is once again the capital of the nation. Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Slip on the mandatory felt shoes and tiptoe into the heart of Frederick I of Prussia's sumptuous apartments in the Charlottenburg castle. -  Stroll through the outsize Tiergarten park, much favoured by Berliners on Sundays and at other times of relaxation. -  Discover the traces of the Wall, transformed by Berliners into a gigantic open-air fresco (Oberbaumbrücke bridge or Bernauer Strasse). -  Visit the old quarter of Spandau, to the west of the city, and venture aboard one of the motor launches that line the peaceful banks of the Havel. -  Wander along the Fasanenstrasse, a charming street lined with antique and secondhand dealers, situated a stone's throw from the Kurfurstendamm, one of Berlin's finest thoroughfares. Time difference Berlin is one hour ahead of GMT during winter, and two hours ahead during summer. To call Berlin Dial the international code followed by 49 for Germany, then 30 for Berlin and the 5 to 13 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Summer is without doubt the best season for visiting Berlin. Note that it can be very cold during winter. Average annual temperature: 9° C Average seasonal temperatures: - Spring: 9° C - Summer: 18° C - Autumn: 10° C - Winter: 1° C Holidays These dates apply to the whole of Germany: - 1 January: New Year - Epiphany (1st Sunday of January) - Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates vary) - 1 May: Labour Day - Ascension (date varies) - Monday after Pentecost (date varies) - 14 June: Corpus Christi - 15 August: Assumption - 3 October: Unification Day - 1 November: All Saints Day - 25 and 26 December: Christmas Getting around Berlin is an enormous capital. The underground is the best means of public transport. The tramway in former East Berlin is both very modern and very practical. You can explore Berlin's surrounding areas by taking the S-Bahn trains. Berlin also has a lot of taxis. Night buses run frequently. Berlin Tourism Office Berlin Tourism Office Europa Center, Budapest Strasse Tel: (international n° +49) 30 25 00 25 Berlin on the Web http://www.berlin-tourism.de See our Cultural calendar Back