A weekend in...BERLIN

Explore culture, history and vibrant neighbourhoods – all without boarding a plane

- 

Why go?

Visiting Berlin is an adventure - and now travelling there is too. A European Sleeper service glides overnight from Brussels to Berlin, chugging 400-plus miles in under 12 hours. It's a no-frills service (washrooms are available but not showers), yet it is a relaxed and sustainable option if you prefer not to fly. It can be excellent value too, particularly when sharing a sleeping compartment with family or friends, while saving on a night of hotel costs. The journey begins on a Eurostar train that zips from London St Pancras to Brussels in two hours. There, you can pick up the European night sleeper. Having passed through three countries while you slumber, the train rolls into Berlin just as the city is starting its day.

Cultural hotspots

Base your stay in Mitte, a charming neighbourhood in central Berlin. From here, it’s a gentle amble to hotspots like Museum Island (museumsportal-berlin.de), five buildings that house treasures such as the 3,000-year-old bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti.