Car Hire Berlin

Berlin is a city of contrast, blending historical buildings alongside modern architecture. A hire car is the perfect way to explore this beautiful city, which is relatively straightforward to drive around and navigate.

Here, the road rules are clear and the streets are well signposted. Traffic drives on the right-hand side and passes on the left. Children under 12, or less than 5ft in height, may not sit in the front seat unless they’re in an approved child seat.

The A10 runs around the capital city, so you can reach the top sights and hidden gems without fuss. Schloss Charlottenburg, a beautiful baroque palace, can be found just outside of the centre. Simply follow the B2 and Otto-Suhr-Allee all the way to the regal residence. The tree-lined B2 is one of the best roads to drive along in the city, providing views of the Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten and Brandenburg Gate.

Turn off the main stretch to visit the Reichstag, the famed seat of the German parliament, otherwise, carry on along the B2 and B5 to Museum Island. Here there are five cultural spots to explore, with artefacts ranging from the bust of an Egyptian Queen to Roman antiquities.

A number of motorways, known in Germany as autobahns and marked with an ‘A’, connect Berlin to the rest of the country. These stretches of road famously don’t have a speed limit, though a maximum of 130 km/h is recommended in some parts. Speed limits in the city are much lower and will be clearly signposted.

If you’re looking for a day trip from the capital, join the A9 and, in a little over two hours, you’ll be in Leipzig. This Saxony city has been described by many as ‘The New Berlin’. Like the capital, it’s a creative place with a proud history – meaning there’s plenty to see and do. If you’ve got more time to play with, carry on down the A9 south all the way to Munich. This charming Bavarian city has an infectious energy that’s easy to fall in love with, whether you’re watching anoompah band in a beer hall or wandering around lush green gardens.

There are two sides to this city, which was, of course, once physically split into two halves by the Berlin Wall. It’s a modern place bursting with creativity, where deviating from the norm is positively encouraged. Still, reminders of its turbulent past are evident - landmarks such as Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate should be part of every visitor’s itinerary. A trip to Berlin will be eye-opening and, with four wheels at your disposal, can enjoy day trips out of the city, too.

Humming with history

There is a stark reminder of Berlin's history around nearly every corner. First on your must-see list should be Brandenburg Gate, one of the city’s most important and iconic landmarks, having stood in the capital since the 18^th century. Once a symbol of a divided city during the Cold War, today it’s instead a symbol of peace and unity. Admire its grand architecture from Pariser Platz, the vibrant square it looks over.

Likewise, the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse can help you get an understanding of what it was like for residents who were unable to travel freely through their own neighbourhood and how their lives changed. It’s the last piece of the Berlin Wall, which was pulled down in 1989, to be preserved in its full depth.

A city of art

Berlin, a once grey and dowdy city, is now something of an open air art gallery. Wander around and you’ll find splashes of colour covering buildings in each district, from politically-fuelled graffiti in Friedrichshain to iconic tags in Kreuzberg.

Make your way to the East Side Gallery, which once formed part of the border between East and West Berlin. Today it’s an artistic landmark, with more than 100 political paintings to see, created by artists from all around the world.

Beyond the streets, art can also be found in galleries spanning much of Berlin. Sammlung Boros is one of the finest, housed in a former air-raid shelter. Meander through the private collection of contemporary works and you’ll find art in all forms – sculptures, light installations and paintings included.

A poignant trip to Sachsenhausen

More of Germany’s past can be uncovered at Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, just a short drive from the capital.

Built as a Nazi concentration camp in 1936, the site held more than 200,000 people until 1945 when the war came to an end. This sombre experience will open your eyes to this period of time, portraying what life was like in a way that a history textbook can't.

Take the guided tour to find out more about the horrors of World War II's holocaust and listen to the stories of its prisoners as you walk among the remnants of the concentration camp.

Car hire in Berlin will enable you to soak up the atmosphere of Germany’s fascinating capital city before exploring the rest of Germany if you’re set on a road trip.