Germany

Cost of living

What a month costs

Cheaper than Munich or Paris, but rents have climbed fast and flats are hard to find.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Berlin

1. Brandenburg GateThe city's landmark and the old line between East and West.
2. ReichstagParliament with a glass dome you can climb for free with a booking.
3. East Side GalleryThe longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted by artists.
4. Museum IslandFive world-class museums on a UNESCO-listed island in the Spree.
5. Berlin TV TowerThe 368-metre spike over Alexanderplatz with a revolving view.
6. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of EuropeA sea of grey slabs near the Brandenburg Gate.
7. Checkpoint CharlieThe famous Cold War crossing point between the two Berlins.
8. Berlin CathedralGrand domed church on Museum Island with a climbable gallery.
9. TiergartenThe huge central park, perfect for cycling and lazy Sundays.
10. Charlottenburg PalaceBerlin's largest palace with formal gardens in the west.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. PotsdamSanssouci palace and parks, 40 minutes by S-Bahn.
2. DresdenBaroque old town rebuilt after the war, two hours south.
3. LeipzigBuzzy arts city with cheap studios and great music, 70 minutes by train.
4. SpreewaldCanal country where you paddle between villages, an hour southeast.
5. Baltic coast at RügenChalk cliffs and wide beaches for a proper seaside escape.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. The BarnSerious specialty coffee that helped start Berlin's third-wave scene.
2. Bonanza CoffeeRoaster and cafe with a loyal following in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg.
3. Cafe Einstein StammhausGrand Viennese-style coffee house in a Tiergarten villa.
4. Father CarpenterHidden courtyard cafe in Mitte with excellent flat whites.
5. Five ElephantKreuzberg roaster famous for its cheesecake and clean espresso.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Zur letzten InstanzBerlin's oldest restaurant, serving hearty local fare since the 1600s.
2. Prater GartenThe city's oldest beer garden with schnitzel and cold pilsner.
3. Mustafas Gemüse KebapThe legendary veg kebab stand worth the long queue.
4. Curry 36Iconic currywurst counter in Kreuzberg, open late.
5. Restaurant Tim RaueTwo-Michelin-star Asian-inspired tasting menus near Checkpoint Charlie.
6. Katz OrangeSlow-food dining in a candlelit Mitte courtyard.
7. Zur HaxeTraditional roast pork knuckle and dumplings, German comfort food done right.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Cafe Anna BlumePrenzlauer Berg institution known for its tiered breakfast plate.
2. BenedictAll-day breakfast spot near the Ku'damm serving classics around the clock.
3. House of Small WonderAiry Mitte cafe with a spiral staircase and Japanese-leaning brunch.
4. Distrikt CoffeePopular Mitte brunch with big bowls and strong coffee.
5. RoamersNeukölln favourite with photogenic plates and long weekend queues.
6. Silo CoffeeAussie-style flat whites and poached eggs in Friedrichshain.
7. Cafe MorgenrotLeft-leaning Prenzlauer Berg cafe with a pay-what-you-can weekend buffet.
8. Betahaus CafeKreuzberg spot popular with freelancers for eggs and laptops.
9. CommongroundBright Charlottenburg cafe doing shakshuka and specialty coffee.