Berlin hen do

It's time for a hen party in Berlin!

As one of the biggest and most energetic capitals in Europe, Berlin is a tour de force of fashion, culture, art, entertainment and hospitality, all pooled in to one dynamic and exciting metropolis. If you look past dated stereotypes, you'll see a cutting edge city at the forefront of European trend setting, effortlessly dominating the European clubbing scene, and providing some of the best bars, restaurants, and hotels in the world. If you're heading to Europe on your hen do, a Berlin hen party has to be top of your list, combining one of the most diverse and cultured cities on the continent with a phenomenal and immersive nightlife.

Why: Reasons to celebrate a Berlin hen party

Once a city literally divided, Berlin has regenerated in to a vibrant cultural centre of Europe. It's undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in history, and now stands as the third most visited city in the entire European Union. It's easy to see why - after the fall of the Berlin wall, a reunited Berlin underwent a cultural upheaval resulting in over 750 hotels, 4,000 restaurants, and up to 1,000 bars. Modern Berlin is essentially a phoenix that's risen from the ashes of it's past.

There aren't any areas in which it can't be said that Berlin excels, but there is one aspect of Berlin that towers above all its other charms - the nightlife. Berlin has some of the best clubs not just in Europe, but in the world, and frequently makes lists of the world's hottest party hotspots, and it's never far from the top. Sleek, chic bars, cavernous industrial warehouse raves, and a hell of a lot of pubs; there's not a lot we can think of Berlin doesn't provide.

What: What can you do on a Berlin hen do?

You're not exactly short of options, here - Berlin is the capital city of one of the most important cities in Europe; the entire place is a paradise for the avant-garde, the radical, and the revolutionary. It's the contemporary cultural heart of Germany, and so a Berlin hen do has plenty of fresh and innovative options. The nightlife options in particular are dizzying. It's possible to arrive at a club Friday night, and not emerge until late Sunday morning.

As a rule, in Berlin we'd recommend trying an activity in the morning, to break the ice and get the girls talking. Dance lessons are always popular in decadent Berlin, or you could ease them in to the day with something like cake decorating. After that, there's plenty of time for you all to explore Berlin a bit, seeing some of the sights and landmarks, and grabbing a currywurst or two. After that, it's back to the hotel to get glammed up for the night ahead (perhaps with a cocktail mixing session to get the night off to a very good start), off to a Berlin restaurant (or a strip dinner if you want to give the hen a treat), and off to one of Berlin's legendary nightclubs!

When: The best times to visit Berlin

Busy Berlin is packed year-round with great events and festivals - highlights include the Karneval der Kulturen, which is inspired by Notting Hill Carnival. The Tanz in August is Germany's leading modern dance festival and in September Popkomm, Europe's largest music fair, showcases performances and live events. In mid-February the Berlin International Film Festival provides extra helpings of glitz, and in March the MaerzMusik Festival is a contemporary music festival presenting avant-garde composers and musicians.

Shop: Berlin shopping areas & recommendations

From huge department stores to funky boutiques and chic designer stores, Berlin is excellent for shopping. Discover new trends and hidden gems while making the most of great value - shop prices in Berlin are modest compared to other big European cities. On your Berlin hen do you'll find the main shopping areas around Kurfürstendamm and Zoo Station, with each district around here having its own shopping centre packed with high-street shops. If you're after the European shops that we all know and love (think Nike, Zara, H&M, etc) then check out the streets between Wittenbergplatz and Tauentzienstrasse or for more high fashion boutiques (such as Chanel and Valentino) the stretch between Fasanenstrasse and Olivaer Platz is the place to go.

How: Getting to Berlin

Berlin is a major European capital city, so finding a flight to your Berlin hen weekend isn't exactly difficult. There are two airports in Berlin. Tegel International concentrates mainly on the international ones, but if you're hoping to fly budget then Schönefeld is your best option, with airlines like easyJet and Ryanair flying from there. All of the London airports will fly in, as will planes from most other large cities in the UK.