The travellers guide
The Berlin Marathon transforms our city every September, bringing 40,000 runners from around the world out onto the streets to take on one of the sport’s most iconic (and fastest) courses. Over the past 25 years we have welcomed runners and their supporters to The Circus, with the route passing right through the middle of Rosenthaler Platz you can’t be better located for the race.
For those of you staying with us over marathon weekend, the start and finish line is just a short U-Bahn ride away, or a gentle warm-up run for those who think 42.2km is not quite far enough. As Berlin transforms into a festival of running over the weekend, we have developed our own marathon traditions. We’ve got a Saturday morning warm-up run, massages for our running guests and recovery stretching sessions in the park. So we hope you’ll join us for what experience has shown us is a fantastic weekend.
And if you want to know more about running in Berlin in general, you’ll find our guide for travellers here.
It is fair to say that Berlin Marathon weekend is one of our favourite times of the year as we welcome runners, inline skaters and their family and friends to The Circus. In recent years we’ve watched world records fall, but more importantly are the many tens of thousands who have engaged in their own personal race on the streets of Berlin. And some of them have stayed with us.
If you are joining us this September you’re probably on top of everything you need to know, but here’s the important info for the Berlin Marathon at a glance.
The Marathon Expo in 2025 is at Messe Berlin in the west of the city. Don’t forget you’ll need your start card and photo ID to pick up your race packet including your start number. The Marathon Expo is open:
Where: Messe Berlin, South entrance (Jaffestraße), 14055 Berlin – Google maps
Getting there from The Circus (Rosenthaler Platz): Tram M1 to Hackescher Markt and then the S-Bahn to Messe Süd (approx 35 mins).
The start line is on Straße des 17. Juni, near Bellevueallee, with the entrance for runners on Platz der Republik, opposite the Reichstag building – Google maps
Getting there from The Circus (Rosenthaler Platz): U8 to Alexanderplatz and then U5 to Bundestag (approx 25 mins).
If your loved one is taking part and you’d like to cheer them on, our experience shows that it is possible to give them support at 4-5 different places along the route, so long as they are not as fast as Eliad Kipchoge! The route runs right between The Circus Hotel and The Circus Hostel at KM 9, so you can have a leisurely breakfast and simply step out of the front door for the first cheer point.
Suggested itinerary from The Circus – depending on the speed of your runner:
KM9 – Rosenthaler Platz (right outside the front door)
KM15 – Kottbusser Tor (take the U8 from Rosenthaler Platz, journey time approx 10 mins)
KM21 – Goebenstraße (take the U1/U3 to Kurfürstenstraße and then walk, journey time approx 18 mins)
KM37 – Kurfürstenstraße (walk, journey time approx 10 mins – good time to stop for a snack)
KM40 – Gendarmenmarkt (U2 from Bülowstraße to Hausvogteiplatz, journey time approx 13 mins)
As well as front row seats for watching the runners when they are still somewhat fresh and cheerful, we have a number of things planned over marathon weekend for our guests.
Travelled to Berlin for the Berlin Marathon and fancy a shake-out run? Our very own marathon runner Jared is taking guests on a group run on the morning of Saturday 20th September. We will be meeting at 8am for a leisurely 5.5km route that takes in the best of our local neighbourhood, a stretch of the Berlin Wall and passes by the UNESCO World Heritage site Museum Island as we run along the banks of the river Spree.
After completing your Berlin Marathon, the least we can do is treat you to a well-deserved leg massage at The Circus. We’re offering 15-minute sessions to help tooth your tired muscles in the afternoon and early evening of 21st September. Full details are available from 1st September via our events page.
On Monday morning after the marathon we have teamed up with a local instructor for a 30-minute stretching session in the park to help you start your recovery right. This gentle session will guide you through stretches that target sore muscles. This session costs €10 and is exclusive for Circus guests. Places are limited, so please sign up in advance.
If you are joining us for the Berlin Marathon over the weekend of the 20th and 21st September, don’t forget to tell us how your race went and tag us in all your inspiring social media posts! You’ll find us on Instagram here.
Looking for a place to stay for marathon weekend in Berlin? Here at The Circus we have a range of accommodation options available, although we’re already booking up fast! Groups of friends and social runners might fancy The Circus Hostel, where the communal atmosphere mirrors the inclusive spirit of the race itself.
Solo travellers and couples heading to Berlin for the marathon often choose The Circus Hotel, with its design-focused comfort and roof terrace for celebratory drinks once the race is done. Families supporting their marathon heroes or those who want to be able to cook the perfect pre-race meal will find everything they need to prepare at The Circus Apartments, with fully equipped kitchens ready to help with the carb-loading.
All three houses are on or close to Rosenthaler Platz, right on the race course, and remember to book directly with us to guarantee the best price for marathon weekend in Berlin.
If you want even more tips and ideas for your visit to Berlin, check out the rest of our Experience Berlin blog or follow us on Instagram.
The Circus App is your ideal travel companion you can take with you, with all the things you need to know about your stay with us and things to see and do in the city. Available for Apple and Android devices.
We also have special deals for those who book their trip to Berlin early or want to stay longer. Check out our special offers page for more details.