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20 Best Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

Berlin's history of battling ideologies makes for some of the most fascinating sightseeing in Europe. Explore the remnants of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery , which has been transformed by colorful murals into the largest open-air

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Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) free

U.S. News Insider Tip: A nice souvenir video of the Brandenburg Gate can be captured by taking a taxi on the northbound road (Bundesstraße 2) that loops around the Brandenburg Gate. Keep your camera steady out the window, and you’ll have an impressive panoramic video. – Michael Cappetta

Inspired by the Acropolis entrance in Athens , the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) is one of the most-photographed sites in Berlin. Located in Pariser Platz (Paris Square), one of the city's most famous squares, the Brandenburg Gate was built for King Frederick William II starting in 1788. Designed by royal architect, Carl Gotthard Langhans, the sandstone structure stands 85 feet high.

Reichstag Building Reichstag Building free

A symbol of Germany's past, present and future, the Reichstag, or Parliament Building, is a blend of different architecture styles from the late 20th to late 21st centuries. It symbolizes the country's path from a dark past to a brighter future.

Originally constructed between 1884 and 1894, the building was destroyed by arson in 1933, an act that marked a turning point in the history of the Third Reich. It was then bombed during World War II and didn't become the seating house of government again until 1999, when the distinguishing glass dome was added. Today, a visit to the dome is popular among travelers thanks to the stunning views it provides, particularly of the Tiergarten . If you're interested in a more in-depth history lesson, heed the advice of past travelers and take advantage of the free audio guide available to visitors.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe free

The Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas  (which translates to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe or, more simply, Berlin's Holocaust Memorial) consists of a sloping, wave-like grid of 2,711 concrete pillars constructed to memorialize the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Some of the pillars stand as tall as 15 feet.

Many visitors choose to simply walk among the gray slabs, but if you're interested in learning more about the history, you can descend to the underground visitor center, which displays information about the victims, including photographs, diaries and farewell letters. Recent travelers said they felt incredibly moved by the sheer size of the memorial (it spans more than half a square mile), and most highly recommended a visit when in Berlin. Reviewers note the memorial is within a five-minute walk of the Brandenburg Gate and across the street from Tiergarten Park , making it easy to visit all three top attractions.

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Topography of Terror Topography of Terror free

The Topography of Terror ( Topographie des Terrors ) museum sits on the site of the Gestapo and SS Police's former headquarters during World War II. By walking the grounds and touring the documentation center, travelers can learn about the atrocities committed by the German officers that once worked at this very site. In addition to the WWII history on display here, you’ll also see part of the Berlin Wall in the front of the building.

Other interesting exhibits that detail Berlin between 1933 and 1945 are found on the grounds, including excavated portions of the old building. For a more in-depth look at the museum, you can take the free English-speaking tour, which is offered Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. (Most exhibits are listed in German and English.) You'll want to sign up at the reception desk 30 minutes before the tour starts. 

Berlin Wall Memorial Berlin Wall Memorial free

Located in the center of Berlin, the Berlin Wall Memorial stretches for a little less than a mile along what was once the border that divided the city in two. Upon arriving at the memorial, you can stop into the visitor center to watch a short film on the history of the Berlin Wall, as well as explore a handful of exhibits. Visitors will learn about the political and historical context that led to the wall’s construction, its fall and the reunification of Germany.

Once you are finished in the visitor center, head across the street to see preserved remnants of the border strip. In addition to part of the Berlin Wall itself, you will find the Chapel of Reconciliation, a rebuilt structure that serves as a place of remembrance for the lives that were lost at the wall.

East Side Gallery East Side Gallery free

The East Side Gallery refers to the longest intact section of the Berlin Wall, which stretches for nearly a mile. If you want to experience the wall for the first time, this is the place to do it. After the Berlin Wall's fall in 1989, more than one hundred international artists congregated here, painting murals that depicted the world's joyous and optimistic reactions to the end of the Cold War era. What exists today forms the world's largest open-air gallery, featuring more than 100 murals.

Despite its distance from the main tourist attractions (a little less than 5 miles), the East Side Gallery still wins high praise from past travelers, who say it’s worth the side trip to see this history up close. Recent visitors suggested going early in the day to avoid crowds.

Museumsinsel (Museum Island) Museumsinsel (Museum Island)

Museumsinsel (or Museum Island) is the name given to a group of five museums, the Baroque-style Berlin Cathedral and large gardens clustered on a tiny island in the River Spree. Built between 1823 and 1930, some museums present a different aspect of German history and art, while others spotlight global arts and antiques, such as the Egyptian Museum and Pergamon Museum .

When you visit, see if you can guess which museum hangs which art; there's the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), the Bode-Museum and the very popular Pergamon Museum.

Tiergarten Tiergarten free

The expansive Tiergarten sprawls 519 acres from central Berlin westward and attracts visitors looking for respite from the city's clamor. The name of the park translates to "Animal Garden," and it is also known as "Berlin’s Green Lung." The land where the park sits previously served as a royal hunting ground for select Germans during the late 17th century. Nowadays, visitors can still get a glimpse of animals by visiting Zoologischer Garten (the Berlin Zoo) located within the park. You can also stroll, jog or bike through the most popular green space in Berlin. For many locals, no visit to Tiergarten is complete without stopping at its two beer gardens, in particular Café am Neuen See, which occupies a picturesque lakefront perch.   

The Tiergarten also houses the Victory Column, which was erected in 1873 to commemorate Prussia's victory in the Franco-German War. Visitors can climb to the top of this monument to enjoy great views of Berlin.

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Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

Beginning its life as a summer home for the royal family in the late 17th century, Schloss Charlottenburg became a lavish palace after Frederick the Great commissioned some 18th-century upgrades and additions. Now the complex can take more than a day to tour from top to bottom. Located 6 miles east of Berlin’s city center, this is a popular destination for tourists interested in history and architecture. 

Inside the baroque palace, you can view Frederick I and Sophie Charlotte's living quarters, the chapel and the Neuer Fluegel (New Wing) where Frederick the Great once resided. You can also venture outdoors to the Royal Gardens, the family mausoleum and even an ornate teahouse.

Berlin Cathedral Berlin Cathedral

Located in the Museum District of Mitte, the Berlin Cathedral spans more than 67,000 square feet, making it the largest Protestant church in Germany. Along with its size, the cathedral is also recognized for its beauty – it shares a similar design to Rome ’s St. Peter's Basilica . Its interior features gold accents, intricate mosaics and imperial staircase. Along with the cathedral’s dome, which is accessible to visitors via a set of 270 steps, another highlight is the marble and onyx altar. More than one million visitors stop by the Berlin Cathedral annually for worship services, tours, concerts and special events. Visitors traveling with children should review the cathedral’s event calendar to see if any kid-friendly activities, such as family concerts, align with your visit.

Recent visitors use words like “peaceful” and “iconic” to describe the cathedral. Some reviewers complained about the admission costs, but others said it’s worth the price to be able to view the stunning interior and climb the dome for outstanding views of the city.

TV Tower (Fernsehturm) TV Tower (Fernsehturm)

U.S. News Insider Tip: The TV Tower is conveniently located near the Alexanderplatz station and shopping district. Schedule some extra time to visit some of the unique local shops. During the holiday season, this area is also home to a beautiful Christmas market. – Michael Cappetta

For the ever-popular panorama of the city, the Berliner   Fernsehturm (TV Tower) is a great place to go. Originally constructed in the late 1960s to widely broadcast television signals across Germany, the TV Tower is still the tallest structure in Germany (standing at 1,207 feet), and it's guaranteed to provide quite the view. Visitors can take one of two elevators to the top. If the 40-second trip makes you hungry, stop by the rotating Sphere Restaurant or Bar 203 for some light refreshments.

Pergamon Museum Pergamon Museum

Note: The Pergamon Museum will be closed beginning in October 2023 for extensive renovations. It will reopen in spring 2027, according to the museum’s website .

The Pergamon Museum, located on Museumsinsel (Museum Island)  on the River Spree, is one of travelers' favorite museums. Recent visitors used words like "remarkable" and "jaw-dropping" to describe the museum, which was completed in 1930 and houses many works that are important to the development of ancient art and architecture. Filled with an impressive collection of Greek, Roman, East Asian and Islamic art, exhibits include pieces like the reconstructed Ishtar Gate from Babylon and the Pergamon Altar – a massive monumental Greek temple that is believed to date back to 180 B.C. Other highlights include the Market Gate of Miletus, which dates back to the second century and the Mshatta Façade, which hails from a Jordanian desert castle.

Friedrichstadt-Palast Friedrichstadt-Palast

Friedrichstadt-Palast is home to the world’s largest theater stage. The theater’s roots date back to 1867, though the building that is used today opened in 1984 after the original theater had to be demolished in 1980 for safety concerns. Since its reopening, the theater has been used for entertaining circus performances, vaudeville acts, comedy and musicals. Every February, the theater hosts film screenings as part of the Berlinale, or Berlin International Film Festival.

Recent travelers enjoyed the theater’s beauty. Travelers also added that the theater’s location is very convenient as it sits within walking distance of other major tourist attractions, such as the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstagsgebäude .

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Berlin Beer Gardens Berlin Beer Gardens

No trip to Berlin is complete without visiting a classic biergarten (beer garden). Biergartens in Berlin are popular with locals for summer afternoon and evening activities – plan ahead so you don’t end up in a long queue on a hot day.

One of the most popular beer gardens is Prater Biergarten, which is located just 2 miles north of the city center. The historic beer garden first opened in the mid-1800s. Open daily starting at noon, Prater offers a classic menu of pilsners, along with tasty grilled sausages from the region of Thuringia. Other classic snacks included baked potatoes with cheese curds and pretzels. Before visiting the biergarten, make sure to check the weather forecast: it’s only open weather permitting.

Berlin Christmas Markets Berlin Christmas Markets free

The festive Christmas markets in Berlin attract thousands of travelers each year for their unique food, shopping, beverages and holiday cheer. With dozens of Christmas markets to choose from, it is important for travelers to take the time to research which area they would like to visit, and which theme they would like to experience.

One of the most historical and romantic Christmas markets in Berlin is located at the Charlottenburg Palace . Christmas lights and decorations adorn the largest palace in Berlin to welcome visitors to a winter wonderland. Hundreds of vendors exhibit booths in the palace's plaza, where guests stroll through for holiday gifts and treats. A more classic Christmas market, which has historically opened on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 22, is located in the town of Spandau, which is located approximately 10 miles from Berlin’s city center and a 30-minute ride on public transit. At the Spandau Christmas markets, travelers navigate a large plaza that is decorated with Christmas lights and trees to shop hundreds of vendors from around the world. The charm of being in the middle of Spandau's town square adds to the enchantment of shopping at a classic German Christmas market. 

Berlin Story Bunker Berlin Story Bunker

The Berlin Story Bunker is an immersive museum spread across five floors that invites visitors to explore centuries of Berlin and German history. World War II and Hitler are a major focus of the museum (a recreation of Hitler’s personal study and a model of the bunker where he died by suicide in 1945 are among the displays). In fact, the 70,000-square-foot museum is housed within a concrete World War II bunker that’s connected to the Anhalter railway station. Open since 2014, the museum contains multimedia displays, large-scale photographs, short films, sculptures and other art installations.

Recent visitors said the information was well-presented and called the museum a must for history buffs. Because of its size and the amount of reading required, it’s recommended that you set aside at least three hours for your visit.

Potsdamer Platz Potsdamer Platz free

Pre-World War II, Potsdamer Platz was Berlin's main plaza – and a bustling one, at that – but the ensuing wars left it ravaged. After the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended, companies like Sony and Daimler moved in and built their headquarters on the square, thus revitalizing the area.

But global companies weren't the only ones credited with rejuvenating the plaza: Attractions like the Deutsche Kinemathek, a museum dedicated to German film and TV, the Boulevard der Stars – Berlin's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and the Theater am Potsdamer Platz, the largest show stage in Berlin, also set up shop. Families will enjoy the nearby LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Berlin and a sizable mall, The Playce. Plus, with a casino and one of Berlin's largest movie theaters, the entertainment possibilities are nearly endless.

Checkpoint Charlie Checkpoint Charlie

Many say a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie border crossing should not come without a visit to the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, or the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Checkpoint Charlie was the most popular border crossing between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. It has also had a starring role in major films, including the James Bond franchise.

Experts and travelers say the museum gives context to what's left of the border crossing, and indeed you will find chilling stories of those who escaped from East to West via the Berlin Wall – as well as stories about those who didn't. You'll also get a thorough history of the Berlin Wall.

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Mauerpark Mauerpark free

Mauerpark is a 37-acre park that was officially opened in 1994. The park's name translates to "Wall Park:" It's located on the land in between the walls that separated East and West Berlin, formerly known as “death strip.” Don’t let that sinister name deter you; the park is now known for its "open-air culture in the middle of Berlin" and it provides a great activity space for travelers. What's more, the park has several barbeque areas, making it a perfect spot to prepare an outdoor meal during the summer.

If your visit to Berlin overlaps with a Sunday, set aside time to visit Mauerpark to peruse its flea market. It’s one of Berlin's largest second-hand shopping events, and features hundreds of vendors selling unique antiques, clothing, furniture, products and other wares. In addition to the flea market, live music, pick-up sports games and other events take place on weekends.

Olympiastadion Berlin Olympiastadion Berlin

U.S. News Insider Tip: Review the upcoming schedule of events for Olympiastadion Berlin and try to catch a Hertha BSC football match – the energy is electric! – Michael Cappetta

Olympiastadion Berlin is a large, majestic stadium in Berlin's Olympischer Platz neighborhood that has the capacity to host up to 74,000 fans. The stadium is known as the home of Hertha BSC, a popular German soccer team, and host to a variety of special events throughout the year, including Lollapalooza Berlin, an annual music festival held in September. It's also known for its dark history. The stadium originally opened in 1936 for the Summer Olympics, often referred to as the "Nazi Olympics" for the widespread Nazi propaganda on display during the games. 

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18 Best Things to Do in Berlin

By Liz Humphreys and Krystin Arneson

Thirty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1989, the German capital's intoxicating mix of grit, glamour, and anything-goes expression born from historical repression has made it one of the most dynamic cities on earth. Where else can you saunter through Prussian palaces, venture into Nazi-era bunkers, tour the world's longest outdoor art gallery, and lose yourself in Europe's most famous techno temple? (And that's just day one.) So bring an open mind, pack your stamina, and get ready to dive into all the city has to offer. Read on for the very best things to do in Berlin.

Read our complete Berlin travel guide here .

Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider's experience of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.

Hackesche Höfe and Haus Schwarzenberg Arrow

Beneath its rough exterior, Berlin hides elegant urban courtyards behind the Altbau buildings that survived World War II. In the heart of Berlin’s central Mitte neighborhood, Hackesche Höfe is a cluster of eight café- and boutique-filled public courtyards dating from 1907. Following a complete renovation to restore the interconnected höfs (courtyards) to their former glory, the labyrinth reopened in 1996. Several doors down on Rosenthaler Straße, Haus Schwarzenberg is Hackesche Höfe’s gritty, graffiti-covered brother, and it offers a fascinating glimpse of what much of Berlin looked like before gentrification swept in.

Charlottenburg Palace Arrow

Built in 1699 as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, wife of King Friedrich I, this massive, multi-winged baroque structure is Berlin’s largest palace. Heavily damaged in World War II and rebuilt and restored over several decades, the palace is home to a number of priceless collections, including royal porcelain and silver, crown jewels, and important 18th-century French paintings by artists such as Antoine Watteau. The rooms themselves, most of which were entirely reconstructed, feature ornate plasterwork, gilding, and frescoes, all based on original designs. The highlight is the gardens, created in the French and English style, with orderly hedges, fountains, ponds, and tree-lined gravel paths.

Berlin Wall Memorial Arrow

This free indoor/outdoor museum and memorial is the best place to learn how the Berlin Wall sprung up, practically overnight, what life was like in the former East German state, and the heroic (and heartbreaking) attempts people made to reunite with their families. As you walk along this one-mile stretch of Bernauer Strasse, an open-air exhibit features photographs and signs detailing the stories on either side of the barrier. There’s also a preserved piece of the original border wall and a watchtower, as well as an indoor visitor center with exhibits chronicling the political and historical events surrounding the city’s division.

Mauerpark Flea Market Arrow

Located along a former part of the Berlin Wall that was a militarized no-man’s land known as the “Death Strip,” the area that is now Mauerpark (“Wall Park") was where guards stationed in watch towers would shoot would-be escapees trying to flee from East Berlin to West. Today, the attack dogs and soldiers are gone, and in their place, the city’s largest and best outdoor market is held every Sunday. Surrounding the bustling market in the trendy green space is something of an anything-goes circus, filled with jugglers, picnickers and the world's largest karaoke party, known as Bearpit Karaoke.

Berghain Arrow

Perhaps no club in Berlin (or the world, for that matter) is more hallowed than Berghain. Set in a former East German power station, this cavernous, nondescript warehouse is the Holy Grail for techno fans, hosting three-day-long debauchery-induced raves. Every weekend, the club attracts some of the best DJs from all over the planet to spin and pump beats so intense that they ring in your bones instead of your ears.

Reichstag Building Arrow

Reduced to rubble after one of history's most infamous fires in the 1930s, and then rebuilt decades later, the stately Reichstag is arguably Germany's most iconic landmark . The building has been home of Germany’s parliament (the Bundestag) since 1999 and now serves as a symbol of the country’s reunification. Today, a glistening glass dome designed by starchitect Norman Foster sits atop the grand old structure, and anyone with an advanced booking can ascend its 755-foot-long ramp for sweeping views over the city. The Reichstag dome is one of the most enriching free experiences for first-time visitors to the city, where a troubled past exists side by side with a trendsetting future. Few places employ this juxtaposition quite as well as this monument to freedom and openness, which was literally built atop the site that saw Nazis rise to power.

Humboldt Forum Arrow

The Humboldt Forum’s collection is vast and varied—and honestly more than a little overwhelming. The main exhibit is the Ethnological Collection and Asian Art, which displays about 20,000 objects from Berlin’s former Ethnological Museum and Museum for Asian Art of the State Museums. What’s most interesting here is that many objects are examined in a critical context—for instance, looking at how they were taken from African nations during colonial rule, with descriptions in both German and English. The fascinating, if sprawling, Berlin Global exhibit examines Berlin’s impact on the world in six categories: Boundaries, Entertainment, Fashion, Interconnection, Revolution, Space, and War. The After Nature (Humboldt Lab) exhibition critically examines the interplay between climate change and democracy in countries around the world. Then there are a few exhibitions reminding you of the building’s complex history: a Sculpture Hall displaying fragments of the original palace as well as six large 18th-century sculptures; the Palace Cellar below ground that includes part of the medieval Dominican monastery originally on the site as well as preserved sections of the Berlin Palace’s foundations; and a large-scale video panorama about the history of the site (“800 years of history in just 14 minutes!”) Plus, a panoramic rooftop on the fourth floor (accessible with an extra fee) offers lovely views of the Berlin rooftops. Also of note: As befits a modern museum, a good number of exhibits are interactive, with buttons to push, videos and virtual reality stories to watch, and audio to listen to.

Brandenburg Gate Arrow

This triumphant neoclassical arch is Berlin’s most famous monument and the only remaining gate of the 14 that originally surrounded the city when it was a proud Prussian metropolis. Since then, Napoleon and Hitler have stormed through it and the world watched as thousands of Berliners swarmed the site with sledgehammers to topple the nearby Wall in 1989. Ever since, this Acropolis-inspired 1791 monument has come to symbolize German reunification. Conveniently located within easy walking distance of a trio of boldfaced Berlin sites ( Tiergarten Park , the Reichstag , and The Holocaust Memorial ), the Brandenburg Gate serves as a central meeting place for tourists.

Topography of Terror Arrow

You’re on the site of the headquarters of the Gestapo, Nazi Germany’s secret police force between 1933 and 1945, where many political prisoners were tortured before being sent to concentration camps and prisons. The Reich Security Main Office, created by Nazi paramilitary organization Schutzstaffel (SS) head and chief of the German police Heinrich Himmel—which was responsible for organizing the Holocaust—was also headquarted here starting in 1939. Indoor and outdoor exhibitions walk visitors through the history of these organizations and the crimes that they committed. Especially moving is the outdoor exhibit “Berlin 1933-1945. Between Propaganda and Terror” that looks at how the Nazis came to power in Berlin; it’s displayed amongst excavated sections of the fomer building (visible through glass panels) where the Nazis planned their crimes against humanity. The comprehensive inside exhibit goes into even more depth, using photos and stories to tell the story of when the Nazis came to power and the crimes they committed until World War II ended. Both exhibits, plus regularly rotating temporary ones, are free to visit. For even more history, to the site’s north you’ll find the longest section of the Berlin Wall still remaining in the city center.

Museum Island Arrow

Berlin's Smithsonian on the Spree, Museumsinsel (“Museum Island”) is a UNESCO-inscribed collection of five world-class museums and a must-see for anyone coming to Berlin. Spanning 6,000 years of art and history, the island’s ensemble of museums (The Altes Museum, Neues Museum , Alte Nationalgalerie, Pergamonmuseum , and Bode Museum) represent the pinnacle of Germany’s museum collection. Here, visitors can come face to face with Nefertiti; ascend an ancient altar dedicated to Zeus; and marvel at Monet, Cézanne, and Degas’ landscapes before crossing the bridge back to mainland Berlin.

Neue Nationalgalerie Arrow

All of the Neue Nationalgalerie’s art dates from the 20th century. The museum’s permanent collection is strong on German Expressionism—think Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, and Emil Nolde— along with Cubist and Dada works, plus worthy pieces by such 20th-century art world luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, Piet Mondriaan, Joan Miró, and Wassily Kandinsky. Though the permanent exhibition space on the lower floor is large, it only holds about 250 pieces, so selections from the museum’s collection of about 5,000 artworks rotate throughout the year. (A new, larger “berlin modern” museum is under construction next to the Neue Nationalgalerie to display more of the artworks; however, its planned opening in 2027 is in question, as it’s already behind schedule and millions over budget.) When the Neue Nationalgalerie reopened in 2021, the permanent exhibition space featured art from 1900 to 1945; from late 2023 through October 2025, the museum is displaying works from 1945 to 2000, with such artists as Barnett Newman, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and Louise Nevelson. Visitors also have the chance to catch the Gerhard Richter Art Foundation, which has loaned 100 works from the renowned German artist to the museum until at least 2026. You can hit the highlights in 60 to 90 minutes, but it will be a bit rushed. Two hours will give you a much more relaxed pace to explore the permanent and temporary collections, and to maybe even spend some time enjoying the lovely sculpture garden, if the weather’s nice.

Sammlung Boros Arrow

A renovated Nazi-era bunker in the now-posh Mitte district houses this private collection of contemporary art, owned by Christian and Karen Boros (who actually live in an apartment on the roof). The selection of sculpture, paintings, photographs, and installations by international artists rotate every four years, but have recently featured contemporary artists like Katja Novitskova, Guan Xiao, and Kris Martin. A guided tour across its five floors reveals not only the impressive collection but also the long history of the bunker, which was used as a Nazi air raid shelter and later became an underground techno club (you can still see vestiges of fluorescent paint in some rooms and stairwells). Tours (required) book up months in advance, so plan accordingly.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Arrow

A short walk from Brandenburg Gate , this sprawling, maze-like set of 2,711 concrete columns is a haunting reminder of the atrocities and toll of World War II and Germany’s main memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Officially called the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the site occupies an entire 205,000-square-foot city block and was designed by American architect Peter Eisenman after an exhaustive 17-year planning process. The memorial’s abstract design offers no explanation or prescribed walking path, but simply invites visitors to enter and become swallowed in its tomb-like slabs.

East Side Gallery Arrow

With more than 100 paintings, the East Side Gallery is the world's largest (and longest) open-air art gallery. The 0.8-mile stretch of the Berlin Wall, which runs parallel to the Spree River, once trapped East Germans inside. But when the rest of the Wall came crumbling down in 1989, this stretch remained and became a concrete canvas for international artists, who splashed it with murals between February and June of 1990.

Tempelhofer Feld Arrow

Built by Hitler’s henchmen and used as a lifeline by some two million people during the Allied Airlift, Tempelhof Airport is now a sweeping urban playground that’s larger than Central Park . On sunny days, thousands of Berliners come to jog down the abandoned runways, bike under the old radar station, and grill next to grounded Cold War-era planes. Stay long enough and you’ll see beekeepers in the lawn, windsurfers on the runway, cricket players by the tarmac, zipliners in the forest, and much more.

Tiergarten Arrow

Berlin's signature park and "green lung," Tiergarten Park is a leafy 519-acre oasis that was once used as the hunting grounds of Berlin’s rulers (“Tiergarten” means “animal park”). These days, the boars and pheasants have moved on, and in their place a series of lakes, hiking paths, English gardens, and even a biergarten attract joggers, cyclists, and sunbathers. Towering over the center of the park, the gilded Siegessäule (Victory Column) is the most famous of Tiergarten’s many monuments and commemorates Prussian war victories. Nearby, the white Schloss Bellevue palace is where the German president lives. Elsewhere, don’t miss the manicured English Garden and teahouse, and Berlin’s most attractive and romantic biergarten, Café am Neuen See, where lovers can enjoy a pint, a pizza, and a paddle aboard a rowboat on the lake. It would take you days to see all of hte park—we recommend downshifting and taking your time here with a bike, a blanket, and a book.

Prater Garten Arrow

Prater Garden, Berlin's oldest biergarten, comprises almost a full acre of communal tables and benches. Although Germany’s capital city doesn't have the biergarten culture of Bavaria, this gem has been around since 1837—and has withstood the multiple tests of time for good reason. Like most biergartens, the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial: People focus on their company first and their drinks (think Pils and housemade dark beer) second. This is also Berlin's best spot for a bratwurst fix; nothing goes better with sun and bier than a grilled sausage, so choose from spicy or standard. Bavarian pretzels make for great beer-side snacks, too.

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The 16 best attractions in Berlin

The German capital can be a little overwhelming, so where do you start? These are the best attractions in Berlin

While we’ve managed to keep this collection of the best attractions in Berlin to a concise 16, the German capital is a never-ending source of fascination, excitement and entertainment. Berlin is one of the modern world’s most important cities, a place whose reputation routinely sees it top bucket lists and best-ofs alike, as people from all over the world head here to see the famous buildings, explore the incredible museums and overindulge in Europe’s most exciting nightlife .

Berlin is a city that does it all and does it in an undeniably unique manner. This is Berlin, and don’t you forget. The restaurant scene is dizzyingly diverse, and shopping here is a white-knuckle experience all in itself.

Here to guide you through it all is Berlin local Anna Geary-Meyer. It can be easy to find yourself making plans to move to Berlin, but don’t forget to embrace your inner tourist and experience the classic attractions that this place has to offer.

RECOMMENDED: 📍 Full guide to the best things to do in Berlin 🏡 The best  Airbnbs in Berlin 🛏 The best hotels in Berlin

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here .

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Best attractions in Berlin

1.  Brandenburger Tor

• Historic buildings and sites

The Brandenburger Tor (or The Brandenburger Gate if you're not so great with German) is an absolute must-see attraction if you're visiting Berlin. Fun fact: From 1814 until 1919, only the royal family and members of the aristocratic Pfuel Family were allowed to travel through the centre archway. Which wouldn't have been so fun for us normal folk. Now, it no longer causes divisions. It's said to represent peace and unity and is one of Germany's best known landmarks. 

Time Out Tip:  for the best pics, take ’em from the east side so that you can see Tiergarten between the pillars. 

2.  Neues Museum

After a long period of restoration, from suffering severe damage during World War III, the Neues Museum got back up and running back in 2009. It's now arguably one of the best museums to visit from Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museumsinsel (Museum Island). It's an unforgettable home for a whole host of different artefacts from ancient history to the present day. From Egyptian art to unique prehistoric objects. This museum will feed your curiosity and is a great way to expand your world knowledge.

Time Out Tip:  be sure to properly take in the building itself. All those rennovations have turned the Neues into a fully-fledged architectural gem. 

3.  Holocaust Memorial (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas)

• Monuments and memorials

Architect Peter Eisenman’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is intentionally disorienting: it’s a striking sculptural statement that invites visitors in, only to create a feeling of unease. There’s no vantage point or overview; to fully engage with the structure you need to walk into it. It’s haunting in places, especially on overcast days and near the middle of the monument, where it’s easy to feel a sense of confinement. Early criticism often focused on the monument’s lack of specificity – there are no stars of David here, no obvious symbolism or recognition of German culpability – but it has since won grudging recognition from many former critics.

Time Out Tip:  be sure to get there when the visitor centre is open (Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm). Its exhibitions are exceptionally informative.

4.  East Side Gallery

Running along the River Spree for 1.3km (0.8 miles) from Oberbaum Bridge to Ostbahnhof is one of Berlin’s most photographed tourist sights. This is the largest remaining section of the Wall still standing, decorated with 101 paintings by international artists from 1990. Dmitri Vrubel’s striking portrait depicting Brezhnev and Hönecker’s kiss – a Soviet sign of great respect – is easily its most iconic image. In 2017, in an attempt to prevent the sort of vandalism that had plagued it in recent years, a metre-high metal fence was erected around the perimeter of the Wall, an irony not lost on visitors.

The riverside views are great, too, and best enjoyed with a cold späti beer. There aren’t many places in Berlin where you’re encouraged to engage in shameless, unironic photo-taking, so this is definitely the place to whip out the selfie stick.

5.  Botanischer Garten & Botanisches Museum

• Parks and gardens

The Berlin Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum were landscaped at the beginning of the 20th century. Today it’s home to 18,000 plant species, 16 greenhouses and a museum. The gardens make for a pleasant stroll, but the museum is a bit dilapidated and there’s no information in English. Every Monday, they run a wild mushroom advice workshop, so feel free to forage away in the nearby forests.

6.  Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen

First the site of a canteen for the Nazi social welfare organisation, this building housed a remand prison which the Soviets turned into ‘Special Encampment No.3’ and which the Stasi later expanded. Excellent guided tours are led daily by ex-prisoners; their personal testimony adds chilling immediacy to the bureaucratically spare interrogation rooms, the concrete ‘tiger cage’ in which 30 minutes of walking per day was permitted and the cramped cells where prisoners were forced to sleep in a mandated position. The museum houses a permanent exhibition, which reveals the stories of former prisoners, and there are also temporary exhibitions, often curated from the memorial’s own collection of 15,000 GDR artefacts. 

7.  Jüdisches Museum

Named as the largest Jewish museum in Europe (38,000 square feet of floor space to be exact), Daniel Libeskind’s beautiful, yet deliberately oppressive building houses a masterful museum devoted to the turbulent history of Judaism in Germany. It was opened in 2001, with a permanent exhbition that tells the stories of prominent Jewish figures and their impact. Here, you'll also be able to find out about Jewish   holiday traditions, the difficult road to emancipation and more. Side note: this museum is a popular one so arrive in the morning to avoid long queues and crowds!

8.  Philharmonie

Berlin’s most famous concert hall, home to the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, is also its most architecturally daring: a marvellously puckish piece of organic modernism. Designed by Hans Scharoun, the golden building with its distinctive vaulting roof opened in 1963. Its reputation for superb acoustics is accurate, but it does depend on where you sit. Behind the orchestra, the acoustics leave much to be desired, but in front (where seats are much more expensive), the sound is heavenly. The Berlin Phil gives about 100 performances in the city during its August-to-June season, plus 20 to 30 concerts around the world.

9.  Soviet Memorial (Sowjetisches Ehrenmal am Treptower Park)

One of Berlin’s most impressive public monuments, this memorial to Soviet soldiers killed in the Second World War (one of three in Berlin) and military cemetery is located in a peaceful park in the east of the city. It’s as bombastic and intimidating as you would expect. Treptower Park covers a huge area and is visit-worthy in itself, so combine your stop with a bike ride along the Spree or a stroll to the nearby Karpfenteich (carp pond). In summer, you can enjoy a riverside coffee at one of the park’s restaurants and cafés.

10.  Haus am Checkpoint Charlie

Once the flashpoint between East and West, today the former Checkpoint Charlie border crossing offers tacky souvenir stalls, coach-loads of trippers and actors pretending to be US and Soviet guards, but it also features this fascinating little museum which is sure to please children and adults alike. The founder of Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Dr Rainer Hildebrandt, opened it as a non-violent protest against the Wall, with the purpose of recording the events that were taking place at the best-known crossing point. He believed it was essential to be ‘as close as possible to the injustice itself, where human greatness fully unfolds’. Today the museum tells of heroic escapes, successful and unsuccessful, with great sensitivity. 

11.  Tempelhofer Feld

Famous for its Nazi and Cold War history, Tempelhof airport ceased operation in 2008. Now, you can stroll down the runways where Second World War ‘Stuka’ dive bombers took off and where, during the famous Berlin Airlift after the Soviets blockaded West Berlin in 1948, the Western Powers landed supplies for the city’s 2.5 million residents in one of the greatest feats in aviation history. Today the 368-hectare open space of runways and grasslands is much enjoyed by walkers, kite-surfers, cyclists, runners and skaters alike.

12.  Rixdorf

A short walk from the busy shopping street of Karl-Marx-Strasse in Neukölln, you'll find the iconic and charming village of Rixdorf, centred around Richardplatz. Here, you'll find an ancient church among beautiful early 18th-century buildings. Plus, there’s even a horse-and-carriage business still in operation which will allow you to take a lovely your around the grounds. There is also an annual Christmas craft market held in the square. So, plenty to do and see in this small but intriguing village.

13.  Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum)

Berlin’s Natural History Museum will be a sure-fire hit with any under-10s. The biggest (literally) draw is the skeleton of a Brachiosaurus dinosaur, which weighed 50 tonnes at death and stands proud at four storeys high. But don’t miss the creepy ‘research collections’, which show off some of the museum’s store of over a million pickled animals suspended in jars of alcohol. Berlin’s most famous polar bear, Knut, who died in 2011, is also stuffed and on display.

14.  Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West)

KaDeWe, the legendary department store, is more than a century old and has stood at the heart of the city’s shopping scene through thick and thin. It stocks an impressive range of high-end designers and has tried to shed its stuffy image by bringing in upbeat younger labels. As opulent as ever, the space is also home to the quintessential luxury food-hall experience in a city otherwise teeming with budget supermarkets. With delicatessens, butchers, pâtisseries and grocers, and plenty of prepared foods to take away, the olfactory experience as you move between sections is a delight in itself. Head up another level to reach a cavernous glass-roofed restaurant with a fine view of Wittenbergplatz below.

15.  Prater Biergarten

• Bars and pubs
• Prenzlauer Berg

Temporarily closed

In the mid-16th century, brewing beer during summer was outlawed in Bavaria due to the drink’s rapid deterioration in the heat. Instead, brewers were encouraged to build cellars next to the River Isar in which to store beer for summer drinking, and thus, the Biergarten was born. Situated in leafy Prenzlauer Berg, Prater Garten is decidedly more Munich than Berlin and lures an appreciative crowd with beer, sausage and pretzels.

16.  Spandau

There’s a running joke among Berliners (though not an especially clever one) that Spandau, the westernmost of the city’s twelve districts, isn’t really part of the capital. Whatever the case may be, this picturesque area is absolutely worth a day trip. Spread out along the River Havel, Spandau’s old town is the site of a gorgeous Christmas market each winter, and the medieval Zitadelle is one of Europe’s best-preserved fortresses.

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Craving currywurst here’s where to head next....

The 15 best restaurants in Berlin

This city’s 28 collective Michelin stars speak volumes: from venerated institutions like Mitte’s Grill Royal to the burgeoning foodie scene in once-gritty Neukölln, there are some downright life-changing meals to be had here.

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18 of the best things to do in Berlin

By Liz Humphreys and Krystin Arneson

Thirty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1989 the German capital's intoxicating mix of grit, glamour and anything-goes expression born from historical repression has made it one of the most dynamic cities on earth. Where else can you saunter through Prussian palaces, venture into Nazi-era bunkers, tour the world's longest outdoor art gallery and lose yourself in Europe's most famous techno temple? (And that's just day one.) So bring an open mind, pack your stamina and get ready to dive into all the city has to offer. Read on for the very best things to do in Berlin .

Hackesche Höfe and Haus Schwarzenberg

Beneath its rough exterior, Berlin hides elegant urban courtyards behind the Altbau buildings that survived World War II. In the heart of Berlin’s central Mitte neighbourhood, Hackesche Höfe is a cluster of eight café- and boutique-filled public courtyards dating from 1907. Following a complete renovation to restore the interconnected höfs (courtyards) to their former glory, the labyrinth reopened in 1996. Several doors down on Rosenthaler Straße, Haus Schwarzenberg is Hackesche Höfe’s gritty, graffiti-covered brother, and it offers a fascinating glimpse of what much of Berlin looked like before gentrification swept in.

Address: Rosenthaler Str. 39, Berlin 10178, Germany Website: haus-schwarzenberg.org

Charlottenburg Palace

Built in 1699 as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, wife of King Friedrich I, this massive, multi-winged baroque structure is Berlin’s largest palace. Heavily damaged in World War II and rebuilt and restored over several decades, the palace is home to a number of priceless collections, including royal porcelain and silver, crown jewels and important 18th-century French paintings by artists such as Antoine Watteau. The rooms themselves, most of which were entirely reconstructed, feature ornate plasterwork, gilding and frescoes, all based on original designs. The highlight is the gardens, created in the French and English style, with orderly hedges, fountains, ponds and tree-lined gravel paths.

Address: Spandauer Damm 10-22, Berlin 14059, Germany Website: spsg.de

Berlin Wall Memorial

This free indoor/outdoor museum and memorial is the best place to learn how the Berlin Wall sprung up, practically overnight, what life was like in the former East German state, and the heroic (and heartbreaking) attempts people made to reunite with their families. As you walk along this one-mile stretch of Bernauer Strasse, an open-air exhibit features photographs and signs detailing the stories on either side of the barrier. There’s also a preserved piece of the original border wall and a watchtower, as well as an indoor visitor centre with exhibits chronicling the political and historical events surrounding the city’s division.

Address: Bernauer Str. 111, Berlin 13355, Germany Website: stiftung-berliner-mauer.de

Mauerpark Flea Market

Located along a former part of the Berlin Wall that was a militarised no-man’s land known as the “Death Strip,” the area that is now Mauerpark (“Wall Park") was where guards stationed in watch towers would shoot would-be escapees trying to flee from East Berlin to West. Today, the attack dogs and soldiers are gone, and in their place, the city’s largest and best outdoor market is held every Sunday. Surrounding the bustling market in the trendy green space is something of an anything-goes circus, filled with jugglers, picnickers and the world's largest karaoke party, known as Bearpit Karaoke.

Address: Bernauer Str. 63-64, Berlin 13355, Germany Website: berlin.de

Perhaps no club in Berlin (or the world, for that matter) is more hallowed than Berghain. Set in a former East German power station, this cavernous, nondescript warehouse is the Holy Grail for techno fans, hosting three-day-long debauchery-induced raves. Every weekend, the club attracts some of the best DJs from all over the planet to spin and pump beats so intense that they ring in your bones instead of your ears.

Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Berlin 10243, Germany Website: berghain.berlin

Reichstag Building

Reduced to rubble after one of history's most infamous fires in the 1930s, and then rebuilt decades later, the stately Reichstag is arguably Germany's most iconic landmark. The building has been home of Germany’s parliament (the Bundestag) since 1999 and now serves as a symbol of the country’s reunification. Today, a glistening glass dome designed by starchitect Norman Foster sits atop the grand old structure, and anyone with an advanced booking can ascend its 755-foot-long ramp for sweeping views over the city. The Reichstag dome is one of the most enriching free experiences for first-time visitors to the city, where a troubled past exists side by side with a trendsetting future. Few places employ this juxtaposition quite as well as this monument to freedom and openness, which was literally built atop the site that saw Nazis rise to power.

Address: Platz der Republik 1, Berlin 11011, Germany Website: bundestag.de

Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum’s collection is vast and varied – and honestly more than a little overwhelming. The main exhibit is the Ethnological Collection and Asian Art, which displays about 20,000 objects from Berlin’s former Ethnological Museum and Museum for Asian Art of the State Museums. What’s most interesting here is that many objects are examined in a critical context – for instance, looking at how they were taken from African nations during colonial rule, with descriptions in both German and English. The fascinating, if sprawling, Berlin Global exhibit examines Berlin’s impact on the world in six categories: Boundaries, Entertainment, Fashion, Interconnection, Revolution, Space, and War. The After Nature (Humboldt Lab) exhibition critically examines the interplay between climate change and democracy in countries around the world. Then there are a few exhibitions reminding you of the building’s complex history: a Sculpture Hall displaying fragments of the original palace as well as six large 18th-century sculptures; the Palace Cellar below ground that includes part of the medieval Dominican monastery originally on the site as well as preserved sections of the Berlin Palace’s foundations; and a large-scale video panorama about the history of the site (“800 years of history in just 14 minutes!”) Plus, a panoramic rooftop on the fourth floor (accessible with an extra fee) offers lovely views of the Berlin rooftops. Also of note: as befits a modern museum, a good number of exhibits are interactive, with buttons to push, videos and virtual reality stories to watch, and audio to listen to.

Address: Schlossplatz , Berlin, 10178, Germany Website: humboldtforum.org

Brandenburg Gate

This triumphant neoclassical arch is Berlin’s most famous monument and the only remaining gate of the 14 that originally surrounded the city when it was a proud Prussian metropolis. Since then, Napoleon and Hitler have stormed through it and the world watched as thousands of Berliners swarmed the site with sledgehammers to topple the nearby Wall in 1989. Ever since, this Acropolis-inspired 1791 monument has come to symbolise German reunification. Conveniently located within easy walking distance of a trio of boldfaced Berlin sites (Tiergarten Park, the Reichstag, and The Holocaust Memorial), the Brandenburg Gate serves as a central meeting place for tourists.

Address: Pariser Platz , Berlin 10117, Germany Website: berlin.de

Topography of Terror

You’re on the site of the headquarters of the Gestapo, Nazi Germany’s secret police force between 1933 and 1945, where many political prisoners were tortured before being sent to concentration camps and prisons. The Reich Security Main Office, created by Nazi paramilitary organisation Schutzstaffel (SS) head and chief of the German police Heinrich Himmel – which was responsible for organising the Holocaust – was also headquarted here starting in 1939. Indoor and outdoor exhibitions walk visitors through the history of these organisations and the crimes that they committed. Especially moving is the outdoor exhibit “Berlin 1933-1945. Between Propaganda and Terror” that looks at how the Nazis came to power in Berlin; it’s displayed amongst excavated sections of the fomer building (visible through glass panels) where the Nazis planned their crimes against humanity. The comprehensive inside exhibit goes into even more depth, using photos and stories to tell the story of when the Nazis came to power and the crimes they committed until World War II ended. Both exhibits, plus regularly rotating temporary ones, are free to visit. For even more history, to the site’s north you’ll find the longest section of the Berlin Wall still remaining in the city centre.

Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, Berlin, 10963, Germany Website: topographie.de

Museum Island

Berlin's Smithsonian on the Spree, Museumsinsel (“Museum Island”) is a UNESCO-inscribed collection of five world-class museums and a must-see for anyone coming to Berlin. Spanning 6,000 years of art and history, the island’s ensemble of museums (The Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Pergamonmuseum, and Bode Museum) represent the pinnacle of Germany’s museum collection. Here, visitors can come face to face with Nefertiti; ascend an ancient altar dedicated to Zeus; and marvel at Monet, Cézanne, and Degas’ landscapes before crossing the bridge back to mainland Berlin.

Address: Bodestrasse 1-3, Berlin 10178, Germany Website: smb.museum

Neue Nationalgalerie

All of the Neue Nationalgalerie’s art dates from the 20th century. The museum’s permanent collection is strong on German Expressionism – think Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, and Emil Nolde – along with Cubist and Dada works, plus worthy pieces by such 20th-century art world luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, Piet Mondriaan, Joan Miró, and Wassily Kandinsky. Though the permanent exhibition space on the lower floor is large, it only holds about 250 pieces, so selections from the museum’s collection of about 5,000 artworks rotate throughout the year. (A new, larger “Berlin modern” museum is under construction next to the Neue Nationalgalerie to display more of the artworks; however, its planned opening in 2027 is in question, as it’s already behind schedule and millions over budget.) When the Neue Nationalgalerie reopened in 2021, the permanent exhibition space featured art from 1900 to 1945; from late 2023 through October 2025, the museum is displaying works from 1945 to 2000, with such artists as Barnett Newman, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and Louise Nevelson. Visitors also have the chance to catch the Gerhard Richter Art Foundation, which has loaned 100 works from the renowned German artist to the museum until at least 2026. You can hit the highlights in 60 to 90 minutes, but it will be a bit rushed. Two hours will give you a much more relaxed pace to explore the permanent and temporary collections, and to maybe even spend some time enjoying the lovely sculpture garden, if the weather’s nice.

Address: Potsdamer Str. 50, Berlin, 10785, Germany Website: smb.museum

Sammlung Boros

A renovated Nazi-era bunker in the now-posh Mitte district houses this private collection of contemporary art, owned by Christian and Karen Boros (who actually live in an apartment on the roof). The selection of sculpture, paintings, photographs, and installations by international artists rotate every four years, but have recently featured contemporary artists like Katja Novitskova, Guan Xiao, and Kris Martin. A guided tour across its five floors reveals not only the impressive collection but also the long history of the bunker, which was used as a Nazi air raid shelter and later became an underground techno club (you can still see vestiges of fluorescent paint in some rooms and stairwells). Tours (required) book up months in advance, so plan accordingly.

Address: Reinhardtstraße 20, Berlin 10117, Germany Website: sammlung-boros.de

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

A short walk from Brandenburg Gate, this sprawling, maze-like set of 2,711 concrete columns is a haunting reminder of the atrocities and toll of World War II and Germany’s main memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Officially called the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the site occupies an entire 205,000-square-foot city block and was designed by American architect Peter Eisenman after an exhaustive 17-year planning process. The memorial’s abstract design offers no explanation or prescribed walking path, but simply invites visitors to enter and become swallowed in its tomb-like slabs.

Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, Berlin 10117, Germany Website: stiftung-denkmal.de

East Side Gallery

With more than 100 paintings, the East Side Gallery is the world's largest (and longest) open-air art gallery. The 0.8-mile stretch of the Berlin Wall, which runs parallel to the Spree River, once trapped East Germans inside. But when the rest of the Wall came crumbling down in 1989, this stretch remained and became a concrete canvas for international artists, who splashed it with murals between February and June of 1990.

Address: Mühlenstraße 3-100, Berlin 10243, Germany Website: stiftung-berliner-mauer.de

Tempelhofer Feld

Used as a lifeline by some two million people during the Allied Airlift, Tempelhof Airport is now a sweeping urban playground that’s larger than Central Park. On sunny days, thousands of Berliners come to jog down the abandoned runways, bike under the old radar station, and grill next to grounded Cold War-era planes. Stay long enough and you’ll see beekeepers in the lawn, windsurfers on the runway, cricket players by the tarmac, zipliners in the forest and much more.

Address: Tempelhofer Damm, Berlin 12101, Germany Website: gruen-berlin.de

Berlin's signature park and "green lung," Tiergarten Park is a leafy 519-acre oasis that was once used as the hunting grounds of Berlin’s rulers (“Tiergarten” means “animal park”). These days, the boars and pheasants have moved on, and in their place a series of lakes, hiking paths, English gardens, and even a biergarten attract joggers, cyclists, and sunbathers. Towering over the centre of the park, the gilded Siegessäule (Victory Column) is the most famous of Tiergarten’s many monuments and commemorates Prussian war victories. Nearby, the white Schloss Bellevue palace is where the German president lives. Elsewhere, don’t miss the manicured English Garden and teahouse, and Berlin’s most attractive and romantic biergarten, Café am Neuen See, where lovers can enjoy a pint, a pizza, and a paddle aboard a rowboat on the lake. It would take you days to see all of the park – we recommend downshifting and taking your time here with a bike, a blanket and a book.

Website: visitberlin.de

Prater Garten

Prater Garden, Berlin's oldest biergarten, comprises almost a full acre of communal tables and benches. Although Germany’s capital city doesn't have the biergarten culture of Bavaria, this gem has been around since 1837 – and has withstood the multiple tests of time for good reason. Like most biergartens, the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial: People focus on their company first and their drinks (think Pils and housemade dark beer) second. This is also Berlin's best spot for a bratwurst fix; nothing goes better with sun and bier than a grilled sausage, so choose from spicy or standard. Bavarian pretzels make for great beer-side snacks, too.

Address: Kastanienallee 7-9, Berlin, 10435, Germany Website: prater-biergarten.de

24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Berlin

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Lura Seavey Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Berlin, the capital of Germany and the country's largest city, is also a major center of politics, culture, media, and science.

Noted for its cultural attractions, Berlin is home to the world-famous Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, while its diverse art scene encompasses numerous events, galleries, and museums , including those on Museum Island , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Despite the devastation of WWII, and following decades of decay to the east of the infamous Berlin Wall, the city has been rebuilt in a way that celebrates its successes while acknowledging a dark past.

Today, Berlin has earned a reputation as something of a youthful, hip tourist destination that offers an eclectic mix of places to visit, including new and classic architectural landmarks, dynamic entertainment, shopping, and a wide variety of sports and cultural institutions.

Whatever your interests, to help you get the most out of your sightseeing adventures, be sure to refer often to our list of the top tourist attractions in Berlin, Germany.

1. The Brandenburg Gate

2. the rebuilt reichstag, 3. museum island, 4. the berlin wall memorial, 5. german historical museum, 6. berliner fernsehturm: berlin's television tower, 7. mauer museum (checkpoint charlie museum), 8. charlottenburg palace and park, 9. gendarmenmarkt, 10. jewish museum berlin, 11. the german museum of technology, 12. memorial to the murdered jews of europe, 13. grosser tiergarten and the victory column, 14. pergamon museum, 15. the humboldt forum, 16. berlin cathedral church, 17. the topography of terror, 18. berlin zoological gardens, 19. tierpark berlin, 20. berlin-dahlem botanical garden and botanical museum, 21. ddr museum, 22. the nikolai quarter, 23. kaiser wilhelm memorial church, 24. französischer dom and the huguenot museum, where to stay in berlin for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to berlin, berlin, germany - climate chart.

Berlin's most famous historic landmark is undoubtedly the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor). Once a symbol of a divided nation, it now stands as a symbol of unity and peace.

This impressively large Neoclassical gate was commissioned by King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1788, and its design was inspired by the Propylaea in Athens' Acropolis. The sandstone monument is 26 meters tall, standing in the Mitte district's Pariser Platz , just a block from the Reichstag building.

During the Cold War, its physical and symbolic position as a blocked gate along the Berlin Wall made it a frequent site for demonstrations by West Berliners. It's also famous for being the backdrop of US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 entreaty to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall.

It was also the scene of a poignant gesture in 1999, when political leaders from a variety of countries—including Germany's Angela Merkel, Russia's Mikhail Gorbachev, and Poland's Lech Walesa—together walked through the gate to commemorate the tearing down of the Berlin Wall 10 years earlier.

Visiting the Brandenburg Gate at night is a special treat, and undoubtedly one of the top free things to do in Berlin .

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117, Berlin

The Reichstag (Reichstagsgebäude) was originally completed in 1894 where the Neo-Renaissance palace served as the home of the German Empire's Imperial Diet until it burned in 1933. It was not used again until after the reunification of Germany, at which point it underwent a 10-year reconstruction and finally became the home of the German Parliament in 1999.

A highlight of this magnificent reconstruction is the replacement dome, the Kuppel. Made of glass, it offers superb views of the surrounding city, especially at night from the Rooftop Restaurant. If you're visiting in the summer months, be sure to check into the schedule of light shows and film nights for a memorable Berlin experience.

Note that entry to the Dome and Terrace is ticketed, and due to demand, it's recommended that tickets be requested in advance . While registration is available on the day, you should expect a two- or three-hour wait. Free English language audio guides are available.

Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011, Berlin

Sandwiched between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben in a 400-meter-long canal, Spree Island—better known as Museum Island (Museumsinsel)—is one of the city's most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

Here, you'll find many of Berlin's oldest and most important museums , including the Old Museum (Altes Museum), built in 1830 to house the Crown Jewels and other royal treasures.

The New Museum (Neues Museum), destroyed during WWII, was rebuilt and opened again in 2009. It serves as the home of extensive collections from the Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities.

The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), opened in 1876, displays Neoclassical sculpture and paintings from 1815-1848, as well as Impressionist and early Modernist pieces. The Bode Museum houses a collection of Byzantine art, as well as a large sculpture collection spanning from medieval times to the late 1700s.

The city's most popular museum, the Pergamon features a Museum of Islamic Art, the Ishtar Gate, and reconstructed historic buildings from the Middle East. The newest museum attraction, the Humboldt Forum opened here in 2019 and houses the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and the Museum of Asian Art.

Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin

The Berlin Wall originated in 1961 when East Germany sealed off that half of the city to prevent citizens from fleeing to West Germany. By the time it was torn down in 1989, the four-meter-high wall extended 155 kilometers, dissected 55 streets, and possessed 293 observation towers and 57 bunkers.

Today, only small stretches of this graffiti-covered travesty remain, including a 1.4-kilometer stretch preserved as part of the Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer). It stands as a chilling reminder of the animosity that once divided Europe.

Highlights of a visit include the Marienfelde Refugee Center Museum, with its exhibits relating to the one-and-a-half million people who passed through Berlin as refugees; the Günter Litfin Memorial, a former watchtower now set up as a memorial, which pays tribute to the first civilian killed trying to cross from east to west; and the Monument in Memory of the Divided City and the Victims of Communist Tyranny.

Be sure to also check out the Window of Remembrance and the Visitor Center with views over the remains of the wall. Guided tours are available in English.

Address: Bernauer Straße 111, 13355 Berlin

Established to mark Berlin's 750th anniversary in 1987, the German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum, or DHM) is a must-visit for those interested in learning more about the city's remarkably rich history.

This much-visited attraction consists of a number of historic exhibition halls jam-packed with fascinating displays of artifacts relating to various periods and events from the country's founding right up to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Other highlights include exhibits relating to medicine, fashion, religion, printing, art, and photography. Military buffs are also well catered to with the museum's vast collection of historic armor, weapons, and uniforms.

There's also a cinema located on-site, and a research library that's open to the public. English language guided tours are available, and for those expecting a longer stay (you'll want to, there's that much to see), there's a handy cloakroom and café.

Address: Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin

Despite its age—it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020—the 368-meter-tall Berliner Fernsehturm (Berlin Television Tower) has lost none of its appeal to visitors to the city.

Since opening in 1970, Europe's third-tallest freestanding structure has attracted over 60 million visitors, most of them drawn for the spectacular views over Germany's capital.

Originally constructed to mark the prowess of communism (it's located in the former East Berlin district), the landmark can be picked out from pretty much every corner of the city, making it more significant as a symbol of the city's reunification in the 1980s.

Be sure to include the structure's observation deck in your visit, and if you're able to linger awhile, book a reservation at the 207-meter-high revolving restaurant.

Address: Panoramastraße 1 A, 10178 Berlin

Also of interest is the Checkpoint Charlie Museum (Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie). Marking the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin, this fascinating tourist attraction features numerous displays and artifacts tracing the history of human rights, along with exhibits dealing specifically with the history of the Berlin Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie.

Situated next to the original guardhouse, the museum also highlights some of the most interesting attempts made by those trying to escape communist rule. These include an original homemade air balloon used in one successful attempt.

Also of interest is the nearby open-air BlackBox Cold War exhibit , which features sections of the Berlin Wall and related information stations.

Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10969 Berlin

Berlin's oldest and largest Prussian estate, the late 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace was for decades the primary residence of German royalty.

Now beautifully restored, this huge palace has many extraordinary features, including a massive 50-meter-high central dome, opulent Baroque and Rococo décor throughout its expansive rooms, and a large garden that was inspired by the gardens at Versailles.

A highlight of the property's tour program is a visit to the New Wing , with its State Apartments and fine Banqueting Halls. Built in 1746, it's here visitors get a glimpse of the splendor in which the Prussian Kings and Electors lived, from Frederick I's bedroom and study with their fine furnishings and paintings, to the State Dining Room and 42-meter-long Golden Gallery with its rich, gilded stucco.

Over in the Old Palace is the Porcelain Cabinet, a room dedicated to a large historic porcelain collection and special exhibits, including the Crown Jewels and other royal items.

Other highlights are the Palace Park dating from 1697 and home to the New Pavilion (Neue Pavilion), built in 1788 in the style of a Neapolitan villa, and the Belvedere Teahouse with its fine collection of Berlin porcelain.

Be sure to visit the Mausoleum with its royal tombs, as well as the Grand Courtyard with its large statue of the Great Elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg. One of the top things to do in Berlin in winter is visit the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market , a spectacular display of more than 250 vendors and artisans exhibiting seasonal wares.

Address: Spandauer Damm 10, 14059 Berlin

The Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin's largest squares, is dominated by three historic landmark buildings: the Konzerthaus, the French Cathedral (Französischer Dom), and the German Cathedral (Deutscher Dom).

This picturesque 17th-century square is now one of Berlin's top tourist attractions and hosts numerous public events each year, including classical concerts on the steps of the Konzerthaus theater in the summer.

Come winter, the entire plaza becomes one of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany .

Konzerthaus : The Konzerthaus , built in 1821, is as famous for its architectural splendor as it is for the first-rate performances of Konzerthausorchester Berlin, one of the country's most popular symphony orchestras.

In front of the building stands a statue of the German poet Friedrich Schiller surrounded by four female figures who represent the artistic elements of Lyric Poetry, Drama, History, and Philosophy.

Cathedrals: The cathedrals are so named for their domes ("dom" is also the German word for cathedral) and are in fact not churches. The French Cathedral is home to the Huguenot Museum , and the German Cathedral exhibits the history of the German Parliament.

Alexanderplatz : Another well-known square in Berlin, Alexanderplatz was the center of East Berlin life and is now home to the World Time Clock, a popular meeting place. Nearby is the Television Tower (nicknamed Telespargel) with panoramic views of the city.

Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin

Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Jewish Museum Berlin (Jüdisches Museum Berlin) features a distinctive zinc-paneled exterior that makes it one of Berlin's most striking landmarks.

It was established in 2001, and inside visitors will find a wide range of historical artifacts and donated collections that illustrate the long history and struggle of Jewish Germans, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Exhibits include artwork, religious objects, and 24,000 photographs that have been preserved and recovered. Especially poignant is The Memory Void, where you'll find an installation called "Shalekhet," or "Fallen Leaves," a collection of some 10,000 iron faces spread across the ground. Sobering, to say the least.

The museum is also home to an extensive library and archives at the Academy of the Jewish Museum Berlin , where there are frequent educational programs. Museum galleries include sections dedicated to Hanukkah, anti-semitism, Middle East conflict, the history and culture of Jerusalem, and the life of Munich rabbi Leo Baerwald.

A variety of themed tour options are available, along with English language audioguides.

Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin

The must-see German Museum of Technology (Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin) was established in 1983 to showcase and celebrate Germany's industrial and technological prowess.

There are plenty of fun things to do for kids and families in this popular museum, including taking in displays related to the Industrial Revolution, getting some hands-on experience in a reconstructed workshop. In addition, the museum offers a fascinating look at the vehicles that evolved alongside this rise in mechanization.

There are plenty of vehicles and aircraft on display, including a number of preserved steam engines dating back as far as 1843. Other highlights include riding in a vintage 1930s train from the museum to its locomotive depot on the weekends.

Guided tours are available in English. For those wanting to make a day of it (which is recommended), there's a restaurant and picnic spot located on-site.

Address: Trebbiner Straße 9, D-10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg

A remarkable testament to the people of Germany and their commitment to never turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the past, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas)—also known as the Holocaust Memorial —is another Berlin landmark that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Sitting on the eastern side of Tiergarten, this collection of 2,711 concrete slabs covers 19,000 square meters of uneven ground. Below the sprawling memorial is an information center that houses the letters, diaries, and photographs of Holocaust victims. An audioguide is available in English.

Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin

Literally translated as the "Large Animal Garden," Berlin's Grosser Tiergarten has long been a major tourist attraction. Originally a royal hunting reserve in which deer, wild pigs, and other game were kept, it was transformed into a public park in 1700.

Attractively laid out with an abundance of trees and shrubs and expanses of grass and flower borders, the Tiergarten covers 210 hectares and is a favorite spot for relaxation, walking, and boating.

The park also contains numerous statues and monuments, including the 1880 Statue of Queen Luise , which depicts her with a relief recalling her care of wounded soldiers during the War of 1806. There's also an 1849 Monument to Frederick Wilhelm III , with reliefs reflecting the King's peace-loving disposition.

The most famous of the Tiergarten's monuments is the massive Victory Column (Siegessaule), a 70-meter-tall structure crowned by an eight-meter-high gold statue of Victoria. The statue, dubbed Golden Lizzy by locals, was completed in 1873.

It's well worth climbing the 285 steps to the top of this magnificent monument for the views over the Tiergarten . And if you look closely, you'll still see evidence of bullet damage caused during WWII.

Address: Str. des 17. Juni, 10785 Berlin

The Pergamon , the most visited of the Museum Island attractions, is also one of Berlin's top sightseeing destinations. It is home to three main galleries, each occupying a wing of the massive building, including the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Art Museum, and the Antiquity collection.

The artifacts, which narrowly escaped harm during WWII, were collected by German archaeologists during the 19th and 20th centuries from excursions to Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia.

Primarily focused on architectural marvels, including ornate façades and gates, some of the museum's most famous pieces are the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, and the Mshatta Façade. A café and bookshop are located on-site.

One of the most popular attractions on Museum Island—a place that's already busting at the seams with great sightseeing opportunities—is the newly opened Humboldt Forum .

Established in 2019, this remarkable feat of construction sees two of Berlin's leading museum collections —the Museum of Ethnography (Ethnologisches Museum) and the Museum of Asian Art Museum (Museum für Asiatische Kunst)—now housed under a single roof: that of a completely reconstructed Berlin Palace. Both are considered to be the equal of leading museums around the world.

Visitors can now easily explore Germany's largest collections of non-European treasures , including a trove of more than 400,000 artifacts from across the globe.

Notable highlights include displays of ancient art from Asia, along with sizable collections focusing specifically on China. In addition to its theaters, the facility houses two restaurants and a shop.

Address: Schloßpl. 1, 10178 Berlin

Located on Museum Island next to the Lustgarten , the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is one of the complex's most imposing buildings thanks to its 75-meter-high dome.

Built in the New Baroque style, the building is the largest church in Berlin and is divided into three main sections: the Memorial Church, the Baptismal and Nuptial Church, and the Parish Church. After decades of painstaking work to repair war damage, the church has been returned to its former glory.

Highlights of a visit include the Imperial Staircase, decorated with bronze cornices and 13 tempera paintings by Berlin landscape painter Albert Hertel in 1905. You should also plan to see the Imperial Gallery with its splendid views of Berlin.

Another popular feature is the Hohenzollern Crypt, which contains nearly 100 sarcophagi, coffins, and monuments from the 16th to 20th centuries.

Try to time your visit for one of the cathedral's many concerts, organ recitals, or special visitor services, and be sure to climb the 270 steps to the Dome for superb views over Museum Island. English language guided tours are available, and a café and shop are located on-site.

Address: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin

Also known as the Museum of the Gestapo, the Topography of Terror (Topographie des Terrors) occupies the buildings that were once the central offices and prison of the Secret State Police and the headquarters of Gestapo operations during WWII.

The main exhibit focuses on the SS and police during Nazi rule, highlighting the terrible crimes that were committed and giving visitors a sense of the constant state of terror that was everyday life for Europeans under their control.

Exhibits include documents, photographs, audio, and film, and explore various themes, including persecution and extermination, occupied countries, and the postwar era.

Visitors are also invited to tour the historic grounds, which include remains of the Berlin Wall and the outdoor exhibition Historic Wilhelmstraße. Informative English language tours are available on Sundays.

Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin

Berlin Zoological Gardens (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) is the oldest zoo in Germany and remains one of Berlin's most popular attractions, welcoming 3.5 million guests each year.

Established in 1844 and completely rebuilt after WWII, the zoo has earned a reputation for its many successful breeding programs and is known for providing authentic habitats for the animals.

The zoo is home to nearly 20,000 animals big and small, from Arctic wolves to zebras. Famous residents include a pair of giant pandas, two species of giraffe, and a flock of diminutive African penguins.

The Zoological Gardens are also home to Europe's biggest aviary, as well as Aquarium Berlin , where you can watch more than 9,000 creatures swim in its 250 tanks, including reef and tiger sharks, jellyfish, tropical fish, reptiles, and insects.

Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin

Another zoo of interest is Tierpark Berlin . Spread across 400 acres and home to some 7,250 animals from 846 different species.

Opened in the 1950s, it's very nearly the equal of Berlin Zoo and is well worth a visit, especially if you're traveling with kids. Star creatures include its elephants (the zoo is known for its breeding program), polar bears, as well as a large herd of muskox.

If you're visiting in summer, be sure to time your visit to coincide with one of the regular late openings. And check out the zoo's website for details of special kids' programs, feeding schedules , as well as tours and unique animal experiences.

Address: Am Tierpark 125, 10319, Berlin

Originally the kitchen and herb garden of the Royal Palace, the Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum (Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem) was built in 1679 on the instructions of the Grand Elector.

Covering 126 acres, it is one of the world's largest botanical gardens , home to more than 20,000 species of plants that represent the flora of not only Europe but also tropical and subtropical environments in the Great Tropical House.

There are also gardens of medicinal plants and a large pond forming the centerpiece of the biotope for marine and marsh plants.

If you can, try to visit at Christmas, or during the attraction's annual "Botanical Night" event, considered one of the most romantic things to do in Berlin in winter.

Also worth seeing is the Electoral Garden with its 17th-century garden greenery, the garden restaurant, and the excellent Botanical Museum with its herbarium featuring more than two million plants and an extensive library.

Address: Königin-Luise-Strasse 6-8, 14195 Berlin

One of Berlin's newer tourist attractions, the DDR Museum opened in 2006 and offers a sobering look at life in East Berlin under communist rule.

Located in the old government district of East Berlin, this popular attraction features a variety of hands-on, interactive exhibits related to such areas of life as surveillance, the privations of everyday life, as well as a replica tower block.

Other highlights of a visit include a replica prison cell, interrogation room, cinema, along with accompanying information. Be sure to try out the Trabant simulator, which provides a realistic driving experience along the Berlin Wall in a classic East German vehicle.

A large collection of authentic artifacts from this time period are also on display.

Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178 Berlin

Berlin's Nikolai Quarter (Nikolaiviertel) is in the heart of the old city, and is where you'll find many of its oldest and most popular attractions, as well as plenty of interesting things to do beyond the usual places to visit.

This pedestrian-friendly quarter is known for its many small buildings set along narrow streets full of nooks and crannies, home to restaurants, cafés, and shops, along with craft workshops selling everything from basketry to wooden crafts.

Highlights include the district's many old fountains, lanterns, and lattice-windows on the older houses and historic buildings such as Ephraim Palace , built in the 1760s, which has exhibits dedicated to Berlin's rich artistic and cultural history, as well as an exquisite grand staircase.

Also of note is Knoblauch House , built in 1760 and representative of the former homes of the city's wealthy Jewish merchants and tradesmen.

Another favorite tourist spot is Berlin's most famous street, Unter den Linden . This broad avenue stretches some 1,400 meters and connects Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate to the Lustgarten.

Today, the two car lanes on the Unter den Linden are separated by a wide, central pedestrian area that extends much of the street's length and provides a wonderful place to relax and take in the bustling city around you. Popular attractions are the Gendarmenmarkt , the Opera House , and St. Hedwig's Cathedral .

Address: Nikolaikirchplatz, 10178 Berlin

One of Berlin's most interesting landmarks, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) is in many ways two churches: the ultra-modern new church designed in 1961, and next to it, the ruins of the original, including most of the 63-meter-high tower.

Completed in 1895 in honor of Emperor Wilhelm I, the original was destroyed in 1943, but its remains were incorporated into the new complex.

The result is now a major Berlin landmark that also serves as a war memorial, with exhibits installed containing mosaic remains, architectural remnants, and photos. The centerpiece is a figure of Christ from the old church and a Cross of Nails from Coventry Cathedral, destroyed by German bombs earlier in WWII.

Guided tours are available, and visitors are welcome to participate in Sunday services; Evening Music Services featuring cantatas, organ recitals, and choral music; and regular weekday services. A very popular Christmas Market is held outside the church each winter.

Address: Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin

The Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) was constructed in 1705 by and for French Calvinists (Huguenots) who came to Berlin in the late 17 th century seeking religious freedom. Its ornate dome was later added in 1785, and repaired in the 20 th century after sustaining damage during WWII.

The church's tower is one of the best places to get a bird's-eye view of the city of Berlin , offering panoramic views over the Gendarmenmarkt and nearby landmarks like the Berliner Dom and Pergamonmuseum on Museum Island.

The freshly renovated Huguenot Museum is located in the tower of the cathedral, dedicated to the history of those who were forced to relocate as a result of the Reformation. The exhibits focus on the contributions made by these immigrants who, at the time the church was built, made up around 25 percent of the city's population.

The museum includes paintings, photographs, books, and furniture, and also hosts lectures and special programs throughout the year. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 noon to 5pm.

Address: Gendarmenmarkt 7, 10117 Berlin,

For those wanting to be within walking distance of top attractions such as the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island, the best place to stay is Berlin's Mitte district, the city's historic center. Here are some highly rated hotels to consider in or near this area:

Luxury Hotels:

• One of Berlin's most iconic hotels is the magnificent SO/Berlin Das Stue , centrally located and overlooking the western section of the beautiful Tiergarten. This boutique hotel features the Michelin-starred Cinco restaurant, as well as high-end amenities like electric vehicle charging, on-site spa services, and in-room breakfast.
• At the Tiergarten's opposite end, the Regent Berlin and Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin are just steps away from the historic Brandenburg Gate and are perfectly positioned to explore the city's famous Museum Island. Both are also just a short walk from the tree-lined Unter den Linden, famous for its boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Just minutes away from the Tiergarten and close to excellent dining and shopping, the Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West is a great base from which to explore other areas of Berlin thanks to its proximity to the city's excellent subway (U-Bahn) system.
• Another popular option is The Circus Hotel , just minutes from Museum Island. Renovated in 2020, this eco-conscious boutique hotel offers a lovely garden courtyard, as well as a rooftop terrace.
• Also of note is the funky, modern Hotel Gat Point Charlie , which as its name suggests, is adjacent to one of Berlin's most famous landmarks. It's also just steps away from the Friedrichstrasse shopping area, and guests can rent bicycles on-site for exploring the city.

Budget Hotels:

• For those on a tight budget, city-center options worth considering include the Ibis Berlin Kurfurstendamm Hotel , a short walk from the Tiergarten, and Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt , not far from the city's museum district.
• A fun stay can be enjoyed at the unique CUBE Lodges Berlin Mitte , a collection of bungalow-style "cubes" capable of sleeping up to four people and set around activities including volleyball courts and bike rentals, all just a short walk from the Berlin Wall Memorial.
• Sightseeing: There are several great ways to see Berlin, whether by bus, bike, or on foot. One of the easiest ways to get around the city and learn a little about the history is on a double-decker, open-air Berlin City Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour . This tour offers 20 stops at various points of interest, with the option to get off or stay on the bus. For a more in-depth, feet-on-the-ground experience, the Explore Berlin Walking Tour offers a three-hour guided walking tour that includes major attractions, from the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to Hitler's former bunker. If you really want to get active, take a 4.5-hour guided Berlin Bike Tour to see the city's top attractions and learn about their history along the way.
• Day Trips: The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Tour from Berlin is a six-hour day trip to one of the first concentration camps established by the Third Reich. Today, it is a national memorial. This is a historian-led tour and includes admission to the site. If you would like to visit iconic tourist attractions like Zwinger Palace and Frauenkirche, the Dresden Day Trip from Berlin provides an opportunity to get a guided walking tour of the historic city and then enjoy the afternoon exploring Dresden and the banks of the River Elbe at your leisure.

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Germany's Other Big Cities : The old imperial city of Frankfurt should be on your Germany itinerary, and in addition to is lovely setting on the River Main is well known for its cultural events, including being home to the Frankfurt Book Fair. Historic Munich is also a must-visit, especially for its stunning cathedral and Marienplatz , the city's central square, popular for people watching and enjoying a picture-perfect, pedestrian-only experience. In the north of the country, the port city of Hamburg -the country's second biggest city-is a delight to explore on foot, especially its old historic quays, canals, and docks.

Germany's Incredible Scenery : Picture Germany, and you'll no doubt conjure up the kind of images associated with picturesque Bavaria , the country's largest state and home to the kind of traditional sights of forests, mountains, and quaint little villages. The Black Forest is another area often visited by tourists, and is as famous for its thick forests as it is for its old farmhouses and pretty villages. For the country's most dramatic scenery, head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen , a mountainous region as popular with skiers in winter as it is hikers and mountain bikers in the summer.

Top Germany Travel Ideas : For a look at old Germany, be sure to include the romantic town of Rothenburg on your travel itinerary, as famous for its old walls and towers as it is for its remarkably preserved medieval architecture. The magnificent Rhine Valley region also makes for a great German vacation, especially one that takes in a Rhine River cruise through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Rhine Gorge. A similar experience can be enjoyed in the equally attractive Mosel Valley , home to the old Roman city of Trier.

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15 Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

  GettyImages / RICOWde

Berlin is a city of experiences. Whether it is standing before the reborn grandeur of the Reichstag, traveling along the dividing force of the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, or partying throughout the night, the city has layers of living history.

It is the most visited city in Germany (and its capital) and the third most visited destination in all of Europe. There are enough things to keep a visitor occupied for a lifetime, so use this guide to find the top attractions, from beautiful parks to historical sights to flourishing markets and world-class museums. 

Cross Through the Brandenburger Tor

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

One of Berlin's most iconic landmarks is the Brandenburg Gate. In German history, the gate has reflected the country's turbulent story like no other landmark in Germany .

Inspired by the Acropolis in Athens and topped by Quadriga, a four-horsed chariot driven by Victoria, the gate acts as the entrance to the boulevard Unter den Linden on one side and Die Strasse des 17. Juni and the Siegessäule on the other. During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate stood between East and West Berlin and was the sad symbol for the city's division. When the wall fell in 1989 and Germany was reunited, the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol for untied Germany.

Gaze Out the Glass Dome of the Reichstag

The Reichstag in Berlin is the traditional seat of the German Parliament. A mysterious fire here in 1933 allowed Adolf Hitler to claim emergency powers, leading to his dictatorship. It was also here his empire collapsed as the Russians raised a flag above its ruined dome on May 2, 1945.

When the historic building was remodeled in the 1990s, it was adorned with a modern glass dome that symbolized glasnost theory. Visitors can book a visit and ride up to the top of the building and look down through the dome to literally watch politics in motion. It also offers a stunning view of the Berlin skyline with a free audioguide to acquaint yourself with the city.

Walk Along the Berlin Wall

Berlin's East Side Gallery (ESG) is the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall at nearly a mile long. After the wall fell in 1989, hundreds of artists from around the world, among them Keith Haring and Thierry Noir, came to Berlin to transform the grim and gray wall into a piece of art. The art covers the east side of the former border between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg . Once untouchable, it now has more than 100 paintings and is the largest open-air gallery globally. On the other side of the water is the Spree River and iconic Oberbaumbrücke.

Another wall-centric location is the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Memorial to the Berlin Wall) in Prenzlauer Berg . There is a preserved section of the double-layered wall—complete with death strip—and a powerful museum documenting the history.

Besides these two locations, there are segments of the wall left throughout the city and souvenir pieces of "the wall" in every tourist shop.

Explore Museum Island and the Cathedral

 TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Berlin is home to more than 170 museums and galleries with some of the finest collections in the world.

Berlin's Museum Island is home to five world-class museums covering everything from the famous bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti to top European paintings from the 19th century. Of the five, the most famous is the Pergamon Museum, renowned for its collection of classical antiquities, including the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art. Highlights are the full-scale reconstructions of the Pergamon Altar, Market Gate of Miletus, and the Gate of Ishtar. This unique ensemble of museums and traditional buildings on the small island in the river Spree is even a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Unter den Linden runs through Mitte and leads over the island. The Berliner Dom, the impressive Protestant Cathedral, with the Lustgarten before it are the main areas to lounge on the small river-surrounded island.

Shop, Sing, and Chill at Mauerpark

GettyImages / hanohiki

Many people in Berlin find themselves at Mauerpark ("Wall Park") on a Sunday. Its location in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg  neighborhood and its party atmosphere perfectly encapsulate the chaotic spirit of the city. An estimated 40,000 people leisurely filter through the area every Sunday.

A massive city park that occupies the space that once held the Berlin Wall, it now has the largest flea market in the city with international street food , a dedicated karaoke amphitheater, sports facilities like basketball courts and the inevitable soccer pick-up game, a graffiti wall with swings soaring over the scene, and an unmissable view of the Fernsehturm  (TV tower) in the distance.

Get Lost in the Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe

The Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) is one of Germany’s most impressive and moving monuments to the Holocaust . Located between Brandenburger Tor and Potsdamer Platz , the massive sculpture park comprises 2,711 geometrically arranged concrete pillars.

Visitors can walk through the uneven, sloping field from all four sides and wander through the columns, evoking a disorienting feeling of isolation. Like many monuments, its 2003 construction was contentious, but now it is an accepted must-see site.

For a personal story of the Holocaust, enter the free underground museum that exists below. It is here that the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims are recorded, along with many of their stories.

Look Up to the Siegessäule

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson  

The slender Victory Column in the middle of Strasse des 17. Juni beside the Tiergarten is known as the Siegessäule, or less formally as "Golden Else" or even "chick on a stick." Else played an important supporting role in the German film "Wings of Desire" and is a focal point during Berlin's boisterous Christopher Street Day Parade (which helped lend its name to the city's most popular gay magazine ). Berlin's incredibly long boulevards mean you can see her from miles away.

To see the city from her viewpoint, visitors must climb 285 steep stairs to reach the open-air viewing platform with 360-degree views of the park and cityscape in the distance.

Wander the Royal Hunting Grounds of the Tiergarten

Berlin's Tiergarten was once only accessible to Prussian kings, but now is one of the most popular public parks in the city. The largest inner-city park covers nearly 550 acres with leafy paths, trickling creeks, gleaming statues, rose gardens, playgrounds, open-air cafes, and biergartens . While there is plenty to do in the park, the best thing is to find a sunny spot in a secluded meadow for a picnic or a bit of clandestine sunning (some of the lawns permit nude sunbathing; look out for the signs that say "FKK").

If you are in the park on a Sunday, look for the nearby Berliner Trödelmarkt with a range of second-hand offerings from fancy crystal chandeliers to gold door handles. If you haven't packed a picnic, you can fill up at the Cafe am Nueun See or Schleusenkrug, or step out of the park toward Tiergarten S-Bahn station for a giant platter of German food at Tiergartenquelle.

Pay Your Respects at the Memorial Church

The Protestant Memorial Church of Berlin is actually easier to say than Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche. No matter what you call it, the half-ruined church is an important stop on any visit.

It is one of the city's most prominent landmarks as one of many sites heavily damaged by air raids in World War II. Unlike other buildings that were razed to make room for new development, Kaiser Wilhelm was reinforced in its partially demolished state so everyone could observe what most of the city looked like when the war was over. Berliners have taken to calling it "der hohle Zahn," meaning "the hollow tooth."

Walk inside what little remains to examine the church's beauty, history, and legacy. Also not to be missed are the early '60s era church and bell tower and the nearby pop-up mall with international food court, Bikini Berlin.

Look at the Animals and the Skyscrapers at the Zoo

Berlin's historic city zoo is the oldest in Germany, filled with exotic species of animals and surrounded by skyscrapers.  

Enter through the impressive Elefantentor (elephant gate) and enjoy visiting the many animals. Once home to international star polar bear Knut, visitors today can see the hippopotamus aquarium, panda enclosure which features two panda cubs, and climate-controlled aviaries. For the kids, there is also an elaborate playground that vies for a favorite spot in the zoo.

Also on site is a small aquarium. Visitors can buy combination tickets, or even combination tickets with these two attractions and the former East Berlin Zoo, the Tierpark .

Browse at Hackescher Markt

Berlin building’s straight-laced facades often hide the vibrant mini-centers of the city. Sometimes surrounding a quiet residential courtyard with bikes, dumpsters, and children's play gear, other hofs (courtyards) are a window into Berliner's busy social lives.

Lively Hackescher Markt is an area brimming with cafes, chic shops, and art galleries. Start at Hackesche Hoefe, an ensemble of historic courtyards, the largest enclosed courtyard area in Germany. Colorful tile work stretches upwards, while below there are one-off shops, bio (organic) ice cream stands, and theaters. The surrounding streets of Weinmeisterstrasse, Alte Schoenhauser Strasse and Rosenthaler Strasse provide further retail therapy.

The area is becoming increasingly commercial, and tour groups frequently make their way through the narrow alleyways, but it remains a charming and unique site. Look for lesser-known attractions like the tiny Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt , which waged secret opposition to the Nazi party, or the art shop above the independent cinema, Kino Central.

Relive the Olympics

GettyImages / Siegfried Layda

Massive and imposing, Olympiastadion was originally built for the 1936 Olympic Games. It was here that Jesse Owen's dominated that year's track and field competition in defiance of Hitler.

Today, visitors can admire the visually arresting architecture at the many sporting events that still occur here or while attending one of Germany's top festivals . Visitors can't miss the high-spirited Ostkurve (east curve) when hometown Fussball (soccer) team, Hertha Berlin, plays here. Outside the stadium, the Glockenturm (Bell Tower) can offer a bird's eye view of the area. The stadium is periodically open for tours, and there is even a public pool on site. Even on non-event days, an estimated 300,000 visitors come to Olympiastadion.

Enjoy Berlin's Neverending Nightlife

Berlin nightlife is legendary. In this city that never sleeps, clubs don't really come to life until around 2 a.m., but all the other hours can be spent in biergartens , beach bars , light night hangouts, breweries , or open-air clubs. The party just doesn't stop.

The city has an unpretentious nightlife scene with some of the top nightlife performers globally, making it a destination along with its affordable rates and in-the-know vibes. The Berlin districts best known for their nightlife include Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain with world-renowned clubs like The House of Weekend, Sisyphos, Tresor, and Berghain.

Boat Through the City Center

Boat tours are common throughout Berlin's historic city center. After a long day of walking giant city blocks, a boat ride on the Spree past famed landmarks can be a relaxing break.

Glorious when the sun is shining, tours run rain or shine within the comfortable confines of the glass-topped boats. Hop on a boat at Museums Island, where many different tours are offered in increments of 45 minutes or longer with special dinner cruises as well as themed events around Christmas take place.

Visit the Iconic Potsdamer Platz

One of the busiest squares in Berlin—and thus in all of Germany, Potsdamer Platz is Berlin's attempt at a commercial center. The neon dome of Sony Center is a showstopper, towering over this high-traffic space of restaurants, museums, offices, and a modern fountain. Potsdamer Platz has up to 100,000 visitors who pass through it every day.

Nearby, Europe's first stoplight and a piece of the Berlin Wall hint at the area's uneven history. Below ground, it is a major transport hub with activity in the form of trains, S-Bahns, U-Bahns, and moving walkways.

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Berlin's Potsdamer Platz: The Complete Guide

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Berlin's Reichstag: The Complete Guide

Guide to the Tiergarten in Berlin

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29 Cool Things To Do in Berlin – the Touristy Stuff + My Favourite Hidden Gems

I have lived in berlin, still travel there many times a year and try to keep my finger on the pulse of what to see and experience in the german capital..

In this post, I will share some of the best & coolest things to do in Berlin .

Planning a last minute trip to Berlin? 🇩🇪 Here are my favourite places to stay & things to do in German capital. 🛌 Places to Stay : 1. Hotel Adlon Kempinski (luxury hotel where all the celebs are staying too, right by the Brandenburg Gate) 2. NH Collection Mitte (very good hotel with an even better location in the heart of Berlin) 3. H4 Hotel Alexanderplatz (affordable hotel near Alexanderplatz and my favourite area, Prenzlauer Berg) 🎟️ Top Activities & Tours : 1. Fast-track ticket to the TV Tower (skip the slow-moving queue) 2. Go on Boat Tour on the River Spree (lovely way to see a lot of sights) 3. Take a Third Reich and Cold War Walking Tour 4. Take a guided tour to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial 🚇 Get The Berlin WelcomeCard for easy access to public transport (it's also valid on the Airport Express train) & huge discounts on a lot of activities in Berlin.

I’ll mention the top things to do and come up with my favourites from when I lived in the German capital and from my many subsequent travels.

I used to run my own travel agency where I customised trips to Berlin, so if you’ve any questions about Berlin, you’re more than welcome to comment below.

1. The TV tower at Alexanderplatz

2. boat trip in berlin – see the sights from the river spree.

• 3. Sightseeing bus tour (Berlin is a huge city!)

4. The Stasi prison in Hohenschönhausen

5. berlin story bunker – wwii museum, the best way to see the sights in berlin: walk from alexanderplatz to the brandenburg gate, 6. alexanderplatz, 7. rotes rathaus, 8. berliner dom, 9. unter den linden, 10. bebelplatz, 11. gendarmenmarkt, 12. checkpoint charlie, 13. the wall panorama museum, wwii things to do in berlin, 14. topography of terror, 15. the holocaust memorial, 16. the brandenburg gate – berlin’s best-known sight, 17. the bundestag – the german parliament, the berlin wall, 18. east side gallery, 19. gedänkstätte berlin mauer, 20. museum island – 5 world-famous museums on one island, 21. panoramapunkt – see berlin from the top of potsdamer platz, 22. madame tussauds berlin, 23. alternative berlin experience – an alternative guided tour, 24. kurfürstendamm – the trendy shopping street in charlottenburg, 25. kaiser wilhelm memorial church, 26. berlin victory column and tiergarten, 27. berlin zoo, 28. olympiastadion – the olympic stadium used at the 1936 olympics, 29. eat a döner, what are the best things to do in berlin, what are some hidden gems & non-touristy things to do in berlin, when is it best to visit berlin, what are the best areas of berlin, how many days should you spend in berlin, what to do in berlin on a sunday.

First, I would recommend everyone going on a city break in Berlin buy the so-called Berlin Welcome Card .

It’s a card for tourists that gives access to the city’s public transport for 48 hours, 72 hours or 5 days. It is very useful when going around and seeing sights.

In addition to providing access to public transport in Berlin and transportation from Berlin airport to the city centre , you also get a discount on over 200 different sights in Berlin, so it makes a lot of sense to invest in the Berlin WelcomeCard.

Let’s begin with my guide to Berlin’s best things to do.

The legendary TV tower right by Alexanderplatz is an unavoidable attraction on the trip to Berlin.

The TV tower can be seen from most of Berlin and is a good benchmark for where you are in the enormous German capital.

The view from up there is awe-inspiring, and you get a sense of how big a city Berlin is.

A trip up the TV tower is thus also an excellent experience for children and adults.

• A mistake I made when I first went up the TV tower in Berlin was not buying a skip-the-line ticket.

How stupid I felt when I stood in the queue for an hour and a half and saw people skipping the line because they had already booked a ticket.

I won’t make that mistake again, and I can strongly recommend everyone who wants to visit the iconic tower buy a ticket from home.

Get your fast-track ticket here .

When going to Berlin on a city break, you’ll see the river Spree , which cuts its folds right through the middle of Berlin. The fact that the Spree is centrally located in the city means you pass a string of attractions on a boat trip in Berlin.

There are many different boat trips in Berlin, and many companies organise popular trips.

As always, however, it is possible to book the ticket from home and be guaranteed a place on a boat.

Look at this 1-hour boat trip around the Reichstag and Museum Island .

The boat docks in Berlin Mitte, my top recommended area for places to stay in Berlin .

3. Sightseeing bus tour ( Berlin is a huge city ! )

When I lived in Berlin, I took a bus ride with my family when they visited me.

I admit I should have done that as one of the first things as I got to the city.

Most people have tried to be on these classic sightseeing bus tours in various European cities, which can sometimes be a bit unnecessary, but in Berlin, in particular, it makes a lot of sense to go on a bus tour around and see the sights.

Berlin is huge and divided into many different districts, each with its own life and hubs.

With a bus tour (where you can hop on and off as you please for 24 hours), it is possible to experience several different parts of the city and sights quickly.

See more about sightseeing bus tours in Berlin here .

I when on a school trip to Berlin as a teenager in high school, where we started our trip by visiting the old Stasi prison in Hohenschönhausen . I don’t think I was the only one who got nauseous from being there.

In other words, it is not the most uplifting thing to do in Berlin, but it is perhaps the one on the list that has made the biggest impression on me.

You can only go on guided tours of the prison, and the wild thing is that the guides are often former prisoners under the GDR regime . In other words, they know what they’re talking about when they show around the dungeons.

A scary but exhilarating historical thing to do in Berlin .

There are guided tours in English every day at 10:40, 12:40 and 14:40.

You can book online here .

As the prison is located a good distance out in eastern Berlin, a special tour has been made where you are picked up by a private driver at your hotel and driven to and from the prison.

See more about this tour here .

Another fascinating place for those interested in history, particularly WWII, is the Berlin Story Bunker.

Here you can see the exhibition “Hitler, How Could It Happen” and learn about Hitler, Nazism and the history of Berlin.

In addition, there is a large model of Hitler’s “ führerbunker “, where he ended his days at the end of World War II.

See more about the Berlin Bunker Story .

When I had my own travel agency, I made tailor-made trips for Berlin (as well as London , Scotland and New York City ).

Here I also came up with recommendations of things to do and made walks that passed some of the city’s best attractions.

And perhaps, in particular, experiences in Berlin about the Second World War.

When I was a tour guide for a bus full of Danish tourists a few months ago, I finally got the opportunity to test my one walk myself and it worked really well!

So I would recommend it if you want to see some of Berlin’s best sights on a walk that takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the pace and coffee stops.

I’ve made a video where I’m walking this exact route in Berlin:

The tour starts at Alexanderplatz, which is well-known to many tourists. It’s not really because anything extraordinary is happening right here, but it’s a bit of a ‘hub’ for public transport and, thus, a fine landmark.

However, one thing you should see at Alexanderplatz is the World Time Clock .

(The TV Tower is also located here – so you could start the walk by going up the tower )

Then the tour continues past the Rotes Rathaus , Berlin’s town hall and one of the more iconic buildings in the German capital.

Rotes Rathaus is close to Alexanderplatz and is Berlin’s stunning town hall.

The river Spree is crossed and immediately thunders Berliner Dom as you start the tour on Unter den Linden .

From the road, you can even look towards Museumsinsel , the museum island, where the world-famous Pergamon Museum is located (more on this later in this guide).

Unter den Linden goes up to the Brandenburger Tor, which is (almost) the last point of the walk, but we turn left at Bebelplatz .

Bebelplatz is the square where the Nazis burned over 20,000 books by mainly Jewish authors in 1933.

The walk continues to Gendarmenmarkt, where we find both the French and German churches. A beautiful square inspired by the Piazza del Popolo in Rome.

This would be an excellent place for a coffee stop.

From here, it is a short walk down to another iconic attraction in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie, which hardly requires much introduction.

Around Checkpoint Charlie is always a bit busy in the street with street vendors selling a lot of junk from the GDR era.

Personally, I don’t think the GDR is something that should be celebrated, and I always cringe when I see people who wear GDR merchandise but to each his own taste…

Right next to Checkpoint Charlie is an interactive museum that always triggers my curiosity when I’m on these edges. It is relatively new, and the times I have been past it, I have not had time to look inside.

On the other hand, I have only heard positive things about it and can also read from the reviews that it should be fascinating.

The museum is called THE WALL – Panorama and, although I can’t say for sure, I think it’s worth a visit.

Read more about the museum and buy a ticket here , it’s quite cheap actually.

The next places on the walk are unfortunately not ones you pass with a huge smile on your face, but I still think they are important to pass by.

From here, it’s just a matter of following the Berlin Wall westbound.

Then you hit (yet another) slightly depressing thing to see in Berlin, the SS’s old headquarters, which has now been converted into a museum, which shows just what atrocities the Nazis were behind – Topography of Terror .

The Topography of Terror in Berlin isn’t particularly cheerful, but I’d still recommend it if you’re interested in history – it’s free , by the way.

You could swing past Potsdamer Platz from here, which is often mentioned as a place in Berlin you should see, but in my view, there is nothing to go there for – it’s just a big square…

The next point on the walk is also not in the funny category, but nevertheless one of the city’s most well-known and visited attractions – the monument to the Jews killed during the Second World War .

You have undoubtedly seen pictures of the place, but it is a different experience to walk around in the middle of the memorial, which is surprisingly ‘deep’.

As a side note, Hitler’s bunker is buried a few meters from the memorial. But there is nothing to see as it’s just a parking lot and is not marked with anything other than a small sign, so it won’t be an attraction in itself – I like that very much.

Just around the corner from the memorial, we find the Brandenburg Gate, which must be one of the gates that have experienced the most in its history.

Like so many other places in Berlin, you feel the whir of history at the Brandenburger Tor and Strasse des 17. Juni , which leads up to the Victory Column.

However, my walk does not end there – it instead “ends” just around the corner at the German Bundestag.

The Bundestag building, like the Brandenburg Gate and generally this Berlin area, has seen much happen .

The history of the building is truly unique and, thus, an attraction in Berlin that you have to experience.

I have made a Google Map that shows all the mentioned sights you can experience on this walk from Alexanderplatz to the Bundestag:

Of course, you can’t make a guide on things to do in Berlin without mentioning the Berlin Wall , one of Berlin’s sights that must be experienced.

There are still quite a few pieces of the Berlin Wall around the city, but more and more are being removed year by year.

Below, let me briefly review two of the most well-known places to experience the Berlin Wall.

The East Side Gallery , located right by the Spree on the east side (close to, among other things, Warschauer Strasse Station and the well-known Simon Dach Strasse), is the part of the wall that most people have seen from home.

This is where the wall is decorated with graffiti and the well-known “kissing painting” of Gorbachev and Honecker, which in many ways symbolises the fall of the GDR.

You can still see that, and it is undoubtedly a rather exciting experience in Berlin, which can be recommended.

Incidentally, the area around the East Side Gallery has developed a lot (like the rest of the city) in the last few years.

When I lived in Berlin, the area was relatively dead – now it is packed with offices, brand-new buildings and the large Mercedes Benz Arena for concerts and ice hockey.

Check out this Cold War Walking Tour if you want to get the full experience at the East Side Gallery.

Many tourists love Prenzlauer Berg (I lived there myself and still love the area), so we like to go there. And it is especially recommended on Sundays when there is a large flea market in Mauerpark.

But did you know that a few hundred meters from Mauerpark are a larger area where you can see pieces of the Berlin Wall?

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer is a larger area where you can experience the history of the Berlin Wall for free.

Read more about the site here .

Museumsinsel , the museum island , is located in Mitte and a stone’s throw from Berliner Dom so you could squeeze it into the sightseeing tour.

Still, there is also good reason to set aside most of the day if you want to visit all five museums on Museum Island.

Altes Museum is the island’s and one of Berlin’s oldest museums, originally built from 1823 to 1830. Here you will find antique exhibitions with everything from antique vases to sculptures and antique pieces of architecture.

Neues Museum was built between 1843 and 1855 but was unfortunately partially destroyed during World War II. The Neues Museum was then renovated and fully opened in 2009, where you can now see exhibits from the Egyptian Museum and much more.

Alte Nationalgalerie is, as the name suggests if you know German, the old national gallery where you will find all kinds of works from classicism, romanticism and much more.

Bode Museum is the island’s neo-baroque museum building, which, among other things, exhibits European sculptures, paintings and Byzantine art. In addition, you will find here one of the world’s largest coin collections in the Münzkabinett .

Pergamon Museum is the newest building on the museum island, and here you will find, among other things, the Museum of Islamic Art and exhibits from ancient Babylon.

However, it must be said that a large part of the Pergamon Museum is undergoing renovation and will not open until 2025 .

If you don’t make the trip up the TV tower or can’t get enough of the view over Berlin, you can make the trip past the Panorama point on Potsdamer Platz.

I haven’t gone up there myself, so I can’t describe the view myself, but I can see on the sales page that there are only good reviews of the ticket.

See more about Panoramapunkt here .

You might have thought Madame Tussauds was only to be found in a guide on things to do in London.

But no – the world-renowned wax museum has also opened in Berlin with great success.

It is thus possible to see similar wax dolls of Lady Gaga, the Beatles and Michael Jackson.

Madame Tussauds Berlin is a top-rated attraction where a certain number of people are admitted for 90 minutes at a time. This is positive, as it never gets too crowded at the wax museum.

However, remember to book the ticket from home and skip the long queue!

Skip-the-line tickets can be bought online here .

What is the ‘alternative Berlin’? The German capital is probably one of the edgiest cities in Europe, so it is easy to stumble across so-called alternative sights in Berlin.

Nevertheless, it makes sense to take a tour (which is relatively cheap) that shows off some of the more closed underground places in Berlin.

The trip takes place on foot and takes about 4 hours, where you pass by Kreuzberg and experience the most important sights in Berlin within various subcultures.

The alternative Berlin tour is top-rated among photographers. Still, with the knowledgeable tour guide, there is enough to do for everyone – indeed, an attraction/activity in Berlin that not everyone comes home to talk about.

Read more about the tour here .

Kurfürstendamm is to Berlin what Oxford Street is to London, 5th Avenue is to New York, and the Champs-Élysées favour Paris. To experience world-class shopping, you must pass Berlin’s most famous shopping street in West Berlin.

This is also where you will find KaDeWe , Berlin’s best-known shopping centre worth visiting. I also mention the area as very child-friendly in my guide on the best areas in Berlin .

There are other sights in the area, such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which was bombed in World War II and was not restored on purpose.

The Kaiser-Wilhelm Church is a stark yet beautiful testament to the city’s turbulent past.

Severely damaged during the Second World War, its hollow spire, known as the ‘hollow tooth’, persists as a monument of resilience.

Adjacent to the ruined structure is a striking modern bell tower, adding to the site’s unique blend of history and modernity.

Visitors are greeted by a serene ambience accentuated by stunning blue stained-glass windows.

The Tiergarten is a vast park that starts from the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.

From the Brandenburg Gate to the Siegessäule as it’s called in German, you can see the significant victory column celebrating the Prussian victory over Denmark , Austria and France in the 19th century.

The entire area around the Victory Column is full of history, and the road from the Brandenburg Gate is now called Strasse des 17. Juni must be one of the streets in the world that has seen the most historical moments .

These days the street is used for the Berlin Half Marathon (which I did a couple of years ago), and there are extensive screenings when Germany plays in the football World Cup.

Berlin Zoo is one of the most visited zoos in Europe and one of Berlin’s most visited attractions.

There are over 1,500 species and almost 20,000 different animals in the park, located on the western edge of the Tiergarten (Tiergarten can also be translated as Animal Park, so it all makes perfect sense).

As you know, Berlin hosted the Olympic Games in 1936, where Hitler got everyone’s eyes on him and perhaps hosted one of the first major sports-washing events …

For the 1936 Olympics, the Olympiastadion was built in West Berlin and is still in use. This is where Hertha Berlin plays its home matches, and you can also watch big stadium concerts at the impressive stadium.

I have been out there for a concert (with Bruce Springsteen), football matches (Hertha Berlin vs Bayern Munich ), and outside match days for a stadium tour.

Whether a football fan or interested in history, taking the S-Bahn to the Olympic Stadium is highly recommended.

I’ve got to be honest: I like kebab, but it’s not something I’m too fuzzed about. Apart from when I’m in Berlin!

Berlin has a rich, tangy secret that its history belies – the tantalising döner kebab .

While this savoury delight originates from Turkey, Berlin’s multicultural fabric transformed the döner into the city’s beloved fast food icon.

It was in the swinging ’70s that a Turkish immigrant named Kadir Nurman noticed Berlin’s bustling metropolis of on-the-go workers and decided to introduce a hearty, handheld meal.

He innovatively served up juicy rotisserie meat with fresh vegetables inside a fluffy bread pocket, and just like that, Berlin’s döner kebab was born.

Trying a döner in Berlin isn’t just about filling your stomach; it’s about tasting a story of migration, adaptation, and gastronomic innovation.

It’s definitely a must-do when you’re coming to Berlin – and it’s cheap as well.

My favourite place to eat döner in Berlin is at K’Ups Gemüsekebap in Prenzlauer Berg:

I hope you could use this guide to the best things to do in Berlin.

If you have any questions about your trip to the German capital, please comment below, and I will do my best to help.

With its compelling cocktail of history and modernity, Berlin offers much more than its star attractions – the imposing TV Tower , the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the moving Holocaust Memorial, and the notorious Checkpoint Charlie. But don’t stop there!

The real joy of Berlin lies in its hidden corners and bustling local haunts. In this guide, I’m excited to share 29 of my favourite spots that offer a unique peek into the heart of this dynamic city.

Here are a few hidden gems you might want to check out:

Spreepark : This abandoned amusement park in the Plänterwald has an eerie charm. You can’t go in, but you can walk around the perimeter and catch glimpses of the overgrown rides. Sometimes they even do guided tours.

Teufelsberg : This man-made hill built on top of a Nazi military school is now home to an abandoned Cold War-era spy station. It’s a fascinating spot for history buffs, with amazing street art and panoramic views of Berlin.

“ Thai Park “: Officially called Preußenpark, this spot in Wilmersdorf becomes a vibrant outdoor Thai food market on weekends. It’s a great place to grab a bite and enjoy a picnic.

Viktoriapark : This lovely park in Kreuzberg has a waterfall, a national monument, and a great view of the city. It’s a bit less touristy than other parks, so you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

Klunkerkranich : This rooftop bar in Neukölln is located on top of a shopping center parking garage. With its eclectic vibe, urban garden, and fantastic views, it’s an awesome spot to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset.

Sammlung Boros : This contemporary art collection is housed in a converted WWII bunker. Visits are by appointment only, so make sure to book ahead.

The best time to visit Berlin really depends on your preferences, but I absolutely love Berlin in spring through early fall (May to September) offers the most pleasant weather.

During this time, you can expect mild to warm temperatures, with plenty of sunshine and longer daylight hours. Outdoor events, festivals, and open-air cafes are abundant during these months, making it a great time to explore the city and soak up the atmosphere.

That said, winter in Berlin has its own charm, with Christmas markets and festive lights, but be prepared for cold temperatures and potentially snowy or wet conditions. Just make sure to pack warm clothes and enjoy the city’s cozy cafes and indoor attractions.

I used to live in Prenzlauer Berg , and I loved it. Prenzlauer Berg is still my favourite area, but Mitte , Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain also have much to offer. Check out my guide on the best places to stay for more about the different Berlin areas.

I’d say you should plan for at least 3-4 days to really get a good feel for the city. This should give you enough time to check out the must-see attractions, explore cool neighbourhoods, and maybe even catch a few off-the-beaten-path spots.

Of course, if you can spend more time, like a week or so, that’s even better! You’ll have a chance to dive deeper into Berlin’s history, art, and culture, plus enjoy some laid-back days in the city’s parks and cafes.

Berlin has so much to offer, and the more time you have, the more you’ll be able to experience it. Even if you only have a weekend, you’ll still have a blast – make sure to prioritise the things you really want to see and do

Unfortunately, most things in Berlin are closed, but one of my favourite things to do in Berlin is only open on Sundays. One of the best things to do on a Sunday is to head over to Mauerpark, where you’ll find a lively flea market – Flohmarkt im Mauerpark . It’s a fantastic place to browse for vintage treasures, unique crafts, and tasty street food. Plus, you can enjoy the famous open-air karaoke sessions that take place in the amphitheatre.

After you’ve had your fill of Mauerpark, why not explore the charming Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood? You can stroll along its tree-lined streets, check out some cute boutiques and art galleries, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat at one of the many cosy cafes. It’s a lovely area to unwind and soak up the laid-back Berlin vibe.

Websites I use to book my trips 👇 • Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay • GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation • This power bank is the one thing I never travel without • Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 75 Best Things to Do in Berlin (Germany)

75 Best Things to Do in Berlin (Germany)

No capital city in the world feels quite like Berlin, and maybe that’s because none has had a century as eventful. Here’s a city that was the party capital of the world in the Golden Twenties and was then razed and cut in two. One half rebounded as an economic juggernaut while the other languished in oppression and a sea of concrete.

And when the two halves were reunited a quarter of a century ago Berlin got a new identity as a fun-loving, disarmingly scruffy, cool and socially-conscious hotbed of ideas. And if you need photo-friendly sights Berlin has them in spades and they’re all permeated with the drama of the last hundred years.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Berlin :

1. Brandenburg Gate

Where Unter den Linden intersects with Ebertstraße stands what may be Germany’s most recognisable sight.

For first-timers in Berlin the Brandenburg Gate is obligatory, and it’s charged with real emotion and meaning, as an ever-present landmark during the destruction of the Second World War and the Berlin Wall when it stood at the divide.

This ceremonial monument was erected at the turn of the 1790s at the behest of the Prussian King Frederick William II, on the site of one of Berlin’s former defensive gates.

At the top is the Quadriga, a chariot pulled by four horses, all supported by 12 Doric columns forming five passageways.

Recommended tour : Discover Berlin Walking Tour

2. Reichstag

Another landmark that sums up the drama of the 20th century in Berlin is the Reichstag, the meeting place of the German Parliament.

This Neo-Baroque building dates from 1894 and housed the Imperial Diet until it was damaged in that infamous and historic fire in 1933. The ruins were merely maintained until after the Berlin Wall fell.

And as soon as it came down a restoration project by Norman Foster began to resurrect the Reichstag as an emblem of a unified Germany.

The plan included a new glass dome in which you can look down on the debating chamber and take in Berlin’s cityscape, all while hooked up to an audio-guide.

Available activity: Berlin Reichstag: Rooftop Dinner at the Käfer Restaurant

3. Tiergarten

After scurrying around the big-hitting sights and museums the Tiergarten could be a peaceful interlude.

It’s a large belt of thick foliage, coursed by the Landwehr Canal and spreading west from the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag.

Like so many European city parks the Tiergarten was once a hunting ground (for the Electors of Brandenburg) before being revamped in the 1830s by the Prussian architect Peter Joseph Lenné.

Schloss Bellevue, the residence for the President of Germany, is in the Tiergarten.

Beyond providing some respite from the city the Tiergarten is woven with monuments like the Bismarck memorial, and pretty spots like the Luiseninsel and rose garden.

4. Victory Column (Siegessäule)

Where the roads converge in the Tiergarten there’s another big photo opportunity.

The Victory Column was built in 1864 after the defeat of Denmark in the Danish-Prussian War.

But it would also come to represent a slew of other victories in that era, over Austria and then France in 1870-71. Following these successes an 8.3-metre sculpture of Victoria was added to the top of the column, weighing 35 tons.

The whole monument once stood in front of the Reichstag, but was moved in 1938-39 to its current spot at the centre of a roundabout as part of Hitler’s ambitious plan to remodel Berlin as “World Capital Germania”. For a small fee you can tridge the 285 steps of the spiral stairway to watch over the Tiergarten and Berlin 51 metres above the park.

5. Museum Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Museum Island on the Spree is an ensemble of five world-beating museums.

These are the Altes Museum, Alte National Galerie, Neues Museum, Bode-Museum and the Pergamon Museum.

This little district, and the wider notion of a museum as a venue for public edification, is a product of the Enlightenment and plans were set in motion in the early 19th century.

The museums were also an opportunity to show off the richness and sophistication of the Prussian royal collections and the fruits of its 19th-century victories.

The first institution to open was the Altes Museum in 1830, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel who drew up several Neoclassical monuments around Berlin in that period.

The last was the Pergamon Forum from 1930, while the Neues Museum from 1859 was reopened in 2009 having been wrecked in the war.

Tip: If you’re planning to visit a few museums have a look at the Museum Pass Berlin: 3-Day Entry to Over 30 Museums

6. Neues Museum

Created in 1855, destroyed in 1945 and now reborn, the Neues Museum had been left to rot for the entire post-War period.

Finally, after reunification plans were put in place its treasury of ancient artefacts was finally moved from the Altes Musuem back to its rightful home in 2009. There are galleries for Ancient Rome and Greece, but it’s the Egyptian displays that pull in the crowds and none more so than the bust of Queen Nefertiti.

The 3,350-year-old sculpture was discovered at Amarna in 1912 and has been beguiling people ever since.

Still, Nefertiti is only one of many exhibits, from hieroglyphics to sarcophagi and two preserved ancient courtyards, one Egyptian and one Greek.

7. Gemäldegalerie

Paintings by Europe’s greatest artists up to the 18th century are in store at the Gemäldegalerie, one of the world’s top fine art museums.

For the sake of introduction, we’re talking about Botticelli, Albrecht Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt, Hans Holbein, Raphael, Vermeer, Botticelli and many more than we can list here.

This wealth of painting wasn’t amassed by a single family, but was curated by the Prussian Government from 1815 as a cross-section of European art.

You have 1,250 works of the highest quality to see, by master after master, so don’t be surprised if you lose all track of time under their spell.

8. Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Some of the most memorable images from the early days of the Berlin Wall were recorded at Bernauer Straße where there’s now a memorial to this famous boundary.

A 70-metre length of the wall has been preserved here, including the Todesstreifen (Death Strip) in between, and a watchtower beside the street.

This whole section is closed off as a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives trying to cross between 1961 and 1989. Across Bernauer Straße is the visitor centre, which chronicles the wall, from when it was first enforced to its eventual destruction.

There’s also a five-storey observation tower giving you a true sense of the divide.

9. Pergamon Museum

At the Pergamon Museum you’ll come face-to-face with epic ancient monuments from the Near East, brought in pieces to Berlin from the 1910s and reconstructed in these galleries.

The 2nd-Century Pergamon Altar is the piece that gives the museum its name, a stairway and portico on a pedestal adorned with a frieze in high relief portraying scenes from Greek mythology.

Some other wonders are the colourful Ishtar Gate, rebuilt with the material discovered in its excavation, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, the Islamic art of the Umayyad Mshatta Facade from Jordan and, oldest of all, the Mesopotamian Meissner fragment from the Epic of Gilgamesh.

10. Deutsches Historisches Museum

In the Zeughaus, one of the many palatial buildings on Unter den Linden, the German Historical Museum reveals 2,000 years of German history.

For this there’s an enormous exhibition of 7,000 artefacts arranged in chronological order.

These jump from precious pieces, like the iconic painting of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach the elder or Napoleon’s hat worn at the Battle of Waterloo, to things that give you a hint of everyday life.

So you can also cast your eye over Weimar election posters, penny farthing bikes from the 19th century, intact American supply drops from the Berlin Blockade and home appliances from the GDR.

11. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Not far from the Brandenburg Gate is the solemn and powerful memorial to the holocaust, designed by the New York architect Peter Eisenman.

Set on what used to be the “death strip of the Berlin Wall” are 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights, in a grid pattern on an undulating open space that lends the memorial a wavelike form.

The blocks are on 54 north-south rows, and 87 perpendicular east-west rows.

The memorial encourages you to interact and reflect, and there’s also an underground gallery ; a network of themed rooms offers background on Jewish victims of the holocaust, with biographies, letters and personal effects of some of the victims.

12. Unter den Linden

Berlin’s oldest and most stately boulevard runs east to west from the Musuem Island to the Brandenburg Gate.

The route is as old as Berlin, and the lime trees that give Unter den Linden its name were planted in 1647. But it was only in the 18th century, during the reign of Frederick the Great that the boulevard took on its current grandeur.

The big sights like the Zeughaus, State Opera and Humboldt University all arrived in this period.

The list of alumni at the university includes Einstein, Marx, Engels and Hegel.

Many of the historic landmarks on Unter den Linden were levelled or badly damaged in the war and would take until after Reunification to be rebuilt or restored.

13. Gendarmenmarkt

Contained by Charlottenstraße and Markgrafenstraße is a square exuding Baroque opulence and plotted by the architect Johann Arnold Nering in the 17th century.

The showpieces are the French and German Churches, facing off at the northern and southern ends of the plaza.

They are both fronted by porticos and crowned with regal domes.

Between them is the newer and very imposing Konzerthaus, erected in 1821, in front of a statue of the writer Friedrich Schiller.

In December the square gets a sprinkle of fairy dust when the Christmas Market sets up, while the Classic Open Air is a programme of concerts in summer.

14. Topography of Terror

Like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews, the Topography of Terror stands as another sobering message for future generations.

On Niederkirchnerstrasse is the former location of the Gestapo and SS, two names that are instantly connected to possibly the most infamous period in European history.

The headquarters for these institutions were bombed in the war and then pulled down afterwards, before being abandoned on the course of the wall, which still stands here.

There’s an open-air exhibition on the excavated ruins of the headquarters, recalling life in Berlin during the Third Reich, the story of the SS and Gestapo, their key figures and the deeds that were plotted at this place.

15. Fernsehturm

Raised next to Alexanderplatz in the late-1960s, the Fernsehturm (Television Tower) was intended as a highly visible symbol of communist power in East Berlin.

Still the second tallest structure in all of the European Union, it is as much landmark for Berlin as the Reichstag or the Brandenburg Gate.

The Fernsehturm is also the highest building in Europe open to the public, and provided you plan ahead, the 40-second ride to the viewing platform 200 metres high is something you can’t turn down.

From this height you can zoom in on the minutest details with a telescope, and there’s also a revolving restaurant, which requires a bit of pre-planning if you want a table.

Suggested activity : Skip-the-Line Berlin TV Tower with VIP Dinner

16. Jewish Museum Berlin

On Lindenstraße the museum tackling the weighty topic of Jewish history in Germany opened in 2001 in an acclaimed Deconstructivist building by Daniel Libeskind.

From above, the museum’s plan resembles a bolt of lightning and has been compared to a dismantled star of David.

Once you start negotiating its zigzagging corridors there are empty spaces, 20-metre-high voids that express interrupted history and the sense of loss of the holocaust.

The permanent exhibition lays out the story of the Jews in Germany, starting in the towns on the banks of the Rhine in medieval times.

The hope and prosperity of the Jewish Emancipation of the 18th and 19th centuries gives way to National Socialism and the horrors that followed.

An alternative axis leads you to the Garden of Exile, and another to the Holocaust Tower, a hollow 24-metre silo.

17. DDR Museum

Believe it or not, “Ostalgie”, or nostalgia for the German Democratic Republic, is a thing in the former East Germany.

The DDR Museum opened just across from the Berlin Cathedral in 2006 and is a complete repository for the German Democratic Republic, documenting the good, the bad and the downright kitsch.

Among many things you can check out the decor and furnishings inside a typical flat in an East German “plattenbau” concrete tower block and see what it was like to drive a Trabant.

Across 27 themed spaces there’s memorabilia from the Free German Youth (FDJ), recordings of East German music, a reproduction of a classroom, but also information about the notorious Stasi and their efforts to pry into the lives of thousands of citizens.

18. Berlin Cathedral

Not strictly a cathedral, as it has never been the seat for a bishop, this temple on Museum island is still Berlin’s most important Protestant church.

It’s the fourth church at this setting next to the Spree, in a line that goes back to 1451. The current cathedral is in the exuberant Historicist style and was finished in 1904. Berlin Cathedral sustained damage in the Second World War when the lantern in the dome was destroyed, but the building never collapsed and has become another allegory for Berlin.

Restoration began in the 1970s and took until 1993. Through the portal there’s a profusion of goldwork, mosaics, sculpture and a mosaic hewn from marble and onyx by the 19th-century architect Friedrich August Stüler.

Below, enter the Hohenzollern Crypt, the resting place for the House of Hohenzollern, which produced Prussian Kings and German Emperors.

19. Alexanderplatz

The largest square in Germany and an energetic transport hub, Alexanderplatz is one of the most dynamic and exciting corners of Berlin.

This former parade ground became the city’s main shopping district at the start of the 20th century.

It was completely obliterated in the Second World War and owes its appearance to a GDR project during the 1960s.

In those days “Alex” was the scene of many public gatherings, including the peaceful protests against the wall in 1989. The rate of transformation since the wall came down has been dramatic, and following developments like the Alexa mall, Alexanderplatz is a major shopping and entertainment destination once again.

A lot of the GDR’s concrete architecture remains, most famously in the unforgettable silhouette of the Fernsehturm.

20. Checkpoint Charlie

The intersection of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße is the site of the legendary border crossing between East and West Berlin.

This very place was almost the scene of a catastrophe in 1961 when American and Soviet Tanks stood off against each other for six days at the end of October.

Later, in 1962, it witnessed the death of Peter Fechter, a teenager shot trying to cross from East to West.

The name comes from the phonetic alphabet (Charlie meaning C), as Checkpoint Charlie was the third such border crossing set up by the allies in the city.

Now the guardhouse and sandbags in the centre of the street are worth a photo as you pass by.

21. Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears)

Also harking back to the days of the wall is a hall at Friedrichstraße Station, the only westbound border crossing by train, U-Bahn and S-Bahn link.

West Berliners making short visits to the east would return home from here, and the name Tränenpalast comes from the tearful goodbyes that would happen in front of the station.

The old terminal has an exhibition using firsthand accounts by people who made the journey between 1962 and 1990, describing the stringent security measures and customs checks.

There are hundreds of original artefacts to bring the reality home, while the original signs and instruction panels have been preserved and are still in place.

22. Treptower Park

A quick ride on the S-Bahn takes you to Treptower Park next to the Spree in the southeast of Berlin.

Summer is when the park is at its best as you can amble beside the river for four kilometres or catch a boat for a cruise on the Spree.

The park was landscaped in the English style in 1884 and spreads over 84 hectares, composed of abundant lawns, tree groves and a rose garden.

Right after the war an immense memorial and cemetery was built for the 80,000 Soviet soldiers who died in the Battle of Berlin.

It was East Germany’s chief war memorial and is a large ensemble of sculptures, including a central area lined with 16 stone sarcophagi, one for each of the Soviet republics.

This leads up to a 12-metre statue of a Soviet soldier holding a German child and standing on a smashed swastika.

23. Gedächtniskirche

The original Kaiser Wilhelm Church was built in the 1890s and had a Neo-Romanesque style.

The church was part of the Kaiser’s nationwide construction project to ward off the growing labour movement, and was named after his grandfather.

It was badly damaged in a bombing raid in 1943, and after the war there was a big debate about whether it should be pulled down or rebuilt.

In the end the architect Egon Eiermann designed a stunning modern church next to the ruins.

This new building has walls inlaid with more than 20,000 blue stained glass panels and consecrated in 1961. The surviving, damaged tower of the old church remains as a memorial, holding an anti-war exhibition with a crucifix made from nails collected from Coventry Cathedral, bombed by the Nazis in 1940.

24. Olympic Stadium

Few sporting arenas have seen as much world-changing history as Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

When the Nazis came to power in 1933 they identified the upcoming 1936 Olympics as a propaganda opportunity, and Werner March was called upon to design a monumental stadium that would turn heads.

The result was a technical masterpiece and would be the arena where Jesse Owens took four gold medals, undermining any notions of Aryan supremacy.

Since then an immense steel roof has been installed, weighing 3,500 tons and the capacity has been cut back from 100,000 to 74,475. Visit for a tour during the week, or try to catch the famous atmosphere of a Bundesliga match when Hertha BSC play their home matches in the ground between August and May.

25. Berlin Philharmonie

The Berlin Philharmoniker is often voted in the top two or three symphony orchestras in the world.

So for classical music fans a night at the Philharmoniker’s home venue might represent a lifetime ambition.

The concert hall, noted for its tent-like roof, opened on the south side of the Tiergarten in 1963. In those days it was in a wasteland created by the wall, but is now at the green soul of the city and a member of the Kulturforum ensemble of important cultural venues.

An odd piece of trivia is that guns were used to test the acoustics during construction in the early 60s.

You might have your eye on an upcoming performance, but if you’d just like a taster there’s a free concert of chamber music every Tuesday at 13:00 in the foyer.

26. Deutsches Technikmuseum

A technophile’s idea of heaven, the German Technology Museum is a trip through transport and industry down the years.

Kids will be wild about the fleet of heavy-duty vehicles like steam and diesel locomotives and a gigantic aviation hall holding a V-1 bomb, an Arado Ar 96, the wreckage of a Stuka divebomber and Lancaster, a Messerschmitt Bf 110 and a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor.

As for industrial processes, the museum doesn’t just tell you how things are made; it shows you with live demonstrations of paper production and typecasting for newspapers for instance.

Kids can also get involved at the Science Centre, where wacky experiments will deepen their understanding of concepts like electricity, light and magnetism.

27. Charlottenburg Palace

The summer home of the imperial Hollenzollern family is an easy journey west on the S-Bahn, and is the largest and most refined palace in the city.

Berlin’s answer to Versailles was first built in 1695, and then expanded according to the taste of its owners over the next century or so.

And like Versailles, Charlottenburg could easily consume a day, as there’s so much to see at the palace and its various outbuildings, many hosting museums.

The baroque Old Palace has a magnificent porcelain cabinet, sumptuous tableware, the crown jewels and royal silver collection.

The Rococo New Wing has the state apartments of Frederick the Great, while the Hohenzollern mausoleum is where members of that prestigious family are buried.

The delightful Belvedere outside has a display of Berlin porcelain, while the old palace theatre has a museum for prehistory.

28. Kaufhaus des Westens

Shortened to KaDeWe, Kaufhaus des Westens is a department store without rival.

This eight-storey monster is the most famous shopping destination in Germany and the second largest department store in Europe.

If you’ve got money to burn the first three floors are all about high-end women’s and men’s fashion, and if you think you’ve seen it all before, the dazzling “Luxury Boulevard” on the ground floor is like a mini 5th Avenue.

But for the rest of us the show-stopper is the immense “Delicatessen” food hall on the 6th floor where scores of confectioners and bakers work their magic, and almost any specialty food under the sun is available.

Then above is the winter garden, setting the scene for KaDeWe’s 1,000-seat self-service restaurant.

29. Museum für Naturkunde

You can say hello to the world’s largest mounted dinosaur skeleton at the central hall of Berlin’s natural history museum.

Standing at 13.27 metres this beast, a sauropod, would have weighed 55 tons when it was alive.

Nearly all the material is from one animal, discovered in Tanzania in the early 20th century.

Tristan the T-Rex, and the groundbreaking archaeopteryx fossil (the missing link between reptiles and birds), are the other main events.

But there’s a lot more keep you rapt in the museum’s galleries: Take the 4,500 mineral specimens in the Hall of Minerals, a taxidermy of a dodo, and an exhibition illustrating the theory of evolution with perfect clarity.

30. Mauerpark Market

Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg is the setting for a shopping trip to remember.

The market is at its best in summer, when you can compare it to a small music festival.

In among the stalls are musicians playing gigs for little crowds, as and street food vendors selling international fare.

The stallholders themselves are mostly everyday people trying to sell stuff they no longer need.

But there are also professionals flogging antiques and collectibles like Soviet paraphernalia, and artisans selling handicrafts, clothing and art.

At 15:00 all attention turns to the amphitheatre where there’s a mass karaoke session in which anyone can take part, as long as they don’t mind singing in front of hundreds of people!

31. Alte Nationalgalerie

When the wealthy banker and art patron Joachim Heinrich Wilhelm Wagener passed away in 1861 he bequeathed his bountiful collection of 262 paintings to Prussia.

That collection would be the basis for the Nationalgalerie, and work began on a venue within two years.

Friedrich August Stüler’s came up with a stately Neoclassical temple that has a few Eclecticist flourishes thrown in.

As for the contents, the museum deals only with the 19th century.

We’re talking about the Romantic art of Caspar David Friedrich and his contemporaries, moving through Impressionism and paintings by Renoir and Monet, into the early roots of Modernism via Max Liebermann and Adolph von Menzel.

32. Konzerthaus Berlin

The grand concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt was actually a theatre for most of its history.

As the Königliches Schauspielhaus, and then the Preußisches Staatstheater, the most illustrious actors of the 19th century trod its boards.

It functioned in this capacity up to the Second World War when it was bombed out.

The ruins were left untouched until the building was revived as a concert hall and the venue for the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (Now the Konzerthausorchester Berlin). Check the season in advance and buy, beg, borrow or steal to get a seat, as the acoustics in the Konzerthaus are rated in the top five in the world.

33. Berlin Zoo

No animal attraction in Europe gets more visitors than the Berlin Zoo, which is enveloped in woodland on the southwestern corner of the Tiergarten.

At just over 1,5000 the array of different species is the largest on the planet, and the zoo toes the line between ethical animal treatment and crowd-pleasing exhibits.

All the big cats are present, along with chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos and gorillas: As of 2017 Fatou here is the oldest gorilla in the world at 60 years olc.

Though space is at a premium near the centre of the city, the inhabitants are kept in humane enclosures that resemble they’re natural environments.

The zoo engages in breeding programmes for rhinos, gaurs and various rare deer and pig species, while a pair of giant pandas arrived in 2017 on a breeding loan and are presented in a large glass habitat.

34. Potsdamer Platz

On the southeast corner of Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz was an empty no-man’s-land divided by the wall from the end of the war to the 1990s.

That was all a far cry from the Golden Twenties when the square had been the bustling centre of the city, an equivalent to Times Square for its transport connections, shopping, entertainment and nightlife.

After the wall came down developers were presented with a blank canvas to re-imagine a unified Berlin as a modern, forward-thinking capital.

Only a quarter of a century later Potsdamer Platz is a futuristic business district in the mould of La Défense or Canary Wharf.

Daimler’s Haus-Huth here was the only facade to survive the devastation of the war, and behind it lies a free museum for modern and contemporary art delving into movements from Bauhaus to Minimalism.

35. Sony Center

Maybe the showpiece for the new Potsdamer Platz is this building complex that went up during the 1990, designed by Helmut Jahn and Peter Walker.

The centre is a kind of plaza, encircled by arresting glass towers and sheltered by a tent-like canopy, which creates a real sense of spectacle.

Around it are shops, hotels, museums, cinemas, an IMAX theatre, restaurants and offices.

There’s free Wi-Fi on the plaza and sure to appeal to kids is the branch of the Legoland Discovery Centre, an indoor theme park based on the much-loved building toy.

36. East Side Gallery

Warschauer Straße station is the spot to start a walk beside the longest preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall.

Every patch has been adorned with art, turning this into the world’s longest outdoor gallery.

Some of the murals have gone down in history and are indelible, while others are constantly being replaced and updated.

Most of the work is bold, colourful and thought-provoking.

The lasting image depicts GDR leader Erich Honecker and General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev locked in a kiss.

Painted by Dimitri Vrubel in 1990, it was restored by the artist in 2009 as part of an ongoing fight to preserve the most famous images in the face of erosion and tagging.

37. Museum of Film and Television

The Deutsche Kinemathek is Germany’s film and television archive, which unveiled its museum in 2006. If you’re enchanted by Weimar-era silent movies like Nosferatu and Metropolis, trailblazers in the horror and sci-fi genres, you owe it to yourself to come for the inside story at the museum.

There are vintage posters, costumes, scene sketches, photos and original props.

One of the biggest stars of the era, Marlene Dietrich has a special place in the exhibition, and there are artefacts from her breakthrough, The Blue Angel and a collection of her personal belongings.

The highlight of the television exhibition is the archive footage of momentous 20th-century events like the fall of the Berlin Wall or Germany winning the World Cup in 1954.

38. Prenzlauer Berg

Somewhere to try and grasp the dizzying speed of change in Berlin since Reunification, Prenzlauer Berg is a former East German neighbourhood.

As a residential area it escaped a lot of the wartime destruction that levelled the rest of the city.

So the dominating five-storey Neoclassical apartment blocks survived, falling into dilapidation on the socialist side of the border.

When the wall came down these blocks and their courtyards were taken over by squatters, whose radical ideals and rough edges have been gradually smoothed out over the last quarter of a century.

Still young, it’s a neighbourhood of leafy streets, artsy boutiques, hookah bars and trendy restaurant concepts.

39. Botanischer Garten

Planted with over 22,000 plant species, Berlin’s 43-hectare botanical garden is heaven on earth for horticulturalists, gardeners and anyone who needs to recharge their batteries.

The garden is in the residential area of Dahlem, having moved from the centre of the city between 1897 and 1910. At this time the largest of the park’s 15 greenhouses, the Große Tropenhaus (Great Tropical House) was raised in a graceful Art Nouveau style.

Its humid interior is 30°C all year, and supports a giant bamboo.

Outside you can get lost in a 14-hectare arboretum, which has the absurdly romantic “Arbour of Roses” at its heart.

And real scholars can immerse themselves in the Botanical Museum, teeming with plant trivia and exhibits like the Prussian royal specimen collection.

40. Stasi Museum

Berlin confronts another difficult period from its past at the former headquarters of the State Security Service for the GDR. At Haus 1 of the Ministry for State of Security, the museum is in a suitably oppressive-looking complex in Lichtenberg, some way east of the centre.

The full scope of the surveillance conducted by the Stasi on the GDR’s citizens and its efforts to infiltrate the west are laid bare.

Anyone who’s into espionage will get a kick out of the miniature cameras, bugs and concealable weapons, and there are explanations of the Stasi’s structure and recruitment methods.

Go upstairs and things get really interesting, as everything has been left exactly as it was in 1989. Desks, chairs, filing cabinets and safes are all in place, and you can step into the office of its head, Erich Mielke, the man known as “The Master of Fear”.

41. Bode Museum

The last of our Museum Island attractions is on the northern tip, and was named for its curator when it first opened in a Neo-Renaissance palace 1904. The focus is on classical sculpture, Byzantine art, Renaissance painting, liturgical art and a massive numismatic collection.

The Italian Renaissance halls are maybe the most accessible for first-timers, and are bursting with frescoes, glazed terracotta and sculptures by artists like Donatello.

Equally spellbinding is the Byzantine art from the 3rd to the 15th centuries made up of carvings, mosaics and painted icons from Greece, the Balkans, Italy, Turkey and Russia.

And as for that coin collection, only 4,000 pieces of the 500,000-strong reserve can be shown.

This was first assembled by the Brandenburg Electors in the 16th century.

42. Kurfürstendamm

Shooting west from the Gedächtniskirche is Berlin’s glitzy and upscale shopping avenue in the Parisian tradition, drawn up at the behest of Otto von Bismarck in the 1880s.

Framing four rows of plane trees are luxury emporia and flagship stores for international mid-market brands like Urban Outfitters and C&A. Next to the Gedächtniskirche is the Europa-Center, Berlin’s oldest shopping mall, beneath a rectangular 1960s skyscraper which is now a protected building.

In the Golden Twenties Kurfürstendamm was Berlin’s hottest entertainment district, and “Theater und die Komödie am Kurfürstendamm” are throwbacks to that era.

Café Kranzler harks back to before the war when it was known as Café des Westens and the haunt of bohemian Berlin’s intellectuals and writers.

43. Hackesche Höfe

Opening onto Hackescher Markt is a chain of eight connected Art Nouveau courtyards, conceived at the turn of the 20th century by the architect August Endel.

Between Rosenthaler Straße and Sophienstraße are bars, clubs, theatres, shops and a cinema, all on courtyards organised according to their occupants: So to explain, a lot of the entertainment is on Courtyard I and II, which stay open at all hours, while the quieter businesses and residential courtyards further back are closed off at night.

After the war Hackesche Höfe was neglected on the GDR side, though its heritage listing meant it couldn’t be torn down.

The courtyards and their beautiful Jugendstil motifs were restored in the 1990s and have become a dynamic testament to a unified Berlin.

44. Museum Berggruen

In 1996 the Jewish native Berliner Heinz Berggruen sold his astounding modern art collection to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation for a nominal sum.

This was a gesture of reconciliation after being forced to flee Berlin in 1933. He left at the age of 18 and became a prominent art patron in the intervening years, making friends with Pablo Picasso and having an affair with Frida Kahlo.

Picasso and Paul Klee are the two stars of his collection, represented by more than 200 pieces.

They are joined by celebrated artists like Seurat, van Gogh, Braque, Cézanne and Matisse Giacometti, whose monumental “Large Standing Woman III” greets you at the entrance.

45. Kreuzberg

Bounded to the east by the Spree, Kreuberg is a neighbourhood that was a little desolate in the 20th century as it was surrounded on three sides by the wall.

The low cost of living appealed to an eclectic mix of immigrants, squatters, anarchist communes, artists and musicians, and Kreuzberg became the centre of Berlin’s counterculture and gay scenes.

With the arrival of start-ups, gentrification has crept in over the last few years, but Kreuzberg still has that communal, creative spirit at shared gardens, cultural centres an markets.

There’s a multicultural mix of restaurants, shops you can’t find anywhere else and countless places to catch live music.

A little more polished, Friedrichshain to the east is packed with museums, and officially has the highest density of nightclubs in Berlin.

Recommended tour : 2.5-Hour Walking Tour through Kreuzberg 61

46. Landwehr Canal

Dug in the 1840s, the Landwehr Canal created a navigable route between Friedrichshain in the east and Charlottenburg in the west.

The canal cuts right through Kreuzberg, and its embankments are calm, green and walkable.

Along the Maybachufer on the south side of the canal there’s a Turkish market on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, which feels like a bazaar and has a cornucopia of Turkish produce and goodies.

Facing Maybuchufer from the north side is Paul-Lincke-Ufer, traced with canal-side cafes and bars, while Fraenkelufer has the vestiges of a synagogue, demolished by the Nazis and with one wing still intact.

47. Brücke Museum

Connoisseurs of Expressionism won’t mind going the extra mile to Dahlem by the Grunewald where there’s a fabulous museum for Die Brücke.

This group of Expressionists was formed in Dresden in 1905 and among its members were some of the most exciting painters of the period, like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Emil Nolde.

The museum opened in 1967 and was endowed with the private collections belonging to two of its members, Karl Schmidt-Rottluf and Erich Heckel.

The total reserve of 400 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings is shown in temporary exhibitions that home in on a specific theme or individual painter.

48. Grunewald

Within walking distance of the Olympic Stadium is the northern cusp of Berlin’s largest green area, sprawling across 3,000 hectares.

Berlin’s streets will seem far away once you’re on a peaceful trail in deep birch and coniferous forest.

And you can thank Berlin’s early-20th-century environmental movement for helping to protect the Grunewald from the city, which was expanding west at the time.

Pack a picnic in summer, as well as your bathing suit on the hottest days as swimming is permitted at Wannsee and Schlachtensee.

There are many more smaller lakes in the forest, like Grunewaldsee, which has the Renaissance Jagdchloss Grunewald on its shore, the oldest palace in Berlin.

It’s one of a host of historic residences either ensconced in the woodland or on its fringes.

49. Teufelsberg

In the northernmost expanse of Grunewald is the extraordinary Teufelsberg, a man-made hill cresting at 120 metres.

When Berlin’s streets were cleared at the end of the war, rubble from some 400,000 bomb-hit buildings was deposited in the forest.

The hill was started in 1950 and the last load of debris was dropped in 1972. That was all dropped on top of an incomplete Nazi military-technical academy, designed by Albert Speer.

Like a lot of Nazi concrete constructions the academy proved too difficult to demolish with explosives so was buried.

In the 1960s an American listening station was built on top, and urban explorers will love pottering around this abandoned site if they don’t mind paying a €8 fee at the gate.

50. Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz

In 1914 the pharmaceutical magnate Ernst Marmlier built himself a luxurious Neoclassical villa on the shore of Wannsee, to the southwest of Berlin.

Not long after this would come into the hands of Nazi-sympathiser Friedrich Minoux, who sold it to the SS during the Second World War.

And that’s how it was involved in one of the grimmest chapters in world history.

The Wannsee Conference in 1942 is where the plan was drawn up for the “Final Solution”. The museum at the villa has documents from the conference and multimedia outlining how the genocide of millions of Jews came about.

The exhibition goes into depth on deportation, concentration camps and life in the ghettos before the Final Solution was put into action.

51. Liebermann-Villa

Also on the lake, next door to the Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz is the summer residence for the eminent German Impressionist, Max Liebermann.

Lovers of his work will be captivated by the garden, which shows up in around 200 of Liebermann’s paintings and has been restored to Max’s early 20th-century designs.

A terrace faces Wannsee, and this is framed by a lovely birch grove on one side and gardens with boxwood hedges on the other.

The artist’s studio holds a poignant exhibition about the Liebermann family’s persecution under by the Nazis, while the top floor has around 40 of Max’s later works and portraits of friends and important figures from the time.

52. Spandau Citadel

Billed as one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe, the Spandau Citadel also contains the oldest surviving building in Berlin.

Julius Tower is the symbol for the citadel, 35 metres high and a remnant from a medieval castle predating the Renaissance fortress by about 300 years.

The four-bastioned stronghold took shape around the tower in the second half of the 16th century, and was besieged by the Swedes in 1674 and taken by Napoleon’s troops in 1806. As you go in, you’ll see how gravestones from a medieval Jewish cemetery were reused in the citadel’s walls, and the Commander’s House chronicles the fortress’ eventful history.

In winter the vaulted cellars are a haven for hundreds of flying fox bats, and there are bat-themed tours for closer look of these harmless creatures.

53. Domäne Dahlem

A trip on the bus or the U3, Domäne Dahlem is a manor house and rural museum on the southwestern fringe of the city.

The oldest architecture in the manor goes back to the 1560s, while the land on its grounds has been farmed for more than 800 years.

Naturally Domäne Dahlem is just the setting for a museum about traditional agriculture and nutrition, dealing with its topics in a smart, creative way.

In the stables is the Culinarium, in which three floors of interactive exhibits and multimedia explain the history of nutrition in Europe, and where our food comes from today.

In the manor house there’s a recreation of a shop from the Renaissance, where a hologram merchant will assist you, and in the grounds is a real blacksmith’s forge and furniture workshop.

54. Schloss Köpenick

On an island in the Dahme River, just before it feeds the Spree, sits the only Baroque palace in Berlin to make it to the 21st century unchanged.

Another residence for the Hohenzollerns, Schloss Köpenick is often referred to as the Water Palace (Wasserschloss) for its picturesque waterside setting, and took on its current form under after a reconstruction ordered by the future Frederick I in the 17th century.

He turned a Renaissance hunting lodge into a plush Baroque residence, adorned with exuberant stuccowork by the Italian decorator Giovanni Caroveri.

Within there’s an exhibition by Berlin’s Kunstgewerbemusuem showcasing applied art from the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods.

55. Käthe Kollwitz Museum

You can pick up the Käthe Kollwitz thread once more at this museum dedicated to the female painter and sculptor.

In a Historicist villa on Fasanenstraße are some 200 woodcuts, paintings, sculptures, graphics and posters.

A member of the Expressionist and then New Objectify movements, Kollwitz spent a lot of her career in Prenzlauer Berg, which was a working class district at the time, and her art gave a voice to the downtrodden during industrialisation.

That empathy shines through in prints like “Brot!”, and the anti-war woodcut cycle “Krieg”. On the top floor, in a gallery drenched with natural light is a well-known two-metre sculpture of Kollwitz by Gustav Seitz.

56. Neue Wache

A good follow-up for the Kollwitz Museum is the Neoclassical temple on Unter den Linden.

The architect behind this monument was Karl Friedrich Schinkel who designed it in the 1810s as a memorial to the fallen soldiers in the Napoleonic Wars and specifically the German Campaign of 1813. The building was also employed as a guardhouse for the troops of the Crown Prince, up to the end of the First World War and the start of the Weimar Republic.

Since 1993 this solemn space has been dedicated to “Victims of War and Dictatorship”. Kollwitz’s sculpture Mother with her Dead Son is the centrepiece under the oculus where it is exposed to the elements to signify the civilian suffering during the Second World War.

57. Friedrichstadt-Palast

You can recapture the spirit of the 1920s at a cabaret show in Berlin.

And while there’s no lack of options the Freidrichstadt-Palast (1919) deserves special mention for the incredible dimensions of the theatre and the lavish revues it puts on.

The stage floor of 2,854 square metres is claimed to be the largest theatre stage in the world.

And if the venue is palatial, the shows are an explosion of glitz and glamour.

The casts are huge, and the costume design, acrobatics and choreography are from a less restrained Las Vegas.

In 2017 the marquee event was Jean Paul Gaultier’s “The One Grand Show”, boasting 500 costumes, more than 100 performers and a multi-million Euro budget.

58. Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design

The impact of the Bauhaus School (1919-1933) on architecture and design is impossible to overstate, and at the Bauhaus Archive you’ll be treated to the largest assortment of works from the movement.

The venue is from the 1960s and its futuristic appearance and serrated lines have made it a shooting location for movies like Æon Flux and V for Vendetta.

The exhibition meanwhile uncovers the origins of the Bauhaus movement and its key figures, and has models by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius.

There’s also art from the period by László Moholy-Nagy, Paul Klee , Kandinsky, Lionel Feininger, along with a complete library for the movement, furniture by Gunta Stölzl, Marcel Breuer and Josef Pohl, sketches, schematics and photography.

59. Hamburger Bahnhof

In 1996 the old terminal for the Berlin-Hamburg Railway reopened as a contemporary art museum.

The distinguished Neo-Renaissance hall became obsolete early on, when trains were re-routed to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof in 1884. After that it served as a museum of transport, which closed following damage in the war.

A donation of contemporary art by Berlin businessman Erich Marx set things in motion again, and there are noteworthy works by Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer and Joseph Beuys.

Video art, particularly from the 1970s is prominent, along with contemporary photography by Andreas Gursky, Thomas Ruff and Bernd and Hilla Becher.

60. Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)

Pfaueninsel on the Havel River is part of a World Heritage Site that encompasses Potsdam and Berlin’s stately properties.

Excavations on the island have brought up evidence of occupation from the Iron Age, and in the 1600s it was the site of a royal-approved glassworks founded by the man of science Johannes Kunckel.

But what we see today is straight from the Romantic period at the end of the 18th century when Friedrich Wilhelm II commissioned a summer residence intended to resemble the ruins of a Romanesque castle.

The gardens are in the English style, which was in fashion at the time, and are littered with follies and grottoes, as well as an aviary.

The most famous inhabitants though are the many free-ranging peacocks that give the island its name.

Get there by S-Bahn and on a ferry, which is part of the fun.

61. Strandbad Wannsee

In Berlin’s westernmost borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Wannsee is a neighbourhood beside two lakes on the River Havel.

By Großer Wannsee on the southern limit of Grunewald is the Strandbad Wannsee, affectionately known as Berlin’s “bath tub”. On sunny summer days you can join the herd on the S1 or S7 and wallow in the clean, mostly shallow water and lounge in the sun on the beach.

At more than a kilometre long the lido has been accommodating bathers since 1907. The beach is traced by a promenade and there are sports facilities, boat rentals, playgrounds for little ones and a selection of bars, cafes and kiosks.

Tour starting here : 2-Hour Seven Lakes Tour from Berlin’s Wannsee

62. Tempelhofer Feld

Many of Berlin’s cherished landmarks and public spaces are still here because residents came together to stop developers getting hold of them.

And that is exactly what happened at the city’s former Tempelhof Airport after it was decommissioned in 2008. The airport is now a public park only a few minutes south of Kreuzberg: A generous flat space criss-crossed by former runways and taxiways that are a dream to cycle and skate on, and still commanded by a listed terminal building.

Tempelhof was where the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49 was coordinated, and was the last of Europe’s great pre-war city airports to cease operation as a passenger hub.

63. Story of Berlin

On a jaunt down the swanky Kurfürstendamm you can brush up on the history of Germany’s capital.

Across 23 rooms you’ll be led on a journey through eight centuries, from the first recorded mention of Berlin to German Reunification in 1990. All the facts are relayed via multimedia displays, and if you’re with kids the museum’s short bursts of information and interactivity are ideal for young attention spans.

There are also some fascinating artefacts, like a genuine nuclear bunker from the Cold War, the GDR leader Erich Honecker’s Volvo limousine and pieces of the Berlin Wall.

64. Berliner Funkturm

You don’t need to be an architecture expert to know where the idea for Berlin’s 150-metre-high radio tower came from.

Its designer Heinrich Straumer clearly based his steel framework construction on the Eiffel Tower, and the Berliner Funkturm was inaugurated during the Great German Radio Exhibition in 1926. Not long after, during the 7th edition of the exhibition, Albert Einstein himself gave a speech from the base of the Funkturm.

The tower later made history in 1936 when it transmitted the world’s first regular television programme.

The observation platform is at 124 metres and has a view to rival the Fensehturm, precisely because the Fernsehturm is part of the panorama!

65. Markthalle Neun

This Baltard-style market hall in Kreuzberg first opened in 1891, getting its name from being the ninth of fourteen halls around Berlin.

After the war residents fought off developers for years to preserve this much-loved landmark.

In the end Markthalle Neun was sold to a trio of entrepreneurs who reopened it as a food market in 2011. The venue hosts delectable culinary extravaganzas throughout the year like a wine fair, a cheese festival and a wurst and beer event.

There are stalls selling produce and speciality foods on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and the rest of the week you can come for one-off establishments like an Italian bakery, craft beer microbrewery, an artisanal pasta maker and traditional butcher’s shop.

The third Sunday of the month brings a breakfast market, while Thursday nights are all about street food.

Included in this tour : 2.5–Hour Culinary Tour with East Side Gallery

66. Natur-Park Südgelände

After Berlin Anhalter Bahnhof shut down in 1952 its buildings and infrastructure dating back to the 19th century were left to rust and be reclaimed by nature.

The site slowly turned into an unofficial park, before it was properly landscaped in the 1990s.

What’s special about this place is how old industrial structures like a 50-metre water tower, a cavernous locomotive shed, tracks, bridges, a turntable and a DRB Class 50 engine mingle with the woodland and meadows.

The shed is used for markets, avant-garde performance art, and as an atmospheric shooting location for movies.

67. Marx-Engels Forum

A relic from a very different time, the pair of statues depicting Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels stand in the shadow of the Fernsehturm on the right bank of the Spree.

The statues were cast in 1986, not long before the wall came down, and after Reunification there was much discussion about whether to remove them or keep them as a reminder of the past.

Eventually they remained, which makes sense as these two 19th-century figures loomed large over life in Berlin until 1989. The park around it used to be a quarter of the Old Town before it was flattened in the war and it would be three decades before the ruins were cleared and a green space laid out.

68. Oberbaumbrücke

The last of our run-down of Berlin’s postcard-worthy landmarks crosses the Spree between Kreuzberg and Frierichshain.

When Berlin was divided, the border between the former American Zone and East Berlin hugged the right bank of the Spree.

Oberbaumbrücke became an armed checkpoint, only allowing crossings in one direction from West to East.

And when the wall fell in 1989 some of the most memorable images were taken at this location.

Since then road and U-Bahn traffic has resumed, and the bridge has been restored to its 19th-century Gothic Revival appearance.

Movie buffs may also know Oberbaumbrücke from Run Lola Run and the Bourne Supremacy.

69. Currywurst

On the topic of films, if you’ve seen any movies about Berlin you’ll know that there’s always a scene at an Imbiss.

These are temporary snack bars set up on street corners or parks and cooking up comfort food.

In 1949 a German icon was born at an Imbiss on Charlottenburg, when Herta Heuwer poured a mixture of ketchup and curry powder over bratwurst to create the currywurst.

The sausage normally comes chopped up in the sauce and served with a side of French fries, and something like 70 million currywursts are enjoyed every year in Berlin alone.

The exact spot where Herta is said to have made her first currywurst is now marked with a plaque.

70. Street Food auf Achse

The courtyard in Prenzlauerberg’s evocative KulturBrauerei is the scene of a new culinary institution that arrived in Berlin in January 2015. Every other Sunday this space is filled with a cosmopolitan variety of food trucks, fitting for a city as multicultural as Berlin.

There’s food on the go from almost anywhere you can imagine, within reason: We’re talking local faves like currywurst, as well as Vietnamese, Thai, South Korean, Tex-Mex, Polish, Brazilian and almost anything in between.

The trucks show up in every season, rain or shine, but the experience is maybe most satisfying in summer when you can nibble at your own pace at the Frannz Club Biergarten, which has a laid-back atmosphere.

Related activity : Berlin: Evening Food Tour by Bike

71. Gardens of the World

In the eastern Marzahn-Hallersdorg district is a celebration of landscaping and horticulture from all over the globe.

There are gardens from Japan, China, the Middle East, Bali and Italy, faithfully designed, and tended with love and no little skill.

In 2017 a new English garden opened in time for the Internationale Gartenasstellung (International Garden Exhibition). Also installed for 2017 is the IGA Cable Car, which crosses the attraction and connects with the Kienberg U-Bahn station.

The individual gardens have been planted one by one since the Chinese Garden in 2000. There are seasonal events here, like the cherry blossom festival in April and the Chinese moon festival towards the end of summer.

72. Classic Remise

A U-Bahn ride west of the centre will bring you to a 1920s tram depot on Wiebestraße in Moabit.

This industrial building came through the war relatively unscathed and in 2003 became an amenity for storing classic cars.

Even though this facility isn’t actually a museum you’ll come close to a bewildering array of privately-owned Ferraris, Bugattis, Rolls Royces, Mercedes, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Porsches and many more prestige marques.

These are stored in two-tired, metal-framed glass containers, which regulate temperature and humidity.

Car connoisseurs can also tour the mechanic’s workshop to see these vehicles being serviced and restored.

73. Sanssouci Palace

A day out in Potsdam has to be on the cards, and you can reach this city in under half an hour by commuter train.

The first reason to make the journey is to see Frederick the Great’s UNESCO-listed summer escape, a Rococo palace embedded on a vine-decked hillside atop a terraced stairway . The king would get away from it all at Sanssouci, as the name “sans souci” (carefree) makes clear.

The palace is beautifully formed, but isn’t lavish in scale, which tallies with Frederick’s reputation as a self-effacing sort of person.

There are ten rooms on the tour and a uniting feature is the exuberant stuccowork by the sculptor Friedrich Christian Glume.

See the Voltaire Room, where the French philosopher would stay in the mid-1700s, and the Carrara marble columns in the main reception room, the Marmorsaal (Marble Hall).

Recommended tour : Potsdam: Sanssouci Palace Guided Tour from Berlin

74. Sanssouci Park

One explanation for the relatively modest size of the palace is that the king wanted to make the most of the outdoor space.

That vineyard in front of the palace was planted with vines from France, Italy and Portugal under Frederick’s orders, and beneath this is a Baroque parterre, modelled on Versailles and sprinkled with conical boxwood topiaries and marble statues of mythological figures.

After that you have the enormous expanse of the park to cover, and its fountains, ponds and groves of lofty mature trees.

All over the park are delightful follies of temples and miniature Rococo palaces, which were often used as accommodation to make up for the shortage of guestrooms in the palace itself.

75. Sightseeing by Bike

Germany’s public transport company Deutsche Bahn operates a bike-sharing system in Berlin.

You have to register in advance, but after that you’ll be free to hire a bike and pay by the minute or by the day.

There are also a few private bike rental companies in the city, including Rent a Bike on Grunerstraße.

There’s no reason to feel daunted about cycling in Berlin as the city has almost 1,000 klilometres of designated bike paths, as well as lanes on pavements and on the roads (you can track down plenty of maps online). There’s a deep-seated cycling culture too, and it’s safe enough that people don’t generally wear helmets.

For inspiration on two wheels, you can zip around the sights at Tiergarten and Potsdamer Platz if time is of the essence, or coast around trendy Kreuzberg’s cafes and galleries.

75 Best Things to Do in Berlin (Germany):

• Brandenburg Gate
• Victory Column (Siegessäule)
• Museum Island
• Neues Museum
• Gemäldegalerie
• Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer
• Pergamon Museum
• Deutsches Historisches Museum
• Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
• Unter den Linden
• Gendarmenmarkt
• Topography of Terror
• Fernsehturm
• Jewish Museum Berlin
• Berlin Cathedral
• Alexanderplatz
• Checkpoint Charlie
• Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears)
• Treptower Park
• Gedächtniskirche
• Olympic Stadium
• Berlin Philharmonie
• Deutsches Technikmuseum
• Charlottenburg Palace
• Kaufhaus des Westens
• Museum für Naturkunde
• Mauerpark Market
• Alte Nationalgalerie
• Konzerthaus Berlin
• Potsdamer Platz
• Sony Center
• East Side Gallery
• Museum of Film and Television
• Prenzlauer Berg
• Botanischer Garten
• Stasi Museum
• Bode Museum
• Kurfürstendamm
• Hackesche Höfe
• Museum Berggruen
• Landwehr Canal
• Brücke Museum
• Teufelsberg
• Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz
• Liebermann-Villa
• Spandau Citadel
• Domäne Dahlem
• Schloss Köpenick
• Käthe Kollwitz Museum
• Friedrichstadt-Palast
• Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design
• Hamburger Bahnhof
• Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)
• Strandbad Wannsee
• Tempelhofer Feld
• Story of Berlin
• Berliner Funkturm
• Markthalle Neun
• Natur-Park Südgelände
• Marx-Engels Forum
• Oberbaumbrücke
• Street Food auf Achse
• Gardens of the World
• Classic Remise
• Sanssouci Palace
• Sanssouci Park
• Sightseeing by Bike

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Sights in Berlin

Not to be missed

Berlin’s sights – not to be missed

Every Berlin tour is sure to take in the TV Tower with its stunning views, the famous Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag parliament building.

Here, you can buy your tickets for the TV Tower in advance and avoid long waiting times. On visitBerlin.de, it’s also quick and easy to order tickets for a Reichstag tour online.

You can also buy tickets for your city tour here – in just three minutes!

Berlin's Top 10 Attractions

Tickets for the Television Tower

Tickets & dates

Berlin’s new cultural centre

The historic centre of Berlin in rapid transformation

Brandenburg Gate

Symbol of German reunification

Humboldt Forum

A spectacular new location for art, culture and science in Berlin

Berlin's sights in an overview

Berlin has it all – sights, attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To recharge your batteries, it also has places of worship for all the world’s main religions, palaces, parks and gardens. For a quiet moment of reflection visit the spreading green cemeteries.

Berlin’s vantage points offer stunning views of the city – for instance, from the TV Tower, the Panoramapunkt on the 24th and 25th floors of the Kohlhoff Tower at Potsdamer Platz or, for a taste of Berlin’s countryside, the Müggelberg hills.

You can still sense Berlin’s turbulent past at the city’s many memorial sites or along the Berlin Wall trail – after all, this is where world history was made.

From the government quarter in the heart of Berlin to architectural highlights and insiders’ tips for all of Berlin’s districts – we show you the well-known and lesser known sights of Berlin! 

Berlin boasts dozens of top sights and attractions. Whatever your interests and passions, this fascinating city has plenty to offer.

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Amazing things to do in Berlin

Attractions

If you are looking to visit a city packed with fascinating attractions and iconic landmarks, look no further than Berlin.

From walled city to world city

Berlin Wall

For nearly thirty years, the Berlin Wall divided the city. Today, you can trace the route and find remnants of the Wall across Berlin.

From Museum Island to the DDR Museum

Museums in Berlin

From great masterpieces to unusual exhibits – Berlin’s museums are home to stunning works of art and fascinating worlds.

Discover the art of tomorrow

Berlin is blessed with a vast number of galleries and museums displaying everything from ancient artefacts to modern art.

Palaces, Museum’s Island and modern architecture

UNESCO World heritage

Palaces, museums and residential buildings: three ensembles in Berlin are adorned with the UNESCO World Heritage Site award. But there are

Discover hidden places in Berlin

Hidden places

Get insider tips on the vast range of cultural, historical and entertainment attractions and sights for every age and taste in Berlin.

Have a look: Berlin from above

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable view over the Berlin cityscape, there are lots of tall buildings and landmarks to choose from.

Dreamy summer houses and opulent palaces

Palaces & gardens

Experience the charm of times gone by in Berlin’s splendid palaces and extensive parks.

Discover the german capital from it’s green side

Parks & Gardens

Plenty of parks and gardens in Berlin mean you can always find a peaceful refuge within the city. Stroll, picnic, play and simply unwind.

Discover the close surrounding of Berlin with it’s many attractions

When staying in Berlin, you may wish to get out and see some of the fascinating excursion destinations near the city itself.

Places of faith and contemplation

Places of worship

Berlin’s churches and religious buildings are places of belief and contemplation. Pause a moment for thought and enjoy the splendid

Discover Berlin’s most historical and impressive cemeteries

Places full of history and stories: Many famous people have their last resting place in one of Berlin’s cemeteries.

Places to commemorate the victims of the Third Reich

Third Reich memorials

The National Socialism memorials in Berlin commemorate the victims of National Socialism, war, expulsion and suffering, as well as the

Places to remember

Memorial sites and monuments

Berlin’s memorials and monuments commemorate the past and ensure that it is never forgotten.

From Schinkel to Foster: Discover Berlin’s most impressive buildings

Architecture

Discover the most beautiful buildings in the city – from romantic palaces to the contemporary structures at Potsdamer Platz.

From Schinkel to Foster

Industrial Architecture

New life from old ruins: Experience art and creativity in Berlin’s former industrial buildings.

Experience Berlin (almost) for free.

Low Budget Sightseeing in Berlin

Berlin is exciting, Berlin is diverse and surprising for a capital city, Berlin isn't expensive. For visitors on a low budget the city is a

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Berlin’s loveliest sights and most exciting attractions

Berlin is centuries old – yet also totally new and so diverse . This vibrant city is home to everything from historic buildings to memorials and modern industrial heritage sites.

Trace the route of the Berlin Wall , or climb to one of the city’s vantage points and enjoy the stunning panoramic views across the German capital.

Or visit one of the most popular attractions , from the Berlin Dungeon to Madame Tussauds and Legoland .

In the Reichstag building in Berlin’s government quarter , you can see the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament , at work. A tour of the Reichstag building’s impressive glass dome is a must – and it’s so easy to buy the tickets for tours from us!

Time for rest and relaxation? No problem in Berlin! Right in the heart of the city, you can find any number of quiet corners and spreading green spaces – from palaces , churches and greened graveyards to parks and gardens , including the central Tiergarten park, or the attractive Charlottenburg Palace grounds.  

Berlin’s most exciting attractions

Reichstag in Berlin

Berlin Television Tower

Museum Island Berlin

Charlottenburg Palace/ Old Palace

Checkpoint Charlie

Unter den Linden

Kurfürstendamm

Gendarmenmarkt

East Side Gallery

Potsdamer Platz

Berlin Cathedral

Siegessäule

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Go to the must-see sights.

Visitors to Berlin are sure to head for the famous Brandenburg Gate , the TV Tower with its stunning views and the historic Reichstag parliament building.

A visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial in Bernauer Strasse is also a definite must, followed by some serious shopping in the many stores lining Kurfürstendamm boulevard.

Other major sights include the East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie , as well as the Berlin Zoo – especially popular with families. The impressive Museum Island , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is a special highlight.  

So, as you see, it’s hard to limit yourself to only a few sights in Berlin. That makes selecting the top 10 sights in Berlin an almost impossible task – but we’ve given it our best shot. And as an extra, we’ve also added lots of tips for your visit!

The best way to explore the city and hear the most exciting stories about Berlin is on a sightseeing tour – by bus, bike, boat or on foot.

On visitBerlin.de, it’s simple and easy to buy your tickets online for city and guided tours.

For urban explorers, visiting Berlin is simply a must. Discover the city’s unexpected hidden gems , such as the former listening station on Teufelsberg hill.

Our visitors most popular tickets

Discover the greatest places to visit from other visitors! Here, you can find tickets for the most popular sights and attractions among our Berlin visitors.

Our travel service offers the ideal way to enjoy a stress-free holiday in Berlin, making it easy to buy tickets for top Berlin sights , attractions and exhibitions as well as the Berlin Zoo and the Tierpark wildlife park.

And it’s fast – so you can find the right ticket in just three minutes!

Discover a fascinating world of biodiversity

Tierpark Berlin: Day Ticket

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A Journey through the World of Science

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Masterpieces of the ancient metropolis & 360 degree panorama

Exhibition: Pergamon. The panorama by Asisi

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Berlin

By Mike Kaplan · Last updated on May 4, 2024

The capital city of Germany is rich with history and culture. Badly fractured during World War II and the cold war, Berlin has recreated itself into an international city with diverse cultures and architecture. Explore the top tourist attraction in Berlin that still bears the scars of the recent past.

Map of Berlin

25. Oberbaum Bridge

The Oberbaumbrücke, or Oberbaum Bridge, spans the Spree River. The bridge is two stories high, and it links the districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. It ties together the former East Germany with the West, making it a historically significant as well as architecturally beautiful structure.

The Oberbaum Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in the whole city. It’s a sign of unity, a way to bridge the east and the west in the once divided Berlin. You can cross the bridge on foot, but the best views are further along the Spree from either side of the river.

24. German Historical Museum

The German Historical Museum, also known as the Deutsches Historisches Museum, is a fantastic place to visit if you want to see what Germans have been up to for the past two millennia. The museum covers all of German history up until the present day, and exhibits are laid out in a way that is easy to understand and highly entertaining.

The museum is housed in two adjacent buildings: The more traditional Armory, or Zeughaus, and the modern Exhibition Ball designed by I.M. Pei. You can browse through posters from World War II, see maps from the 19th century or admire contemporary sculpture done by modern German artists.

23. Kurfurstendamm

Kurfürstendamm, known to locals at Ku’damm, was built as a German answer to the Champs-Elysee in Paris. The wide road was lined with trees and ornate buildings were built along both sides. It is the heart of former West Berlin, and is still the city’s most popular shopping boulevard.

The side streets of Tauentzienstraße and Fasanenstraße are lined with malls and high-end flagship stores. If you’re in the area, be sure to check out KaDeWe, or the Kaufhaus des Westens. This is the largest department store in all of Europe, and it boasts virtually anything you might want to purchase from expensive shoes to fresh produce.

22. Berlin TV Tower

Located near the Alexanderplatz is the Berlin TV Tower, better known to locals at the Berliner Fernsehturm. This tower is the tallest structure in all of Germany, and its observation deck offers an incredible vantage point for amazing views over much of the city.

The Berlin TV Tower was built in the 1960s, and it is one of the most significant mid-century modern buildings in Germany. At the time of its construction, it was also a true engineering marvel. Just below the main observation deck, there is an upscale restaurant where you can enjoy the view with a drink or a full meal.

21. DDR Museum

The DDR Museum is appropriately located in the heart of the former government district of East Germany, and it is devoted to the history of the DDR, or the Deutsche Demokratische Republik.

When you visit, you can see what life was like in former East Germany. See the apartments people lived in, put on some of the most common clothing items from the period and check out the covert listening devices, or bugs, used to spy on citizens. Exhibits are in English as well as German.

20. Treptower Park

Alongside the river Spree, south of central Berlin, you’ll find Treptower Park. If you’re interested in WW2 history, then the park is a must-see destination in Berlin. The park is home to a large military cemetery as well as the enormous Soviet War Memorial that was built in 1949 to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle of Berlin.

There are a number of plates set around the park, each of which memorializes certain battles. Beyond the historical significance, Treptower Park is an awesome place to walk along the paved pedestrian pathways, rent a rowboat for some time on the water or just have a drink in the park’s biergarten.

19. Berlin Wall Memorial

There are many different ways to see the Berlin Wall while in the city. If places like Checkpoint Charlie feel too touristy, head to the Berlin Wall Memorial, known in German as the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer. It’s a memorial to the countless men, women and children who died while trying to get across the wall.

There is also an adjacent documentation center on Bernauer Straße with additional exhibits and information, although much of it is in German. From the viewing platform, you can see what once was the no-man’s land between East and West Berlin.

18. Unter den Linden

This beautiful boulevard lined with linden trees is one of the main east-west routes through Berlin. The trees were first planted in the mid 1600s and are cared for and cultivated by the city. Over the centuries the boulevard has been extended and now stretches from Museum Island to the Brandenburg Gate.

Greatly damaged during the war, Unter den Linden has been renovated and is currently lined with many architectural sites and other tourist attractions in Berlin including the German Historical Museum, the Staatsoper, Altes Palais and the Palace Bridge.

17. Berlin Cathedral

There are many wonderful churches to see in Berlin, but the Berlin Cathedral is the largest and one of the most impressive. It was built at the start of the 20th century as a way to express the imperial power of Germany. The brick, neo-Renaissance cathedral is located in the area of Museum Island in the district of Mitte.

The enormous organ is a major point of pride in the cathedral, and it is still used for religious services. If you visit, you can climb to the top of the dome and enjoy views from the cathedral after touring the interior.

16. Alexanderplatz

If you visit Berlin, you’ll almost certainly spend some time in Alexanderplatz. This large public square is right in the heart of the Mitte district, and it is the major hub for transport in Berlin. Today, it is also home to some of the most popular historic attractions in the city.

From the Alexanderplatz, you can see the Berlin TV Tower dominating the skyline, the World Clock and the Neptune Fountain. There are also plenty of local shops, restaurants and even a casino. The plaza is also home to the Galeria Kaufhof, one of the busiest shopping spots in the area.

15. Charlottenburg Palace

If you like touring palaces, then don’t miss the Charlottenburg Palace. This is the largest palace in Germany, and it is found in Berlin’s City West district. Charlottenburg Palace was constructed at the end of the 17th century, and the entire community of Charlottenburg grew around it.

Built in the Baroque style, and boasting beautiful gardens and outdoor sculptures, the palace is now open to the public. You can tour restored rooms and see the extravagant, rococo style in the apartments of Frederick the Great, and you can also see collections of porcelain, crown jewels and royal silver.

14. Victory Column

The Siegessäule, or Victory Column, was built toward the end of the 19th century in celebration of several Prussian military triumphs. The column originally stood in front of the Reichstag but was moved to the middle of Tiergarten by the Nazi government as part of a major urban redevelopment plan.

At the very top of the column is an angelic, winged figure that represents Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. At the top of the Victory Column is an observation deck that allows for panoramic views over the city. There’s just one catch: There is no elevator. If you’re feeling up for it, take on the 285 steps to get to the top.

13. Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt is a major public square in Berlin that dates all the way back to the 17th century. Although many of the historic buildings in the Gendarmenmarkt were destroyed in World War II, several major landmarks remain.

With a visit to the Gendarmenmarkt, you’ll be able to see the Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom, or French Cathedral, which was built by the Huguenots in the early 18th century. The Gendarmenmarkt is also home to the beautifully reconstructed Konzerthaus, where the Berlin Orchestra performs. During the winter, Christmas markets are a major highlight at the square.

12. Topography of Terror

One of the more poignant attractions in Berlin is the Topography of Terror. This is an indoor and outdoor museum located on the exact site of the former Nazi government’s SS Reich Main Security Office.

Within view of the Berlin Wall, former prisons cells were excavated to showcase the tragedies and horrors of the Nazi regime. Exhibits explore the Jewish ghettos of Berlin, the criminals brought to justice at the Nuremberg Trials and a memorial to all those who perished at the hands of the Nazis. It can be emotionally tough to explore the Topography of Terror, but it an important historical stop to make.

11. Pergamon Museum

In Berlin’s Museum Insel you’ll find the fascinating Pergamon Museum. The whole museum is named for the Pergamon Altar, which is one of its most valued attractions on display. The Pergamon Museum is the most visited art museum in Germany, and it boasts an incredible collection of antiquities and treasures.

Touring the museum is a way to bring the ancient world to life. Some of the most notable attractions in the Pergamon include the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Mschatta Façade from a desert castle in Jordan and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, which dates back to the 2nd century.

10. Hackesche Hoefe

Located at the far end of Oranienburger Strasse in the Scheunenviertel, the Hackesche Höfe is a complex that includes eight interconnected courtyards. It was designed and built by the architect Kurt Berndt, and the Art Nouveau façade was the work of August Endell.

As with many Berlin courtyard buildings, the complex was used for a mixture of offices, shops and flats. The buildings were only partially damaged during the WW2, but were mostly neglected while Germany was partitioned. Only after reunification, starting in 1993, was the complex extensively restored and it now looks better than it ever has.

Inside the Höfe you’ll find a wide variety of cafes, restaurants and shops that attract tons of locals and visitors each day. As you travel from one courtyard to the next to see more vendors, you’ll understand the unique nature of this complex.

9. Tiergarten

Once the hunting grounds of the Brandenburg elite, the Großer Tiergarten is now an urban park in central Berlin. Commemorating a Prussian victory, the Berlin Victory Column stands in the park and is surrounded by a street circle.

Pedestrians can reach the column by using any of four underground tunnels. Near the Column sits Schloss Bellevue, the Beautiful Palace, which is the official residence of the President of Germany.

Occupying the southwest corner of the Tiergarten, the Berlin Zoo houses around 14,000 animals. The open-air habitats have made it one of the most popular zoos in Europe.

8. Check Point Charlie

One of the best known crossing points of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie resonates with emotional and historical significance. Named by the Western Allies, the border crossing bore an ominous sign stating “You are leaving the American Sector”.

This was the single crossing point for members of the Allied forces and foreigners. The guardhouse which once stood here is now on display at the Allied Museum in Berlin-Zehlendorf.

A replica of a U.S. Army guardhouse stands at the crossing, and cobblestones are used to designate the former border spot. The best documentation on escape attempts and the original Checkpoint sign can be found in the museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie.

7. Potsdamer Platz

Art, entertainment and shopping can all be found in this vibrant corner of Berlin. The square was completely destroyed after the war but has been rebuilt into a modern plaza with landmark towers and a shopping arcade.

The area is seen as symbolic reconnection of the two halves of Berlin, joining the residents of both sides in a completely new part of the city. A replica of Germany’s first traffic light stands in the center with sleek, modern office buildings surrounding the platz.

The DaimlerChrysler Atrium offers a changing art exhibit while the Sony Centre features a Cinema Complex and Film Museum, a shopping mall and a 3D IMAX theater.

6. Memorial Church

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is in the center of the Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. The original church was built between 1891 and 1895 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. During WWII the church burned down after it was hit by an allied bomb, only the broken west tower of the church was still standing.

In 1961 a new church, consisting of 4 buildings, was constructed around the remains of the old church. The concrete and glass structure is a fascinating counterpoint to the neo-Romanesque old church that it surrounds. Photos of the original church can be found in the remaining west tower along with some of the original mosaics.

5. Museum Island

Five museums comprise Museum Island which is located between the Spree River and Kupfergraben. As with many of the structures in Berlin, the old museum buildings were nearly destroyed during the Second World War but are now open.

The Altes Museum displays ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, while the Alte Nationalgalerie houses the largest collection of 19th century paintings and sculptures in Germany. The Nues Museum houses prehistoric pieces and Egyptian art, including the bust of Queen Nefertiti.

The Pergamon Museum contains another display of Greek and Babylonian antiquities. The Ishtar Gate and Pergamon Altar are here. Finally, the Bode Museum displays a large collection of sculptures, numismatic (coin) collections and a number of paintings.

4. East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall still in existence. Often described as a memorial to freedom, it showcases paintings of artists from around the world.

The artwork, which began appearing in 1990, documents the changing time after the fall of the Berlin Wall as well as expressing hope for the future. Sections of the wall have been moved to facilitate construction and other portions have been damaged by erosion and vandalism.

3. Holocaust Memorial

Near the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial is a simple, but powerful tribute to the Jews that died as a result of Hitler’s extermination plan. The 2,711 slabs are arranged in a wave-like pattern over 205,000 square feet.

Each stone is unique, varying from ankle high to over six feet tall. The paths between the slabs undulate with the overall effect being one of instability and disorientation.

There is no set pattern and visitors may walk in any direction through the peaceful, quiet stones. At the base of the memorial an underground information center offers information and personal stories of people affected by the actions of the Nazi party.

2. Reichstag

The Reichstag is the seat of the German Parliament and an historic landmark. A fire in 1933 and air raids during the Battle of Berlin in 1945 caused a great deal of damage.

The Reichstag sits near the Brandenburg Gate and was not fully restored until after the deconstruction of the Berlin Wall and the German reunification. Some historical scars, such as graffiti left by Soviet soldiers, were left as a tribute to the building’s difficult past.

The original building was designed by several architects and the mix of styles in the completed structure was somewhat controversial at the time, but now is appreciated by thousands of visitors each year. The glass dome at the top of the building provides a magnificent view of the city and visitors must register in advance to enter it.

1. Brandenburg Gate

Built in the late 1700s, the Brandenburg gate is the only surviving city gate of Berlin. The gate is in the western part of Berlin and marks the entrance to Unter den Linden. Used as one of the Berlin Wall crossings, the gate became a site of protest during the division of Germany and a place of celebration when the wall fell in 1989.

The gate was severely damaged in World War II and underwent extensive renovation in the early 2000s. Today it is fully restored and is the symbol of not only the turbulent history of the region, but also the reunification of East and West Berlin.

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Reader interactions.

February 3, 2021 at 7:46 pm

I was in front of the Brandenburg gate in 1958 . A Russian soldier was walking back and forth in front of the gate. I was stationed at Babenhausen.

January 14, 2019 at 4:29 pm

A good list of Berlin cultural and historic sites. Thank you

September 21, 2018 at 12:51 am

I am visiting Berlin in a couple of days and your travel guide will be useful to me.

May 20, 2015 at 6:13 am

I will be visiting Germany soon and would like to know the best way to spend 2 to 3 days in the country.

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The Best Places to Visit in Berlin, Germany

Written By: Thomas Carney

Updated On: January 23, 2024

Berlin, the capital city of Germany, has a rich, storied past stretching back through the Cold War, the two world wars, to the swinging 20s and beyond. Today it is the largest city in the European Union, yet at the same time, you’ll find that Berlin is surprisingly affordable when compared to other larger European cities.

In this article, we’ll run through some of the best places to visit in Berlin, including its historical sites and attractions. Are you ready to explore this sprawling city of almost four million inhabitants based on my experience of living on and off in the city since 2008? As Germans say, “ Los geht’s! ”.

Table of Contents

Things to do in Berlin, Germany

Visiting Berlin? Book your private airport transfer from the Berlin Brandenburg Airport. We love booking a private transfer when landing in a new city. The meet and greet service at the airport’s arrival hall makes for a seamless transfer in comfort to our hotel lobby.

This article about popular historic tourist attractions in Berlin was originally written by Berlin resident Thomas Carney . It has been updated and expanded for 2022 with fresh new Berlin tours and places to stay.

1. Visit the Reichstag

The Reichstag building is the home of the German Parliament. Famously, its burning in 1933 was a trigger for the Nazi’s consolidation of power. After German reunification in 1990, the rebuilt Reichstag was restored after years of neglect since World War II and today is one of the most popular sites in all of Germany thanks to free entrance to the glass dome on top that gives spectacular views of Berlin. The glass dome was created for more than just the view; it represents transparency and Germany’s united democracy.

You’ll have to register ahead of time to book a visit, and it’s important to bring your ID. Personally, my favorite time to visit is just before closing when you get a view of Berlin at night.

2. Stop by Brandenburg Gate

No visit to Berlin would be complete without visiting one of Berlin’s most famous gathering places. Located just five minutes walk away from the Reichstag building, you’ll find the famous Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s old city gate. It was in front of this monument that Regan issued an ultimatum to the Soviet leader, Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall. To the east of the gate, you’ll find the Pariser square, which leads on to “Unter den Linden”, a wide boulevard leading down towards Museum Island, which is lined with embassies, five-star hotels, and high-end boutiques.

We took this Berlin Third Reich Walking Tour that visited all the major attractions and historical spots in Berlin. Meeting at Brandenburg Gate, we began the tour by listening to the history of the final days leading up to World War II. We passed the rebuilt Reichstag and seat of the German House of Parliament, visited the Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten, The Holocaust Memorial, and Hitler’s Bunker, which is now a very unremarkable parking lot.

3. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Berlin is full of reminders of the crimes of the Nazi era, from the brass-plated stones you’ll find in the sidewalks marking the last residence of victims of the Nazi regime to monuments such as The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as The Holocaust Memorial is a monument is located centrally just beside Brandenburg Gate. It’s made up of 2711 rectangular blocks that descend deeper as you walk further into the memorial, giving you a sense of isolation and unease.

The Holocaust Memorial is free to visit, and it is suitable for wheelchairs. Located underground beneath the memorial, you’ll find an information center on the Holocaust with free entrance almost every day.

4. Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous border crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin, and it is featured in countless films such as Bridge of Spies. It was the top tourist attraction we wanted to see when visiting Berlin. (outside the Berlin Wall, of course) The Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie, which provides information on the Berlin Wall, is worth a visit. Read: Top 16 Fun Facts About Germany That You Probably Didn’t Know

We took a free walking tour in Berlin to see many of the historical sites in Berlin. We highly recommend free city tours as they are often hosted by a local, and when the tour is over, you only pay what you can to suit everyone’s budget. We recommend 10 Euros per person, but it really is up to you. We took the Original Free Berlin walking tour here.

4. Visit a Remaining Piece of the Berlin Wall

Remnants of the Berlin Wall that separated East Berlin from West Berlin still exist around the city. One such place is the Berlin Wall Memorial, where you’ll find a visitor center along with a remaining section of the wall. Another section of the Berlin Wall Memorial that is popular is the East Side Gallery on the Spree River, which has many famous graffiti sections.

The Berlin Wall memorial is one of the top attractions in Berlin, and there are several places to see its remains. We took a Street Art and Workshop in Berlin and it was amazing. Graffiti has a strong history in Berlin and is entrenched in its history. Learn about its origins and then have a lesson on how to make some street art of your own. This tour shows you how to create graffiti with spray paints (it’s harder than it looks) and then paint your graffiti on the original Berlin Wall, where you’ll get a picture of your Graffiti on the historic wall. Get more details here.

5. The Berlin TV Tower at Alexanderplatz

East Germany built the TV Tower to be a symbol of the technological advances of the Eastern Bloc in 1969. Today, the Berlin TV Tower is the highest vantage point in Berlin. You can take an elevator up to the 203-meter-high observation deck and viewing platform, where you’ll get the best view in all of Berlin. This being Germany, you can also enjoy a beer at the top of the bar or even eat at the restaurant that slowly revolves around to give you a 360-degree view of Berlin.

You can book tickets in advance here for fast-track tickets and priority entrance to Berlin’s Television Tower at an exclusive window seat in the Sphere restaurant. From 200 meters (656 feet) above the city admire views of the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, the Olympic Stadium, and Potsdamer Platz. See more information here

6. Museum Island

Berlin is home to some amazing museums. Conveniently, you’ll find five world-class museums situated on Museum Island right in the center of Berlin. Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is located in the middle of the Spree River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most frequented museums in all of Europe.

As these museums on Museum Island have large collections, I personally would choose one to visit rather than trying to take in all five in one day. Let’s break down the museums individually to help you decide which one to see. Hours: 8 to Midnight daily

Pergamon Museum – Perhaps the most famous on Museum Island, the Pergamon Museum Art Museum has been undergoing renovations since 2013. (so expect exhibits to be closed and have long lines). In the Middle East Museum, you’ll find entire historical buildings such as the Pergamon Altar, Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Processional Way from Babylon. The Islamic Art Museum lets you discover artifacts from Muslim as well as Christian and Jewish groups and the Antiquity Collection houses one of the most significant collections of Greek and Roman Art. Book your entrance ticket in advance here.

Altes Museum – The Altes Museum has an amazing collection of Greek and Roman antiquities where you will immerse in the art and culture of the Greeks and Romans. There are monumental columns and a rotunda inspired by the Pantheon Tickets can be bought here.

Alte Nationalgalerie – The Old National Art Gallery houses Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Biedermeier, Impressionism, and early Modernity. Highlights include Sleeping Beauty and Impressionist works by French Impressionists such as Manet, Monet, and Renoir. Discover Romanticism with The Monk by the Sea, the Group of Princesses, and the Gothic Cathedral at the Water. Tickets here

Neues Museum – See three museums in one at the Neues Museum. It has exhibits from the Egyptian Museum, the Antique Collection, and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History. Highlights of the Neues Museum include the famous bust of Queen Neferti and Priam’s Treasure from the Heinrich Schliemann collection. Get your tickets here.

The Bode Museum houses the Museum of Byzantine Art and the Sculpture Collection, plus one of the largest coin collections in the world. Get your tickets here. All museums are part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation.

7. Berlin Cathedral

When visiting any European city it is always worthwhile going into the city’s main cathedral. The beautiful Berlin Cathedral is topped by picturesque domes, creating a striking scene. It is the largest cathedral in Berlin and is located near Museum Island. Like so much of Berlin, it was heavily damaged during World War II but has been restored. Make sure to climb to the top for views of the city, and don’t forget to visit the crypts below.

Take this boat tour – A boat tour is an amazing way to see the capital city from the water while enjoying a light lunch. See the government district, Bellevue Palace, and Berlin Central Station on the 2.5-hour boat tour along the River Spree.

8. Stop by Gendarmenmarkt for a Coffee

Berlin was largely destroyed in the Second World War, so many parts of the city lack the historical buildings of other European capitals. One exception is Gendarmenmarkt, a market square situated between Under Den Linden and Checkpoint Charlie. It’s perfect for sitting out on a cafe terrace and enjoying a coffee before your next stop of the day.

Over the holiday season , you’ll find one of Berlin’s best Christmas markets in Berlin at Gendarmenmarkt, where you can sample mulled wine and German Christmas biscuits.

9. Oberbaum Bridge

Spanning the Spree River, The Oberbaum Bridge (The Oberbaumbrücke) is one of the most photographed places in Berlin. It was used as a checkpoint between East and West Berlin during the Cold War from 1961 to 1989 and has become a symbol of Berlin’s unity. It was.

Built in 1895, the Oberbaum Bridge, this beautiful double-deck bridge spans the River Spree connecting the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. The two decks are for transportation, the upper carrying the U-Bahn and the lower being a roadway. It was used as a checkpoint

10. Tiergarten

Tiergarten is to Berlin as Central Park is to New York . Spanning 519 acres, it is the heart of the city, bordering major attractions like Brandenburg Gate. It was once the royal hunting grounds but, in the late 17th century, was turned into a leisure park.

After WWII many of the trees were cut down and used as fuel in the winter, but in 1949, many trees were replanted from donations across Germany. Inside the park, there are tree-lined paths, a Biergarten, and Siegessäule (Victory Column). Note you can climb to the top of the Victory Column for a birds-eye view.

11. Berlin Zoo

While we typically don’t recommend zoos, but the Berlin Zoo has extensive breeding programs to reintroduce endangered species. It is located in Tiergarten, and it works to keep animals in natural environments as close to their natural habitats as possible.

12. Berlin Nightlife

Berlin probably has one of the most lively nightlife scenes in all of Europe, and no visit to Berlin would be complete without going out at least once! We chose the nightlife scene in the artsy and bohemian district of Kreuzberg for our evenings out. Other hot nightclub areas in Berlin include Torstrasse in the clubbing district of Mitte and the historic Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg (the oldest LGBTQ neighborhood). Berlin is famous for having everything from techno dance clubs to indie rock bars.

13. Charlottenburg Palace

Located a little outside the center of the capital city, Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Germany. Take a tour to see the apartments of Frederick the Great. For something unique to do in Berlin, book An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace that includes dinner and a concert experience with the Berlin Residence Orchestra. Charlottenburg Palace was a former summer residence for the royal House of Hohenzollern. You can book your tour in advance here.

14. Kaufhaus des Westen (KaDeWe)

It’s the largest department store in continental Europe and has been welcoming patrons for more than 100 years. It was destroyed after WWII but reopened in the 1950s and has become one of Berlin’s top tourist attractions. It’s a great place for shopping for souvenirs and name brands all under one roof. This is also a good place to grab a bit to eat. Head to the 6th floor for some affordable and delicious German food. German Food: 20 Traditional Dishes To Try in Germany or At Home

Where To Stay to Make the Most of Your Berlin Trip

If you’re excited about Berlin and want to make a trip out of it, you then have the question of where to stay. Berlin is a sprawling city, so making sure you choose the right location to stay in will make a big difference. We have a whole article dedicated to Where To Stay in Berlin: Best Areas To Stay For First-Time Visitors .

As you may have noticed, many of the popular historical sites of Berlin are found in “Mitte”, literally meaning Center in German. If you have the budget, this is a great area to stay in as it is within walking distance to many popular sites and attractions. Hotels along the “ Unter den Linden ” Boulevard are very centrally located but also among the most expensive in Berlin.

Accommodation around the “ Volkspark am Weinberg ” offers an excellent mix of locations as well as great surrounding restaurants and bars.

• Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin – Berlin’s premier hotel located right next to the Brandenburg Gate.
• AC Hotel by Marriott – close to Teirgartn and the attractions in Berlin Mitte with a more affordable price tag.
• Radisson Collection Hotel Berlin – located in Berlin Mitte near Alexanderplatz Square just opposite the Berlin Cathedral.

How to Get Around Berlin, Germany

Berlin has a very efficient public transportation system. The best way to get around Berlin is by using the underground trains known as the U-Bahn. You can purchase tickets per zone, and there are ten different lines. Most of the tourist attractions in Berlin are located in zones A and B. Zone A spans the city center of Berlin, including the S-Bahn-Ring. Zone B begins outside the S-Bahn ring and goes to the city limits. The fare zone Berlin AB is used most by travelers.

The U-Bahn runs 24 hours on weekends and 1 am on weekdays. Before boarding the U-Bahn, make sure to validate your ticket in the machine. You can’t simply purchase a ticket and walk on, it must be validated beforehand.

You can download the BVG App to help you get around Berlin. We also use Google Maps to get around cities, you can easily follow the best transportation route on Google Maps.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Berlin, Germany

The best time to visit Berlin is from May to September. This is when the weather is pleasant, there are plenty of festivals and events, and it’s great for patio season. In my opinion, the month of May is the best time to visit Berlin, as you’ll enjoy warm weather without overheating (Germans don’t do air conditioning as a rule). The city also feels incredibly vibrant as people awake from the long winter.

Berlin winters are long, cold, and dark. In mid-December, the light will start to fade around 3:30 pm. However, the Christmas markets with mulled wine and holiday decorations do offset the dreary winters.

April and October are also good times to visit Berlin, and you can find better deals during the shoulder season.

Berlin Tours

Dave and I took our tours in Berlin with Get Your Guide. It is our go-to tour company when traveling. This highly rated Berlin Wall and Graffiti walking tour is a great way to explore Berlin’s alternative art and graffiti culture. We really enjoyed this graffiti-inspired walking tour along the streets of the Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain districts.

And there you have it, the best places in Berlin, Germany. If you are visiting the capital city, make sure to spend a few days discovering its history, culture, and nightlife scene. Have you been to Berlin? Share your Berlin travel tips and advice in the comments below.

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Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

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About Thomas Carney

Thomas is an Irish resident of Berlin who loves travel, hiking and the outdoors. As a fan of minimalist backpacking, he writes about minimalist packing lists and merino gear at MerinoWoolRocks.com

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8 thoughts on “The Best Places to Visit in Berlin, Germany”

Berlin’s rich history is fascinating, and this article does a great job of highlighting key attractions like the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. It’s impressive to see how Berlin has transformed over the years, while still preserving its past. The Reichstag’s glass dome is not only a remarkable architectural feature but also a symbol of Germany’s united democracy. I’ve found that having a map at hand is essential when exploring sprawling cities like Berlin. The tip about visiting the Reichstag just before closing for a nighttime view is a gem. Overall, this article provides valuable insights for anyone planning a trip to Germany’s capital.

I added Germany tour in my calendar may be 2024. I am thankful for your blog and shared knowledge able information

It makes me want to go back to Berlin after reading this post! There is so much to do there that I will definitely check out the locations you mentioned and that I haven’t visited yet the next time I visit. Thank you very much for sharing your site, I received a lot of help from it. You’ve done a fantastic job on your own site, and I really enjoy it.

They are masterminds when it comes to the R32 and VR6 prototype. And don’t forget the W12 edition also. 🙂

Good !! Definatly once I Want To Visit .

Berlin is one of my most favorite cities! I lived there for a year and hold the city close to my heart 🙂 I can’t wait to go there again – perhaps for ITB in March! Thanks for the rundown of the historical sights in Berlin. I love the Reichstag and pretty much everything. Even though the Checkpoint Charlie has become a bit too touristy to my liking. Berlin is an awesome place to visit!

i will plan to visit in berlin soon once i have a free time by this coming summer, a wonderful place to be with thanks

Berlin seems to be a lively city despite its dark past. Would love to explore its historic places.

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Home » Europe » Germany » Berlin

29 BEST Places to Visit in Berlin (2024)

Germany’s capital city Berlin has been through a lot over the last century, and yet it’s still determined to move forward while remembering the past. It’s a place where history, an alternative lifestyle, modern innovations and a really interesting fashion scene clash together.

While Berlin’s history can be a little intimidating, don’t let that stop you from diving deep into the city’s quirky corners and interesting attraction. It’s got an overall friendly and welcoming vibe and it also seems determined to make itself a center for great food, a vibrant culture, and an exciting nightlife.

Walking through the streets of Berlin feels refreshing but you’ll always feel the weight of the past. This makes it one of the most unique cities to visit in all of Europe. And of course, there are plenty of amazing places to explore in Berlin.

So many, that you might feel a bit overwhelmed. But don’t worry, I’ve collected the best places to visit in Berlin in this insider guide below, so that you definitely won’t miss out on all the must-sees and hidden gems that the city has to offer.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Berlin:

These are the best places to visit in berlin, faq on the best places to visit in berlin, final thoughts on the coolest places to visit in berlin.

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

Today a wealthy part of the city, it has several family-friendly attractions and activities as well as things that will apply to broader groups of travellers.

• Learn more about the area’s history and culture at the child-friendly Museum Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.
• See the official home of the German president at Bellevue Palace.
• Descend into an old underground bunker to learn more about Berlin’s history at the Story of Berlin.

Before we start, make sure you know where you want to stay in Berlin . The city is pretty big and there are plenty of unique neighbourhoods that all offer a different vibe. If you’re here to explore as many sights as possible, make sure you base yourself close to the city centre and public transport network. Alternatively, you could also get your hands on the Berlin City pass for discounted entry tickets to plenty of attractions and free use of trams and buses.

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#1 – The Brandenburg Gate – The Absolute Must-Visit!

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• A must-visit place
• Expect quite a few visitors
• Represents the unity of Germany

Why it’s so awesome: Most people who are alive today know something of the trauma and sadness in Berlin’s history. For 30 years it was divided down the middle, and this monument existed in the land between the two sides of the city. It was also the backdrop for the celebrations of Berlin’s unification, which is why it must be part of your Berlin itinerary.

Of course, the dark history of the Brandenburger Torn doesn’t make it a super fun attraction, but it’s an incredible insight into the past and an important reminder of what happened not that long ago.

What to do there: If you don’t know a lot about Berlin’s history, this is your chance to learn some more. It is one of the most famous – if not THE most famous – attractions of Germany’s capital city, so be prepared to share the attraction with plenty of other tourists.

You can admire the massive structure, take the typical Instagram pics in front of it or admire a cool light show at night. While there are plenty of signs around that talk about the time before Berlin’s sides were united, it’s best to go visit with a local city guide if you want to know more about the details behind the construction, its history and other cool facts.

Insider tip: The gate is free of charge! If you can, visit at night to avoid the crowds and get a really sick picture of the lit-up monument.

#2 – Berlin’s Nightlife – A Diverse and Exciting Place to Visit

• Best party-scene in Europe
• Endless options
• Famous around the world
• Big queer community representation

Why it’s so awesome: You can’t visit Berlin without hearing about the city’s insane nightlife. While it’s not technically a place to visit, there are just too many amazing venues to decide which one is the best. You can get bars, clubs, and hidden gems all over Berlin and each of them offers a different vibe. One of the most famous nightclubs is Berghain but there are plenty of other and more unique nightlife places to visit.

What to do there: Dance the night away until your feet hurt – and then keep going. Go nude at Pornceptual, party through the weekend at Sunday Club, choose from all sorts of music genres at Hoe_Mies or dive into the techno scene at Suicide Circus or Tresor. There are endless options and trust me, you’ll struggle to decide where to go to!

#3 – Holocaust Museum

• Simple but impressive architectural masterpiece
• A place of respect

Why it’s so awesome: There are some landmarks that you need to see when visiting or backpacking Berlin just because they’re important to the whole of humanity – and this is one of them. This memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a part of Berlin’s attempt to come to grips with its own past. And this is clearly reflected through the solemnity and gravity of the site. It’s also a sobering reminder of the dangers of giving in to fear, hatred and mistrust.

What to do there: This isn’t a place to come to chatter and take photos. And in fact, you’ll probably find that you don’t want to. This monument is deliberately created to invite people in, and then has a distinctly uneasy vibe that suits the subject matter. Parts of the site are extremely haunting, in a way that’s hard to describe, and once you get to the center of it the sense of confinement is hard to take and extremely memorable.

When you visit, make sure to be respectful. Some of the blocks that are further on the outside might look like a great spot to sit or climb on, but be aware that there is plenty of police around to stop people from using this site as a playground.

Insider tip: Bring a snack with you. There are plenty of benches around where people can sit down and admire the impressive monument. It’s the perfect place to sit back and just appreciate your life for a while.

#4 – The Judisches Museum – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Berlin

• Definitely not ideal for kids
• Worth a visit just for the interesting design

Why it’s so awesome: The idea of a Jewish museum in Berlin was first floated in 1971, on the 300th birthday of the formation of the city’s Jewish community. After a lot of time, it finally opened in 2001. The building and the museum were designed by Daniel Libeskind and became an important part of the city, its history, and its attempt to understand its own past.

What to do there: Next to the Brandenburger Tor, this is another one of the most important landmarks in Berlin, mainly because it opens the floor for the Jews to tell their own story through their own words. It’s an intensely personal museum that fights to tell the stories of how the Jews contributed to their communities and how their culture adapted to life in Berlin. This story obviously takes a tragic turn, and the strength of the stories makes it feel very close, real and personal in a way that shouldn’t be missed.

Insider tip: Since this is a popular and important attraction, be prepared to share the museum with quite a few other visitors. It’s best to purchase tickets online so you can skip the line.

#5 – Tiergarten – One of the most incredible free places to go to in Berlin

• Berlin’s version of Central Park!
• A great place to relax all year-round

Why it’s so awesome: If you’re looking for a great and cheap place to spend an afternoon, then this is the perfect place. Tiergarten is an enormous garden right in the middle of the city. It was once used by the Kaiser as hunting grounds and is now one of the largest urban gardens in Germany.

What to do there: This is the type of place where you can relax and do whatever you like to do in parks. Walk around and explore the sites. There’s a Victory Column in the middle of the park, which commemorates a Prussian victory, and an ornate palace at the garden’s edge. If you don’t feel like walking, just take some friends and a picnic and hang out, enjoy the sun, and relax. It’s seriously one of the best free things to do in Berlin !

Insider tip: If you have a full itinerary for the day, this is the perfect place to sit back and let your feet relax a little bit before heading to the next attraction. You’ll see plenty of people bring blankets and frisbees during the summer months.

#6 – Neues Museum – A fascinating educational place to visit in Berlin

• Full of interesting history
• Actually pretty cool just to look at too

Why it’s so awesome: With the drama and sadness of Berlin’s more recent history, you could be forgiven for forgetting that it actually has a much longer history filled with tragedy, significance for the future, and majesty. But this museum will remind you! It’s on Berlin’s UNESCO listed sites and holds artefacts from early and ancient history. If you want to learn about more than just the city, this is the place to go.

What to do there: A trip to this museum is the perfect answer to an otherwise slow museum. This is where you’ll learn about the earliest inhabitants of Berlin, Germany, and Europe as a whole. Make sure you check out the ancient Egyptian bust of Queen Nefertiti, one of the most famous women in the very long history of humanity.

While this might not be the most interesting place to visit for everyone, it is a great spot to explore on a rainy day. Tickets start from 6 Euros per person but you can easily purchase them online for easy and super fast access.

Insider tip: Neues Museum is part of Berlin’s Museum Island, a museum complex in the northern part of the historic city centre. If this is not the right spot for you, there are plenty of other things around that you could explore.

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#7 – The East Side Gallery

• The largest open-air gallery in the world.
• Consists of 105 paintings
• Paintings or ON the Berlin wall
• A whole 1.3 kilometres of history and art

Why it’s so awesome: This huge gallery features a long stretch of the Berlin Wall that has amazing works of art across it. After the wall fell in 1989, 118 artists from 21 countries went to work on this section, using the wall as a backdrop for their political and social commentaries.

What to do there: You can’t travel to Berlin without experiencing and thinking about all the turmoil this city has been through over the last century. And this wall will show you another side of that unrest. So, spend some time contemplating the artworks and the artist’s chosen canvas. It’s an interesting commentary on the issues of the time and the beliefs of the people who lived through it.

Insider tip: If you’re big on Instagram game, this is going to be a great place to shoot a couple of epic and unique shots. Keep in mind that you won’t be the only one wanting to take pics, so be sure to come at an earlier time of the day.

#8 – Museum Island – A fascinating educational place to visit in Berlin

• A UNESCO World Heritage site
• Multiple museums combined
• Day-worth of exploring

Why it’s so awesome: Museum island is a complex that includes a lot of different museums. The site itself has been named a UNESCO world heritage site and includes some of the most visited museums in Europe. The Neue Museum, which I talked about before, is also part of the Museum island. You’ll also find the famous cathedral perched on the island.

What to do there: You’ll find a museum for all tastes at this site including the world-famous Pergamon museum where you can see Islamic Art, the Ishtar Gate, and the Bode Museum for sculptures and art from the ancient world. If you plan to go to more than one museum then you should get the 3-day museum pass and make a day of it.

Alternatively, you could also just get individual tickets for each museum, just keep in mind that you might have to wait in line since the Museum Island is a very popular attraction, especially during Berlin’s peak tourist season.

Insider Tip: Make sure you take your own food and drink to the island, as there are very few shops that sell food and water and they do so at a very high price.

#9 – Berlin Zoo – More than just a cage!

• Great place for families and kids
• Highly ethical zoo
• Massive area
• Bring snacks!

Why it’s so awesome: The Berlin Zoo is one of the biggest and most important zoos in all of Europe. It provides safe homes for countless endangered species. Unlike other zoos, this place actually works on reintroducing animals to their natural habitat. With over 35 hectares and over twenty thousand animals, it’s one of the most comprehensive collections of species in the world.

What to do there: You can walk through the zoo and learn about all types of different animals. This is the perfect place to bring your kids and teach them about nature. It’s also a great way to inform yourself about how to respect nature and animals correctly. The zoo offers special programs for kids, such as feeding times and tours.

Insider tip: Please note that the Berlin Zoo isn’t just a regular zoo. It’s a home for endangered species and lives up to high ethical standards, so you can visit without any worries.

#10 – The Berlin Cathedral – A beautiful and scenic place to check out in Berlin

• The largest and most famous church in the city
• Architecturally striking and opulent

Why it’s so awesome: This building is the largest church in the city and it’s also one of the hotspots in Berlin for tourists. It has a striking green dome that looks amazing in photos and is surrounded by lush green areas that are great for a picnic and contrast nicely with the church. It’s taken decades to renovate the church, but now it’s returned back to its former glory and impresses with amazing architecture and a great play of colour.

What to do there: The best thing to do around the cathedral is to take a blanket and some snacks with you and have a picnic while admiring the beauty of the building. In fact, many locals spend the sunny afternoons around the monument. Make sure to take lots of pictures and tour the inside of the cathedral as well.

The Berlin cathedral is located just opposite the famous Museum Island, so you could even spend all day here just exploring what this part of the city centre has to offer.

Insider tip: For a small fee, you can climb the 270 steps up to the top of the dome and take in the great views over Museum Island, which is another cool attraction I’m gonna get to shortly.

#11 – Mauerpark – One of the most amazing places in Berlin!

• Great weekend hotspot!
• Holds events and flea market

Why it’s so awesome: This area used to be part of the Cold War era death strip but since then it’s been turned into a place of fun and nature. This seems to be a fitting memorial, to have so much beauty and joy where there was once so much pain, and it’s a great place to escape from the city during the week or to enjoy events pretty much any time. It also has a flea market on Sundays that locals and tourists alike swear by.

What to do there: This is an extremely popular part of Berlin, so expect large crowds, especially over the weekend. If you’re in the city on Sunday, make sure you turn up for the flea market, which is an absolute city favorite for locals and visitors alike. During the warm summer months, there are a lot of fun, free events held here as well, so find out what’s on and just show up! Also, try the Bearpit Karaoke for a few laughs!

#12 – The TV Tower

• Hands down the most popular place to go in Berlin
• Take your camera with you
• Really crowded, so expect lines

Why it’s so awesome: As a fascinating and unique relic of the city’s Communist past, The TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is now one of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks. You can see pretty much the whole city from the viewing deck of this tower. Over 1.2 million people visit a year, which makes it one of the most popular attraction in the city. It also acts as a handy landmark for orientating yourself due to its sheer size.

What to do there: Take the elevator to the observation deck. You’ll be 203 meters up in the sky and be able to see the whole city from that vantage point. This is the perfect place for that iconic photo of you in Berlin, so make sure you take advantage of it and bring your camera!

Since this is a super popular attraction all year long, you can expect to share the view with quite a few other visitors. In order to reduce the waiting time in line, be sure to purchase your tickets online beforehand.

Insider tip: If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even make a reservation for a window table at the TV Tower restaurant. It’s not the cheapest place to eat, but the view definitely makes up for it. It’s one of the most unique experiences you can have in Berlin.

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#13 – Checkpoint Charlie

• A border crossing between East and West Berlin
• Setting for many thrillers and spy novels

Why it’s so awesome: If you want a slightly creepy, more personal view of what the city was like when it was divided by the Berlin Wall then you need to visit this site. This is the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin and until 1989 it signified the border between capitalism and freedom and communism and confinement. It’s also the site of a few stand-offs between America and the Soviet during the Cold War.

What to do there: Visit the site and try to imagine what it was like for people who had to move through the checkpoint. There’s a sign above it that reads “You are now leaving the American sector’, a warning that’s incredibly ominous in this context. Over the years, this checkpoint has become almost a symbol of the conflict during the Cold War, which is why it’s one of the most important points of interest in Berlin today.

#14 – Berlin Wall Memorial

• Partly steel reconstruction
• Remembrance for the victims of the Berlin Wall
• 1.4km long, 12-foot-high

Why it’s so awesome: This site is more informative than other museums and will teach you all about the history of the Berlin Wall. It’s the ideal place for history nerds that really want to dig in deep. This wall split the city in two and stretched 1.4 kilometers across the city. You’ll be able to see the fortifications that once stood along this wall as well as the infamous ‘death strip’.

What to do there: This is an incredibly important historical site, so make sure you take the time to explore it. Marvel at the watchtower and ‘death strip’ and learn more about the sites through the interactive displays that are dotted throughout the area. Just remember that not all of the displays are safe for children, so be careful if you bring them to this site.

Insider Tip: The Berlin Wall is usually part of most Berlin Walking Tours, so if you want to find out directly from a local guide be sure to join one.

#15 – Kurfürstendamm

• The Champs-Élysées of Berlin
• Shopping and hotel street
• Great for people watching too

Why it’s so awesome: If you’ve got some spare money, Kurfürstendamm is one of the best spots to go to in Berlin. It’s a massive avenue filled with all sorts of shops and plenty of charming cafes. It’s also a place to see and be seen. This is where you can find cool designer boutiques right next to high-end fashion stores. While staying on Kurfürstendamm is insanely expensive (think 5-star hotels), it’s perfect for shopping or a chill afternoon stroll.

What to do there: Spend all the money you got! But if you’re not keen on that, walking down the avenue for window-shopping is just as cool. There are an insane amount of designer shops and even some automobile exhibitions that can be visited. This is Berlin’s best most famous shopping street, right alongside “Unter den Linden” so you’ll share the boulevard with plenty of other visitors.

#16 – Charlottenburg Palace

• Stately baroque palace
• In the heart of Berlin
• Stunning architecture

Why it’s so awesome: You might not think of Berlin in connection with palaces, but this residence will teach you otherwise. It was built in the 18th century for the Prussian rulers and is a perfect example of the baroque still that’s been so popular through the ages.

What to do there: Take pictures of the palace inside and out and then spend some time in the gardens. The green spaces surrounding the palace are almost better than the building itself and many people say that they’re one of the most beautiful gardens in the city as well. You can also find a Tea House and the Orangery in the garden which are worth a visit as well.

#17 – Reichstag

• One of the most famous places in Berlin
• Berlin’s seat of power and home to the German parliament

Why it’s so awesome: This stately building is the seat of power in Germany and it also has a turbulent history behind it. In 1933, there was a fire at the site which prompted the persecution of political opponents and it also took a lot of damage in World War II. The completion of repairs took until after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but now it’s intact and still functions as a place of power in Berlin.

What to do there: You can book an appointment online to tour the building and enjoy the lush and stately rooms as well as a visit to the top of the building’s glass dome. This will give you some amazing views across the city, so it’s well worth making the extra effort. Simply walking past the monument is also pretty worth it since the building is quite an attraction in itself.

#18 – The Park Inn Hotel – Not your typical activity…

• For the thrill seekers
• Not ideal if you’re afraid of heights

Why it’s so awesome: If you’re looking for something more exciting than museums, then take a trip to this hotel. It’s located in Alexanderplatz, one of the city’s centers, and is 125 meters high. After a quick chat to the desk clerk, you can take the elevator to the top and then jump off the building. Yes, literally. It’s called base flying and it’s similar to bungee jumping, as well as a lot of fun.

What to do there: You can go base flying during the day or at night for some amazing views. Onlookers are welcome, so you’ll have someone there to witness your courage and take photos of your screaming face as you jump. You can also get an official view of your jump or take your own video camera and have someone record the action for you.

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#19 – The Botanical Garden – A nice quiet place to see in Berlin

• Enjoy stunning nature
• Holds 22,000 different plant species
• Combined with a museum
• Indoor and outdoor space

Why it’s so awesome: When you spend all your time in a city you need a place where you can connect with nature. This botanical garden is absolutely huge, with plenty of room for everyone who wants to breathe in some fresh air and looking at artistic flower and plant displays.

What to do there: This is the perfect place to just wander around and enjoy the scenery. You’ll see ivy-covered buildings, giant bamboo and a profusion of colorful waterlilies sure to delight gardeners and non-gardeners alike. There are over 22,000 different species of plants in this garden, so you’ll need to put aside a bit of time to see everything.

#20 – Berliner Unterwelten

• Unique place to visit
• Explore the secret underworld

Why it’s so awesome: When the tide started to turn during the Second World War and defeat looked possible, the authorities started to build bunkers under the city. This eventually became an underground system of tunnels and bunkers that both sides used during the Cold War. In fact, during this period a lot of money was spent creating multi-use rooms like subway stations and underground car parks to keep the population safe from a nuclear war.

What to do there: There are more than 3,000 shelters under Berlin, so make sure you have a guide who can lead you to the most interesting ones and give you some background on the sites as well. After spending a little time in this underground maze, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most unusual things to do in Berlin and one of the most popular as well! There are a few different types of tours through the tunnels, so choose the one that appeals to you the most.

Insider Tip: For now, there are no available tours online. If you want to find a private guide, be sure to check with your Berlin accommodation for help.

#21 – Monster Kabinett

• Part art gallery, part haunted house.
• Not ideal for kids
• A bit creepy
• But also pretty fascinating

Why it’s so awesome: Created by an art collective called the Dead Pigeon Collective, this is a warehouse full of strange art. It contains metallic masterpieces as well as costumed people ready to put on a show on Thursdays and Friday nights. During these events, you’ll be confronted with skittering spider robots, malformed sculptures, and more in a weird and very effective modern version of a haunted house.

What to do there: This is one of the most unusual things to do in Berlin and the location fits with that as well. The gallery is in a dark alley and you can’t really tell that you’ve reached it until one of the members of the collective greets you. It’s obviously a safe place to visit, but it is very scary, so leave the kids behind and show up on a Friday or Thursday night year-round for a fun evening out.

#22 – Liquidroom – One of the more unique places to visit in Berlin!

• Great place to relax
• Saltwater pool
• Cool inside and outside design

Why it’s so awesome: This complex looks like a collection of tents, a design meant to evoke its past as a train station around the time of the Second World War. But these days, the building is far more modern and contains top of the line spa facilities and saunas where you can relax with the latest wellness technologies.

What to do there: If you love spas then you simply must experience this one. The baths and saunas are great and perfect for heating and relaxing all the tension from your bones, but you definitely can’t miss the saltwater floating pool. The pool is in an architecturally fascinating room with high arches and multi-colored lights and music plays constantly. The music ranges from classical to techno and it’s designed to be heard underwater while you relax and float. This could be very relaxing, but it might also remind you of movies about mind control, so try to keep an open mind when you take your time in this pool.

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#23 – Kreuzberg

• Popular district
• Full of unique cafes
• Great for shopping

Why it’s so awesome: Berlin is one of the most beautiful places in Germany – in its own way -and neighborhoods like this one are the reason why. It’s filled with amazing shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and bars. So, no matter what you enjoy doing, you’ll have a great time when you spend an afternoon or evening in this area.

What to do there: This is one of the best places in Berlin when you don’t have an itinerary or a clear goal. Instead, just wander and see what you find. The buildings and streets are beautiful, the vibe is upbeat and modern, and when you get tired you can stop in at one of the cafes or restaurants for a tasty drink or snack!

Insider Tip: Kreuzberg used to be one of the sketchier neighborhoods in Berlin, but has since changed thanks to students, young entrepreneurs and a very chilled out community.

#24 – The Pergamon Museum

• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage
• Controversial exhibitions

Why it’s so awesome: Located on the Museum Island, this museum houses reconstructed, monumental buildings that were taken from Turkey. Since its opening in 1930, there has been ongoing pressure to return these cultural treasures to their home as the legitimacy of the acquisition is a little suspect. But while the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus are in Berlin, you absolutely must go to see these spectacular displays.

What to do there: This is a display of history that you need to see while you’re visiting Berlin. The museum itself was damaged during the Second World War and many of its displays were taken by the Red Army. Some were returned, however, which gives extra history and weight to the already staggering pieces on display. Make sure you check out the south wing, where the Professional Way of Babylon, the Ishtar Gate and the Market Gate of Miletus are kept.

Insider tip: The Pergamon museum is the most popular one on Museum island. Therefore, you can expect quite a few visitors. While you can enter the museum with an individual ticket, it’s also part of the city pass I spoke about earlier.

#25 – The Museum of Unheard of Things – Quite the quirky place in Berlin!

• Quirky place
• Only for the open-minded ones
• Small but interesting

Why it’s so awesome: The objects in the collection are arranged all over the walls of this museum, but each of them tells a strange tale or myth that’s both fantastic and almost convincing. Don’t expect to hear about facts, this is a super creative place that allows your imagination to run freely. The stories are incredibly entertaining, if not a bit confusing sometimes but if you appreciate that kind of art, you should really stop by.

What to do there: Like any other museum, you need to explore the items at this museum and read their descriptive labels. But there the resemblance stops because this is unlike the majority of museums. Make sure that you check out the ‘petrified water’, the story about the cow-pie worshipping community, and how sacramental wine lost its color. The curator of the museum has gathered and created stories of all different types, and it’s an absolute pleasure to visit the imaginative and slightly strange world that has resulted.

#26 – The DDR Museum

• Interactive exhibitions
• Depicts life in the former East Germany

Why it’s so awesome: This museum isn’t so much awesome as fascinating and unsettling. When Berlin was divided, the eastern side became known as the DDR or Deutsche Demokratische Republik. This police state existed between 1949 and 1990 and was ruled by fear and suspicion. Some people estimate that one in ten people in that state worked as an informant for the Stasi and this museum explores the relics of that history.

What to do there: There are more than 200,000 relics in this museum, but the reason why it’s worth seeing is because it’s been set up to allow you to become immersed in the world behind the Berlin Wall. You can walk into an East German apartment and watch a television show created by the state, or pick up the telephone and hear the click of someone listening in. This sounds like a claustrophobic world, and it is, but it’s also a unique look into a very different way of life that most westerners can’t even imagine.

Insider Tip: While this place carries quite a dark history, it’s actually one of the best places to visit with slightly older kids if you want them to learn about the harsh past in the most gentle way possible.

#27 – The Museum für Naturkunde – A fascinating educational place to visit in Berlin

• The biggest natural history museum in Germany.
• Great for kids!

Why it’s so awesome: This museum contains amazing collections of minerals, paleontology exhibits, and zoology displays. Some of the displays go back thousands, if not millions of years, and include the oldest bird known to have existed, extinct animals, and the world’s largest chunk of amber. So, if you’re interested in the history of the natural world, this museum is a Berlin must see.

What to do there: While you’re in Berlin, make sure that you put aside a few hours or even an afternoon to check out the marvels on display. Check out the mounted dinosaur, which is the tallest in the world even if that includes the bones from other dinosaurs and the wet collection. The wet collection contains thousands of fish and sea creatures preserved in glass jars, many of the jars more than 100 years old. This collection fills an entire room that’s been specially designed for them, and because of the way the lights are designed, the whole place shines with a beautiful, yellowed glow.

#28 – The Gendarmenmarkt

• One of the largest squares in Berlin
• Cool events during summer
• Includes three beautiful and historic buildings

Why it’s so awesome: This picturesque square is one of the most popular attractions in Berlin for tourists and it’s easy to see why. It plays host to a variety of public events throughout the year including classical concerts and the world-famous Christmas market in December. But even when there’s nothing going on, the stately 17th-century square still contains a number of important buildings and landmarks that are worth exploring.

What to do there: First, check out if there are any events in the square while you’re in the city and make sure you attend. There’s nothing like being part of everyday life in Berlin and this is a great way to do it. If there’s nothing on, spend some time in the square to explore the French and German Cathedrals and the Konzerthaus theater. They’re all architecturally amazing and you’ll be able to get some great photos in front of them!

Insider Tip: Just like the Alexander Platz, this place is ideal for people watching!

#29 – The Museum of the Gestapo (Topography of Terror)

• Outdoor & Indoor exhibitions
• Explore the old Nazi ideology
• Old Nazi headquarter

Why it’s so awesome: The Topography of Terror occupies the buildings that were used as offices and prisons by the Gestapo and the Secret State Police during the Second World War. The exhibits don’t shy away from this history, instead, they focus on giving visitors a good idea of how terrifying it must have been to be under the control of such a violent and capricious military force.

What to do there: You might want to avoid this museum if you struggle with graphic displays as they can be found everywhere in this museum. If you do go, make sure you check out the videos, photographs and audio from this time. They explore issues like persecution, extermination, and occupation and they also address the time after the war, when Berlin was struggling to recover from the atrocities. This is an important and memorable display, but it definitely isn’t a comfortable one.

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Berlin

What is the most visited place in Berlin?

The Reichstag and Museum Island are the most visited attractions in Berlin.

Are 3 days enough time to visit Berlin?

There are a lot of things to see and do in Berlin. I would say three days is enough time to see the highlights.

What is Berlin best known for?

Berlin is known for its museums and thriving art scene.

Is Berlin worth visiting?

If you’re travelling to Germany, you should definitely make sure to see Berlin for its historical and cultural importance for the country.

Berlin is a city with an interesting and sometimes tragic history that shouldn’t be forgotten. That’s why it’s so important that as many people as possible experience the best places to visit in this city. It’s a reminder of the dangers of hatred, confinement, and segregation.

And Berlin’s determination to move forward is also a reminder of the strength of the human spirit. So, make sure you have the trip of a lifetime while you’re in this city by choosing the attractions you’re most interested in seeing from my complete list. If you’re looking for even more things to do when visiting the city, check out some of the amazing Berlin day trips too.

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capitalism and freedom had me in a fit of laughter!!!!!! it was fascism not communism

also the city of berlin being the most iconic landmark of the city of berlin.. genius never wouldve thought! Great list 🙂

Communism reigned over East Germany from 1949 until 1989, Sara.

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17 Best Things To In Berlin, Germany

A first-time visit to Berlin is bound to be an absolutely incredible experience, filled with an eclectic mix of history, culture and gorgeous sights, it’s a city that intrigues yet embraces us visitors with open arms.

Whether you’re going for a long weekend, a week or even months, it’s likely you’ll be scrambling for time to catch all the places in this vibrant city… especially if you keep stopping for a cheeky currywurst (and a tipple or two)! 😉

Just like other German cities  like Hamburg and Cologne , Berlin has a pretty diverse mix of sights that you must see on your first visit with a hefty proportion being included in Germany’s Top 100 sights to see.

With that in mind, take a look at some of the very best sights you’ll want to include on your first visit to Berlin.

1.) Stroll through Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate is one of Germany’s best-known landmarks that you’ll no doubt want to see. Historically, an old city gate, Brandenburg Gate was rebuilt around 250 years ago and still stands proudly today.

Famous as a point for major historical events, it’s a great spot to see when visiting the Reichstag that’s close by.

Also, for a leisurely sightseeing tour, book this ticket for a sightseeing cruise around Berlin .

These particular tickets offer guaranteed seating, which means you won’t be waiting around or standing for long periods of time. It’s such a great tour.

Book: Berlin sightseeing cruise tickets

2.) Visit the glass dome of The Reichstag

The Reichstag is not only home to the German Government but also home to one of the most impressive glass domes in all the world!

Open to the public, you can head inside the dome and enjoy the incredible building (and views) from the top. Make sure to book these tickets well in advance for a tour around the whole Government District, Chancellery, and Reichstag. 

3.) Experience the glorious Berlin Cathedral

Perched on Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral is one awe-inspiring place to visit.

The grand history and incredible architecture is jaw-droppingly beautiful and well worth a gander at.

Make sure to spend some time in the main Cathedral before heading downstairs to learn more about the crypts and history of this incredible building.

4.) Learn about reintroduction programs at Berlin Zoo

More than just a zoo, Berlin Zoo helps educate, collaborate and maintains reintroduction programs for some of the most endangered species across the world.

Head here to learn more about the valuable work they do and the breeding programs that help in supporting endangered animals.

Also, be sure to book some of these epic Berlin tours, below; especially before you arrive in the city. This way, you won’t be scrambling for tickets and can maximise your time exploring the epicness that is Berlin. 

5.) Discover art at the East Side Gallery  

Premised as an international memorial for freedom, this massive stretch of the Berlin Wall has been commissioned, featuring over 100 different paintings from artists all across the world, including the colourful  Some heads by Thierry Noir.

Stroll the length of the 1.3km section to admire artists’ works, just take a good pair of walking shoes with you.

That being said, you can also book this epic bike tour around Berlin’s best places to visit. It’s an incredible tour around the Mitte district, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island and so many more spots. It’s amazing. 

Just make sure to book tickets in advance, they are small group tours and they do fill up fast!

Book: Berlin bike tour around the best spots in the city

6.) Explore Berlin’s Museum Island

No visit to Berlin is complete without a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hop over to the island that sits in the middle of the River Spree to see some of the best museums in the world.

Make sure to visit the Atles Museum and the Bode Museum for some incredible artefacts.

If all that walking works up an appetite, check out our complete list of amazing burger joints that are close by, right here .

7.) Remember at the Holocaust Memorial 

Head to the Holocaust Memorial to reflect upon the horrendous mistakes of history.

The creator, Eisenman created this space for visitors to feel uneasy and confusing space where no order cannot be found.

Opened over 10 years ago, it’s a place to ponder and remember the terrible acts of the Holocaust.

Read more: our visit to the Holocaust Memorial

8.) Wander around Charlottenburg Palace

Officially, the largest palace in Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace was originally built over 300 years ago.

Around 15-20 minutes from the bustling centre of Berlin, the palace is a great place to wander, especially through the gardens.

Make sure to visit the Tea House and the Orangery in the palace gardens, they really are spectacular.

9.) See the president’s home, Bellevue Palace

Whether you get to visit the inside or not, Bellevue Palace is a grand sight to see whilst in Berlin.

Based on the edges of Großer Tiergarten (Berlin’s oldest and largest park), it’s well worth a little gander.

10.) Take a look at Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous crossing point between East and West Germany during the time of the Berlin Wall. Nowadays, the checkpoint has been redeveloped to show how it once stood.

If you want to see the original building head to The Allied Museum for a more intimate look.

11.) Grab some bubbles and Currywurst at the Berlin TV Tower

Book these tickets and scale to the top of the Berlin TV Tower for some impressive 360-degree views of the city or even for a little brunch.

If you’re planning a visit in the late afternoon or early evening, you can also enjoy bubbles and Currywurst whilst overlooking the city.

Just be sure to book these queue jump tickets to the top of the TV tower before arriving. You’ll get straight to the top and miss those long queues that happen at peak times. 

Book: Queue jump tickets to the top of the TV tower

12.) Gorge on the diverse foods of the city

One of the best things about Berlin is the varied and diverse mix of foody delights that are around every corner, you can literally have any type of food that your heart (or tummy) desires.

Make sure to try something you haven’t tried before. For me, this was Israeli Food when we ate at the delicious, Djimalaya .

Make sure to try their Hummus plates and falafel balls. Yum!

Oh, and if you’ve got time, book this guided boat tour of Potsdam to see the beauty of the palaces just outside Berlin itself. We totally loved Potsdam and it’s an essential place to include when visiting the best places in Berlin. 

Book: Guided boat tour of Potsdam

13.) Head inside the French Cathedral

The French Cathedral is, arguably, one of the prettiest buildings in Berlin.

Head inside for a wander around the building, whilst stopping for a bite to eat in the basement halls. Most people don’t realise that the Cathedral also houses The Huguenot Museum in the tower itself.

14.) Climb to the top of the Victory Column

If you’re feeling pretty fit, or just want to burn off all those currywurst calories, then take the almost 300 steps to the top of the Victory Column.

Nearly 200 years old, the column offers some pretty epic views across the city.

15.) See inside the New Church 

The New Church sits directly opposite the French Cathedral on the opposite side of the square.

Head inside for a closer look at the gorgeous architecture and plan a trip to coincide with one of the many events and markets that operate within the Gendarmenmarkt beside the church.

16.) Watch a show at Konzert Haus

If you’re looking to find some of the city’s world-renowned culture and art, then make sure you pop into Konzert Haus, where some of the world’s best ballet, opera and German music and theatre is held.

Tickets can be booked online and I’d definitely advise this if you’re wanting to visit.

17.) See the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Built well over 100 years ago, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was heavily destroyed during World War II.

Fondly known as ‘the hollow tooth’ the spire and tower of the church still stand in its destroyed state; a testament and memory to the awful tragedies of war.

Make sure to visit the old and new church that now occupy the site.

Read more: Best cities in Germany to visit

13 Best Cities in Germany To Visit

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17 of the best things to do in Germany

May 10, 2024 • 9 min read

Experience the best of Germany with these top things to do © Wirestock / Getty Images © © Wirestock / Getty Images

For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany .

Explore culture-rich cities like  Berlin or Hamburg ; dive into the great outdoors by visiting epic mountains and national parks ; or examine to modern history and reminders of a divided past. Here are some of the top things to do across the country.

1. Skate down the runway at Berlin’s abandoned airport

Complete with runway markings, grounded planes and old hangars, Tempelhofer Feld in the south of Berlin is a much-loved spot in the city. The airport stopped operating in 2008 and opened as a park two years later. 

Today, it is roller skaters and cyclists who accelerate down the tarmac, while the greenery is used for picnics, community gardens or just to hang out. Look out for the information boards telling the story of the site, including its vital role during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949. 

Local tip: In summer, the airport is a good spot for a barbeque – just make sure you stick to the designated areas.

2. Tap into Germany’s industrial side

The Ruhrgebiet in western Germany was once a global hub for coal mining and metal production. Since its decline, the area has undergone a major makeover – with repurposed industrial infrastructure at the forefront.   

Highlights include the Zeche Zollverein , a former coal-mining complex now home to museums, cultural spaces and an outdoor swimming pool; and Landschaftspark Duisburg-North , a decommissioned ironworks with a diving center in the gasometer and climbing walls in the old ore storage bunkers. 

Planning tip: For a full list of locations to visit, check out the Industrial Heritage Trail (Route der Industriekultur).

3. Scale Germany’s highest mountain 

The Bavarian Alps have fantastic hiking and climbing routes, as well as cable cars that help you gain height a bit faster. The most awe-inspiring of these is the modern Zugspitze cable car on Germany’s highest mountain. 

In operation since 2017, this state-of-the-art construction has the world’s longest unsupported rope span and an epic top station perched on the rocky summit. While the journey doesn’t come cheap, the views are spectacular. 

Planning tip: If possible, leave time to walk around the Eibsee lake at the base of the mountain. In warmer weather you can also go for a dip in the strikingly blue water.

4. Drive the German Wine Route

The Deutsche Weinstrasse connects vineyards, villages and a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the attractive Palatinate (Pfalz) region. The 53-mile (85km) route can be done as a road trip and provides a great introduction to the country’s vino.  

Renowned for rieslings, this area also produces several other whites as well as an increasing volume of reds. Thanks to a moderate climate, you’ll even spy figs, kiwis and lemons growing here.

Detour: For a lesser-known wine region, head up to Rheinhessen. Here, locally-based company BottleStops offers excellent tours in English.  

5. Cross the mighty Rhine in Cologne 

One of the best ways to approach Cologne Cathedral is to walk across Hohenzollern Bridge. Take in the city skyline and watch large barges glide along the Rhine below as the famous gothic towers loom ever closer.

In 2008, people started attaching “love locks” to the bridge’s railings. Most are engraved with couples’ names or initials, with the key thrown into the water as a sign of eternal love.

6. Reflect on Nazi history in Nuremberg

The former Nazi Party Rally Grounds are located on the edge of Nuremberg . With many of the imposing structures still standing, such as the Zeppelinfeld Grandstand and the unfinished Congress Hall, the large site is an eerie place to walk around. 

Elsewhere, the Memorium Nuremberg Trials examines the process that saw leading Nazi figures answer for their crimes and shaped the future of international criminal law. If not in use, you can visit the courtroom where the trials were held.

7. Gaze at the castle that inspired Walt Disney 

Set against a beautiful mountain backdrop, this fairy-tale castle has to be seen to be believed. Said to have inspired Disney, Schloss Neuschwanstein was built as a retreat for “mad” King Ludwig II.

Opened to the public just a few weeks after the king’s mysterious death in 1886, it is now one of Germany’s top tourist attractions and one of Europe’s most visited castles – a far cry from its intended purpose as a private refuge.

Planning tip: As with any major tourist attraction, avoid the crowds by arriving early or visiting outside of peak season.

8. Hit the spa in Baden-Baden 

The mineral waters in the Black Forest have long attracted wellness fans to this region, in particular to Baden-Baden . Home to 12 thermal springs, the well-known spa town is perfect for a bit of pampering and luxury. Even celebs love it.

Get started at Friedrichsbad, a grand Renaissance-style building with domed ceilings, elaborate frescoes and a multi-station bathing circuit. Submerge yourself in thermal whirlpools, hot-air baths and cold water before heading to a relaxation room with a handy wake-up service.

9. Try water sports on Sylt, Germany’s glitziest island

Sylt is the biggest of Germany’s North Frisian Islands and a top staycation destination. Sometimes referred to as the "Saint-Tropez of the north" or the "Hamptons of Germany," it has grassy dunes and sandy beaches, as well as upmarket restaurants and hotels that cater to a wealthier crowd.

It is also a water sports hot spot. Thanks to choppy surf off the western coast and calmer waters in the Wadden Sea, the island accommodates both beginners and those with more experience.

Planning tip: Sylt is no secret and can be very busy during the summer months. Book ahead if you plan to visit then. 

10. Cycle for cheese in the Allgäu region 

Known for its cheese, the Allgäu region is home to alpine dairies, cow-filled meadows and wooden farmhouses. Best explored by bike, you’ll find several routes that pass different producers.

Staples include Bergkäse (mountain cheese) and Allgäuer Emmentaler . Don’t worry if the shops are closed; it won’t be long before you stumble upon a cheese-filled vending machine. 

Local tip: Be sure to visit the soft cheese experts at Hoimat in Eschach. The young team behind this small business have created a stylish shop and cafe in a gorgeously restored barn.

Embrace your inner culinarian with  the best things to eat and drink in Germany .

11. Sip smoked beer in Bamberg 

It’s not hard to find beer in Germany, but for something a little different, visit the beautiful Franconian town of Bamberg . Here you’ll discover the local tipple Rauchbier (smoked beer), best enjoyed in a cozy, half-timbered tavern. 

According to legend, Rauchbier was invented by accident following a fire in a brewery. Today, the beer is served in many places, but only two breweries still stick to tradition and kiln malt over an open wood fire: Schlenkerla and Brauerei Spezial . 

Local tip: Keep an eye out for the beer in dishes such as pork-filled roasted onion served with mashed potato and Rauchbier sauce.

12. Stroll along the murals on the Berlin Wall 

There are several locations in the German capital where you can see remaining parts of the Berlin Wall, but the East Side Gallery stands out. The 0.8-mile (1.3km) stretch running parallel to the river Spree is covered in murals created by international artists following the fall of the wall, including Birgit Kind's iconic image of a Trabant (Trabi) car. 

Surrounded by many new apartment blocks and office complexes – some complete, some still under construction – this part of town demonstrates the vast scale of redevelopment that has shaped the city since reunification.

Local tip: For a more sober look at the impact of the divide, head to Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer at Bernauer Straße. This outdoor memorial includes another original piece of wall.

Berlin-based writer Barbara Woolsey gives us the intel on the city's famous club scene with  How Berlin is ushering in a new era of club culture .

13. Catch a concert at Hamburg’s impressive venue 

Standing proudly on a peninsula in Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie or “Elphi” is an architectural masterpiece. Opened in 2017, the concert hall consists of a new shimmering glass structure sitting atop an old red-brick warehouse.

Check out the program of events or simply head up to the Elbphilharmonie Plaza for panoramic views across the city and along the river. The open-air platform is free of charge and wraps around the entire building.

Local tip: Some harbor boat tours go past the outside of the building, allowing you to see it from a different angle. 

14. Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Located on the outskirts of Munich , Dachau was one of the first concentration camps to be built and later became the first memorial of its kind in Germany. Known as KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau , you can wander around the site, including the tree-lined camp road and the roll call area – all overlooked by watchtowers.

Permanent exhibitions provide extensive information about the camp and the prisoners, as well as what happened after liberation. Entrance is free and all texts are provided in English and German.

Planning tip: The memorial is easy to reach using public transport from Munich. Take the S-Bahn (S2) to Dachau station and pick up the 726 bus from there. It drops you right outside the entrance.

15. Feel Leipzig’s creative buzz

Fans of Berlin’s edge should also visit Leipzig . The former East German city is constantly evolving and appeals to artists and designers, many making use of empty industrial spaces.

Discover alternative neighborhoods, cool projects and edgy installations, before exploring connections to creative masterminds of the past. Leipzig is where Richard Wagner was born, as well as where Mendelssohn and Bach lived for many years.

16. Go hiking in Saxon Switzerland National Park 

Sandstone pinnacles and tabletop mountains create this unusual landscape in the east of the country. Germany’s only non-alpine rock national park, Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz) is a haven for sporty types. The best-known spot is the Basteibrücke, a magnificent stone bridge between two towers of rock. 

Detour: Easy to reach by car or public transport, the nearby city of Dresden is where you’ll find landmarks such as the Zwinger Palace and the reconstructed Frauenkirche .  

Hit the trails with these  6 incredible hikes in Germany .

17. Spend an afternoon in a Munich beer garden 

Beer gardens are central to Munich life. As soon as the good weather hits, locals head to their favorite one for a cold beer and a chinwag with friends. You’ll also often see groups celebrating birthdays and other events at the long tables.

While all serve lager by the liter, each garden has a USP. Go to Seehaus in Englischer Garten for drinks by a lake, Paulaner am Nockherberg for a modern in-house brewery or laid-back Biergarten Muffatwerk for some organic grub.   

This article was first published Sep 26, 2021 and updated May 10, 2024.

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What Is the Best City in Germany to Visit? 7 Must-See Places

E urope is home to stunning landscapes, picturesque castles, and vibrant towns, and one of the best countries to visit on your tour of Europe is Germany. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with over 12 million tourists in 2021 alone. Part of the joy of planning a Germany vacation is deciding which cities to explore.

Finding the best city in Germany is challenging, as there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this beautiful country. Knowing your interests and researching is the best path toward a memorable vacation for you and your family.

The good news is that you’ve discovered the best German tour guide to help you explore Hamburg, Bavaria, and everything in between. Continue reading to find the best places to visit in Germany today!

Hamburg is an impressive German city located on the Jutland Peninsula. It’s an excellent spot to add to your list of German cities to visit during your time in Deutschland. It’s also home to some of the best coffee shops in Germany, making it perfect to pick up your coffee and explore the city’s sights and attractions.

It’s also home to a significant number of street fairs and festivals. The Hamburg Christmas Markets are among the best in Europe, making Hamburg a top destination if you want to visit Europe for the holidays. It’s a city you’ll want to return to in the future for a sophisticated and urban experience.

Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of those constantly changing cities. You’ll find many impressive sights to explore and see in Berlin. The Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the East Side Gallery are the top tourist attractions.

It’s also a city known for its food scene. You’ll love your time in Berlin if you’re a foodie, and there are fantastic food options for all diets and food restrictions. Berlin is famous for its burger options, with tasty burger restaurants dotting the entire city.

No trip to Germany is complete without exploring the capital for a day or two. It’s a cultural hub for Germany with an extensive history. Work to master German before your trip to meet exciting people, make friends, and enjoy unique experiences with the locals.

Cologne is most famous for its impressive Gothic cathedral that towers over the rest of the city. The city’s origins started as a Roman outpost during their battles with the Germanic tribes, and it has blossomed into a stunning cultural city. It’s the cultural hub of the Rhineland region.

The Cologne Cathedral is the first stop to make during your visit to this stunning German city. The climb is challenging, but the views at the top are worth the effort (and possibly swear words) on the journey.

The Belgian Quarter is worth experiencing if you enjoy the bar scene while traveling. It’s home to countless bars and restaurants, making finding what suits your personality easy. Visit the famous museums in this part of town to complete your Cologne experience.

4. Nuremberg

Nuremberg is filled with history, picturesque architecture, and colorful streets to explore while enjoying your holiday in Germany. It’s also famous for its gingerbread, so prepare your stomach in advance to chow down on traditional German sweets before putting your exploring shoes on.

History buffs should visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds to learn more about Germany’s history before and during World War Two. Art lovers will also be happy in Nuremberg with a visit to the Neues Museum Nuremberg. It’s home to some of the most impressive art exhibits in Europe.

Take time to explore local restaurants to taste authentic German cuisine. Nuremberg has a wonderful restaurant scene, providing an excellent way to refuel and wind down after a long day of exploring. Remember to enjoy a stein of cold German beer before turning in for the night.

6. Heidelberg

Heidelberg is one of the smaller German cities on this list, but visiting this stunning city on your German vacation is worth your time. Heidelberg Castle is the prime tourist destination in this town, so make sure to check it out during your first day in the city.

The Philosopher’s Walk is another experience you won’t want to miss when your travels bring you to Heidelberg. View the Neckar River during your walk before looking for the top restaurants in the city to fill your stomach with tasty German cuisine.

The architecture combined with the rolling hills makes Heidelburg a fantastic stop if you want a small city filled with culture. It’s one of the best places to visit in Germany for a different experience than in larger cities like Cologne, Berlin, and Hamburg.

7. Freiberg

Freiberg is another smaller city to add to your list of the best cities in Germany. It’s a small town located on the edge of the Black Forest, with close proximity to France and Switzerland. It’s one of the most stunning cities in Germany to explore and experience.

It’s a vibrant area to visit when checking out cities in Germany. The city is home to a laidback and impressive university and is loaded with history. It’s also one of the warmest and sunniest cities in Germany, making it the perfect destination for planning a German vacation.

The Art Museum should be one of your first stops after arriving in Freiberg. The historic center is also worth checking out if you want to try quaint coffee shops and refuel on food. You’ll enjoy an authentic German experience during your visit to Freiberg.

Find the Best City in Germany Today

Planning a visit to the best city in Germany is an excellent way to see more of the world and learn about a vibrant culture. Large cities like Berlin and Hamburg provide a cool vibe with many restaurants and bars to check out, while Nuremberg offers more history and architecture. Visit Freiberg for a quaint, small-town vibe steeped in art and history.

Traveling is a fantastic way to learn about the world and different cultures. Use our Travel guides and articles to plan your next vacation today!

This article is published by NYTech in collaboration with Syndication Cloud.