Berlin   Travel Guide

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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14 of the best things to do in Berlin

Jul 8, 2023 • 7 min read

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Experience the best of Berlin with this guide to the top things to do © Westend61 / Getty Images

For a scene-stealing combo of glamor and grit, poised to mesmerize anyone keen to connect with vibrant culture, bold architecture, global food, intense parties and an easy-going vibe, head to Berlin .

Whether your tastes run to posh or punk, you can sate them in the German capital. Here are the best experiences Berlin has to offer.

The Bode-Museum at the Museum Island in Berlin at dawn

1. See the treasures of Museum Island

Berlin’s "Louvre on the Spree", this imposing cluster of five treasure-houses is an undisputed highlight of the city’s impressive landscape. Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999, Museumsinsel showcases art and cultural history from the Stone Age to the 19th century.

Feast your eyes on antiquities at at the Pergamonmuseum  and  Altes Museum , take in 19th-century art at the Alte Nationalgalerie and lean in for close-ups of medieval and Renaissance sculptures at the Bode-Museum . The  Neues Museum  is famous as the residence of the exquisite but controversial bust of Nefertiti which has been the subject of repatriation requests from Egypt for almost a century.

Planning tip:  As part of the ambitious  Museum Island Master Plan , the Pergamonmuseum will be completely closed to visitors starting October 23, 2023. The institution is not scheduled to partially reopen until spring 2027 – with some sections of the museum, including the famous  Ishtar Gate , scheduled to stay closed until 2037.

Graffiti at the East Side Gallery, the longest preserved stretch of the Berlin wall.

2. Follow the legacy of the Berlin Wall

Few events in history have the power to move the entire world. If you were alive and old enough for the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, you will probably remember the crowds of euphoric revelers cheering and dancing at the Brandenburg Gate . Although little is left of the physical barrier, its legacy lives on in the imagination and in such places as Checkpoint Charlie , the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial) and the East Side Gallery  with its colorful murals.

3. Party at Berlin's world-famous clubs

Berlin’s reputation for intense and unbridled nightlife is rooted in the libertine 1920s when everyone from Marlene Dietrich to Christopher Isherwood partied like it was 1999. Since the fall of the Wall, Berlin’s club culture has put the city firmly back on the map of music-lovers everywhere .

The edgiest clubs can be found in locations like power plants, abandoned apartment buildings and other repurposed locations, especially in Kreuzberg & Neukölln and Friedrichshain . Electronic music dominates at cult favourites like ://about blank , Kater Blau and Griessmühle , while Prince Charles has made a name for itself as a hip hop mecca, fetish-focused KitKatClub is a must, and the local punks mosh away at SO36 .

Planning tip: Some of Berlin's best parties are its daytime raves: here's how to hit the clubs in the afternoon .

4. Enjoy drinks outdoors

Whether its beer gardens, rooftop bars or some casual drinks in parks and by the Landwehrkanal, Berliners take a relaxed approach to drinking and socializing outdoors. While Berlin has something to offer all year round, the city in the warm weather has a special buzz around it.

5. Be dazzled by the grandeur of Schloss Charlottenburg

An exquisite baroque palace,  Schloss Charlottenburg evokes the onetime grandeur of the Prussian royals. It is particularly special to visit in the summer when you can fold a stroll, sunbathing session or picnic in the lush palace park into a day of peeking at royal treasures.

6. Book ahead to visit the Reichstag

It’s been burned, bombed, rebuilt, buttressed by the Berlin Wall, wrapped in fabric and finally turned into the modern home of the German parliament, the Reichstag  is one of Berlin’s most iconic buildings. Designed by Paul Wallot in 1894, this is where the German parliament, the Bundestag, has been hammering out its policies since 1999.

Planning tip:  Reserve online in advance  to visit the striking glass dome  for free . This is a government building and you will need to provide identification to gain access.

View of a bread stall in an indoor food market

7. Shop and eat at Markthalle Neun

This delightful 1891 market hall was saved by dedicated locals in 2009. Not only do local and regional producers present their wares but also, on Street-Food Thursday, they're joined by aspiring or semipro chefs, who set up their stalls to serve delicious snacks from around the world. There’s even an on-site craft brewery, Heidenpeters .

8. Tour Berlin's art scene

Art aficionados will be truly spoilt for choice in Berlin. Home to hundreds of galleries, scores of world-class collections and thousands of international artists, the city has assumed a pole position on the global artistic circuit. Its main contemporary art showcase is the Hamburger Bahnhof , a vast museum housed in a former railway station whose loft and grandeur are the perfect foil for this top-notch collection of paintings, installations, sculptures and video.

Local tip:  If you’d prefer something even more Berlin-centric, try Urban Nation in Schöneberg . A relative newcomer to Berlin’s array of galleries, this street art celebration turns the concept of a museum on its head and celebrates art in a unique way.

9. Get to know Jewish history and culture at Jüdisches Museum

Berlin’s Jüdisches Museum  presents an eye-opening and emotional journey through 2000 years of Jewish history in Germany, not just the 12 years of Nazi horror that such exhibits often focus on. Find out about Jewish cultural contributions, holiday traditions, the difficult road to emancipation, outstanding individuals like the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and jeans inventor Levi Strauss, and the fates of ordinary people and families.

An older couple riding bikes among autumn foliage in Tiergarten

10. Wander or cycle the paths of Tiergarten

Berlin’s rulers used the grounds to hunt boar and pheasants in the rambling Tiergarten until master landscape architect Peter Lenné landscaped the grounds in the 18th century. With its sweeping lawns, shaded paths, woodsy groves, romantic corners, ponds and creeks, the Tiergarten is one of the world’s largest city parks and a wonderful retreat from the city bustle.

Planning tip:  In summer, several charming beer gardens beckon, including Café am Neuen See and the Teehaus im Englischen Garten.

11. See urban renewal at Potsdamer Platz

Despite the name, Potsdamer Platz is not actually a square but an entire city quarter, forged in the 1990s from terrain once bisected by the Berlin Wall. A collaborative effort by the world's finest architects, it is considered a showcase of urban renewal.

Planning tip:  The area itself is rather compact and quickly explored – unless you stick around to see Berlin from above from the Panoramapunkt or dive into German film history at the Museum für Film und Fernsehen .

Couple take a selfie at Brandenburg Gate at sunset, Berlin

12. Pose for a photo at the historic Brandenburg Gate

Prussian emperors, Napoleon and Hitler have marched through this neoclassical royal city gate that was once trapped east of the Berlin Wall. Since 1989 Brandenburg Gate  has gone from a symbol of division and oppression to the symbol of a united Germany. The elegantly proportioned landmark is at its most atmospheric – and photogenic – at night, when light bathes its stately columns and proud Goddess of Victory sculpture in a golden glow.

13. Go shopping along Kurfürstendamm

No trip to Berlin would be complete without a saunter along Kurfürstendamm (Ku’damm for short) in Charlottenburg . Along with its continuation, the Tauentzienstrasse, it is the city’s longest and busiest shopping strip, lined with high-street chains and designer boutiques. Don’t miss the KaDeWe , continental Europe’s biggest department store with a mind-boggling food hall, or the cutting-edge concept and flagships stores at Bikini Berlin , a revamped 1950s landmark near Zoo Station.

Local tip:  Take a moment to look up. Amid all this, the majestically ruined Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) stands quietly as a poignant reminder of the absurdity of war.

14. Explore the exhibits of the Topographie des Terrors

In the spot where the most feared institutions of Nazi Germany (the Gestapo headquarters, the SS central command and the Reich Security Main Office) once stood, this compelling exhibit documents the stages of terror and persecution, puts a face on the perpetrators, and details the impact these brutal institutions had on all of Europe. A second exhibit outside zeroes in on how life changed for Berlin and its people after the Nazis made it their capital.

This article was first published January 2015 and updated July 2023

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18 of the best things to do in Berlin

By Liz Humphreys and Krystin Arneson

Image may contain Architecture Building Housing Person House Accessories Bag Handbag City and Backpack

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 .

Germany Berlin Activity Club Hackesche Höfe and Haus Schwarzenberg

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

Germany Berlin Activity Charlottenburg Palace

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

Germany Berlin Museum Berlin Wall Memorial

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

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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

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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

Germany Berlin Landmark The Reichstag

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

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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

Germany Berlin Activity Brandenburg Gate

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

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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

Germany Berlin Museum Museum Island

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

Germany Berlin Muesum Sammlung Boros

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

Germany Berlin Activity The Holocaust Memorial

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

Germany Berlin Mural East Side Gallery

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

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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

Germany Berlin Activity Park Tiergarten

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

Germany Berlin Bar Prater Garten

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

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Sights in Berlin

Not to be missed

Siegessäule - evening light

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!

Park Schloss Charlottenburg im Frühling

Berlin's Top 10 Attractions

Berlin television tower at sunset as panorama

Tickets for the Television Tower

Tickets & dates

Ethnological Museum in the Humboldt Forum

Berlin’s new cultural centre

The historic centre of Berlin in rapid transformation

Berlins Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in sunset

Brandenburg Gate

Symbol of German reunification

Humboldt Forum Berlin, north facade of the Schlüterhof

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! 

The Berlin landmark Brandenburg Gate in sunlight

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

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Berlin attraction Zoological Garden

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.

Berlin Wall, Wall Art 1989

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.

Neue Nationalgalerie

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.

Galerie Deschler in der Auguststr. in Berlin

Discover the art of tomorrow

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

Flowering tulip magnolias at Schloss Pfaueninsel Castle in Berlin

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

Young Couple in Berlin

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.

View from Modersohn bridge 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.

The park of Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin in springtime

Dreamy summer houses and opulent palaces

Palaces & gardens

Experience the charm of times gone by in Berlin’s splendid palaces and extensive parks.

Fairytale Fountain in Volkspark Friedrichshain

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.

Rund um den Tegeler See

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.

New Synagogue Berlin

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

Jewish Cemetery Weißensee in Berlin.

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.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: Holocaust memorial in Berlin

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

Sowjet Memorial Treptow

Places to remember

Memorial sites and monuments

Berlin’s memorials and monuments commemorate the past and ensure that it is never forgotten.

Strausberger Platz at Stalinallee (Karl-Marx-Allee)

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.

AEG Turbine Hall Moabit

From Schinkel to Foster

Industrial Architecture

New life from old ruins: Experience art and creativity in Berlin’s former industrial buildings.

Familie im Homboldt Forum

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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ABOUT BERLIN App

In our ABOUT BERLIN app you will find exciting stories, audiobooks and videos about over 250 selected places in Berlin. Create your own city

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An fantastic experience for the whole family

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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

Berlin Cathedral with Museum Island in Berlin seen from river Spree

Reichstag in Berlin

View of the Berlin city centre with the television tower

Berlin Television Tower

Berlin Cathedral with Museum Island in Berlin seen from river Spree

Museum Island Berlin

Berlin attraction Zoological Garden

Charlottenburg Palace/ Old Palace

tourists taking pictures at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie

Famous Berlin landmarks at the Unter den Linden boulevard

Unter den Linden

Kurfürstendamm: Shopping in Berlin

Kurfürstendamm

Gendarmenmarkt with Konzerthaus and Französischem Dom in Berlin

Gendarmenmarkt

"Bruderkuss" at East Side Gallery Berlin

East Side Gallery

Signposts at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin

Potsdamer Platz

Berlin Cathedral interior facing east

Berlin Cathedral

Berlin Victory Column in autumnal backlight

Siegessäule

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

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!

Sumatran tiger in the rainforest house Tierpark Berlin

Discover a fascinating world of biodiversity

Tierpark Berlin: Day Ticket

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Dinosaur skeleton Tristan in Berlin, Museum of Natural History

A Journey through the World of Science

Day Ticket: Natural History Museum Berlin

from €11.00

Spree view of the Museum Island

1 ticket with admission to 6 museums

Berlin Museum Island: Day Ticket

from €24.00 Day Ticket

Old car in the German Museum of Technology in Berlin

The world of technology for discoverers of all ages

Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin: Day Ticket

from €8.00 Time Slot Ticket

Pergamon.panorama exhibition of Yadegar Asisi in Berlin

Masterpieces of the ancient metropolis & 360 degree panorama

Exhibition: Pergamon. The panorama by Asisi

from €14.00

Hamburger-Bahnhof

Museum for Contemporary Art Berlin

Day Ticket: Hamburger Bahnhof

from €10.00 Day Ticket

Boat tour in Berlin

Discover the historic city and famous sights of Berlin

1-Hour City Tour by Boat in Berlin

from €21.90 Guaranteed Seats

Bus from Berlin City Circle Sightseeing in front of the Berlin Cathedral

Explore the most beautiful sights of Berlin

Best of Berlin Tour by bus: Discover famous sights

from €35.00 24h ticket

Berlin sightseeing tours

Berlin is a happening city, diverse and colourful – and never dull! Explore the urban jungle on a city tour through Berlin, past classic sights, historical locations and bustling neighbourhoods !

With the wide range of fascinating city tours, hop on/hop off bus tours, guided bike tours and adventure and activities tours on offer, it’s easy to discover Berlin’s fascinating diversity in your way.

Please note that there may be changes to departure times and routes on individual public holidays.

To get you started, we have put together a selection of popular sightseeing tours in Berlin here! 

Boat tours in Berlin

Boat tours & Spree cruises

Boat tours and rental

Bustour at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin

Bus tours & city tours

Discover Berlin by bus

Guided walk through Berlin

Walking tours

Guided tours

Riding by bike at Glienicker Brücke

Berlin by bike

Tips and bike tours for cyclists

Individuelle Stadtrundfahrt Berlin mit dem Trabi

Individual city sightseeing tours Berlin

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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.

View over Berlin

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.

The Brandenburg Gate

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 Rebuilt Reichstag

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

Museum Island

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 Memorial

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

German Historical Museum

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

Berlin's Television Tower

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

Checkpoint Charlie

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

Charlottenburg Palace and Park

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

Gendarmenmarkt

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.

Konzerthaus

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

Jewish Museum 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

German Museum of Technology

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

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

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

Grosser Tiergarten and the Victory Column

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

Pergamon Museum

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.

The Humboldt Forum

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

Berlin Cathedral Church

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

Topography of Terror

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

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

Tiger at the Tierpark 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

The Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Museum

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.

The Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Museum

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

DDR Museum

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

The Nikolai Quarter on the River Spree

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.

The Nikolai Quarter

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

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

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

Französischer Dom (French Cathedral)

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.

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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.

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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.

West Berlin Map - Tourist Attractions

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Brandenburger Tor

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

Brandenburger Tor

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. 

Neues Museum

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. 

Holocaust Memorial (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas)

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.

East Side Gallery

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.

Botanischer Garten & Botanisches Museum

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.

Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen

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. 

Jüdisches Museum

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!

Philharmonie

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.

Soviet Memorial (Sowjetisches Ehrenmal am Treptower Park)

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.

Haus am Checkpoint Charlie

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. 

Tempelhofer Feld

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.

Rixdorf

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.

Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum)

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.

Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West)

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.

Prater Biergarten

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.

Spandau

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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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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The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog

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.

places to visit in berlin germany map

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

best places to visit in berlin 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

best places to visit in berlin 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.

best places to visit in berlin brandenburg gate at sunset

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

best places to visit in berlin memorial of the jews

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

best places to visit in berlin 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

best places to visit in berlin 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.

best places to visit in berlin street art at berlin wall

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

Beautiful Cities in Germany

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.

best places to visit in berlin berlin tv tower

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

museums in berlin best places to visit in berlin

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

best places to visit in berlin museums and art

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

best places to visit in berlin 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

top tings to do in berlin Gendarmenmarkt

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

best places to visit in berlin The 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

places to visit in berlin for 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

places to visit in berlin where to stay

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 subay u-bahn

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

places to visit in berlin when to visit berlin

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

places to visit in 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.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

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

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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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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18 Best Things to Do in Berlin

By Liz Humphreys and Krystin Arneson

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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.

Germany Berlin Activity Club Hackesche Höfe and Haus Schwarzenberg

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.

Germany Berlin Activity Charlottenburg Palace

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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.

Germany Berlin Museum Berlin Wall Memorial

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.

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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.

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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.

Germany Berlin Landmark The Reichstag

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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.

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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.

Germany Berlin Activity Brandenburg Gate

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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.

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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.

Germany Berlin Museum Museum Island

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.

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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.

Germany Berlin Muesum Sammlung Boros

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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.

Germany Berlin Activity The Holocaust Memorial

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.

Germany Berlin Mural East Side Gallery

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.

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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.

Germany Berlin Activity Park Tiergarten

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.

Germany Berlin Bar Prater Garten

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 History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

10 Historic Places to See in Berlin

Dating to the 13th century, germany's vibrant capital berlin is brimming with history. here's 10 sites that you can't miss..

places visit berlin

Lucy Davidson

06 sep 2021, @lucejuiceluce.

As the European Union’s most populous city, Berlin is an artistic, historic, and social hub. The city has been under the rule of the Kingdom Of Prussia, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich. After the Second World War, it was famously severed in half by the Berlin Wall, which was only taken down in 1989. As a result, there are endless monuments, museums, and historical sites to explore the capital’s multifaceted history with.

From famous places steeped in history like the Reichstag, to lesser-known sites like Berlin Flak Tower, there’s a wealth of sites to visit. Here’s our pick of 10 of the best.

places visit berlin

1. Brandenburg Gate

Probably Berlin’s most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate is a stunning Romanesque structure modelled on the ancient gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. Standing at the heart of the city, the Gate is a symbol of the German capital and is consistently ranked among the top 10 things to see in Berlin.

Commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia and built between 1788 and 1791, today, visitors from around the world come to see the Brandenburg Gate and its ornate carvings, including its dramatic depiction of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, driving a horse drawn chariot.

places visit berlin

2. Reichstag

No visit to Berlin can miss the famous German parliament building, the Reichstag. One of the most popular places to visit in Berlin, the Reichstag Building as we know it today is a fusion of the original 19th century building – heavily damaged by the infamous fire of 1933 and subsequent WWII bombing – and a restoration project which finished in 1999.

As well as viewing the stunning architecture particularly the remarkable roof terrace and dome, visitors can explore more via guided tours are available, but these must be booked in writing well in advance.

places visit berlin

3. Berlin Wall

Probably the most famous of all the places to see in Berlin, the Berlin Wall split the city and was a dramatic symbol of the ideological struggle of the Cold War. An 87 mile long concrete barrier that divided East and West Berlin, the Wall was the most obvious embodiment of the so-called ‘Iron Curtain’ between eastern and western Europe.

The fall of the Berlin Wall finally occurred on 9 November 1989, and was almost completely dismantled in the weeks that followed. Very few segments of the wall remain today, but those that have are extremely popular for visitors and locals alike. The largest section can be found at the open air East Side Gallery, although small sections are dotted throughout the city.

places visit berlin

4. Berliner Dom

One of the most stunning buildings in Berlin, Berliner Don is an exceptionally beautiful early 20th century Cathedral built during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Constructed between 1894 and 1905, this ornate structure is crowned with a remarkable, imposing dome and is now open to the public to explore.

It’s the capital’s largest and most important Protestant church and, when it comes to deciding what to see in Berlin, this hugely popular landmark is an absolute must.

places visit berlin

5. The Holocaust Memorial - Berlin

History runs to the very heart of Berlin, and while joyous events are celebrated, there are a number of sites which document darker moments from the city’s past. Berlin has made the conscious decision to ensure that the horror of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust are not forgotten. One of the most moving sites of all is the Holocaust Memorial.

The Holocaust Memorial is a vast granite maze covering 19,000 square metres which remembers the millions of European Jews murdered by the Nazis. It makes for sombre and thought-provoking viewing.

places visit berlin

6. The Pergamon Museum

Located on Museum Island, the Pergamon Museum showcases a vast and fascinating world famous collection of ancient artefacts, Ancient Near East, and Islamic art. For lovers of history, it ranks as one of the very best things to do in Berlin.

As well as a host of incredible artefacts, the museum houses monumental structures such as the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus, which all consist of original parts brought from their original locations in Turkey.

places visit berlin

7. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Originally built in the 1890’s and dedicated to Kaiser William I by his grandson Kaiser William II, today the fusion of Romanesque and modern architecture make the Kaiser Wilhelm Church a fascinating place to explore.

Seemingly odd to view from the outside – being as it is a largely 18th century tower with a modern concrete, steel and glass hulk attached – inside the Church is truly stunning, with beautiful glass walls and an epic feel. A truly unique experience.

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8. Berlin Stasi Prison

An infamous East German prison which operated during the Cold War, the Berlin Stasi Prison is a memorial to those who were persecuted there. Following WWII, East Berlin was under the occupation of Soviet Russia as the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Stasi were the official security forces of this state. The Berlin Stasi Prison became the detention centre for anyone considered hostile to the state until it was eventually disbanded in 1989 as the GDR began to falter.

Today, the prison is a memorial to those who were detained there and is a stark reminder of the atrocities carried out during the Cold War. Tours are offered and visitors can see a film about the prison’s history.

places visit berlin

9. The Berlin Flak Tower

One of the more hidden and obscure places in Berlin to visit, the Berlin Flak Tower is a Second World War anti-aircraft station and bunker which can now be seen via organised tours run by the Berlin Underground Association.

Visitors can explore three of the seven floors of the bunker and discover the astounding underground landscape. The most striking experience that the site offers is the opportunity to stare deep down into the very depths of the building.

places visit berlin

10. Charlottenburg Palace

Built in 1713 as a summer getaway for the first queen of Prussia, Charlottenburg is Berlin’s largest royal estate. One of Berlin’s most beautiful museums, the architecture is predominantly baroque, reflecting the taste during the period when it was first constructed.

Today, Charlottenburg ranks among the top places to visit in Berlin and visitors can undertake a guided tour through both the Old Palace and the New Wing. Tours guide visitors through the rich family history of Sophie Charlotte, in addition to the property’s extensive collection of artworks.

places visit berlin

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.

What Is the Best City in Germany to Visit? 7 Must-See Places

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' class=

Have an hour to kill before a late evening check-in. If i do a full 'lap' of the Ringbahn am I going to see much in the dark - or better left to daylight...? Thanks

6 replies to this topic

' class=

This is really nothing I would recommend anyone to do. Where is your hotel?

Why's that? Just at night, or as a general rule? I'm staying in Prenzlauer Berg, not a hotel.

places visit berlin

Day or night you will struggle to get excited by the views from the ring. You'll pass Tempelhof Field Airport + cross the Spree where who might catch sight of the Oberbaum Bridge. Aside that all pretty 'meh'.

places visit berlin

Classically a bus ride with public BVG busses 100, 200 and 300 are known as little city tours.

This may give you a much better value for your time than Ringbahn.

For bus 100 here is a small guide of the stations and what you will see.

https://www.berlin.de/en/tourism/self-guided-tours/5704967-8056766-explore-berlin-by-bus-100.en.html

places visit berlin

By all means to a lap of the Ringbahn; I sometimes kill time on my last day of vacation by riding public transport. Sometimes you see interesting things

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COMMENTS

  1. Berlin's Top 10 Attractions

    Top pick 3: Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm) - Berlin's highest attraction. The Berlin Television Tower, which is known to locals as the Fernsehturm, and is instantly recognisable from the distance, stand outs of the skyline at 368m, making it the tallest building and by far highest tourist attraction in Berlin.

  2. 20 Best Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

    Searching for the best things to do in Berlin, Germany? Top attractions include Brandenburg Gate, Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and of course, the Berlin Wall Memorial.

  3. Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

    5. Memorial of the Berlin Wall. 18,152. Historic Sites. The Berlin Wall Memorial is the central memorial site of German division, located in the middle of the capital. Situated at the historic site on Bernauer Strasse, it extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the ...

  4. 14 of the best things to do in Berlin

    6. Book ahead to visit the Reichstag. It's been burned, bombed, rebuilt, buttressed by the Berlin Wall, wrapped in fabric and finally turned into the modern home of the German parliament, the Reichstag is one of Berlin's most iconic buildings. Designed by Paul Wallot in 1894, this is where the German parliament, the Bundestag, has been ...

  5. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Berlin (Updated 2024)

    2023. 5. Memorial of the Berlin Wall. 18,149. Historic Sites. The Berlin Wall Memorial is the central memorial site of German division, located in the middle of the capital. Situated at the historic site on Bernauer Strasse, it extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the ...

  6. Top 10 Berlin Sights and Attractions

    Experience all of Berlin's major sights as you hop on and off the bus at any station of this tour of Berlin's city center. more. The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island and more: A trip to Berlin wouldn't be complete without visiting these attractions and sights.

  7. 18 best things to do in Berlin

    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. Getty.

  8. 30 BEST Places to Visit in Berlin (UPDATED 2024)

    5. Memorial of the Berlin Wall. 18,152. Historic Sites. The Berlin Wall Memorial is the central memorial site of German division, located in the middle of the capital. Situated at the historic site on Bernauer Strasse, it extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the ...

  9. 23 Best Things to Do in Berlin According to Locals

    1) If you don't like techno, learn to love it. 2) If you go to a club 'just to see it' instead of genuinely liking the vibe, you probably won't get in. 3) Learn the DJs' names in case you're ...

  10. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Berlin

    5. Memorial of the Berlin Wall. 18,152. Historic Sites. The Berlin Wall Memorial is the central memorial site of German division, located in the middle of the capital. Situated at the historic site on Bernauer Strasse, it extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the ...

  11. Berlin Sights

    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 ...

  12. 24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Berlin

    22. The Nikolai Quarter. The Nikolai Quarter on the River Spree. 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.

  13. 16 Best Attractions in Berlin to Fill That Bucket List

    9. Soviet Memorial (Sowjetisches Ehrenmal am Treptower Park) Attractions. Parks and gardens. One of Berlin's most impressive public monuments, this memorial to Soviet soldiers killed in the ...

  14. The Best Places to Visit in Berlin, Germany

    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.

  15. 22 AWESOME Things to Do in Berlin for an Unforgettable Trip

    5. Admire the Berliner Dom. Berliner Dom, otherwise known as the Berlin Cathedral, is a Neo-Renaissance style building built in 1905. Paying a visit to this gorgeous cathedral is considered to be one of the top ten things to do in Berlin!

  16. 18 Best Things to Do in Berlin

    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 ...

  17. Berlin attractions: The top places to visit on your trip

    Brandenburg Gate: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Berlin Wall You can find numerous places throughout Berlin with remnants and reminders of the Wall. They include the Brandenburg Gate ...

  18. 10 Historic Places to See in Berlin

    No visit to Berlin can miss the famous German parliament building, the Reichstag. One of the most popular places to visit in Berlin, the Reichstag Building as we know it today is a fusion of the original 19th century building - heavily damaged by the infamous fire of 1933 and subsequent WWII bombing - and a restoration project which finished in 1999.

  19. 12 Most Beautiful Places in Berlin to Visit

    It's a peaceful place for reflection, adding a spiritual dimension to your visit. This is one of those pretty places in Berlin where history, tragedy, and hope converge. Step back in time at The Berlin Wall Memorial, where history echoes through the remnants of a divided city. 9. The Nikolai Quarter.

  20. What Is the Best City in Germany to Visit? 7 Must-See Places

    2. Berlin. 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 ...

  21. Berlin Forum

    5. Re: Ringbahn night views. Apr 22, 2024, 1:42 PM. Classically a bus ride with public BVG busses 100, 200 and 300 are known as little city tours. This may give you a much better value for your time than Ringbahn. For bus 100 here is a small guide of the stations and what you will see.

  22. Lost Place Führung

    Book tickets from 15 € online or by telephone on Berlin.de. Sunday, 30/June/2024 10:00• Schloss Oranienburg - Tourist-Information • Lost Place Führung - Die Heilstätten Grabowsee. ... With lots of interesting facts about the city and historical places. Excl. Visit to the Grabowsee sanatorium plus €10.00 entrance fee to be paid in the ...