Berlin is the superior metropolis of Germany and is celebrated for its vibrant arts scene, fascinating history, electrifying nightlife, and beauteous municipality parks.
Whether you’re looking for a play getaway oregon determination antithetic and breathtaking to explore, you’ll find determination are plentifulness of things to bash successful Berlin to support immoderate traveler satisfied.
It’s the cleanable metropolis for travelers seeking an municipality escapade filled with history, culture, and entertainment. The city’s unsocial blend of aged and new, East and West, creates a vibrant ambiance that captures the bosom of everyone who visits here.
But with truthful galore humanities and taste attractions successful Berlin, it tin beryllium a situation putting unneurotic a to-do list.
In this guide, Yvonne Zagermann, who has been surviving successful Berlin since June 2010, shares with america her apical tips for what to bash successful Berlin for a archetypal clip visitor, truthful you tin get a consciousness for the champion of Berlin successful 1 trip.
- Is Berlin Worth Visiting?
- Things to Do successful Berlin
- 1. Check retired the Brandenburg Gate
- 2. See the Berlin Wall Memorial
- 3. Get A Photo with the Berlin TV Tower
- 4. Explore the Abandoned Airport of Tempelhof
- 5. Visit the East Side Gallery
- 6. Walk Across Checkpoint Charlie
- 7. Try a Currywurst
- 8. Have a Doner Kebab
- 9. Hit the Bars
- 10. Explore the Markets and Shopping successful Berlin
- 11. Attend A Festival successful Berlin
- 12. Travel Back In Time connected Museum Island
- 13. Visit the Soviet War Memorial
- 14. Pay Your Respects At The Holocaust Memorial
- 15. Take the Kids to Berlin Zoo
- 16. Check Out The German Parliament Building (Reichstag)
- 17. Have a Picnic In Tiergarten
- 18. Explore The Trendy Neighborhoods
- 19. Check Out the Topography of Terror Museum
- 20. Cruise Down the Spree River
- 21. Admire the Architecture of the Public Squares
- Getting To and Around Berlin
- Best Time to Visit Berlin
- Where to Stay successful Berlin
- Final Thoughts connected Things to Do successful Berlin
- Other adjuvant German question posts
Is Berlin Worth Visiting?
Berlin is the bosom of Europe and is simply a destination that’s afloat of history.
It’s vibrant and multicultural and it doesn’t matter if you’re funny successful history, food, art, nightlife oregon civilization – you’ll find precisely what you’re looking for successful Berlin.
It’s possibly not the prettiest European metropolis but – arsenic politician Klaus Wowereit said – it’s poor but sexy. It has it’s precise ain charm, particularly successful summer, that is dissimilar anyplace other successful Europe.
For these reasons, it’s perfectly worthy visiting.
Top tip: If you privation to prevention wealth connected attractions, cheque retired The Berlin Pass. It gives you escaped introduction to 60+ apical Berlin attractions, Hop connected and Off sightseeing tours, and an optional question paper for unlimited travel. Get yours present and prevention wealth your sojourn to Berlin.
Things to Do successful Berlin
Oh, wherever should I start? There are truthful galore things to bash and places to sojourn successful Berlin that it tin beryllium a conflict to cognize what to adhd to the itinerary. Below are immoderate of my unmissable highlights and things you mustn’t miss!
1. Check retired the Brandenburg Gate
For first-timers, I urge for definite you cheque retired the Brandenburg Gate. It’s 1 of the astir iconic landmarks successful Berlin (after the Berlin Wall of course).
It was built successful the precocious 18th period and has played a important relation successful shaping German identity.
It’s astir celebrated for its imposing neoclassical architecture and the sheer magnitude of the structure. It’s besides a awesome of Germany’s analyzable past, having served arsenic a cardinal introduction constituent to the metropolis during some the 2nd satellite warfare and the Cold War.
In fact, the gross was located successful no-man’s-land betwixt East and West Berlin during the second conflict, making it a poignant awesome of part and unity.
Today, the Brandenburg Gate is simply a awesome of bid and unity. Be definite to bask a stroll done the adjacent park, and larn astir its analyzable past done adjacent museums and exhibitions.
2. See the Berlin Wall Memorial
If you’re truly into past you should sojourn the Berlin Wall Memorial astatine Bernauer Strasse.
The Berlin Wall is 1 of the world’s astir celebrated monuments, built by East Germany to support their radical against the “fascists” of West Germany.
While overmuch of the partition has been destroyed, a memorial stands successful its place. The Berlin Wall Memorial is simply a profound and moving tribute to 1 of the astir defining events of the 20th century.
It serves arsenic some a memorial to those who mislaid their lives during the Cold War and a reminder of the unthinkable quality outgo of part and conflict.
What galore radical don’t expect to spot erstwhile they sojourn the Berlin Wall Memorial is the stark opposition betwixt the modern, vibrant metropolis of Berlin and the wall’s haunting remains.
The memorial includes preserved sections of the wall, arsenic good arsenic outdoor exhibitions and a depository that explores the past and interaction of the partition connected some East and West Berlin.
The Berlin Wall Memorial provides a almighty abstraction for reflection and contemplation. It’s a testament to the resilience and courageousness of the German radical and a profoundly moving tribute to those who suffered during this tumultuous play of history.
Want to get a deeper penetration into the past of the Berlin Wall? We urge this tour here!
3. Get A Photo with the Berlin TV Tower
Another well-known landmark successful Berlin is the TV Tower.
The TV Tower, besides known arsenic the Fernsehturm Berlin, has a viewing level wherever tourists tin get breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
It’s 368 meters high, making it the tallest operation successful Germany, and tin beryllium seen from anyplace successful the city.
As good arsenic offering stunning views, the TV Tower besides boasts a revolving edifice that offers diners a unsocial culinary acquisition portion enjoying unparalleled vistas of the city.
In my opinion, the champion photograph op with the TV Tower IN the representation is from apical of the Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz.
Ever heard astir Base Flying? Because erstwhile you’re up determination you should think about “flying” down.
Have day beverage with a presumption astatine the apical of the TV Tower. Get your tickets here!
4. Explore the Abandoned Airport of Tempelhof
And 1 of my favourite things to bash successful Berlin is sojourn the abandoned airdrome of Tempelhof, wherever you tin spell for a tally oregon ticker kite surfers connected the aged airfield.
This iconic airport, which dates backmost to the 1920s, has a storied past that includes serving arsenic a hub for Nazi propaganda during World War II and playing a captious relation successful the Berlin Airlift.
Today, you tin rotation astir the abandoned runways and airfields of Tempelhof. You tin besides instrumentality a guided circuit to summation further penetration into the airport’s archetypal design, its usage during World War II, and its value successful the discourse of the Cold War.
But it’s not conscionable astir history.
The airdrome has been transformed into a nationalist park, wherever you tin spell for a picnic, a motorcycle ride, oregon stroll done the unfastened greenish spaces.
There are besides antithetic occasions passim the twelvemonth similar the Berlin Festival successful September erstwhile you adjacent tin spell into the old building.
5. Visit the East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is simply a fig 1 happening to spot for anyone funny successful thoroughfare art, history, oregon taste heritage.
It’s a celebrated open-air assemblage that stretches for implicit a kilometer on the remains of the Berlin Wall, which is the longest remaining agelong of the partition inactive standing.
The assemblage features much than 100 murals created by artists from each implicit the world, each 1 exploring themes of freedom, unity, and societal justice.
It’s a striking illustration of however creation tin beryllium utilized to convey almighty messages and spark important conversations astir nine and culture.
6. Walk Across Checkpoint Charlie
Another important historical attraction successful Berlin is Checkpoint Charlie, which played a pivotal relation during the Cold War.
It was erstwhile the lone crossing constituent betwixt East and West Berlin and is present 1 of the astir celebrated landmarks successful the city.
A sojourn to Checkpoint Charlie is an indispensable portion of immoderate travel to Berlin, offering visitors a accidental to link with the city’s analyzable past and summation penetration into the quality toll of part and conflict.
7. Try a Currywurst
When you sojourn Berlin you person to devour a Currywurst. If you’re not acquainted with Currywurst, it’s a accepted and fashionable thoroughfare nutrient crockery that was invented successful Germany.
It’s a pork sausage that has been steamed and past fried, chopped into bite-sized chunks, and past served with tomato-based condiment that has been seasoned with curry pulverization and different spices.
It usually comes with fries oregon a breadstuff roll.
The locals volition urge different spot but I think the champion Currywurst is the 1 from Konnopke’s astatine Eberswalderstraße.
If you privation to learn more astir Currywurst I urge the Currywurst Museum near Checkpoint Charlie.
8. Have a Doner Kebab
Did you cognize Doner Kebab was invented successful Berlin too?
My favourite kebab booth is the 1 from Mustafa astatine Mehringdamm, wherever you besides get a tasty rootlike kebab.
9. Hit the Bars
One of the main reasons to sojourn Berlin is for its nightlife, which is world-famous.
There seems to beryllium a caller barroom opening successful Berlin each day.
Some places I urge you cheque retired are Becketts Kopf, located successful Prenzlauer Berg. This hidden gem serves up expertly crafted cocktails and has a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Buck and Breck is simply a speakeasy-style barroom successful Brunnenstraße that offers an extended database of originative cocktails and has a sophisticated, upscale vibe.
Then there’s Fairytale Bar, which arsenic its sanction suggests, is simply a whimsical barroom successful Neukölln has a fairytale-inspired interior and serves up creative, Instagram-worthy cocktails.
Klunkerkranich is simply a rooftop barroom successful Neukölln that offers stunning views of the metropolis and a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. It’s the cleanable spot to bask a cocktail portion taking successful the sunset.
One happening you shouldn’t miss is the Open Air Karaoke Sundays successful Mauerpark and the abandoned amusement parkland Spreepark.
10. Explore the Markets and Shopping successful Berlin
The astir celebrated buying territory is the Kurfürstendamm, called Ku’damm.
On this avenue, you tin store till you drop. Here you besides find the celebrated KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens).
It’s Europe’s biggest promenade with a gourmet conception arsenic ample arsenic 7,000 quadrate meters. But don’t ever go there connected a Saturday.
On Sundays, halt by Mauerpark wherever you’ll find Berlin’s most famous flea marketplace with vintage clothes, art, nutrient and more.
One happening I truly emotion astir visiting Berlin are the Late Night Shops, you’ll find them astatine each country and astir of them are unfastened 24 hours.
Here you tin not lone bargain a precocious nighttime brew but besides everything you request for a enactment oregon worldly you’ll request erstwhile you’ve forgot to spell to the supermarket.
11. Attend A Festival successful Berlin
If you emotion euphony festivals you should travel to Berlin successful September erstwhile you tin spell to the Berlin Festival astatine the abandoned airport Tempelhof.
In October astatine the Festival of Lights an illumination artists airy up humanities buildings and different important landmarks successful a spectacular amusement of lights. A chill photograph opportunity!
If you’re visiting successful the winter, beryllium definite to research the galore Christmas Markets that popular up astir the city.
12. Travel Back In Time connected Museum Island
Museum Island is, arsenic you would expect, an land successful the bosom of the city. It’s location to immoderate of the world’s astir renowned museums and creation collections.
You tin research 5 chiseled museums, each with its ain unsocial absorption and collection. These see the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum.
The museums connected Museum Island location a immense array of artworks and artifacts from antithetic cultures and humanities periods, ranging from past Egyptian statues to modern creation installations.
Museum Island is simply a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 1 of Berlin’s astir salient taste attractions.
It’s a must-visit destination for anyone funny successful immersing themselves successful the affluent past and creator bequest of Germany and beyond.
13. Visit the Soviet War Memorial
The Soviet War Memorial is located successful Treptower Park, and was built successful 1949 to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who died during World War II.
The memorial features a striking statue of a Soviet worker lasting implicit a breached swastika, surrounded by intricate reliefs that picture the heroic struggles of the Soviet service during the war.
You tin besides research the adjoining cemetery, which contains the resting spot of thousands of Soviet soldiers.
14. Pay Your Respects At The Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial is different almighty and moving memorial that serves arsenic a reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
It was built successful 2005, the memorial consists of implicit 2,700 factual slabs arranged successful a grid pattern, symbolizing the overwhelming standard of the Holocaust.
You tin locomotion among the slabs and contemplate the enormity of the calamity that occurred and retrieve the millions of murdered jews of Europe who mislaid their lives astatine the hands of Hitler.
The underground depository located adjacent offers exhibits and accusation astir the Holocaust, including idiosyncratic stories of victims and survivors.
15. Take the Kids to Berlin Zoo
The Berlin Zoo is 1 of the oldest and astir renowned zoos successful the world, with a past that dates backmost to 1844.
Today, the zoo is location to implicit 18,600 animals from much than 1,400 antithetic species, making it 1 of the astir divers collections of wildlife successful the world.
The zoo is besides location to a ample aquarium that features an awesome postulation of aquatic life.
16. Check Out The German Parliament Building (Reichstag)
The German Parliament Building, besides known arsenic the Reichstag, is determination you mightiness privation to adhd to your to bash database if you’re funny successful history, architecture, and politics.
The gathering dates backmost to 1894 and has played a important relation successful German history, serving arsenic the spot of parliament during antithetic periods of the country’s history.
Be definite to research the building’s unsocial premix of humanities and modern architecture, including its celebrated solid dome that offers panoramic views of the city.
The dome is accessible to the public, and visitors tin bask breathtaking views of Berlin’s skyline portion learning astir the building’s past and significance.
17. Have a Picnic In Tiergarten
Tiergarten is simply a immense inner-city parkland that offers an flight from the hustle and bustle of the city.
With much than 520 acres of forest, gardens, and meadows, it’s the cleanable spot for a picnic.
Picnicking successful Tiergarten is simply a large mode to unwind and link with nature.
The parkland offers plentifulness of shady spots to acceptable up a picnic blanket, and determination are galore nutrient stalls and vendors adjacent wherever you tin acquisition snacks and refreshments.
18. Explore The Trendy Neighborhoods
Wandering astir the trendy neighborhoods of Berlin specified arsenic the Mitte territory and Kreuzberg is simply a large mode to acquisition the city’s unsocial civilization and atmosphere.
Both neighborhoods are known for their eclectic premix of art, music, food, and fashion, making them fashionable destinations for locals and tourists alike.
Mitte, located successful the bosom of Berlin, is location to galore of the city’s astir celebrated landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island. It’s besides known for its vibrant nightlife, with plentifulness of bars, clubs, and restaurants to take from.
Kreuzberg, connected the different hand, is simply a divers and multicultural vicinity that’s celebrated for its thoroughfare art, vintage shops, and alternate euphony scene.
It’s location to immoderate of the city’s champion nutrient markets and nutrient trucks, offering visitors a accidental to illustration a wide assortment of cuisines from astir the world.
19. Check Out the Topography of Terror Museum
The Topography of Terror Museum is different important depository that aims to amended visitors astir the atrocities committed by the Nazi authorities during World War II.
The depository is located connected the tract of the erstwhile Gestapo office and chronicles the emergence of Hitler’s regime, the persecution of Jews and different minorities, and the events starring up to the Holocaust.
The museum’s exhibits see photographs, documents, and artifacts that supply a chilling penetration into the horrors of the Nazi regime.
20. Cruise Down the Spree River
Cruising down the Spree River is 1 of the astir relaxing things to bash successful Berlin. It’s a accidental to spot Berlin from a antithetic position and instrumentality successful immoderate of the city’s astir iconic landmarks from the water.
The Spree River runs done the bosom of Berlin, passing by celebrated sights specified arsenic the Reichstag, Museum Island, and the Berliner Dom.
In summation to its scenic beauty, a Spree River cruise is simply a relaxing and enjoyable mode to walk an day oregon evening successful Berlin.
Many cruises connection nutrient and portion options, including accepted German fare and section beers and wines.
21. Admire the Architecture of the Public Squares
The metropolis of Berlin is renowned for its stunning architecture, and determination are fewer amended examples of this than the nationalist squares of Gendarmenmarkt and Potsdamer Platz.
Both of these squares are celebrated for their grandiose architectural designs, which marque them must-visit destinations for anyone funny successful history, art, and culture.
Gendarmenmarkt is simply a quadrate that is known for its harmonious architectural ensemble, which includes the German and French cathedrals and the Konzerthaus (concert hall).
Potsdamer Platz, connected the different hand, is simply a modern nationalist quadrate that features immoderate of the astir awesome modern architecture successful the world.
It’s location to respective towering skyscrapers, including the Sony Center, which features an eye-catching solid dome that has go 1 of Berlin’s astir recognizable landmarks.
Getting To and Around Berlin
If inactive readying however to get to Berlin, you should cheque retired this German fund airline, Eurowings. You tin besides easy get to Berlin by bid though it tin beryllium much expensive.
The champion and cheapest mode to get to Berlin (when you’re already successful Germany oregon Europe) is a ride-share app called Bla Bla Car. It’s a transverse betwixt Uber and hitch-hiking, though it tin beryllium a spot deed and miss arsenic you person to hold until idiosyncratic is driving successful the absorption you’re going.
When it comes to getting astir Berlin, you should cognize that though Berlin itself is simply a precise inexpensive city, nationalist transport isn’t.
The champion woody is to bargain a Welcome Card, determination are 8 options, from 48hrs up to 5 days, and you tin usage unlimited nationalist transport but besides get a discount connected more than 200 tourer and taste highlights.
Besides this nationalist transport often is late, oregon not running or you person to usage buses arsenic a replacement service.
Although Berlin is immense it’s besides a metropolis you can explore by ft oregon by bike. I urge you instrumentality a walking circuit oregon motorcycle tour.
Best Time to Visit Berlin
The champion clip to sojourn Berlin is decidedly the summertime arsenic Winter tin beryllium VERY cold.
But successful summertime the metropolis shows its pretty side and you tin adjacent spell for a aquatics successful 1 of the galore lakes successful and astir Berlin, oregon simply beryllium backmost int helium brew gardens and ticker the satellite spell by.
It’s besides the clip erstwhile determination are summertime concerts successful the park, and tons of amusement happening passim the city.
I ever tell people to sojourn Berlin for the archetypal clip successful summer, arsenic you’ll astir apt autumn successful emotion with the city and if you past travel backmost successful wintertime it won’t beryllium that hard for you to inactive emotion the city.
Where to Stay successful Berlin
There are truthful galore hotels and hostels successful Berlin it’s hard to take wherever to enactment successful Berlin.
I urge the Meininger Hotels, arsenic they connection bully prime and a bully price. There are six of them each implicit the city, truthful you conscionable person to take the neighbourhood you privation to enactment in.
If you privation to splurge connected yourself, I urge the Ritz Carlton, not lone due to the fact that Robbie Williams and Brangelina utilized to enactment present erstwhile they are successful Berlin but besides due to the fact that of the large unit who will remember your name.
Final Thoughts connected Things to Do successful Berlin
I emotion Berlin due to the fact that the metropolis doesn’t expect thing from you but to beryllium yourself. And Berlin has much bridges than Venice. Period.
Berlin has truthful overmuch history, which is evident successful the galore museums, monuments, and landmarks scattered passim the city.
And the nightlife is thing you won’t find successful immoderate different European city.
Whether you’re funny successful history, culture, oregon nightlife, Berlin has thing to connection each traveler.
BIO – Yvonne Zagermann is an grant winning German TV writer based successful Berlin, who travels around the satellite and writes astir it successful English and German connected her question blog Just Travelous.
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Do you person immoderate tips connected what to bash successful Berlin? Share your ideas successful the comments.