Top things to do in Berlin
Berlin is a lively and diverse city and the capital of Germany. It has lots of interesting things to do and see. You can explore its rich history and cool art scene and visit famous places like the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. If you’re a foodie or love nightlife, Berlin has much to offer. No matter what you’re into, this city has something for everyone, making it a great place to visit.
Visit Top Berlin Attractions
The capital of Germany is steeped in culture and history – from its humble beginnings as a trading post way back in the 13th century to its rise as one of the biggest and grandest European cities. Berlin has done its fair share of shaping the continent’s history and, indeed, the world. That’s why the city is such a popular place for tourists, who capitalize on the best things to do in Berlin to experience the true heart and soul of the city.
Berlin TV Tower
The Berlin TV Tower is locally known as Fernsehturm Berlin and remains THE iconic landmark of the city. These days, it’s even one of the markers that help people identify what city one is talking about. It stands 368 meters tall and was built in the 1960s by the East German government as an answer to the problems of signals and radios. Still, today, it works to an additional capacity – drawing millions of visitors each year.
As one of the top tourist sites in Berlin, this destination is to be considered. The observation deck atop the tower offers stunning 360-degree panoramic city views. On clearer days, you can see almost as far as 42 kilometers in every direction, which includes the various Berlin activities you’ll experience on the side, like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
Illuseum Berlin
Then we have the Illuseum Berlin, a unique option but one of the best things to do in Berlin because of the interactive and immersive promise it makes to everyone who buys a ticket. Since it’s also a central location, it’s a perfect Berlin activities option for most visitors amidst all the classic stops on their lists.
The Illuseum divides its exhibits into several themed rooms, each boasting unique illusions that make your mind spin and confuse your senses. Expect rooms filled with mirrors, holograms, and other optical illusions. At the same time, you also get to participate in interactive activities like the Ames Room, where visitors’ change size’ depending on their position in the room.
Legoland Berlin Discovery Centre
Thirdly, we have the Legoland Berlin Discovery Centre. This modern yet classic attraction leverages the international appeal of Legos to highlight a family-friendly and overall fun attraction that people of all ages (though it is most of those with kids who end up showing) can enjoy. Located in Potsdamer Platz, it’s easy to get to through public transport, so you don’t have to worry about access.
The discovery center is divided into themed areas with unique twists. Miniland, for example, boasts a miniature version of Berlin made entirely from Lego bricks. Another option is a Dragon Coast that takes you on a thrilling ride.
Berlin Wall
The question of what to see in Berlin can only be answered by at least mentioning the city’s most famous landmark, the Berlin Wall. While it has been mostly destroyed since the reunification and, before that, the protest stemming from tensions and dissatisfaction, the ideal and the symbolic nature of the wall itself becomes essentially important, serving as powerful reminders of the city’s troubled past, but at the same time, as a symbol that struggling against injustice will one day give you a chance to succeed. The Berlin Wall was built during the intense political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, also known as the Cold War. It became more than just a physical barrier, though. These were (and are) far-reaching, affecting how one thinks and acts.
East Side Gallery Berlin
Berlin tours would be complete with this off-shoot of the Berlin Wall, which refers to the East Side Gallery, Berlin. This gallery is a 1.3-kilometer-long stretch of the Berlin Wall that has been turned into an outdoor art gallery and has become accessible to far more people. Artists have painted over 100 murals from nations worldwide, and each of them is a unique creation that gives the gallery character.
In 1990, the East Side Galley first came into standing shortly after the Berlin Wall fell, thus symbolizing the opposite of the Berlin Wall; it marked freedom, peace, and the everlasting struggle for human rights. Some of the more famous murals on the list include “The Kiss” by Dmitri Vrubel, a painting showing the famous kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker.
Painting Gallery Berlin
Then we have the Painting Gallery, also known locally as the Gemäldegalerie, which is, unironically, one of the most important art museums in the city. Located on Museumsinsel, it houses the majesty of European art from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries.
More than a thousand paintings call this gallery home, boasting works of masters like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer. Some of the more famous works of all the countless masterpieces include Rembrandt’s “Self-Portrait with Two Circles,” Rubens’ “The Fall of the Damned,” and Vermeer’s “Woman with a Pearl Necklace.” Art students and lovers from all over the world come to see this incredible gallery, and the collection itself is thus divided into several sections, each focusing on a different period or style of painting.
Berlin New National Gallery
Another of the top tourist sites in Berlin is the New National Gallery, AKA the Neue Nationalgalerie, a modern art museum located in the Kulturforum complex in the city’s heart. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is honored to have designed and opened it in 1968. It found its home amidst vast modern and contemporary art collections, including works by Picasso, Klee, and Kandinsky.
The Neue Nationalgalerie is well-known for its distinctive modernist architecture, glass and steel structure, and open floor plan. Additionally, The art collection is displayed in several galleries, each focusing on a different period or style of art for a thematic or chronological distribution. Some famous works include Picasso’s “Guernica,” Klee’s “Angelus Novus,” and Kandinsky’s “Composition VII.”
Topography of Terror Berlin
The Topography of Terror Berlin may sound horrifying, and it is, indeed, a memorial to the horrors of the Nazi Regime of the Second World War. It’s located at the site of the old headquarters, the SS, and the Gestapo and is one of the most important historical destinations of the city. After the more ‘fun’ options on the list, this is a sobering wake-up call but a necessary one to be able to note and realize the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
The museum has its exhibits in various sections, each of which focuses on different aspects of the regime and reign of terror perpetuated by the Nazis, both within and without Germany. Therefore, the rooms one can visit include the Gestapo’s interrogation rooms, the SS’s offices, and the site of the former SS headquarters. Still, there’s also a permanent exhibition on the Holocaust, which includes photographs, documents, and personal stories of survivors.
Sony Centre Berlin
Then we have the Sony Centre Berlin, a modern entertainment complex in the city’s heart. It’s home to various restaurants, bars, shops, a state-of-the-art cinema, and a concert hall. Plus, it’s known for its distinctive architecture, glass and steel structure, and open-air plaza. The Sony Centre Berlin was designed by the famous architect Helmut Jahn and opened in 2000. The complex’s architecture blends modern and traditional styles with its glass and steel structure and open-air plaza. The Centre has various entertainment and dining options, including a state-of-the-art cinema, a concert hall, and restaurants and bars.
Holocaust Memorial Berlin
The Holocaust Memorial Berlin is also known popularly as the “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe,” and this incredibly heart-wrenching Memorial can be found within Berlin, which once saw those very atrocities committed upon them.
The Holocaust Memorial comprises 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping site, all of different heights. The Memorial is designed to evoke a sense of disorientation and unease, and visitors are encouraged to walk through the slabs and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust.
The design is meant to symbolize the chaos and randomness of the Holocaust. The slabs are placed in a grid pattern but are not uniform in size or shape, and the ground beneath them is uneven. The Memorial is meant to be a place of contemplation and remembrance, and visitors are encouraged to reflect on lost lives.
Visit Iconic Places in Berlin
Iconic places in Berlin are around every corner if you look at the city through a lens of culture and history. Still, certain destinations aren’t to be underestimated. After all, they set Berlin apart from other cities with similar cultural and historical ties. These include museums that can’t be imitated and parks that give you more than rest – they give you tranquility.
Museums of Berlin
There are many museums in Berlin, but some of them – especially the ones on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) – are without compare, and you can find within them ties to the culture and history of worlds long and civilizations lost.
Pergamon Museum in Berlin
The Pergamon Museum is one of the most famous museums in Berlin. It is located on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to a vast collection of ancient artifacts and treasures. The museum has several sections, each focusing on a different period or culture. The museum’s highlights include the Ishtar Gate and the Market Gate of Miletus. You can also visit Pergamon’s other galleries, which feature many artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, and jewelry.
Jewish Museum Berlin
The Jewish Museum Berlin is another important museum in the city. It is located in the Kreuzberg district and is dedicated to the history and culture of the Jewish people in Germany. The museum’s collection includes many artifacts, including religious objects, artwork, and personal belongings. The museum also has several permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring Jewish life and history.
GDR Museum Berlin
The GDR Museum Berlin is a unique museum that shows you life in East Germany during the Cold War. The building is in the Mitte district and is dedicated to the history and culture of the German Democratic Republic. The museum’s collection includes various artifacts, including household items, clothing, and propaganda materials. The museum is also home to several interactive exhibits, which allow visitors to experience life in East Germany firsthand.
German Historical Museum
The German Historical Museum is another important museum in Berlin. It is located in the Mitte district and is dedicated to the history and culture of Germany. The museum’s collection includes many artifacts, including weapons, armor, and artwork. The museum also has several permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring various aspects of German history and culture.
Neues Museum Berlin
The Neues Museum Berlin is located on Museum Island and is one of the most important museums in the city. It is home to a vast collection of artifacts and treasures from ancient Egypt, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. The museum also has several permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring ancient Egyptian history and culture.
Visit Iconic Parks in Berlin
Parks are some of the best ways to get close to nature, take a breather after a few days in the middle of the city, and appreciate beauty in its most natural form. That’s what the top parks in Berlin will give you.
Tiergarten
The Tiergarten is one of the largest and most famous parks in Berlin and thus draws in locals and tourists from all over. The park has several attractions, including the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column, and the Bellevue Palace. Visitors can stroll through the park’s lush greenery, explore the many trails and paths that crisscross the park, or even get a bike and zoom through.
Volkspark Friedrichshain
The Volkspark Friedrichshain is another popular park in Berlin. It is located in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district and is known for its beautiful gardens, ponds, and walking paths. The park has several attractions, including the Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain), the Schönholzer Heide (Schönholz Heath), and the Friedrichshain Flak Tower.
Tempelhofer Feld
The Tempelhofer Feld is a unique park in Berlin. It is located on the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, which was once one of the busiest airports in Europe. The airport was closed in 2008, and the site was transformed into a public park. Today, the Tempelhofer Feld is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including cycling, skating, and kite flying. The park is also home to several attractions, including the Tempelhofer Freiheit (Tempelhof Freedom), the Tempelhofer Feld Skatepark, and the Tempelhofer Feld Nature Reserve.
Berlin Walking Tour
Berlin doesn’t only have museums and parks – the streets themselves are a destination, and the Berlin Walking Tours capitalize on that, taking you through history and culture on Berlin’s roads.
Berlin Wall Walking Tour
The Berlin Wall Walking Tour is a popular guided tour that explores the history and significance of the Berlin Wall. The tour takes visitors to several important sites, including the Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery, and Checkpoint Charlie. The tour is led by guides who provide insight into the events that led to the construction and fall of the wall.
Third Reich Walking Tour
The Third Reich Walking Tour is another popular guided tour that explores the history and significance of the Nazi regime in Berlin. The tour takes visitors to several important sites, including the Topography of Terror, the Holocaust Memorial, and the site of Hitler’s bunker.
Berlin Street Art Walking Tour
The Berlin Street Art Walking Tour is a unique guided tour that explores the city’s vibrant street art scene. The tour takes visitors to several neighborhoods, including Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Prenzlauer Berg, where they can see some of the city’s most famous murals and graffiti.
Hop-on-Hop-off Berlin
If you’ve ever thought about just jumping on a bus and getting off when something seems interesting and then repeating, then the Hop-on, Hop-off tour is for you because it allows you to do exactly that at your own pace.
City Circle Tour
The City Circle Tour is a popular hop-on-hop-off bus tour that ferries people to some of Berlin’s most famous landmarks and attractions. The tour includes stops at the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Wall Memorial. Travelers can jump on and off the bus at their leisure, allowing them to explore the city at their own pace.
Berlin City Sightseeing Tour
The Berlin City Sightseeing Tour is another popular hop-on-hop-off bus tour that takes visitors to the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions. The tour includes stops at the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery, and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.