Berlin is a city that has something for everyone. History buffs can explore the remnants of the Cold War, art lovers can admire the many museums and galleries, and shoppers can hit up some of the best stores in Europe. With so much to see and do, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Berlin.
1- Start with East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is a 1.3km-long section of the Berlin Wall located near the center of Berlin. It consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, many of which depict scenes of hope and freedom.
The gallery was created shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and has since become one of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions.
Visitors can stroll along the gallery, admiring the various artworks and learning about the history of the Berlin Wall. The East Side Gallery is a powerful reminder of the past, and an inspiring symbol of hope for the future.
2- See Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany. It is located in Berlin, and it was built in the 18th century. The Brandenburg Gate has a lot of history behind it. For example, it was once occupied by Napoleon’s troops.
Nowadays, it is a popular tourist destination. Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of peace and unity.
It is also a symbol of the German people’s resilience. Brandenburg Gate is an important part of German history, and it is definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Berlin.

3- Go to Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was once the most famous border crossing in the world. Situated in the heart of Berlin, it was the only way for Allied citizens to travel between East and West Germany during the Cold War.
Today, the checkpoint has been transformed into a tourist attraction, complete with a replica guard house and a line of vintage East German Trabant cars.
Visitors can even have their passports stamped with a special “Checkpoint Charlie” visa.
Despite its kitschy appeal, the checkpoint still serves as a reminder of the divisions that once divided a city – and a country.
4- Visit the dome of the German Parliament building
The Reichstag is the parliament building of Germany, located in Berlin. It was built in 1894 and was severely damaged in a fire in 1933.
After being rebuilt, it served as the site of the German Parliament until 1999 when it moved to the new Chambers of the German Bundestag.
In addition to serving as a seat of government, the Reichstag is also a popular tourist destination, with over 3 million visitors per year. The building is particularly famous for its glass dome, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Visitors can also take a lift to the top of the dome, where they can enjoy an even better view. For those interested in German history, the Reichstag is definitely worth a visit.
5- See Paintings at the Alte Nationalgalerie
The Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin is one of the most famous museums in the city. It is home to a wide variety of art from different periods, including paintings, sculptures, and prints.
The museum also has a library and archives, which contain valuable records and documents.
The Alte Nationalgalerie was founded in 1876, and it has been open to the public since 1884. The museum is located in the Mitte district of Berlin, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
Visitors can see a wide variety of art, including works by Rembrandt, Goya, and Manet. In addition, the museum has a café and a shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs.
The Alte Nationalgalerie is a must-see for anyone visiting Berlin.
6- Check out the Neues Museum
The Neues Museum is home to a wonderful collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, as well as a number of important paintings from the 19th century.
Visitors can also see the famous bust of Nefertiti, which is one of the most iconic works of ancient Egyptian art. The Neues Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in history or architecture.
The Neues Museum in Berlin is one of the most iconic examples of neoclassical architecture. The museum was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and completed in 1841.
Although the building was severely damaged during World War II, it has since been restored to its former glory.
7- Visit the Bode Museum
The Bode Museum is one of the many museums that make up the Museum Island complex in Berlin, Germany. It is named after its first director, Wilhelm von Bode, and houses a collection of art and artifacts from the Byzantine Empire, as well as a coin cabinet and a numismatic library.
The museum is particularly noted for its statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, which stands atop the entrance staircase. Visitors to the museum can also see The Adoration of the Magi by Matthias Grünewald, a 16th-century painting that depicts the Biblical story of the three wise men presenting gifts to the infant Jesus.
With its impressive collection and stunning architecture, the Bode Museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Berlin.
8- Stop by Templehof
Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport has a long and storied history. It was opened in 1923, and soon became one of the busiest airports in Europe. However, its importance increased exponentially during the Nazi era.
Hitler saw the airport as key to his plans for world domination, and it was expanded to accommodate his massive air force.
After the war, Tempelhof continued to be a major hub for air travel. But its fortunes changed in 2008, when it was closed to commercial flights.
Today, the airport is mostly used for recreation, with people coming to bike, skate, and fly kites. But it still has an eerie feeling, given its dark past.
And it’s impossible to forget Hitler’s presence when gazing at the massive hangar that he built. Hitler may be gone, but the memories of his atrocities live on.

9- Have a look inside Teufelsberg
Hitler’s Germany fell to the Allies in 1945, but the Battle of Berlin took its toll on the city. In an effort to erase any trace of the Nazi regime, the Soviets demolished many of the buildings associated with Hitler and his followers.
However, one structure remained: a massive communications tower known as Teufelsberg, or Devil’s Mountain. Situated on a man-made hill created from the rubble of Hitler’s Berlin, Teufelsberg was used by the Allies to spy on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Today, it stands as a reminder of both the dark history of Hitler’s Germany and the tense relationship between East and West during the Cold War.
10- Take a Guided Underground Tour
If you’re looking for an interesting way to spend an afternoon in Berlin, why not take an underground tour? Berlin has a rich and complex history, and much of it is hidden beneath the city streets.
On an underground tour, you’ll learn about the city’s past, from its days as the capital of Prussia to its role in the Cold War. You’ll also get to see some of the hidden places that most tourists never get to see, including secret tunnels, world war 2 bunkers and abandoned subway stations.
It’s a great way to get a glimpse of the real Berlin, and you’re sure to come away with a new appreciation for the city.
11- Visit the Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin is both a sobering reminder of the atrocities of the past and a hopeful monument to the power of human resilience.
Designed by world-renowned architect Peter Eisenman, the memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying sizes, arranged in a grid pattern across 19,000 square meters.
The slabs are meant to evoke the feeling of a cemetery, and each one bears the name of one of the Nazi concentration camps.
Visitors are free to walk among the slabs, and the changing light and shadows create an ever-changing landscape. The Holocaust Memorial is located just a few blocks from the Brandenburg Gate, making it one of the most visited places in Berlin.
Despite its somber subject matter, the memorial is a beautiful and moving tribute to those who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
12- See the Sanssouci Palace
Sanssoucci Palace is one of the most iconic buildings in Berlin. The palace was built in the 18th century by Frederick the Great, and it served as his summer residence.
The palace is located in a park that is famed for its extensive gardens and sweeping views. Sanssoucci Palace is a prime example of Rococo architecture, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Berlin.
Visitors can tour the palace and gardens, and they can also enjoy a meal at one of the on-site restaurants. In addition, the palace offers a variety of special events throughout the year, such as concerts and exhibitions.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast or simply looking for a unique day trip, Sanssoucci Palace is definitely worth a visit.

13- Spend a few hours at the Tiergarten
Tiergarten is one of the largest parks in Berlin, and it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The park is home to a variety of trees and plants, as well as a number of ponds and streams. There’s also a wide range of wildlife, including ducks, swans, and squirrels.
In addition to being a great place for a leisurely stroll, Tiergarten is also home to a number of monuments and museums.
If you’re interested in history, be sure to check out the Victory Column or the Berlin Wall Memorial. And if you’re looking for something a little more light-hearted, the park is also home to the Berlin Zoo. No matter what your interests are, Tiergarten is sure to have something for you.
14- See the Fernsehturm
The Fernsehturm, or television tower, is a well-known sight in Berlin. Standing at over 650 feet tall, it is the tallest structure in the city.
The tower was built in 1969 and offers sweeping views of the city from its observation deck. Visitors can also ride an elevator to the top of the tower, where there is a restaurant that revolves slowly, giving diners a 360-degree view of Berlin.
The Fernsehturm is a popular tourist destination, and it is also a symbol of Berlin’s post-war reconstruction.
15- Try some traditional German food
Berlin is a great city for food lovers. There are endless restaurants, cafes, and street vendors to choose from, and the city has something to offer everyone.
If you’re looking for a taste of the local cuisine, be sure to try some traditional German food. Popular dishes include sauerkraut, bratwurst, and schnitzel.
And of course, no meal would be complete without a stein of beer. Berlin has a vibrant food scene, so make sure to explore all that the city has to offer.
Berlin is also known for its mouth-watering currywurst stalls. Be sure to sample it in its original birthplace.
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