The Best Things To Do In Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s trendy capital, where numerous events take place every day and an interesting and fun city trip is guaranteed! This city effortlessly unites history with modern times, combining numerous historic sites with a vibrant arts and club scene.

Visit the remnants of the Berlin Wall that used to divide it and check out the most famous border crossing called Checkpoint Charlie, with its fascinating museum, showing the means and tools that people used to escape the “DDR”. Take a picture under the Brandenburger Tor and proceed to the impressive Reichstag building, where German Bundestag, the national Parliament, is convening. You can visit its futuristic glass dome and rooftop terrace and enjoy a view over the city and the government district. Make sure to stop at the famous Holocaust memorial, built to remember Jews who were killed during WWII.

After absorbing so much culture, sit down in one of Berlin’s new aged, hip areas in Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg, and enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat. You will be entertained by the people passing by: being a center of attraction for young and alternative-minded people, there is a big hipster scene and you will be sure to find out – in this city anything goes! For dinner you can choose from the uncountable variety of international cuisines to be enjoyed in specially-designed places. As night falls, get ready for Berlin’s world-renowned club scene that can be enjoyed literally every night of the week. Try to get into the world-famous techno club Berghain – its bouncers make it difficult to get in, but once you’re through, the party will be legendary! If you can’t make it through the front door of Berghain, go to Weekend club on Alexanderplatz, which is situated in a high-rise building with views over Berlin and dance until you see the sun rise again!

When you wake up and feel like your body needs some restoration, try one of the many little cafes of Kreuzberg, indulging in a brunch right on the water in the restaurant Freischwimmer. Then get ready for Berlin’s huge arts scene ranging from classical exhibitions to modern art, with alternative exhibitions popping up every week. Shopaholics will find their satisfaction in one of the many boutiques presenting unique styles, with the designer often sitting right next to the creations to talk to! This great city will fulfill your thirst for urban adventure and entertain you to the maximum!

HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BERLIN…

Berlin Wall

Modern history is on display when you visit the remnants of the infamous Berlin Wall. Constructed in 1961 to divide the city, the wall was finally torn down in 1989, but only after decades of suppressing people who wished to cross from east to west. Study the impressive graffiti and street art, and imagine the great trauma this wall has caused to the people of Berlin over time.

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

A visit to the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) shows the grandeur of the past and provides a poignant reminder of the tumultuous history of Berlin. Built in 1791 – as a gateway to the boulevard that led to the royal residence – admire the stunning architecture and the magnificent chariot that adorns the monuments top.

Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

Dating back to the seventeenth-century, the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) was severely damaged in WWII, but has since been lovingly reconstructed. The largest palace in Berlin, this grand and extensive building displays both Rococo and Baroque architecture, with a wide variety of ornaments on display. It is recommended that you allow a full half-day to explore the rooms and enjoy the manicured gardens.

Kurfurstendamm (Ku’damm)

Meander along the shady Kurfurstendamm (Ku’damm), which stretches for over three-kilometres through the western district of Berlin. Lined by beautiful trees, and boutique shops and cafes, take your time to enjoy the magnificent culture of the city, and perhaps have a meal while you watch the locals go about their day.

Pergamon Museum

One of the most popular museums in Berlin, the Pergamon Museum will take you back to ancient times, with magnificent displays from the Middle-East and Turkey, and one of the best collections of Greek and Roman art in the country. The highlight of your visit will be the Pergamon Altar, but there are over 270,000 artefacts in the collection that will make your visit a fascinating journey through ancient history.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to remember the six-million Jewish victims of the holocaust. As you approach the memorial – that covers over 4 acres – you will be confronted by 2,711 pillars, which has an impact that is fitting to the tragedy it remembers. Visit the underground information centre to learn more of this terrible part of history.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Take a day trip (around 35-kilometres) from Berlin and visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, to gain some appreciation of the atrocities of the past, and pay respect to the 105,000 Jews who were murdered there. Established in 1936 – and liberated in 1945 – the camp is now a museum and memorial, where you can see the barracks, the prison, the kitchens and the offices of this infamous site.

Tiergarten Park

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Berlin and spend some time relaxing at Tiergarten Park. Spread over 210-hectares, enjoy the magnificent gardens, canals and lakes, and people-watch as locals go about their day. Explore the many sculptures and memorials, then climb to the top of the sixty-six-metre-high Victory Tower for some truly spectacular views!

Soviet War Memorial

While there are several Soviet War Memorials in Berlin, the most famous is in Tiergarten, in the centre of the city. Built in 1945 from stonework, the memorial is topped by a large statue of a Soviet soldier. Over 80,000 Soviet soldiers died during the battle to free Berlin, and 2,000 are buried around the memorial. Take some time to visit and reflect on the history of this beautiful city, and its tragic past.

Unter den Linden

A great way to explore Berlin is to start with a walk along the Unter den Linden, a magical pedestrian avenue that stretches one and a half kilometres, and is surrounded by landmarks, embassies, shops and cafes. Lined by lime trees, the walk is particularly spectacular at night when the trees are lit up, or in autumn when they become a kaleidoscope of colourful leaves!

Checkpoint Charlie

A simple wooden shack with a boom gate – named Checkpoint Charlie – became one of the most famous symbols of the Cold War; today, a replica stands in its place in Berlin. The checkpoint was for allied personnel and foreign visitors crossing from the American sector to East Berlin. Visit the replica and the Mauer Museum, for a fascinating history of this simple but infamous symbol of the tense times of the Cold War.

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)

Despite a tumultuous history, the Berlin Cathedral is one of the most impressive landmarks in the city. Originally built in the fifteenth-century, rebuilt again in the late 1800’s, and ravaged once more by WWII, the city has remained committed to its towering presence. As you visit the cathedral – the largest in Berlin – admire the imposing architecture as you look up to the massive dome at its top. Inside, the stained glass and mosaics, as well as the beautiful organ and the many decorations, will hold you in awe!